I found a really clean 77 320i sport near my house and i was wondering what where your guys impression of these cars. obiviously you like them since you own one, but do you experience many mechanical problems or other problems? what is the worst part about owning an E21? i would think it would be getting your hands on parts.

thank you for your help and input!

they are rediculously slow, have tons of body lean, and the rear suspension is a very weak design.

but I've only owned one for 2 weeks.

Rust.
Rust in the floorboards. Rust in the rockers, rust in the quarters,
rust in the rear shock towers....ets....

You can rebuilt the suspension or the engine,
but rust is soo hard to get rid of.

I had to rebuild my 323i from the ground up....
and just about every panel has been replaced.

Well... I don't know where Itown or Btown are but if you live in where they salt the roads in the winter you need to be concerned with rust in the rockers, rear shock towers, sub frame rails etc.

Most electrical problems are cured by cleaning the grounding points, easy thing.

The CIS can be troublesome if not taken care of in the past but usually easily fixed.

Most stock parts are still available as well as adaquate suppliers of perfromance parts-not tons available like for the e30 or e36 but enough to do the job. If you can't find what you want/need-make it yourself...

No, the rear suspension is not weak-it works quite well with the appropriate upgrades that most performance orented people do.

Body lean... only on a stocker and who wants to drive a stock car?? Certainly not ME.... Slow? Again, only if it's stock-with reasonable effort a 2.0L can perform quite well. Search for suspension and engine info.

I currently own 2 e21s and have owned another in the past as well as an early M5 so BMWs are not new to me. A correctly modified e21 drives surprisingly like an early M5 which is a car for true enthusiasts not luxury posers... A little rough around the edges but VERY competent.

I forgot to address the "worst part" you asked about.... To me it's the lack of respect from other BMW owners-the e21 is the red headed step child of all BMW's - Heck the Issetta owners get more respect than we do!

ken

Go ahead and pull the trigger.
Just hunt for a rust-free car (california-florida)
They are the cheapest Bimmers out there, that why I got one.
Should run forever. Just don't drive in winter on salty roads.

if it was maintained, they can be tanks. the more common problems tend to be electrical related, especially nowadays because the 24 to 30 year old wires/cables are also suseptible to corrosion.

many replacement parts are still available for the E21...in fact dealerships can still get their hands on them. IMO, you're better off ordering from an online parts source (i.e. autohausaz, BMA, Bavarian Autosport, etc...).
But it does kind of suck that there's a limited selection when it comes to aftermarket performance parts.

Also, because they're so relatively cheap & older technology, it's a good DIY car to work on (everything is pretty straight forward). I'd also highly recommend picking up the Haynes manual for the E21.


yeah, they are slow and the 80-83 320i's have as much body roll as a minivan (luckily the 77-79 320i's came standard w/ rear sway bars), but they're still a fun car to drive since it's still a pretty lightweight (around 2,400lbs) RWD car.

Oh, and the hazard button sucks! :stickoutt (but it's an easy fix)


they are rediculously slow, have tons of body lean, and the rear suspension is a very weak design.

but I've only owned one for 2 weeks.
I think that rear suspension breakage you had on your car more in part due to the accident it was in before it became the TDF car: the Z3 that rolled into the E21, bending that one trailing arm by shoving it into the curb. So, I would think that it's very possible that accident cracked or fatigued the other trailing arm & it just finally gave up on you now....because there have been plenty of E21's that have been tracked hard w/ full slicks with no rear suspension failures.

I think that rear suspension breakage you had on your car more in part due to the accident it was in before it became the TDF car: the Z3 that rolled into the E21, bending that one trailing arm by shoving it into the curb. So, I would think that it's very possible that accident cracked or fatigued the other trailing arm & it just finally gave up on you now....because there have been plenty of E21's that have been tracked hard w/ full slicks with no rear suspension failures.

I'm speaking more along the lines of the actual design of the components that I observed when I fixed the car, the control arms are thin gauge stamped metal with pinch welded seams. The rear shock mount design is horrible, the rear subframe bushing design is rediculous, it just goes on and on.

lots of other cars on the road would have absorbed the hit that car was in without damaging the rear suspension at all. They may have damaged the wheel that hit the curb worse, or had some body damage, but the structural part of the car would have remained undamaged.

and btw I didn't break the drivers side control arm, 3 of the lug bolts snapped in half and the wheel was held on by 1 lug bolt when I parked it :buttrockWhat can I say, I drive cars pretty hard. I took care of that with new lug bolts.

