Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Although entertainingly now that the 911 is slammed, on 18's, on Ohlins coil-overs the ride is (significantly!) better than the Volvo on 17's/Koni FSD.

That's not really surprising. Porsche can design a fundamentally decent suspension, and by the 996 had really had the opportunity to refine things, whereas Volvo (at the time the 850 was made) had only just moved on from live axles and leaf springs. Their priorities were likely cost, packaging, and cost again rather than good geometry, location and articulation.

The Ohlins are a modem design of damper, which I suspect has a lot to do with it- the 911 is 30mm lower than it was before, when it was on brand new Billsteins, and the ride is much, much better.

What was the ride like before you lowered it? And was it the standard package or the sports option?

My Boxster had the sports chassis option and I was amazed by the excellent ride quality. The DB9 also has the sports pack (with nearly new Bilsteins and its ride is superb, even with the more focused handling) If the design is fundamentally right then you don't need to make it hard-riding to make it handle. If it isn't then you do.
Just ask Lotus.

Chandlers means it from the south coast? Brighton/Worthing.

Rust

My old suspension was the standard, non-sport suspension- B4's all round.

The new stuff is a lot lower, roll is massively reduced, yet it's much less crashy- ride is very much better, to the extent that that Mrs noticed and commented.

After quite a few productive weekends, this weekend I only managed to remove the front bumper. Some seriously corroded bolts but glad things aren't too bad, just looks like some grinding then Hammerite for peace of mind. Might relocate the number plate to the side whilst filling the ugly holes that will be revealed too.

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Looks much better. 😎

Get all the loose rust off with a wire wheel then put on some Jelonite rust preventer then paint with something
https://www.jenolite.net

Use plusgas not WD40.

The modern jenolite stuff is shite.

https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-and-rust-treatments/hydrate-80 is the one to use.

Or cold galvanizing spray, Had a 70's lancia shell (post fiat purchase series 3 and fiat metal) blasted and painted with this stuff and was left to the elements with a tarp over it for five years. The shell was still perfect.

Think I've got some Bilthamber stuff in the shed from when I did the inside of my old petrol tank many moons ago. What's the benefit of plusgas over WD40?

Plus gas is a releasing fluid, wd is not.

@Ordinata can't pretend there wasn't a moment when I thought I've bitten off more than I can chew.

@lynx yep still got some in the shed, awesome. The WD is running out so might have to try it next.

Not sure if you can get it in the UK but the best stuff I've ever used on seized fasteners is something called Aerokroil made by a company called Kano Industries. Genuinely miraculous. PB Blaster is the next best but a pretty distant second.

Aerokroil How much in the UK?

Nothing beats induction heating...now that is magic at work.

That is quite lovely.

Anyone have an opinion on MG BGT's? Thinking of buying one. I want a project and my dream car (Volvo P1800) is a bit more pricey than I want.

Gas axe or gtfo.

Since we're all wading in with penetrating oil ideas, the stuff from toolstation is cheap and works IMO.

Main thing is to find a way to let gravity soak it in.

That's lovely. Ticks many of my boxes. Apart perhaps from 'affordable' and 'sensible'

Anyone have an opinion on MG BGT's?

Do u even car thread?

@Fixedwheelnut that's quite a lump in the E30, Wots the story (sorry if I missed something)

Spent most of the weekend fitting a subframe with wishbone conversion onto project polo

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Awesome work.

This is great - I'd love to be able to do this kind of stuff.