Well, more changes. Lowered it this weekend with H&R Springs (Springs installed with no spring compressor, just unbolt the top center nut on the struts, jack the car up, tilt the struts/wheel outward and pull the springs off by hand. Easy). Like I said, I wasn't going to slam it, just drop it to get rid of the 4x4 look it had previously. ;)
Afterward, took it on a long drive yesterday, around the NE corner of Maryland, and down the eastern shore to Chestertown and Chesapeake City (had a nice, romantic dinner in Chesapeake City with my wife for our anniversary). Car rode and drove perfect. Much more aggressive, crisper handling. And the nose now drops away to the point where you really can't see it from teh driver's seat. the road (and the bumpers of cars ahead of you) feels right there making the car feel quite a bit smaller. Anyhow, now I have to clean it up and get some new pictures...
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=918&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=520c039056a8a550ad99c086ee018e4b)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=921&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=520c039056a8a550ad99c086ee018e4b)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=927&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=520c039056a8a550ad99c086ee018e4b)
Funny, that's the first time I've ever heard someone say a BMW has a 4x4 look stock. Overall I think they do the best job at keeping the gap small.
However, it's good that you like the look and that it still rides nice. And that it's darn easy to do compared to other cars.
I thought it looked just fine before, but now it looks mean! Looks great Chris.
Did you lower the back too? Looks good man, very understated. I love lowered q-ships
Well, compare the way it was before:
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=104&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=e611f47883c96969a96cee1926beb649)
To the way it is now. The previous version looked really tall in front especially.
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=939&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=e611f47883c96969a96cee1926beb649)
So more fresh pics from this morning:
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=933&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=e611f47883c96969a96cee1926beb649)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=936&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=e611f47883c96969a96cee1926beb649)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=954&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=e611f47883c96969a96cee1926beb649)
Ah ok. Hopefully the rear will settle out, it's very raked. Looks great though nonetheless.
They are slightly raked, stock, and the fronts are more of a drop than the rears. Plus the body has a very wedge-shaped profile. The tires have the same gap front and rear now. And, you know, I kind of like like the rake, actually.
Here are some shots of a new BMW 7er that appears to have been slightly lowered. Or maybe it's the big wheels...
(http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/5569/f01006.jpg)
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5686/f01002.jpg)
(http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9627/f01004.jpg)
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4950/dsc0213myi.jpg)
Nice job Chris, but the front does look a little TOO low. I think an intermediate spring, about halfway between the "Before" and the "After" photo would be the way to go. Glad to see you're keeping the mods of the right side of tasteful. :ohyeah:
Cheers,
Madman of the People
Quote from: cawimmer430 on June 15, 2009, 09:01:33 AM
Here are some shots of a new BMW 7er that appears to have been slightly lowered. Or maybe it's the big wheels...
It's just big wheels. You can put your fist between the tires and wheel well openings... lol!
Quote from: Madman on June 15, 2009, 09:03:30 AM
Nice job Chris, but the front does look a little TOO low. I think an intermediate spring, about halfway between the "Before" and the "After" photo would be the way to go. Glad to see you're keeping the mods of the right side of tasteful. :ohyeah:
Cheers,
Madman of the People
It's almost not low enough for me. lol! There's still a gap above the tires.. ;)
Coilovers would be the ultimate way to go, to set it exactly the way I want it (not quite as far as the one in this link: http://baoser.smugmug.com/gallery/8056206_TuNGW#524740907_aStDn but I could level it out perfectly)
Yea if I lower a car I always go with coilovers. I'm too anal about ride height
Quote from: sportyaccordy on June 15, 2009, 10:18:34 AM
Yea if I lower a car I always go with coilovers. I'm too anal about ride height
Well, it was $250 vs $1300, so a no-brainer on that one. ;) (though I guess a group buy is being done for NEX coilovers on the E38 board, that drops the price to $799 or so... But yeah, I can't do that right now)
Quote from: ChrisV on June 15, 2009, 05:40:36 AM
I never thought the 7 series sat particularly high, but that looks pretty good. The tires fill the wheelwells nicely. Can you still get a jack under it if you have a flat in the middle of no where?
Quote from: Byteme on June 15, 2009, 10:28:35 AM
I never thought the 7 series sat particularly high, but that looks pretty good. The tires fill the wheelwells nicely. Can you still get a jack under it if you have a flat in the middle of no where?
Shouldn't be an issue, doesn't look much lower than my Prelude and I have had a jack under it far too many times.
Quote from: Onslaught on June 15, 2009, 05:49:38 AM
Funny, that's the first time I've ever heard someone say a BMW has a 4x4 look stock.