BMW seems to have a recurring problem with rear subframe integrity, although I have not heard so much about it related to E21's. Definitely though the E36's, early E46's, and Z3's (which were based on the E36s anyway) have had their share of problems.

yeah, i kinda agree. It is a relatively bad design by today's standards, however the E21 was a car that was designed with 70's technology & automotive engineering and was the basis of improvements found in the E30. And, technologically, it was what the E90 is for us today. Who knows, in another 30 years, I wouldn't be surprised if the E90's suspension will be considered inferior.
The E21 has a weaker chassis than all the newer 3-series, and IMO, the rear trailing arm did what it was supposed to: fail first. Because it would be much cheaper to replace a relatively weak trailing arm than to have the frame straightend. [But, I do agree that it would've been nice if the trailing arm held up a little better]

Comparatively, it's surprising the E21's rear suspension doesn't typically go thru RSM's & RTAB's that E36's are sometimes plagued with.


and btw I didn't break the drivers side control arm, 3 of the lug bolts snapped in half and the wheel was held on by 1 lug bolt when I parked it :buttrockWhat can I say, I drive cars pretty hard. I took care of that with new lug bolts.

doh, that's right. Kinda crazy 3 of them broke...but I guess they can't last forever (*goes & checks mine right now* :D )



btw, E36mpwr, how much is that guy asking for that 77 320i? If you can, post up some pics and more info about it.

Its worth the time and investment.
I've had 2002s, e21s and e30s.
Fact is, I currently have a e21.
Speaks a lot about what this car can do.

well thanks for all the help so far. im not too concerned with suspension, b/c i would def. want some work done to tighten it up and bring the car to a nice aggressive stance.
Here is the ad i found. i do live in colorado, so rust is my biggest fear, ill have to check this car out in depth!
http://denver.craigslist.org/car/238725136.html

Not worth the price.
Looks like an $800 car.
It should have rust.

Not worth the price.
Looks like an $800 car.
It should have rust.


+1...at least find out the mileage, which isn't given. Run the CarFax...get more/better pics...

CarFax wont help.

it's a 77 too so it has the older style control arms, but has the vented front rotor setup and a rear sway bar and probably a LSD.

nice find, hopefully it doesn't have a ton of rust

CarFax wont help.

Why would you say that? :confused

it could be a fair price...and seems like it's worth checking out. If those cloth recaro's are in good condition, them alone are worth a nice chunk of change.

yeah, im starting to get nervous. the guy has not answered his phone and i tried calling him all day. i want to know the mileage and see if she is clean as far as rust goes. i dont want this one to get away. i have been trying to get another car for months and 5 deals have backed out. mayb im not meant to have an old bmw or vdub. :(

Why would you say that? :confused

The age of the car.
KBB doesnt have a established value therefore in an adjustment sense the car is only worth as much as someones willing to pay. Carfax wont have any affect of the car other than saying if its been wrecked or not. In most cases being wrecked is the last of your worries as Carfax doesnt disclose all the rust one might find.

Pre 80's are my favorite dish. What makes you say this is a 77 sports?

hey, guys, they didnt have sports until 1980. The 77-79 only came one way. Granted, the 77 has a rear swaybar (16mm), and 1mm larger front bar than the 78-79 and vented front rotors, it is also slightly heavier than the 78-79 because of extra sound deadening material, and the seats sit a little higher.

I find it hard to say that the 80-83's have a better or worse suspension, for besides them being about 100pounds less, there is no difference except for the front control arm setup and the swaybar location. In addition, the 80-83 'is' versions are the ones with the 17mm swaybay. So you have 77 with 16mm, none on 78-79, and none on 80-83 unless you have an 'is'.

I think this guy is just saying its a "sport" cause he made some mods. But its not a factory "is".




Oh, and what does everyone mean that the rear suspension geometry is messed up??

Sure, it causes the rear end to kick out all the time...sure my car has tried to kill me....and sure my car has made me look like the greatest driver in the world as I wip out the rear end on an on-ramp at 60mph, drift it around, and pull it out of the turn perfectly cause the car has such great feedback and is so nuetral overall.

