Just bought my first BMW project. 1982 320i. Oh God. If I don't rescue her she's a beater on the next owner and gone. Not on my watch.

I need anything I can get for info, tips, etc. This car has a whole family suporting the project.

The first issue is a front end shimmy. I've heard this is a classic BMW hassle for this series and getting a proper alignment requires someone who really knows their stuff.

The front end seems to be actually pretty tight when we get her on the hoist, but the shop wants as much as I paid for her in a front end job just to say hello.

Any and all advice welcome

I am so flippin newbie. Just checked Barry E6 M325 not two postings above.
Many humble thanks.

Still need everything else, tips, links, scorn, whatever - thanks

Hey. Welcome to the forums. It's good to know that you saved her before she got thrown away. We all love our e21's and most of us actually leave the good car at home and drive these.

Most of the time it's bushings, and they're relatively simple to replace yourself.

Order a Haynes manual, I think every single one of us has one.

My shimmy was from unbalanced tires. Take it to LesSchwabb and they'll check for free, you just gotta wait an hour or two.

We like to help eachother out, and have fun :-) Also, a huge tip.. The search button, top right. Instant responses.

Front end alignments on these cars is very simple, the only adjustment is the toe in.... Nothing special there.

Most cars that shimmy have worn parts, unbalanced tires or incorrect toe in.

Check the ball joints, tire rod ends, steering rack and steering rack bushings, sway bar to control arm bushings and your wheel bearings. If all that is ok have the tire balance checked.

ken

First thing, stay away from the shops. You'll just waste alot of money. Tires are the most common shimmy maker, and swaybar to control arm bushings next. Get the hayne's manual and study it so you know what all thses parts are. You need to be ok with the shimmy whether it goes away or not. The less you try to make it go away the more likely it is to go away. Climbing some chinese mountains should help with this, it also won't hurt to catch a few flys with chopsticks.

Got a Haynes on order. After looking closer at the front end myself I decided there was no way on blue she needed what the shop is praying I'll spend. Tires are suspect too - they are new and cheap. Previous owner probably shredded the last set then popped the new ones on to sell her. Happily waiting to get greasy.

Cheap tires are your enemy. They will amost always seperate internally and create lumps before the tread wears out. The best check is to just run your hand all the way around the tread and feel for any inconsistancy. Shops can't get over the notion that all bimmer owners are filthy rich and stupid. One guy on the other forum was told that his car required a "specialty alignment" since its a bimmer, cost like $149 or $179. We all know that the toe in is the only adjustable feature on the car and they could do it in 10 minutes.

$150 to $180 would have been a relief. these pirates are suggesting $1300 to $1500 worth of work. I can scrap the original and contemplate serious upgrade for that kind of shiny coin.

Can you get us an itemized estimate? That must be hillarious. Heck post up the shop number and we'll call and ream them out. haha

I don't think there was anything under there they didn't want to replace. Apparently they were going to carpet the shop with my cash for good measure too.

BTW I have a BMW service shop manual straight from the Bayerische AG service department. Even has a complete rebuild with b/w pics. 82 320i specific. I am waiting for my Haynes to get here as a backup resource - but if anyone thinks there might be info in there they are looking for - let me know. I'll post or email anything your interested in.