<<<FWIW the likely cause of the E30's propensity to roll
is the semi-trailing-arm layout of the rear
suspension. The roll center of such a design is very
high compared to a strut or double A-arm design, which
means that cornering forces tend to lift the body,
which raises the roll center, which lifts the body
more, and so on until the center of gravity moves
outside the tire contact patch and the car rolls.
Same thing that happened with swing-axle Corvairs and
Spitfires, only not quite as sudden. The same
suspension, and same problem, is shared by 318Ti's and
Z3's (yep, one of those even rolled at Mineral Wells a
couple years back).>>>
I'm not sure if you can blame semi-trailing arm suspension. The early
911 (til 993??), 914, 924, 928, 944, and 968 all had the same suspension
design without many tipovers...
Paul Foster
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