...its not bad design geometry...its the built-in, purposely created character of the car...lets you know it wants to be pushed..!!

it's a 77 too so it has the older style control arms, but has the vented front rotor setup and a rear sway bar and probably a LSD.

nice find, hopefully it doesn't have a ton of rust


you are correct about most of that, but the 77-79 had 3.64 open differentials mated to 4speed tranny.

Only LSD's came in the "is" models, and were 3.9 to go with the 1.8L and 5 speed. Therefore, they had a little more umph, more like the 2L, because of the lower gearing in the rear end, though they maintained fuel econ and upper speed driving with the overdrive gear...

So unless there is a 3.91 or 3.64(another model) LSD swapped in, its an open diff.

any word from the seller yet?

so your saying this guy probably made some modifications to the suspension and such and is calling it a sport. but its not a true sport

i wish he would answer his phone. :(

yea.

sports were only availible from 80-83. They included rear swaybar, recaros, lsd....

77-79 didnt have any 'is' models.

though he could have put in a larger rear swaybar, recaros and an lsd, 5 speed...ect....

and is now calling it a sport.

I have yet to look at the listing, does he say if has has done anything?

77 was the first year of fuel injection on these cars I believe. I had a 77, and it was a mess the entire time i had it. Always had fuel injection issues.

sports were only availible from 80-83. They included rear swaybar, recaros, lsd....

77-79 didnt have any 'is' models.

though he could have put in a larger rear swaybar, recaros and an lsd, 5 speed...ect....
The sport 3 spoke steering wheel, recaros, 3.64 LSD (45% lockup), and rear sway bar were all options available for 77-79 models.

I have only ever heard of the 16mm rear swaybar in any E21, I have never heard anyone say the "is" or the '77 had a 17mm rear bar. I've never heard of a 23mm in the '77, the larger front sway bar in the "is" was 23.5mm over the regular 22mm.

Jeroen's spec page says there was a 5 spd available as well, but who knows.

The sport 3 spoke steering wheel, recaros, 3.64 LSD (45% lockup), and rear sway bar were all options available for 77-79 models.

I have only ever heard of the 16mm rear swaybar in any E21, I have never heard anyone say the "is" or the '77 had a 17mm rear bar. I've never heard of a 23mm in the '77, the larger front sway bar in the "is" was 23.5mm over the regular 22mm.

Jeroen's spec page says there was a 5 spd available as well, but who knows.

The 77-79 sport models also had the option for front bar, and it was 23.5mm if I remember correctly. They also came with the rocker covers. I wasnt aware that the pre 80's could come with the LSD, I know my dad tried to get one but didnt succeed. He also couldnt get it in a 5speed, so he waited till 83to get one.

And for the record on my original sales reciept is does say something to the tune of 1979 BMW 320i Sport Package

i have never heard nor seen of an "is" pre 80'.

the 77 does have a 23mm front bar though, compared to the 78 and 79 22mm front bars.

78 and 79 didnt have rear swaybars, but 77 did.

all pre-80's were 4 speeds with 3.64 rear ends.

they went to 3.9 when they went with the 5 speed and 1.8L engine.

Once again, i have never heard nor seen an "is" pre 80's 320i.

ok, i just talked to the seller of the car and im kinda thinkin twice about buying this now. i asked how many miles and he told me the odometer/speedometer have been broken for sometime and he is not sure if its close to 100k or 200k or how many miles. thats kinda scary.

he said it runs great and starts up and "to his knowledge" is a sport. i asked him if those were just options that were put on the car or if he added and he said it was a sport. he said they are really rare in that year. yeah, they are rare, b/c they didnt exist.

oh and it does have some rust he said. the two floor pans and the passenger front quarter panel.

well any input is welcome, ill keep you guys informed. i might still take a look and take it for a test drive soon. but i think i might keep looking

ok, i just talked to the seller of the car and im kinda thinkin twice about buying this now. i asked how many miles and he told me the odometer/speedometer have been broken for sometime and he is not sure if its close to 100k or 200k or how many miles. thats kinda scary.

he said it runs great and starts up and "to his knowledge" is a sport. i asked him if those were just options that were put on the car or if he added and he said it was a sport. he said they are really rare in that year. yeah, they are rare, b/c they didnt exist.

oh and it does have some rust he said. the two floor pans and the passenger front quarter panel.

well any input is welcome, ill keep you guys informed. i might still take a look and take it for a test drive soon. but i think i might keep looking

When looking at a car this old you will run in to problems. Unless the car has been recently restored, or garaged all its life, then it will have rust. That's a given. It's just a matter of finding one without any major structural rust. If it's just the floor pans that isn't too bad. Mainly you should be concerned with rust in the shock towers the most.

