Does anyone know where to get a good functional rear spoiler?

[RAiMA]

http://ring.wegen.de/fotos.php/touri_20040717/029.jpg

The best I could find was this (yes I know it looks hot like a hobo)

but I have no idea where to get one.

Anyone know?

Thanks in advance :)

[J!m]

HOLY GOD! I actually started laughing out loud when that photo opened (sorry)...

I am going to install the M3GT sedan rear spoiler. This is the same spoiler used on the M3LTW here in the states, but without the risers. I found a set of NOS risers (they are NLA globally) to raise it up to the LTW height.

This WILL give down-force, but don't expect much below 65 MPH. The risers should give more down-force at lower speds, as it is in a 'clean' air path.

Turner has them- not cheap. You will have to modify the mount a bit, as it goes over the rear window slightly. The curve of the deck is the same on the ti as the sedan, so that part is perfect.

I had a photo of a racer in Europe with a ti and this wing installed. It looks fine to me. With the risers, the wing sits dead center of the rear window (imparing rear view a bit) so check local laws to see if this will be a problem before dropping coin for the parts.

[hotdog19d]

J!m I know you have talked about this in the past. Will there be any fitting issues putting an M3 spoiler on? I really love the look of it as well, but I can't deal with fitment issues. Also you don't happen to haven any more pics of one on a TI ?

[J!m]

since the trunk deck 'curve' is identical to the sedan deck, I would go for an M3 sedan wing. It should fit well, but will most likely need to be fitted like the larger wing.

BUT this M3 wing does not give any down-force, and that was the original question.

AND to add to my earlier post, you need a better air dam at least with the larger rear wing, preferably the LTW splitter, to keep the nose on the ground by increasing down force on the nose. THIS IS CRITICAL and the GT wing actually comes with those filler pieces I spoke of in another post, and it is clearly stated in the installation instructions they MUST be installed with the rear wing. SO, keep that in mind...

[RAiMA]

J!m, got any pics of the M3GT wing on a ti?

The RT318ti doesn't need an air dam. The car oversteers quite a fair bit on moderate speed tight corners (50-80mph) with 235F and 255R street rubber. The front sway bars are on the tightest settings and the rears on the softest settings. The car also gets a lil twitchy int eh rear when braking at the end of straights.

I tried another setup which turned out to be great, but unfortunately it wasn't ideal. I had street rubber on the front and rear track rubbers to keep the rear coming out.

I'm hoping the rear wing will increase the downforce enough to reduce the oversteer and increase the stability under braking.

Thanks for the good suggestions :)

[hotdog19d]

Raima - check J!ms photogallery

[RAiMA]

I must be blind, I can't find it. Got a link to it?

[aceyx]

get a true spoiler (see: e46 m3) and not a wing. it'll help break up the turbulence and plant the rears better at high speed.

i'm thinking downforce is the *least* of your worries in a ti.

[RAiMA]

get a true spoiler (see: e46 m3) and not a wing. it'll help break up the turbulence and plant the rears better at high speed.

i'm thinking downforce is the *least* of your worries in a ti.

E46 M3 spoiler? Isn't that the lip spoiler? or are you referring to the E46 M3 GTR spoiler?

Also, what would you think are more important worries in the ti?

[hotdog19d]

Hey Raima I can't find it, I'll upload one I have in my photo gallery, but it's not the greatest.

[GDB]

Hey Raima I can't find it, I'll upload one I have in my photo gallery, but it's not the greatest.

That is an awesome ti.

[aceyx]

E46 M3 spoiler? Isn't that the lip spoiler? or are you referring to the E46 M3 GTR spoiler?

yes, i mean a lip spoiler as opposed to a wing. especially in combination with the rear valence panel on the ti sport bumper, it will "suck down" the rear, rather than push it down. it also has the advantage of doing so only at higher speeds, whereas the wing affects your Cd at all speeds.

Also, what would you think are more important worries in the ti?

coilovers
x brace, rear bars
power
engine temperature (somewhat related to above)
weight
and so on.

just my personal opinion, but seeing a wing on a car that isn't stripped down generally doesn't give me the best impression of the driver, since it's more for looks than pure purpose.

[J!m]

J!m, got any pics of the M3GT wing on a ti?



I'll try to post the one pic I have. Bear with me if it doesn't work...

OK I looked for that picture, and I can't find it now. I'll keep looking and post it if I can find it...

[RAiMA]

yes, i mean a lip spoiler as opposed to a wing. especially in combination with the rear valence panel on the ti sport bumper, it will "suck down" the rear, rather than push it down. it also has the advantage of doing so only at higher speeds, whereas the wing affects your Cd at all speeds.

Thanks for the suggestions aceyx. Not sure if you're familiar with the RT318ti, I'll help fill in some gaps related to what was suggested.

