Ok. On Saturday, I went to look at an 82 320i that a guy had for sale. Hadn't seen pictures...he described it as in great shape, however not running. He thought that because it was in such good shape, that it would be worth $750. I was prepared to offer him half that if it was in the condition he claimed. To say the least, it was NOT as described. Wet inside and moldy....and that was the good stuff. So anyway...we were only there for a couple of minutes total. I left there dissappointed and wife was torqued that we had gone so far out of route on our "valentine's weekend" overnight trip. Well, as fate would have it, about 40 miles down the "short cut" highway that we took to get back on track, I passed a house with a couple of BMW's in the yard...sitting with no for sale signs, yet in a "come check me out" posture.

So...this guy has (had) a red 84 318i w/ 5 spd. showing 200k on the odometer and in poor to fair condition. Absolutely no rust, but rough in general. (note to self...bmw with 8 ball gear shift knob was probably not driven by an enthusiast) Probably will shine some after the pine sap is ground down. Some dents. Upholstery is shot. Parked next to that is a 79 320i. Surface rust in some places on the outside. Nothing significant anywhere else that I could see. This white car shows 100k on the odometer and has A/C. Upholstery is in better shape than the 318, but will still have to be redone. Other interior panels are shot...would have to be replaced.

Neither cars run, but the 79 was "running when we parked it"...who knows.

What's the concensus here? Build the 79 using the tranny from the 84 to get the five speed? Does that work?

Would would you do?

And for the final tally....dude priced them to me at 450$ for both. I gave him $300 total for both. Down side? Wife decided dinner last night should cost as much...it was worth it. Now I just have to trailer both of them home and figure out what to bump from the shop to fit both of these in. Let me know what you'd do. Thanks. I can post pictures of the find when we get home.

Bentley

Are they both e21s? I thought in 84 they changed it to an e30.
If they are both e21s, scrap the worst one, and put the parts on the good body.

Are they both e21s? I thought in 84 they changed it to an e30.
If they are both e21s, scrap the worst one, and put the parts on the good body.

you are right 84 would be an e30

If its an 84 318 its an E30. Sounds like you will now have to hunks parked in your yard. Im sure that will go over well with the wife in about 5 months.:D Just kidding. Well being in the E21 section, I would go for the E21. Not sure if you can take the tranny out of the E30 and marry it with the E21?

You can, but I have heard e30 m10 engines use a mechanical speedometer cable. Therefore you'd have to figure out an interesting setup for your speedometer.

for clarification...of the two cars that I bought...the 84 is an e30 (318i) and the other is the 79 model 320i.

The 1984 e30 318i runs K-jet doesn't it? Or is that the 1983 cars....

The 1984 e30 318i runs K-jet doesn't it? Or is that the 1983 cars....

Early 83 E30 318i's

smartarse

go with the e21 and put the whole drivetrain from the e30 in it... that would be sweet!