Again with the mileage. On a car this old, you never know if the odo was broken or it already rolled over. Don't be too concerned with mileage, and be more concerned with the condition of the car, and how it runs. These cars can go many miles without a hitch if kept in decent shape.

Take it for a drive and seriously look over the car. I don't know where you live, but maybe one of the memebers on here lives near you and can go to check out the car with you, and give you their opinion on it.

If you buy an e21, that isn't restored just be aware it will be a project car, and probably always be. Don't get me wrong though, they are great cars, and can be daily driven without much hassle. I daily drive mine and have had minimal problems. I have not put really any money into except for basic maitnance stuff. All of them have problems so, don't let little things scare you away, just know what you are in for.

The pics of it in the ad you posted don't look too bad. It looks like it is in better condition than mine. Just go take a look at it, you have nothing to lose, and it will be a learning experience. I know it was and still is for me.

i have never heard nor seen of an "is" pre 80'.

the 77 does have a 23mm front bar though, compared to the 78 and 79 22mm front bars.

78 and 79 didnt have rear swaybars, but 77 did.

all pre-80's were 4 speeds with 3.64 rear ends.

they went to 3.9 when they went with the 5 speed and 1.8L engine.

Once again, i have never heard nor seen an "is" pre 80's 320i.
We all agree with everything you've said, there was no pre '80 "is", but you're comparing standard equipment to standard equipment. What we are saying is that the sport options (sport 3 spoke wheel, recaros, 3.64 LSD, and rear sway bar) were available as seperate options or as a package.

I'm suprised that CJ's dad couldn't get the 3.64LSD. Although rare, they do exist and I always thought they were an option pre '80. I don't believe our diffs were ever available in anything but the E21, so where did the 3.64 LSD's come from? European only option?

BTW, I have an "is" 23.5mm front bar in my garage.

The age of the car.
KBB doesnt have a established value therefore in an adjustment sense the car is only worth as much as someones willing to pay. Carfax wont have any affect of the car other than saying if its been wrecked or not. In most cases being wrecked is the last of your worries as Carfax doesnt disclose all the rust one might find.

Yeah, I'd agree with you as far as disclosing rust & overall condition. In my opinion at least though, CarFax can still be of some value by giving you a broad perspective of any red flags that may exist. Before I bought my 320 I was looking hard at an E34 530. The seller made no mention of any accidents (and he honestly may not have known), but CarFax showed 2 previous accidents, one moderate and one severe.

Prior to buying my 320, I ran the vehicle's CarFax, and the ownership history was exactly as the current owner decribed it. So, for what that was worth (along with no accidents/flood title etc.) it did add to my peace of mind prior to purchase, along with a good PPI, etc.

The point of my reply to the OP was, CarFax is one of several more steps he should consider, prior to purchasing. By itself, CarFax is not worth much. Probably the most valuable step is to have the pre-purchase inspection (PPI) done by a reputable mechanic/shop.

ok, i just talked to the seller of the car and im kinda thinkin twice about buying this now. i asked how many miles and he told me the odometer/speedometer have been broken for sometime and he is not sure if its close to 100k or 200k or how many miles. thats kinda scary.

he said it runs great and starts up and "to his knowledge" is a sport. i asked him if those were just options that were put on the car or if he added and he said it was a sport. he said they are really rare in that year. yeah, they are rare, b/c they didnt exist.

oh and it does have some rust he said. the two floor pans and the passenger front quarter panel.

well any input is welcome, ill keep you guys informed. i might still take a look and take it for a test drive soon. but i think i might keep looking


If you have the VIN, send it to me and I'll run the CarFax for you. :D
(Seriously)

If you have the VIN, send it to me and I'll run the CarFax for you. :D
(Seriously)

Carfax is useless, it wont recognize our VIN's as they are not 14 digit standard.

Carfax is useless, it wont recognize our VIN's as they are not 14 digit standard.