Lip spoiler won't do anything. It's more cosmetics than anything. I've got a lip spoiler at home, but would prefer to get a proper wing. Rear valence is a good idea, but I'm guessing I'd have to do over 200+ kph. All is does is help fill the vacum and reduce the rear drag.


coilovers
x brace, rear bars
power
engine temperature (somewhat related to above)
weight
and so on.

just my personal opinion, but seeing a wing on a car that isn't stripped down generally doesn't give me the best impression of the driver, since it's more for looks than pure purpose.

Coilovers - got H&Rs coilovers
xbrace - may help induce more understeer. Also may be difficult to install with the intercooler and pipes. Would prefer to get a rear camber kit.
rear bars? - Already have adjustables and is on the softest setting for the rears. Stiffening up the rear would induce more unwanted oversteer. Would prefer to get a rear camber kit.
power - Already pushing 258rwhp. It's the most powerful 318ti with the M44 engine (that we know of). It's already quicker than stock E46 M3s. Check the sig for a 3MB vid run at a drag strip. More power in the new year when the engine gets rebuilt with the new gear.
engine temp - working on oil cooler. Coolant temps recorded at the race track shows it's fine.
weight - I strip out about 60kgs/132 lbs when the car goes to the drag strip or race track.

I'll try to post the one pic I have. Bear with me if it doesn't work...

OK I looked for that picture, and I can't find it now. I'll keep looking and post it if I can find it...

Thanks J!m, really appreciate it :)

[Guy Massey]

Raima,

That spoiler looks like a crock of s**t. Don't ruin your ti with it.

[aceyx]

raima; i think i had you completely wrong before--i'm impressed.

i think you should rethink the xbrace. it really does a lot to tighten up the front end and make steering more precise (more than any strut/sway bar would do). also, the rear bar i was talking about was this product: http://members.cox.net/azz3man/Butt-Strut.htm

worrying too much about under/oversteer can usually be corrected with proper driving skills; either preventing them or learning how to use them. i'm not dogging on you, this is just broad information not specific to your uses (as i don't know them). YMMV.


i think a wing in certain circumstances is warranted, though not many i can see with any sort of ti. the rd k55 hurricane uses a lip spoiler, as do most porsches. the porsches with wings generally make twice as much power as your ti. in most cases, a wing will do more harm than good.

if you are getting a lot of lift in the rear end (again, which i think can be remedied by the rear bar) then any wing with a slight curve should do. it should be about mid-height to your rear glass and set fairly forward. there isn't much useable airflow around that car higher up, and further back.

you'll note that the ltw and gt wing have integrated lip spoilers. from what i've read, the spoiler does more to remedy the problems people are having, whereas a wing will solve other problems that occur due to high speeds or overwhelming power.


anyway, that's my advice and understanding of these things, take it as you will. in the end, it's your (very nice) car.

[RAiMA]

Raima,

That spoiler looks like a crock of s**t. Don't ruin your ti with it.

I know it doesn't look good, was thinking of using it for race purposes only. I wouldn't be caught with the wing on the street :p

I'm even thinking of designing a height adjustable wing, one for street and one for track, with the option of changing the wing too.

aceyx, thanks for the kind words and the feedback on improving the car :)

Looks like I've got more reading to do, that rear bar looks interesting :)

It's really good info, thanks heaps :)

[J!m]

I'm even thinking of designing a height adjustable wing, one for street and one for track, with the option of changing the wing too.



This is why the M3GT wing with removeable risers appeals to me. You can (somewhat) easily remove the risers and the wing sits about 3 inches off the rear deck. I would most likely keep it low, and add the risers when I go to the track (which is rare).

This wing also has an integrated 'lip' on the deck, so it straightens the air flow. I'd say it extends the deck about two inches. It actually looks good itself, but there is the rather large bosses for the risers and/or wing top, so running this alone is not really an option... It's about as 'elegant' as you will find with any real effect. Also, it sits quite far back without looking goofy. If one of those wings like pic #1 is set to the rear of the deck, it looks even worse, and doesn't do it's job very well. With the wing further back, it has more leverage on the car.

[nick_hegel]

HOLY GOD! I actually started laughing out loud when that photo opened (sorry)...

I am going to install the M3GT sedan rear spoiler. This is the same spoiler used on the M3LTW here in the states, but without the risers. I found a set of NOS risers (they are NLA globally) to raise it up to the LTW height.

This WILL give down-force, but don't expect much below 65 MPH. The risers should give more down-force at lower speds, as it is in a 'clean' air path.

Turner has them- not cheap. You will have to modify the mount a bit, as it goes over the rear window slightly. The curve of the deck is the same on the ti as the sedan, so that part is perfect.

I had a photo of a racer in Europe with a ti and this wing installed. It looks fine to me. With the risers, the wing sits dead center of the rear window (imparing rear view a bit) so check local laws to see if this will be a problem before dropping coin for the parts.

HOLY GOD is right!!!! Check out this page below. I figured by your reaction to that picture you'll probably finish laughing your ass off or in some cases crying about the horrible injustices to some of the Bimmers on this page below. http://www.jimmy540i.com/bmwnightmare.htm

[needle332rur]

I would say go with the one that the Speed Vision toruing car guys use. At least you know it works. And it's not too big.