RE: BMW 323i (E21): Spotted
Discussion
I am guessing four star classics have some form of sponsorship for PH?
They have nice examples of cars generally but they all appear to be quite hideously overpriced to me and not sure why they get so publicized here it seems about £3 - £4k of car anywhere else.
Take this example sold last year for £3,500 ono looks just as good as this to me!
http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?271808...
They have nice examples of cars generally but they all appear to be quite hideously overpriced to me and not sure why they get so publicized here it seems about £3 - £4k of car anywhere else.
Take this example sold last year for £3,500 ono looks just as good as this to me!
http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?271808...
FRA53R said:
My dad had two E21's and an E30. The main thing I remember is a slight wobble from the steering at approx 55mph (They all do that sir) and the unservoed brakes needing a hefty push. The sound of the engine though was awesome!
Interesting reading the comments.The E21 323is I remember definitely had servos on them.
Someone else mentioned the "poor brakes". I can only assume they were old and unserviced as the brakes on these were pretty good by the standards of the time - discs all round - although, like many cars from the 70s/80s they won't be like modern brakes
RINGMEISTER said:
Is it true that these had a bit of a widow maker reputation aswell? Still a massive want though, red with period Alpina wheels would do me just fine!
The 323i was banned from sale in Sweden for a while following a spate of accidents after launch. I wouldn't set too much store by that though as there were calls for cars like the Sierra Cosworth and Lotus Carlton to be banned from sale over here when they were launched, especially after a police evaluation driver lost control of a Sierra and lost his life sadly.They sold plenty of 323is in the U.S. and they're usually quite jittery about product liability ( see Corvair )
I had one of these in metallic green with grey cord type seats that were worn through, the original steering wheel was horrendous & about the size of a bus wheel. 5 speed & alloys with 205/60 13 tyres, unfortunately cut down springs gave an horrendous ride & could be 'tricky' in the wet.
I own one of these (started off as a 316) and I can confirm that they are crap in original form. They are pretty damn epic when you chuck some cash at them though, some peope have called the car dangerous which made me laugh.
The tail happy attitude is what makes it fun?
Below some snaps of my own e21. I did a complete nut and bolt reto and fitted a tuned up 2.8 24v in and naturally upgraded the brakes , suspension, diff, and everything else that I thought was crap.
from this
to this
The tail happy attitude is what makes it fun?
Below some snaps of my own e21. I did a complete nut and bolt reto and fitted a tuned up 2.8 24v in and naturally upgraded the brakes , suspension, diff, and everything else that I thought was crap.
from this
to this
I had an E21 323i. Steel wheels, 4 speed gearbox, no PAS, manual windows. Even the passenger door mirror was an option! Servo brakes on all E21, I'm sure.
But words like "death trap" "widow maker"? Tricky on the limit, yes, but I'm still in one piece! The 323i followed a 320i which was the same. Never crashed either...
But words like "death trap" "widow maker"? Tricky on the limit, yes, but I'm still in one piece! The 323i followed a 320i which was the same. Never crashed either...
matchmaker said:
But words like "death trap" "widow maker"? Tricky on the limit, yes, but I'm still in one piece! The 323i followed a 320i which was the same. Never crashed either...
- there's a whole range of driving experiences on here - one man's 'death-trap widow-maker' is another man's 'cheap and cheerful rwd fun car' We used to buy them when they were cheap because of their handling, not despite it
I had an E21 323i in 1987. Loved it and still troll the classified for a good one. Surprised how rare they are now.
Mine had alloys and power steering, but wind up windows and a 4 speed box (it was a 1979 car). Sold it after it cost me £500 for cylinder head issues (apparently quite common)
Last cars in 81/82 has a dog leg 5 speed IIRC.
Brilliant car!! Was very 'tricky' in the wet, but was much much better in the dry.
I'd have another in a heartbeat!
Mine had alloys and power steering, but wind up windows and a 4 speed box (it was a 1979 car). Sold it after it cost me £500 for cylinder head issues (apparently quite common)
Last cars in 81/82 has a dog leg 5 speed IIRC.
Brilliant car!! Was very 'tricky' in the wet, but was much much better in the dry.
I'd have another in a heartbeat!
greggy50 said:
I am guessing four star classics have some form of sponsorship for PH?
They have nice examples of cars generally but they all appear to be quite hideously overpriced to me and not sure why they get so publicized here it seems about £3 - £4k of car anywhere else.
Take this example sold last year for £3,500 ono looks just as good as this to me!
http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?271808...
That was the car I posted a picture of earlier in the thread! I sold it to a detailer, who clearly then sold it on soon after - it still has all the rust blisters it did when I owned it! He gave the impression he'd been after one for a while, but it seems a quick 'detail' later and it was up for sale for over 1250 more than I sold it to him for! I always manage to misjudge the value my cars!!They have nice examples of cars generally but they all appear to be quite hideously overpriced to me and not sure why they get so publicized here it seems about £3 - £4k of car anywhere else.
Take this example sold last year for £3,500 ono looks just as good as this to me!
http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?271808...
I like seeing these young timers on Pistonheads and its good they get attention, however I am sick of seeing cars from 4 star being used as examples. All this company does is artificially inflate the percieved values of cars (that we would all like to own) in the market place and just pushes the prices up attracting the 'investment buyer' and making vehicles unaffordable for the average Joe that really appreciates them. If every E21 owner sees this they're all going to think their sitting on a £6k motor - not so of course.
Come on PH, stop plugging their over priced stock.
Rant over.
Come on PH, stop plugging their over priced stock.
Rant over.
Always had a soft spot for these from a very young age, the design is almost perfect in the proportions and the detail. Just compare it with the bulky design full of odd angles and intakes of the current crop of BMWs.
I loved the model hierarchy of these, i.e. 3 car line up: 316 single headlights single tailpipe, 320 twin headlights single tailpipe and 323i twin headlights and twin tailpipes (plus a discrete badge on the grille to show those on front that you had the daddy!)
I loved the model hierarchy of these, i.e. 3 car line up: 316 single headlights single tailpipe, 320 twin headlights single tailpipe and 323i twin headlights and twin tailpipes (plus a discrete badge on the grille to show those on front that you had the daddy!)
Leins said:
Spotted this one hanging out last year where they know a thing or two about performance saloons:
Here's my last one
BBS front spoiler, Foha rear, sunroof, 5-speed, Recaros, opening rear quarters to hear the exhaust note better
, BBS alloysSome ways I preferred it to the E30 325i Sport to drive
Just over a decade back you could buy a couple of these for £1k out the Bargain Ads. People wanted the newer E30 .....or more economical hot hatches
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