Looking for an e21 in FL [Archive] - Bimmerforums

dblsprt68

12-04-2007, 04:11 PM

Hey, this is a pasted post on the Yahoo e21 group. It needs engine work, but it's a rare cool car and in Fl. David:redspot Keith <Kieferck@mchsi.com (http://webmaila.netzero.net/webmail/new/8?folder=Inbox&msgNum=00002vW0:0017LJYt00003T2l&block=1&msgNature=email&msgStatus=all&count=1196798700&content=central#)> escribió: Hi Group
With regret, I'm selling my 323i. The vehicle is far from perfect,
but is intact and has much potential.

I purchased this car about two years ago from a not so honest seller
for the sum of 3900.00. I inquired as to the condition of the motor,
and he assured me the engine was sound and used very little if any
oil, maybe between 1/4 to 1/2 quart of oil between regualr oil
changes (c.3000 miles). Odometer read about 96,000 at that time.
He also indicated 145 - 150 psi across the 6 cylinders.

The car looked really nice in the photos and the seller appeared to
be above board in representing the car. So I hopped on plane to
Chicago and looked forward to driving a nice little 3 series back to
the panhandle of Florida where I live. My first bimmer was a '78
320i and it proved to be a terrific car until I totaled it after
going to the Iron Bowl(another story for another time). Anyway, on
the drive back to Florida I realised the car in fact was using a
quart about every 800 miles. Not happy with that. Nonetheless,
inspite of the oil consumption the car ran really well. I contacted
the seller and let him know about the oil consumption, and he
suggested perhaps the valves need adjusting as he never experienced
that kind of oil usage. He then seemed to suggest perhaps, I was
driving the car too hard. The fact is, I have owned several BMW's
from e9's, e21's to e30's to e38's and they were all up to the task
of traveling at speeds of 70-80 while sometimes hitting 90 for
overtaking without using oil, however, this 323i is fitted with a 4
speed box and it revs to high for fast highway travel, so I kept it
in the 70 mph range with the occasional increase to 90 for passing.
Nonetheless, I took the car to a competent BMW shop in Birminham, AL.
and had the valeves adjusted and the timing belt replaced as the
previous owner was not sure when the timing belt had been replaced
and there was no mention of it in the records he gave me. Okay, more
money invested and still using too much oil. Now that I had the car
in warmer climate I noticed a new sympton the car smoked at various
times. See I bought the car in November or December, it was cold
when I picked it up and drove it south and did not notice the vehicle
smoking. So fast forward to now, I found a shop locally that has
experience with bimmers and asked them to diagnose my sometimes
smoking and always oil guzzling engine. They performed a leak down
and compression test and the results indicated a complete top and
bottom rebuild is needed (there price to rebuild c.3800.00). Since
that diagnosis I stopped driving the car, canceled insurance and tag
and it now sits in the garage. I start the car every other week and
sometimes take it around the block. Damn thing is the car actually
runs well, just smokes at various times and drinks too much oil. The
car now has 99700 miles on it per the odometer. I don't know if
anyone on the list is looking for a project like this but if you are
I'm willing to let it go for quite a bit less than I have into it.

So, asking 2500.00, this includes the proper offset 15' wheels that
were redone last year. Also, have the proper 5 speed tranny that
will be included (these are hard to find). Don't know condition of
tranny other than being told it is in used good working order. If
interested, please email; Kieferck@mchsi.com (http://webmaila.netzero.net/webmail/new/8?folder=Inbox&msgNum=00002vW0:0017LJYt00003T2l&block=1&msgNature=email&msgStatus=all&count=1196798700&content=central#) for questions, photos,
etc. So as not waste your time, I will not accept offers less than
what is stated above.