Behold...the shed-4
- Thread starter nfo
- Start date
I've not got the mechanical expertise you have (other than roofs) so I just find moving them on is the best way to avoid depreciation. Either that or i try and buy wisely with cars that may appreciatenfo said:Your approach of owning lots of them is probably the right way, but I enjoy the gradual improvement process
So it turns out that 16 years and 128k is enough for the factory dampers to be completely ruined 
Bilstein B12 kit and 4x new rear ball-joints fitted this weekend. The difference is night and day! Given the state of the old dampers, I reckon a fresh set of the cheapest eBay specials would still have delivered a big improvement
I also found a cracked rear spring and concluded that the front top mounts are not in good shape, so the struts will be coming out again soon. I've got the whole thing down to a fine art now...
Bilstein B12 kit and 4x new rear ball-joints fitted this weekend. The difference is night and day! Given the state of the old dampers, I reckon a fresh set of the cheapest eBay specials would still have delivered a big improvement
I also found a cracked rear spring and concluded that the front top mounts are not in good shape, so the struts will be coming out again soon. I've got the whole thing down to a fine art now...
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The old shed keeps on getting shiner - on the underside at least.
Since I last posted it's done a few track days (Keevil, Bedford, Abingdon, Castle Combe, Castle Combe, Keevil, Bedford), had a head gasket failure (kept me busy in November), uprated ARBs (H+R) and a brake upgrade (MΓ©gane 265 Brembos on E46 M3 discs).
What else - stiffer engine and gearbox mounts, solid FCABs, new front wheel bearings, a few sensors, rebuilt VANOS, new radiator, hoses, thermostat etc. Did a full brake fluid change recently too including the INPA DSC bleed.
The brake cooling solution is improved and works well - makes all the difference for track use. I'm still eating pads though - going to bite the bullet and try something more expensive than EBC Bluestuff next, although I do like those pads - I'm just bored of replacing them
I've got a set of 216s for it now which are fitted with Nankang NS-2Rs, very impressed so far. It's driving better than ever - had an excellent time at Bedford this week. Might need a touch less front ARB - got a photo with daylight under the front inside wheel turning into a corner
Since I last posted it's done a few track days (Keevil, Bedford, Abingdon, Castle Combe, Castle Combe, Keevil, Bedford), had a head gasket failure (kept me busy in November), uprated ARBs (H+R) and a brake upgrade (MΓ©gane 265 Brembos on E46 M3 discs).
What else - stiffer engine and gearbox mounts, solid FCABs, new front wheel bearings, a few sensors, rebuilt VANOS, new radiator, hoses, thermostat etc. Did a full brake fluid change recently too including the INPA DSC bleed.
The brake cooling solution is improved and works well - makes all the difference for track use. I'm still eating pads though - going to bite the bullet and try something more expensive than EBC Bluestuff next, although I do like those pads - I'm just bored of replacing them
I've got a set of 216s for it now which are fitted with Nankang NS-2Rs, very impressed so far. It's driving better than ever - had an excellent time at Bedford this week. Might need a touch less front ARB - got a photo with daylight under the front inside wheel turning into a corner
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So the old shed has had a thorough thrashing this year - 11 track days in total:
Combe (April), Thruxton (May), Keevil (May), Bedford (June), Combe (July), Anglesey (July), Cadwell (August), Combe (September), Thruxton (October), Silverstone (November), Bedford (December).
After Anglesey I added about a degree more front camber and backed off the front ARB to its lower setting which shifted the handling balance really nicely and means I'm no longer destroying the outside edge of the front tyres which is good. Had an absolutely brilliant day at Combe in September - dry, on track tyres with the new setup. Cadwell and Silverstone were interesting contrasts - at Cadwell it feels like you're going twice as fast as anywhere else, at Silverstone half as fast! Bedford Autodrome remains a favourite especially at this end of the year - December's day was a good challenge, starting frosty (!), dry by lunchtime then getting progressively wetter through the afternoon.
Pagid RSL29 brake pads have been a good investment - very pricey but work out cheaper per track day. I'm no longer really thinking about the brakes on track - they're consistent, powerful and don't complain at all.
I also picked up a second set of 216s needing a refurb and had them done in 'ferric grey' which I wasn't sure about at first, but I think it works well. I'm running 245/40/18 front and rear but that's a bit ambitious at the front and my wheel arch liners have suffered. Is a bit nicer on the road, however. 225/45/18 front and 245/40/18 rear would have been a safer bet.
Excuse the quality (it's a Β£40 camera), some videos from my time on track are here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTNXej-eIcVyi5GGbnzrbQ
Combe (April), Thruxton (May), Keevil (May), Bedford (June), Combe (July), Anglesey (July), Cadwell (August), Combe (September), Thruxton (October), Silverstone (November), Bedford (December).
After Anglesey I added about a degree more front camber and backed off the front ARB to its lower setting which shifted the handling balance really nicely and means I'm no longer destroying the outside edge of the front tyres which is good. Had an absolutely brilliant day at Combe in September - dry, on track tyres with the new setup. Cadwell and Silverstone were interesting contrasts - at Cadwell it feels like you're going twice as fast as anywhere else, at Silverstone half as fast! Bedford Autodrome remains a favourite especially at this end of the year - December's day was a good challenge, starting frosty (!), dry by lunchtime then getting progressively wetter through the afternoon.
Pagid RSL29 brake pads have been a good investment - very pricey but work out cheaper per track day. I'm no longer really thinking about the brakes on track - they're consistent, powerful and don't complain at all.
I also picked up a second set of 216s needing a refurb and had them done in 'ferric grey' which I wasn't sure about at first, but I think it works well. I'm running 245/40/18 front and rear but that's a bit ambitious at the front and my wheel arch liners have suffered. Is a bit nicer on the road, however. 225/45/18 front and 245/40/18 rear would have been a safer bet.
Excuse the quality (it's a Β£40 camera), some videos from my time on track are here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTNXej-eIcVyi5GGbnzrbQ
North West Surrey