my new '78 320i

i've only driven it once last night when i picked it up, and i gotta say of all the cars i've owned, this is by far the most fun to drive.

and now i have a million questions....this thing is very clean and has a lot of time/money invested (not by myself but by the previous owner), and i want to make sure i keep it that way. i was hoping to update a few components, so i'm ordering the clear corners from w&n, and i'm going to do the diy front bumper tuck. anyway, onto the never-ending questions...

1. i would really like to get a set of projector headlights in there like the e30s have, but i'm told this is not possible. someone please show me the light at the end of the tunnel...

2. is upgrading from 13 to 15" wheels worth it? or rather, are there any good 13" tires or are they all economy tires?

3. i've got 285 cams and a few other engine mods, should i run premium gas? ithe reason i ask is because 've had older cars that ran better on regular unleaded

4. is there any center console out there for these cars that adds an armrest?


tia, that's all i can think of for now, i'll come up with a million more as soon as i start working on this thing...

congrats on the new E21! post up some pics when u get a chance.

as for your questions...
1. it is possible...a couple guys here have done the modification/upgrade. I believe the headlight buckets need to be trimmed to fit those E30 projectors.
2. it depends how much you're willing to spend, but IMO 15's perform & look better...and there's a lot more tire choices. For good 13" tires, I'd go w/ Sumitomo HTR200's in 205/60/13's...they're fairly cheap & grip pretty well (except in the rain, where it's okay). Then, there's always track tires that are available in 13" sizes.
3. maybe? you could try playing around w/ the timing on various grades of gasoline, and see which setting you like the best.
4. none that i know of. the lack of that center armrest has never bothered me...in fact, on other manual cars that do have a center armrest, I find them to be a little distracting while shifting.

eh...anythings possible with $$ and fabrication, oh and some planning lol...so if its really something you want-go for it

btw congrats on the new car...I just wanna add I am also picking mine up on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for the replies guys...i'm loving this thing so far

jbob, thanks for the tips on the tires..i like those mag wheels youve got, about how much would a set of those with decent tires cost?


here's some pics the previous owner took a couple years ago, before he let it sit outside for almost two years straight :( the hood, trunk lid & roof are all faded now, but everything else is immaculate...


DOH, i can't post pictures...my account does not have the necessary permissions?

anyway, about the hood and trunk lid, i was looking at vacmotorsports and korman for cf replacements, but i want something with oem fitment and that uses latches, i dont want pins...is that possible?

bflan2001
what area of the bay are you in ?
i am also here.

For 13" wheels a lot of people really like Falken ZIEX ZE-512 tires. I'm pretty sure Falken has discontinued making tires for 13" wheels, but if you do a thorough search on the internet you can still find some for sale in a 185/60-13. I'm still riding on 13" wheels, and I love em', but it's really difficult to find good performance tires for 13" wheels anymore. I'll probably get a set of 15's too...for variety. I guess you can never have too many tires.

bflan2001
what area of the bay are you in ?
i am also here.

i'm in the south bay

CONGRATS on the new ride!