# E30 driving simulator **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [January 23, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553 "2010-01-23T16:41:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/1 "2010-01-23T16:41:40Z")
> **[How-To Wash | Product Tips & Videos - Griot's Garage](https://www.griotsgarage.com/how-to/wash/)** > > Get tips on washing your car and insight into our traditional, waterless, bucket-free, and low water cleaning products. follow link for video in action > You know you’ve thought about it. You and a bunch of friends are lapping the Nürburgring in a Ford GT on the latest rendition of [Gran Turismo](http://us.playstation.com/granturismo/) or [Forza](http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/default.htm) and you think, “This would be so much cooler if I was sitting in a racing seat with a steering wheel, shifter, and pedals in front of me.” For my friends and I, this dream has become a reality. > > For years, my friends and I have filled the time between car shows and F1 races by sitting on the couch, racing each other around our favorite tracks to see who can post the fastest lap times. That is, until one evening I arrived at my buddy’s house to find a stack of lumber, a skilsaw, and a spare E30 seat instead of the Playstation controller I was expecting. Apparently, James had a different plan for that evening. Version 1 of the E30 Driving Simulator was built that night. > That first “simulator” was just the seat out of an old BMW, bolted to some 2×4s, with platforms to hold the TV and generic plug-in racing equipment (steering wheel, shifter, and pedals). However, with my friend’s vast understanding of the inner workings of computers (plus a couple years and about four versions later), we have what you see today. > Sitting in the driver’s seat is nearly identical, in both form and function, to the interior of an actual BMW E30. Everything works. The steering column gives the proper wheel angle, and the tape deck and CD changer offer up your favorite 80’s hits (”Danger Zone” anyone?). The gauge cluster gives accurate readouts of in-game speed and RPMs. You read that right… look down at the speedometer to check your speed before you hit the chicane at Laguna Seca. None of that on-screen sissy stuff. > OK, enough with the details and on to the pictures and video! > **The cockpit** features fully-functioning HVAC fan, backlit display, factory E30 stereo with CD changer, emergency brake, horn, ignition, E30 on-board computer, shifter, etc. > [![http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_cockpit.jpg](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_cockpit.jpg)](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_cockpit.jpg) > [LEFT] **The gauge cluster** is fully-functional and accurate, allowing the driver to check speed, RPMs, car temperature, and remaining fuel.[/LEFT] > [LEFT][![http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_gauge-cluster.jpg](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_gauge-cluster.jpg)](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_gauge-cluster.jpg)[/LEFT] > [LEFT] **On the back of the simulator** , a 14″ LCD provides passers-by with current car information (tire pressures, temps, RPMs, etc.) along with current and top lap times.[/LEFT] > [LEFT][![http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-1.jpg](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-1.jpg)](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-1.jpg)[/LEFT] > [LEFT] **The electronics module** operates the simulator’s computer (3.16Ghz Core2Duo, 2GB of ram, and a Geforce 280GTX), signal generators, and other electronics required to operate the instrumentation. Also shown is the small LCD showing more game stats and the Zotac nitro, which displays video card statistics.[/LEFT] > [![http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-2.jpg](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-2.jpg)](http://www.inmygarage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bmw-e30_driving-simulator_rear_detail-2.jpg) > **And finally, take a lap with James!** ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/2 "2010-01-23T16:44:56Z")
repost i think coldaccord posted this a while back sweet nontheless ---
**Author:** ![SnowboardinWNY](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/snowboardinwny/32/5182_2.png) [@SnowboardinWNY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SnowboardinWNY)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/3 "2010-01-23T17:26:18Z")
fucking tits, I wish I had that in my room! ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/4 "2010-01-23T19:42:29Z")
looks slow. ---
**Author:** ![burnt\_toast](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/burnt_toast/32/7518_2.png) [@burnt\_toast](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/burnt_toast)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/5 "2010-01-23T21:11:42Z")
that’s pretty rad. Would be better with 3 more monitors for the sides and rear lol. ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/6 "2010-01-23T21:15:29Z")
james crivellone did this, he’s the admin or something on r3v ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 9:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/7 "2010-01-24T09:36:19Z")
Meh, there are nicer simulators, electronically, but that is pretty bad ass. I want to race on a real track someday. ---
**Author:** ![jimmyfloyd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jimmyfloyd/32/3077_2.png) [@jimmyfloyd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jimmyfloyd)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/8 "2010-01-24T18:18:12Z")
does the AC work? Anyone have more details about this? ---
**Author:** ![JMEZZI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@JMEZZI](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JMEZZI)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 9:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/9 "2010-01-25T09:48:42Z")
Looks pretty lame. Could be fun for all of one lap. I want one of the simulators that are on hydrolocks. Like a flight simulator with full cockpit and even has specific scenerios you can choose from. Like NASA and the FAA have for their pilots. Now those are badass. ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/10 "2010-01-25T10:05:01Z")
The guy who made this must be married or a virgin. ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 10:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/11 "2010-01-25T10:26:55Z")
_That_ is cool. ---
**Author:** ![jimmyfloyd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jimmyfloyd/32/3077_2.png) [@jimmyfloyd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jimmyfloyd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-driving-simulator/78553/12 "2010-01-25T19:49:10Z")
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