Resto-mod e21 BMW

[e21Mark]

mark.c said:

I think I would draw the line at doing what you've done to say a lovely 323i ( any left???) but do appreciate why you have done what you have.

323i are definitely thin on the ground nowadays. I think their low monetary value has meant they simply haven't been repaired / restored once they've begun to rot. The costs of restoration are just so high, compared to the value of the car you'll ultimately be left with. I know Nigel Moseley has a stunning 323i with pretty much every option that was available and he was struggling to get £10k for it. You could never have built it for that sum. That said, the tide does seem to be turning. More people are looking for an e21, as 2002 values have climbed, but there are still some bargains to be had.

My 316, although solid, didn't have much else going for it. The engine bay was undersealed, it was running but tired and didn't even have a 5 speed gearbox. I doubt it would have been around for too many more MOT's. Now though, it'll be used every day for years to come. I bought my first e21 (a henna red 320/6) in 1988 and haven't been without one for very long, ever since. I think now's a good time to buy one, before prices go up though.

[Stuart Thompson]

As in Nigel Molesely who used to race in the BMW Championship? Haven't seen him for years.

[0a]

Hi Mark, pleased to see the project is going well. As you say the value of a 316 and the relative scarcity nowadays means that even a basic restoration is uneconomic so it's great to see one being transformed into a daily driver.

I'm making progress with the e23 this weekend - on a shakedown run into the highlands. You must bring both your e21 crazy machine here and your imminent e30: you won't regret it I promise you!

[mark.c]

e21Mark said:

323i are definitely thin on the ground nowadays. I think their low monetary value has meant they simply haven't been repaired / restored once they've begun to rot. The costs of restoration are just so high, compared to the value of the car you'll ultimately be left with. I know Nigel Moseley has a stunning 323i with pretty much every option that was available and he was struggling to get £10k for it. You could never have built it for that sum. That said, the tide does seem to be turning. More people are looking for an e21, as 2002 values have climbed, but there are still some bargains to be had.

My 316, although solid, didn't have much else going for it. The engine bay was undersealed, it was running but tired and didn't even have a 5 speed gearbox. I doubt it would have been around for too many more MOT's. Now though, it'll be used every day for years to come. I bought my first e21 (a henna red 320/6) in 1988 and haven't been without one for very long, ever since. I think now's a good time to buy one, before prices go up though.

I saw Nigel's car advertised a while ago, I think you are right about prices though, for the time being I think they are retro Bm's best kept secret....that will change tho, I've just had to dig deep (read really deep!) to buy a nice E12 M535i which as you will no doubt remember were literally banger money not too long ago....gutting to think I passed on many cars ( including nice E21's) a few years back.

Still it's horses for courses but I would have definitely made enquiries about Nigel's car had I not had an E12 itch to scratch. I know it's not all about the money of course but it's difficult to not let that count...I bought a lovely late model low miles E30 M3 in the late 1990's for 10.5k (strong money at the time but the car was right, Sport Evo's we're making 14.5k ish) a few years later when I tried to sell it I couldn't give it away.....traded it against a 964 C2 for 6.8k in the end!....chap who bought it off the dealer owned it for 5 or 6 years by which time the market had changed and sold it for 23k. E21's will take off I think and I would love to have one.

Anyway, back on topic!....lovely car and I hope to see it blatting around Cornwall soon


Mark

[e21Mark]

Thanks for the positive comments.

Well it seems there's some interest from the usual magazines and a photographer is heading over to Pristine when my car gets painted. It's scheduled for around 3 weeks from now, so I'll need to be patient. Once the paint goes on though, we really shouldn't be too far away from being finished.

I bought some bits for the stereo last weekend. I'm not really into big ICE installs but these were too cheap to ignore. I have a CD head unit but I'm tempted to look at adding an i-phone jack to that cassette deck instead? Someone paid a stupidly high amount of cash for that one. I just like the quality feel of them all and they should sound great. The hunt is on for some decent 5.25'' speakers and tweeters for the A pillars.

[mark.c]

My vote would be adding an I-phone jack to the cassette player...retro cool looks and quality...

I'm going through a similar decision at the moment with the E12.. It sports a Pioneer KE-4300 which was fitted when the car was new but has an iffy tuner.. I was hoping to buy a good used one but can't find one for love nor money so may have to get it repaired and an I-pod jack put in.

Good news about the magazine, look forward to seeing the car in paint.

Mark

[e21Mark]

I think you could be right. I've mailed a couple of places for quotes but haven't heard back yet. I thought about asking on here?

Well I managed to sort a high ratio steering rack, which at 2.5 turns, from lock to lock, is considerably quicker than the standard racks 4 turns. Given the e21's reputation for oversteer, you'd have thought BMW would have made catching it a little easier.

I've been trying to decide on carpet colour too. I had planned on just going with black but a dark grey might not be a bad idea. The seats I bought about 18 months ago, have a grey suede type insert in contrast to the black leather bolsters. I think they came from a VW/Audi of some sort but I like the way they look and they're a little wider, than stock e21 Recaros. I want to mount them as low as I can, so may well remove the original runner mounts from the floor.



I'm going to see Pristine on Friday, to drop off the rack, so will hopefully have a date for getting the paint done.

[Stuart Thompson]

Any updates on the race car?

[mark.c]

These guys seem to offer a good service?

http://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk

Seats look ace, hopefully they won't be too wide in an E21?

I sent you a text yesterday about some wheels that may be interesting for your M3 in case you wondered who it was!!