The standard is 17 digits, not 14. Did you mean the earlier E21's are 14 digits?

My 83 is a 'normal' 17-digit VIN, same as my E39. I had no problem running a Carfax on my 83 320. :conf

If you have the VIN, send it to me and I'll run the CarFax for you. :D
(Seriously)

oh no, the seller said it might not work b/c the vin is short. (5400730) let me know if this works, doubtful. and thank you very much!

well, i think i might of found another one! i emailed seller about mileage and pictures! this sounds like an almost too good to be true car. asking price seems a little high, but might be able to work with them. but then again for no rust and a working odometer im willing to pay more!

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/238014965.html
never mind, its an auto.

The standard is 17 digits, not 14. Did you mean the earlier E21's are 14 digits?

My 83 is a 'normal' 17-digit VIN, same as my E39. I had no problem running a Carfax on my 83 320. :conf

14-17 whatever. What I ment by "our" is 77-79 E21's, have a 7 digit VIN, IIRC...

14-17 whatever. What I ment by "our" is 77-79 E21's, have a 7 digit VIN, IIRC...

I hear ya. I knew there was a changeover to a 'standard' VIN somewhere during that time, but I wasn't sure when...as it turns out, it was 1981. You are correct, CarFax cannot be run with anything but a 17-digit VIN. Here is the "official word" from the CarFax folks:

"Question
Why can I not obtain a CARFAX Report on vehicles made before 1981?

Answer
We are unable to provide you with vehicle history information for vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, when the 17 character VIN became standard. The 17 character VIN is the code that is used to access CARFAX’s vehicle history information database.

To our knowledge there are no sources from whom pre-1981 vehicle history information is available readily. You could try to contact vehicle-specific clubs or groups focused on older vehicles."

Sorry I couldn't help you out. I still have about 2 weeks left on my suscription, so I'm trying to get as much use out of it as possible! :D Now, if you decide to look at an 81 or newer...PM me...:drink1

i believe the 3.64 lsd never came on the 320i, only the 323i.

I still will stand by the claim that I have never heard nor seen a prior to 80' 320i with the "is" designation.

But i guess its all irrelevent....voodoo BMW folklore exists in many forms....such as 3.64 45% lock optional LSD for 78 320 "is".:confused

Anyways, if the guy doesnt know much about the car, and it has booga miles and uknown rust issues...i would stay clear til you find a nicer specimen....they are out there, just keep lookin:eek:

GOOD LUCK!

Anyways, if the guy doesnt know much about the car, and it has booga miles and uknown rust issues...i would stay clear til you find a nicer specimen....they are out there, just keep lookin:eek:

GOOD LUCK!

yeah, that is true. i might have to start looking at e30s as well, but i like the e21, b/c they are so rare.

I still will stand by the claim that I have never heard nor seen a prior to 80' 320i with the "is" designation.
No one is arguing that point. As for the 3.64 LSD not available in the US 320i, I learn something new every day. I always thought it was an option over here. I guess that's why they're so hard to find. :dunno

I would wait till you find a clean car with lower miles. You can find very clean, exceptional examples for much less than it would take to bring a junker up to snuff. You'll be further ahead in the long run (I know from experience).

I would wait till you find a clean car with lower miles. You can find very clean, exceptional examples for much less than it would take to bring a junker up to snuff. You'll be further ahead in the long run (I know from experience).

thanks alot, thats how i feel about older cars. plus when these cars are almost 30 years old, i want to make sure i get a clean one.

My 79 has a sport wheel, recararos(although I swapped those into the Baur), and a LSD on a 4 speed, so they can come on pre 80s... the metal tab is long gone off it so I don't know what ratio it is. It sloggs around really well in the snow the only thing it does that my open E-36 doesn't do is when the one has traction it kicks the back end over in the direction of the wheel with traction, on the open diff e36 the wheel with no traction just spins and the car goes straight...If I had a decent set of studs on the E-21 that thing would be great in the snow

My 78 has a spoty wheel and recaros as well, but that may or may not have been added by one of the P/O's.

Just to voice up: my opinion

It does not matter what 24 plus year old car you buy or drive - they are all a pain in the butt!! And need :help I'm mean they're 24 plus years old now, people.