Do you happen to remember the pics of Beetles and mini-trucks he posted here? :tounge:
The car looks very sinister; it's amazing how lowering springs do wonders to complete the big black sedan :ohyeah:
That's about the perfect ride height, Chris. I'm wanting to lower my 3er once I get my El Camino together.
It's too raked for my liking, but it does look good. Nice job!
Quote from: HEMI666 on June 15, 2009, 10:49:56 AM
It's too raked for my liking, but it does look good. Nice job!
Finally agree with Hemi here.
It does looks nice but if It were my car I'd lower the back some more.
I've got 1.3" to go lower in the rear after I save up for some Bilstein HDs. Yeah, I can get a floor jack under it as it is (it may be lowered, but it's still higher off the ground than any of my lowrider cars, or even some of the stock stuff I've had). My only concern is that in the rear I might encounter rubbing issues if I carry rear seat passengers after lowering it more.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 15, 2009, 11:12:40 AM
I've got 1.3" to go lower in the rear after I save up for some Bilstein HDs. Yeah, I can get a floor jack under it as it is (it may be lowered, but it's still higher off the ground than any of my lowrider cars, or even some of the stock stuff I've had). My only concern is that in the rear I might encounter rubbing issues if I carry rear seat passengers after lowering it more.
You could always roll the fenders a bit.
Quote from: hotrodalex on June 15, 2009, 12:00:54 PM
You could always roll the fenders a bit.
Oh, I'll definitely have to, but it's not just the fender lip that's the issue, but the inner wheelwells.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 15, 2009, 10:26:24 AM
Well, it was $250 vs $1300, so a no-brainer on that one. ;) (though I guess a group buy is being done for NEX coilovers on the E38 board, that drops the price to $799 or so... But yeah, I can't do that right now)
Of all the Taiwanese coilovers out there I would say Nex is the best. I had them on my last Maxima and they rode decently (if not a bit soft).
Looks pretty good Chris.
I prefer a little rake myself over flat.
Looks nice Chris.
I've been thinking about the H&R "OE Sport" springs for my car. Very slight lowering, but I don't know what the spring rates are. Tire rack doesn't tell me. :( How am I to know if I also "need" the Koni inserts? :lol:
Okay, just to make sure, when you say "rake", you mean that the car looks as if it is pointed downwards at the front? So if you drew a line from the front to the back of the car, it would be slanted, as opposed to flat?
Quote from: Raza link=topic=18947.msg1085530#msg1085530 date=1245098636
Okay, just to make sure, when you say "rake", you mean that the car looks as if it is pointed downwards at the front? So if you drew a line from the front to the back of the car, it would be slanted, as opposed to flat?
Honestly, I thought Rake was the other direction, but his car is definitely pointed downward, so I don't know.
Quote from: Raza on June 15, 2009, 02:43:56 PM
Okay, just to make sure, when you say "rake", you mean that the car looks as if it is pointed downwards at the front? So if you drew a line from the front to the back of the car, it would be slanted, as opposed to flat?
Yes.
Quote from: R-inge on June 15, 2009, 02:50:18 PM
Yes.
Oh good. In that case, yes, I too like a little rake.
Quote from: Raza link=topic=18947.msg1085555#msg1085555 date=1245099334
Oh good. In that case, yes, I too like a little rake.
I do as well. My car has just a little in it.
Quote from: Minpin on June 15, 2009, 02:47:49 PM
Honestly, I thought Rake was the other direction, but his car is definitely pointed downward, so I don't know.
It can be both ways.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 15, 2009, 12:18:03 PM
Oh, I'll definitely have to, but it's not just the fender lip that's the issue, but the inner wheelwells.
Ah, didn't think about that. I'm used to older cars that don't have to deal with that as much (if something is in the way, take it out! :lol:)
I don't normally approve of lowered cars - particularly modern luxury sedans - but that actually looks quite good. Hard to mess up the perfect proportions of the E38.
Have fun on steep driveways, though.
Quote from: sandertheshark on June 15, 2009, 11:29:36 PM
Have fun on steep driveways, though.
What are those? :lol:
Actually, the car is still a lot taller than the Fiat was, or the Falcons, or even the stock SVT Contour. Hell, I've already cleared the typical speed bumps around here...
Niiiiice. :ohyeah:
Sweet car. I love those 7s.
new pics from this morning on the way to work...
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=960&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=957&g2_serialNumber=1)
Yeah, they were done in Corel PhotoPaint X3 (I use it at work more than the more expensive Photoshop)
Hey man, if you're going to do some fake motion blurs, at least make sure the wheels aren't showing or blur them too. :lol:
The wheels have radial blur on them...