Mark

[e21Mark]

mark.c said:

These guys seem to offer a good service?

http://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk

Seats look ace, hopefully they won't be too wide in an E21?

I sent you a text yesterday about some wheels that may be interesting for your M3 in case you wondered who it was!!

Mark

Thanks - I meant to respond but forgot. I've decided they're just too much money though, so am going to stick with the BBS. I'll probably pick up some Azev for the road though. I had them on my old car and think they suited it.



I'll give those guys a call tomorrow. Yes the seats are lovely and in fantastic condition. I think they're on the limit width wise, but fingers crossed they'll fit ok. I might try and try one for size on Friday.

Stuart Thompson said:

Any updates on the race car?

Kind of, yes. I have always wanted a track prepped e30 M3 and although I've been lucky enough to own a few road cars, I have never been in a position to compete in one. I was made an offer on the e21 though, that combined with some generous help from my partner, has meant I have bought this.







It's been extensively modified by the previous owner and is in terrific condition. It would have been nice to complete the e21 race car, but my e21 itch is well scratched with the blue car. I'm waiting on collecting the M3 at the end of February and hope to do the Crystal Palace sprint in the spring.

[richtea78]

Try Peter at Huets for the stereo stuff

Www.huets.com

[Windymiller]

What's the spec on the new purchase then?

[e21Mark]

2.3 Litre - 232 BHP / 191 Nm
Ridgard/Sparco seats & 5 point Willans harness
ACS Quick shift,,
Momo S Wheel
OMP Bolt cage c/w door bars and pads
10k+ receipts from Black Falcon Germany last 2k miles,
Alpha-N DTM airbox (inc software & lead, 2012 motherboard & software installed (Remapped by Maxx Automotive in Germany)
Wideband O2 Lambda & gauge
FPR with gauge
H & R Suspension
H & R Anti Roll Bars & adjustable camber plates
Strut brace
Stainless exhaust system
New Discs F & R
Pagid Pads Front & Rear(Changing to Hawk with Porsche 996 callipers))
New uprated clutch
Air Feed to Brakes
Braided Lines & motorsport fluid
BBS Split Rims
Kumho front Dunlop rear. (arches/inner wings modified to accommodate the lowered suspension and BBS wheels)
New Rad, & Fan, silicon hoses, water pump, belts, 4 wheel bearings
All suspension bushings, joints and links replaced
New drive shaft donut, New distributor cap, rotor arm and leads.
Evo sport front & adjustable rear spoilers
Bonrath single wiper

I had planned to convert to Leda coilovers but figure the H&R set-up is probably a bit more compliant and better suited to occasional road use. It was looked after by Black Falcon (@ Nurburgring) and they went through the whole car with a fine tooth comb. It's no show car, but I bought it to drive it, not look at it.

[Stuart Thompson]

I knew you had the glorious M3 now and assumed that's what you meant in an earlier post about possibly selling the e21.

[e21Mark]

Stuart Thompson said:

I knew you had the glorious M3 now and assumed that's what you meant in an earlier post about possibly selling the e21.

I did feel a bit guilty about not finishing the e21, but to do it right, it really wanted an s14, bias pedal box, decent split rims etc and would have probably swallowed the thick end of £10k getting there. I hope the new owner will do it justice (although I have my doubts to be honest) as the shell, cage etc were all done to a really high standard. Time will tell I guess?

One of the guys on e21.net, who has already built a semi-spaceframe V8 e21, is now looking at building a replica Group 5 car. The extensive arch kit is coming from Germany and he is gathering as much information about the works cars as possible. He has some terrific fabrication skills and I have no doubt, it will be a pretty special car once finished.

[Finlay007]

MIB is stunning, cant wait to see it fifnished !!

[e21Mark]

Finlay007 said:

MIB is stunning, cant wait to see it fifnished !!

Thanks. I'm really looking forward to it being finished too. It's taken a while longer that I'd anticipated but will hopefully be worth the wait and all the hard work.

The quick-rack needs cleaning up and painting, prior to being fitted. I was lucky to secure this one, as the company I found to manufacture a batch of new ones are still some way off them being ready. Fortunately this one has done very few miles and is ready to go in. I'm not a fan of PAS on e21's anyway, but even with the faster rack, the steering isn't overly heavy. Without it, the steering is a bit on the slow side at 4:1 lock to lock. Given how e21 oversteer it needs to be quicker than that. I've got a slightly smaller than stock Prototipo steering wheel also.

[e21Mark]

Went over to Pristine today and dropped the quick-rack and amp off.



Spotted a Vauxhall HA and Cosworth in for restoration.





Another CSL in for new panels.



The e36 loom has been stripped right back and is being spliced into the e21 loom, with the new fuse box and kwik-wire kit.







You can see the difference in engine position, now that there are custom mounts. Might have to look into a sump guard dependent on final ride height?







Spotted Aydin's 323i looking stunning, with all new chassis rails and newly painted engine bay.





Rad is off to aqua-jet and once spotless, the top outlet is being moved so that regular e36 silicon hoses will fit without any joins.



Mick is aiming to paint MIB within a couple or three weeks, so that we can finally start building to the finished result. Obviously it'll need to go to the trimmer for new carpets and the original seat mounts are coming out, so the Recaros can be fitted nice and low. It's been a long slog but we're in the home stretch now.

[e21jason]

Mark your quick rack is missing the bronze bushes between the rack and body

[e21Mark]

Cheers Jason. Rob assures me he ran as it is, but I think I'll hold fire till the ones I'm having made are ready.