Something I wanted to do for such a long time. Decided to put the car on the scales on the farm. Driving a car with lowered suspension on this farm road is not fun. But I had to do it today, the weather was great and the sun was merciful early in the morning.
Shiraz grapes ready for the picking
On the heavy duty weighbridge on the Koopmanskloof farm. Scale is used to weigh trucks with tons of grapes/fruit & or barrels of wine. I love this place. :inlove:
After the reading we put it on the smaller scale for comparitive purposes and were 20Kgs out. Even though the operator said its within the margin of error.
After some recalibration of the scales, we ended up with exactly: 1600Kg
Some theory. The kerb weight of my 335 sedan from the factory weighs approximately 1625Kg. According to my owners handbook this kerb weight (includes) a 75kg load, tank at 90% and without optional accessories such as the sunroof.
When I weighed the car, the fuel tank was on the half mark and it had no occupants. The only additional weight was the water/meth tank with 8 Liters full.
Unsprung weight/mass reduction modifications done:
* Bilstein complete suspension (shocks and springs)
* Lighter wheels
* Lighter tyres
* M3 suspensions aluminium parts
Sprung weight/mass reduction done:
* Full exhaust
* LSD
* The heavy trunk floor cover removed as well as battery cover
* Many bits of engine component parts including intake box
* Lighter under carriage covers
I would optimistically guess the total weight reduction on my car in the region of 80 - 100Kg. I could probably lower this with approximately another 45Kg by removing the passenger & rear seat for special "race" days. But my question is - will this reduce weight significantly?
So based on my current weight "reduction" attempts & still tipping the scales at 1600Kg, I have to accept my car is still pretty "heavy".
The only consolation is that the weight reduction can be felt in the handling. I experience the handling of the car to be a whole lot better and nimble with the unsprung/sprung mass reductions and the fatter yet lighter takkies in the four corners. I think for a road car the unsprung weight loss is the best I am going to get. The only significant weight reduction is when a street car is prepped as a race car with all its guts removed...now that is not fun living without creature comforts as a daily drive.
So I think my e90 "diet" is officially over. Will start working on the owners weight issues. :=):
The road less travelled
On a farm, a tractor is king of the road.
Die Berghuis sign begging for the 4/4 enthusiasts...
A view from the Berghuis overlooking the vineyards
Shiraz grapes ready for the picking
On the heavy duty weighbridge on the Koopmanskloof farm. Scale is used to weigh trucks with tons of grapes/fruit & or barrels of wine. I love this place. :inlove:
After the reading we put it on the smaller scale for comparitive purposes and were 20Kgs out. Even though the operator said its within the margin of error.
After some recalibration of the scales, we ended up with exactly: 1600Kg
Some theory. The kerb weight of my 335 sedan from the factory weighs approximately 1625Kg. According to my owners handbook this kerb weight (includes) a 75kg load, tank at 90% and without optional accessories such as the sunroof.
When I weighed the car, the fuel tank was on the half mark and it had no occupants. The only additional weight was the water/meth tank with 8 Liters full.
Unsprung weight/mass reduction modifications done:
* Bilstein complete suspension (shocks and springs)
* Lighter wheels
* Lighter tyres
* M3 suspensions aluminium parts
Sprung weight/mass reduction done:
* Full exhaust
* LSD
* The heavy trunk floor cover removed as well as battery cover
* Many bits of engine component parts including intake box
* Lighter under carriage covers
I would optimistically guess the total weight reduction on my car in the region of 80 - 100Kg. I could probably lower this with approximately another 45Kg by removing the passenger & rear seat for special "race" days. But my question is - will this reduce weight significantly?
So based on my current weight "reduction" attempts & still tipping the scales at 1600Kg, I have to accept my car is still pretty "heavy".
The only consolation is that the weight reduction can be felt in the handling. I experience the handling of the car to be a whole lot better and nimble with the unsprung/sprung mass reductions and the fatter yet lighter takkies in the four corners. I think for a road car the unsprung weight loss is the best I am going to get. The only significant weight reduction is when a street car is prepped as a race car with all its guts removed...now that is not fun living without creature comforts as a daily drive.
So I think my e90 "diet" is officially over. Will start working on the owners weight issues. :=):
The road less travelled
On a farm, a tractor is king of the road.
Die Berghuis sign begging for the 4/4 enthusiasts...
A view from the Berghuis overlooking the vineyards
raise:
