Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
Thanks guys. I'm very fortunate. It seems the e21 is getting pretty popular now and there are certainly some lovely UK cars out there now. Values have shot up also, with decent 323i regularly making £15k plus. It was only a couple of years ago that a nice 323i could be had for around £2.5k, so that's quite a rise. As 323i are so rare now though, the values of lesser models has crept up also.
If you're looking for an investment, you could so a whole lot worse than finding yourself an e21 BMW.
If you're looking for an investment, you could so a whole lot worse than finding yourself an e21 BMW.
Thanks. 
Well I've put a few more miles on it and there are a few jobs to be done. I definitely want to drop back to the smaller OE brake master cylinder to give the pedal some feel back. The speedo is reading under by quite a margin. I thought the white lines were zipping past a bit quick! The satnav confirmed as much. Acceleration is pretty brisk too, as the 420d driver found out this morning. Motorway speeds are effortless and it's pretty quiet too, despite 70's aerodynamics!
The bottom knuckle on the steering column will also need looking at, as it can occasionally touch the exhaust manifold. It's very slight but annoying all the same.
The engine is in rude health and I definitely notice the difference in having such a light flywheel. It should be great once the Jenvey throttle bodies go on. It'll sound awesome too! Hopefully I can get them on over the winter. They'll look pretty special too.
I also want to get some wide 13" wheels and run a balloon tyre like a Hoosier, to get that 70's look. I do like the current wheels though and just need to dial in some more negative camber.
Hopefully I'll make a couple of shows this year but I built this to use, not just to polish.
Well I've put a few more miles on it and there are a few jobs to be done. I definitely want to drop back to the smaller OE brake master cylinder to give the pedal some feel back. The speedo is reading under by quite a margin. I thought the white lines were zipping past a bit quick! The satnav confirmed as much. Acceleration is pretty brisk too, as the 420d driver found out this morning. Motorway speeds are effortless and it's pretty quiet too, despite 70's aerodynamics!
The bottom knuckle on the steering column will also need looking at, as it can occasionally touch the exhaust manifold. It's very slight but annoying all the same.
The engine is in rude health and I definitely notice the difference in having such a light flywheel. It should be great once the Jenvey throttle bodies go on. It'll sound awesome too! Hopefully I can get them on over the winter. They'll look pretty special too.
I also want to get some wide 13" wheels and run a balloon tyre like a Hoosier, to get that 70's look. I do like the current wheels though and just need to dial in some more negative camber.
Hopefully I'll make a couple of shows this year but I built this to use, not just to polish.
e21Mark said:
Thanks.
Well I've put a few more miles on it and there are a few jobs to be done. I definitely want to drop back to the smaller OE brake master cylinder to give the pedal some feel back. The speedo is reading under by quite a margin. I thought the white lines were zipping past a bit quick! The satnav confirmed as much. Acceleration is pretty brisk too, as the 420d driver found out this morning. Motorway speeds are effortless and it's pretty quiet too, despite 70's aerodynamics!
The bottom knuckle on the steering column will also need looking at, as it can occasionally touch the exhaust manifold. It's very slight but annoying all the same.
The engine is in rude health and I definitely notice the difference in having such a light flywheel. It should be great once the Jenvey throttle bodies go on. It'll sound awesome too! Hopefully I can get them on over the winter. They'll look pretty special too.
I also want to get some wide 13" wheels and run a balloon tyre like a Hoosier, to get that 70's look. I do like the current wheels though and just need to dial in some more negative camber.
Hopefully I'll make a couple of shows this year but I built this to use, not just to polish.
That looks great Mark, glad to see you are out and about and getting to know it. Ref the brakes, I drove an E30 with whopper Wilwood brakes which had awesome stopping power (for an E30) but very little feel at all, as you I would much rather have a bit more feel so at least you had an idea when it was going to try and stand on its nose Well I've put a few more miles on it and there are a few jobs to be done. I definitely want to drop back to the smaller OE brake master cylinder to give the pedal some feel back. The speedo is reading under by quite a margin. I thought the white lines were zipping past a bit quick! The satnav confirmed as much. Acceleration is pretty brisk too, as the 420d driver found out this morning. Motorway speeds are effortless and it's pretty quiet too, despite 70's aerodynamics!
The bottom knuckle on the steering column will also need looking at, as it can occasionally touch the exhaust manifold. It's very slight but annoying all the same.
The engine is in rude health and I definitely notice the difference in having such a light flywheel. It should be great once the Jenvey throttle bodies go on. It'll sound awesome too! Hopefully I can get them on over the winter. They'll look pretty special too.