BUT - I’d rather be driving one of my 26 year old e21's, then some 26 year old VW, or Toyota, or any 1980 American so called muscle car. Now if I get my 65 Malibu wagon back on the road - I'll have to rethink my daily driver - thinking.

Anyway on the iS thing

Everything I've read including an original '81 320 sales brochures that came with my '81 iS. 1980 is the first year of factory built and sold "Sport Editions" Prior to that everything was available as an option, but there was not a factory "Sport" labeled car sold. 1980 was also the first year for the 5 speed tranny from the factory and they were only in the iS cars unless special ordered. I believe it was 1983 before the 5 speed came from the factory in the non iS cars.

Sorry for the spewing of info. :devillook - newbees talking iS carp again need to get informed. Plus I really hate it when someone selling a car trys to past it off as something it just isn't - especially if they know their making it up.

So if you look at a per 80 car and the seller says it is an "iS" model, he is telling you stores, and if this story, what less is he making up. Or he just does not know and is miss informed, you decide. Personally I do not really buy much of what most sellers say about the car, I look at it and his garage and other cars, then I go back to the car and look a lot more, If I like it and it is a fair price to me I buy it. The truth of the matter - the more the seller tells me how really great a car is and trys to impress me with his knowledge, I tend to walk away. Just one old mans thoughts.

I have only ever heard of the 16mm rear swaybar in any E21, I have never heard anyone say the "is" or the '77 had a 17mm rear bar.

I have a 323i rear swaybar (complete rear end actually) in my car.

17mm

oh and it does have some rust he said. the two floor pans and the passenger front quarter panel.

That's just the rust that's VISIBLE. It's always like an iceburg.
I would worry more about rust, than a broken odometer.

Personally I do not really buy much of what most sellers say about the car, I look at it and his garage and other cars, then I go back to the car and look a lot more, If I like it and it is a fair price to me I buy it. The truth of the matter - the more the seller tells me how really great a car is and trys to impress me with his knowledge, I tend to walk away. Just one old mans thoughts.


Haha, I remember when my dad bought his 6 we went to go look at it and my dad asked the guy for a wrench to check something out. The guy said open or box? My dad gave me this impressed look, as the guy walks over to his magnificent Mac 20 drawer workstation toolbox...

It does not matter what 24 plus year old car you buy or drive - they are all a pain in the butt!! And need :help I'm mean they're 24 plus years old now, people.

1980 was also the first year for the 5 speed tranny from the factory and they were only in the iS cars unless special ordered. I believe it was 1983 before the 5 speed came from the factory in the non iS cars.
True, any 24 year old car will need a lot of work unless it's already been done. Still, you can still find cars that have very clean interiors and rust free bodies. A car that clean may cost you $2k more than a junker, but a paint job, new seats and interior will cost you $5k.

I believe the Getrag 245 5 speed was standard after 1980, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find a 80-82 with a 4 spd, but I could be wrong.

Here's some interesting info: The only 323i I've ever seen in person, the owner told me it had a 3 speed manual. I'm guessing 4th was just broken and the guy was an idiot, he was also missing some teeth, was driving without a liscence or insurance, and raced me from a redlight on the street.

Over the years, BMW has always offered different sport and lux options or packages on their cars. I would guess, that if you could get a pre 80 car with recaroes, it had some sport options that were offered. It may be that BMW decided to designate the "is" as a special model, that offered the front spoiler, rear spoiler, no badges, steering wheel, mesh wheels, etc, but still offered sport options on their regualr E21 cars.

True, any 24 year old car will need a lot of work unless it's already been done. Still, you can still find cars that have very clean interiors and rust free bodies. A car that clean may cost you $2k more than a junker, but a paint job, new seats and interior will cost you $5k.

I believe the Getrag 245 5 speed was standard after 1980, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find a 80-82 with a 4 spd, but I could be wrong.

Here's some interesting info: The only 323i I've ever seen in person, the owner told me it had a 3 speed manual. I'm guessing 4th was just broken and the guy was an idiot, he was also missing some teeth, was driving without a liscence or insurance, and raced me from a redlight on the street.