And in the first one, the rims themselves would still look perfectly round. Only the centers would be blurred, and they aren't visible. :lol:
(http://www.wtrf.com/images/112006043318_car_motion_234w1.jpg)
Notice how clear and crisp the rim portion is? If the centers weren't visible, the rim itself would look motionless, like the car...
:huh:
They look convincing enough to me.
my sig is how you fake motion...
those give me headaches trying to look at
Quote from: r0tor on June 18, 2009, 08:04:27 AM
my sig is how you fake motion...
those give me headaches trying to look at
Well, I only took like 5 minutes while here at work, but I'm not the only one who does it this way:
http://www.grantgb.com/creatingmotion.htm
It's also similar to how the magazines fake it for covershots.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 17, 2009, 10:38:38 PM
The wheels have radial blur on them...
And in the first one, the rims themselves would still look perfectly round. Only the centers would be blurred, and they aren't visible. :lol:
(http://www.wtrf.com/images/112006043318_car_motion_234w1.jpg)
Notice how clear and crisp the rim portion is? If the centers weren't visible, the rim itself would look motionless, like the car...
No, the first one looks good, the second one though... :nono: :lol:
Quote from: ChrisV on June 18, 2009, 09:09:29 AM
Well, I only took like 5 minutes while here at work, but I'm not the only one who does it this way:
http://www.grantgb.com/creatingmotion.htm
It's also similar to how the magazines fake it for covershots.
this is what a real motion shot looks like...
notice it doesn't make you sea-sick trying to look at it and in real life the motion blur decreases with distance from the object. Also, the car is not ghost imaging around it.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3569800854_976f613672_o.jpg)
The thing about the second shot is that the reflections on the car are still, while the scenery it's reflecting is going 200 mph. The same thing is the only thing that gives away r0tor's sig.
Like I SAID it was a 5 minute thing at work for fun. I didn't have time to do the bit about cloning out the car in the background before blurring it, as the article I linked to did, so yeah, there's ghosting.
Man, I hate rain. Makes the car so dirty...
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=977&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c522f6a58d22f073d5ac6e3e439c3608)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=986&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c522f6a58d22f073d5ac6e3e439c3608)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=980&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c522f6a58d22f073d5ac6e3e439c3608)
:wub:
Nice ride.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 20, 2009, 12:43:27 PM
Man, I hate rain. Makes the car so dirty...
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=977&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c522f6a58d22f073d5ac6e3e439c3608)
1280X800 please.
Quote from: Raza on June 23, 2009, 08:03:05 AM
1280X800 please.
To get it widescreen, I had to crop the top and bottom a bit...
God, that's such a beautiful car. You've really made that thing look great, Chris (E38 wasn't ugly to begin with). How easy of a car to work on is it for somebody with moderate mechanical skills?
Very nice. Good choice to go with a modest lowering.
Quote from: The Pirate on June 23, 2009, 02:16:20 PM
God, that's such a beautiful car. You've really made that thing look great, Chris (E38 wasn't ugly to begin with). How easy of a car to work on is it for somebody with moderate mechanical skills?
Surprisingly easy. A number of the owners in the community are actually working on their own E38s as the first car they've ever worked on! Of course, some people would say, that's a good thing, considering how often they need to be worked on... lol! But on the E38 board, there are a HUGE number of owners with well over 100k miles on them, and many at 200k or more, so the occasional repair is to be expected.
Quote from: Minpin on June 15, 2009, 02:47:49 PM
Honestly, I thought Rake was the other direction, but his car is definitely pointed downward, so I don't know.
"Rake" in this context is a synonym for "pitch," so it describes any orientation in the vertical. I don't see too many cars with a "California lift" though. On purpose that is.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 23, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
To get it widescreen, I had to crop the top and bottom a bit...
Thanks man, that'll be my new desktop. For at least a while. Then I might need a higher resolution picture!
Quote from: ChrisV on June 23, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
To get it widescreen, I had to crop the top and bottom a bit...
Chris, if you would be so kind, could you give it to me in 1366X768?
I appreciate it.
Finally got to drive it again after a month, due to the shoudler surgery... I need to get the rear lowering springs in, but I just don't have the time...
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1066&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1075&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://www.midatlantic7s.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1072&g2_serialNumber=1)
And some cool shots of my buddy Dylans '95, with '99-01 facelift parts and coilovers. It's a daily driver...
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3832593935_9f205ac867_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3833387952_7690bee037_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/3833387734_573ee7cf07_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/3832594009_9cda12b799_o.jpg)
Ah you didn't put the rears on... didn't realize.
Damn your friend's car is MEAN. I would really love a 740i but something in me just can't justify driving a 4200# car just yet.
Rather rakish. I like it :ohyeah:.