If he had missing teeth, no license, and insurance, an upstanding citizen like that has to be telling the truth.:confused

Personally I do not really buy much of what most sellers say about the car, I look at it and his garage and other cars, then I go back to the car and look a lot more, If I like it and it is a fair price to me I buy it. The truth of the matter - the more the seller tells me how really great a car is and trys to impress me with his knowledge, I tend to walk away. Just one old mans thoughts.

thanks, i like the way you think. it is so true, plus it helps to see where the seller is coming from. i dont think im going to buy the 77 320i"s", even after i asked the seller about it he kept with his story. i might drive it to just say i have driven one and continue the search!

thanks for all the help everbody

If you have the VIN, send it to me and I'll run the CarFax for you. :D
(Seriously)

Got a VIN number! PM sent!

Done. Just need your e-mail address now (check your PM).

I'm in the same boat, I was just browsing CraigsList and found this one.

1982 BMW 320i

I Must Sell ASAP! Great car but needs the hands of a mechanic. A beauty though. All black, Black leather interior, Ricaro racing seats, 5 speed manual 320i. Engine Rebuilt by BMW mechanic approx. 15,000 miles ago. Removable Stereo System. Runs well but needs muffler welded or replaced and has a puncture in the gas tank. Other than that everything runs smoothly and so much fun to drive! Receipts available for previous work.

This car is a dream for someone with the time for TLC on a classic looking Beemer.

If interested I can send photos. Please call 781.307.1148! $500 obo!

I just asked him to send me some photos of it, but I've always wanted a classic Bimmer. I have an E36 right now as a daily driver. Is it possible for an E21 to be a daily driver with some TLC?

I'm in the same boat, I was just browsing CraigsList and found this one.



I just asked him to send me some photos of it, but I've always wanted a classic Bimmer. I have an E36 right now as a daily driver. Is it possible for an E21 to be a daily driver with some TLC?

Yes you can DD it, but expect to learn a lot. I daily drive mine, and have very few problems. I have been stranded maybe 2 times, but both times it was related to fuses. So it was an easy fix and I was able to get it started again.

BTW, there is a couple of us in MA with e21s, so someone might be willing to go check out the car with you. I would, but I don't think I have quite enough knowledge yet to give you an informed opinion, I have only had my e21 for about 3 or 4 months.

That'd be pretty awesome, I go to school in Ohio so I'm gonna check it out when I'm home for winter break. I found some pretty helpful online resources for E21s. Do you do anything to prevent rust? Somewhat OT - you ever been to any MA get togethers?

That'd be pretty awesome, I go to school in Ohio so I'm gonna check it out when I'm home for winter break. I found some pretty helpful online resources for E21s. Do you do anything to prevent rust? Somewhat OT - you ever been to any MA get togethers?

Well, I have yet to take care of my rust issues. I am short on money unfortunately, but I plan on it soon. I have rust in my shock towers which is not something I like, but it's not major rust. I have some surface rust on my floorpans, and rockers. So some of it will be replaces, and some just treated, but I beleive you can use POR15 to seal it up once it is all sanded down. The best way to prevent it, is to not drive in the winter though.

The New England section of the board is kind of dead, but it's been growing as of lately. We've been having a monthly meet for the past 2 months, and this Sunday is the 3rd month. First one was only me and Shadyduk1979, who also has an e21. The 2nd was us and one other person with an e46, and we are expecting atleast 10-15 people for this Sunday. I'm hoping atleast half of that shows up.

There has been a couple of other various meets, but nothing that is very regular. Which is why we started this monthly thing.

You should definately come out to one of the monthly meets if you happen to be home from school. Check in the NE section for the Bimmers and Beers meet. Don't let the name fool you though, you don't have to be of age to go, and it's not e21 specific. We just get together at a resturaunt and have some food and a good time. When the spring time rolls around, there will probably be more meets going on, more frequently.

I believe the Getrag 245 5 speed was standard after 1980, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find a 80-82 with a 4 spd, but I could be wrong.

Had to of been, my '82 had a 5 speed from the factory.

I go to school in Ohio

What school do you go to?

Don't do it, e21's suck.

Don't do it, e21's suck.

Maybe yours does... :rolleyes

What school do you go to?

Miami, do you go to school in OH, too? Or just from there?

Miami, do you go to school in OH, too? Or just from there?
I'm from OH, went to U Toledo. I'm an engineer in Van Wert now.

Maybe yours does... :rolleyes

..Don't even get me started on yours.











I'm kidding dude, caman! ;)

I suppose it's hard to feel sarcasim through a forum though.. I forgive you.