I also want to get some wide 13" wheels and run a balloon tyre like a Hoosier, to get that 70's look. I do like the current wheels though and just need to dial in some more negative camber.
Hopefully I'll make a couple of shows this year but I built this to use, not just to polish.
I have to say I like the idea of a more '70's look about the car, I'm on the hunt for some 7 x 14 Mahles for my E12 that I can put some balloon tyres on.
Bring on the Jenvey's
Well I've put on a few more miles and kept a keen eye on the fluid levels. I really like the way the m52 sounds and even at idle, it's pretty clear there is something with some proper grunt under the bonnet. Hopefully we will get it on the dyno this weekend but I would guess at power being around 220 brake. There's certainly a healthy amount of torque available too. Given how light the e21 actually is, it's small wonder that progress is so brisk. It does sound good too!
I'm going to Brecon in it on Friday, to collect my Mrs' 02 from JFi Classics. I'll see if I can hook up the GoPro and record some video footage.
I'm going to Brecon in it on Friday, to collect my Mrs' 02 from JFi Classics. I'll see if I can hook up the GoPro and record some video footage.
Mark, love the result of your work! Car looks stunning, think the wheels set it off perfectly, I look forward to seeing what changes you make! Have never seen RS Watanabe mini lite style wheels on an E21... 
mark.c said:
I have to say I like the idea of a more '70's look about the car, I'm on the hunt for some 7 x 14 Mahles for my E12 that I can put some balloon tyres on.
Bring on the Jenvey's
Mark, have you got/will you make a thread for your E12? Would love to buy one but with their being none for sale and no threads that I can see it would be nice to see another one Bring on the Jenvey's
Chunkychucky said:
Mark, love the result of your work! Car looks stunning, think the wheels set it off perfectly, I look forward to seeing what changes you make! Have never seen RS Watanabe mini lite style wheels on an E21...
Hi Chunky, I really ought to do one but I fear it wouldn't be that interesting since to be honest I haven't had to do too much to it! It's a low owner car with only 50k on the clock. It's had paint from the waist down and some minor repairs underneath but largely original. It still has its running in label on the screen, original bill of sale showing a Granada being part ex'd and a dealer fit Pioneer head unit and 80's tastic graphic equaliser. mark.c said:
I have to say I like the idea of a more '70's look about the car, I'm on the hunt for some 7 x 14 Mahles for my E12 that I can put some balloon tyres on.
Bring on the Jenvey's
Mark, have you got/will you make a thread for your E12? Would love to buy one but with their being none for sale and no threads that I can see it would be nice to see another one Bring on the Jenvey's
Hope you don't mind a couple of pics Mark, not wishing to highjack but sharing the love for old BM's can surely only be a good thing
.
Great build. I have just read it from start to finish.
Lovely car and attention to detail.
Just one question : Do your front brake calipers have internal drillings to link the inner and outer halves. Those bleed nipples look a bit strange on the top and bottom, but I'm guessing its just to enable fitting on left or right hand side.
Please ignore if it sounds silly just looks odd.
Lovely car and attention to detail.
Just one question : Do your front brake calipers have internal drillings to link the inner and outer halves. Those bleed nipples look a bit strange on the top and bottom, but I'm guessing its just to enable fitting on left or right hand side.
Please ignore if it sounds silly just looks odd.
mark.c said:
Hi Chunky, I really ought to do one but I fear it wouldn't be that interesting since to be honest I haven't had to do too much to it! It's a low owner car with only 50k on the clock. It's had paint from the waist down and some minor repairs underneath but largely original. It still has its running in label on the screen, original bill of sale showing a Granada being part ex'd and a dealer fit Pioneer head unit and 80's tastic graphic equaliser.
Hope you don't mind a couple of pics Mark, not wishing to highjack but sharing the love for old BM's can surely only be a good thing.
Not at all. Having seen it in the metal, I can confirm it really is a lovely thing. Hope you don't mind a couple of pics Mark, not wishing to highjack but sharing the love for old BM's can surely only be a good thing
.melhookv12 said:
Great build. I have just read it from start to finish.
Lovely car and attention to detail.
Just one question : Do your front brake calipers have internal drillings to link the inner and outer halves. Those bleed nipples look a bit strange on the top and bottom, but I'm guessing its just to enable fitting on left or right hand side.
Please ignore if it sounds silly just looks odd.
I think it just means they can be bled more easily in all applications? I used some Volvo 4 pots a few years ago, as they were a common e21 upgrade, but they only had a single bleed nipple and it could be a pain trying to get all the air out. Lovely car and attention to detail.
Just one question : Do your front brake calipers have internal drillings to link the inner and outer halves. Those bleed nipples look a bit strange on the top and bottom, but I'm guessing its just to enable fitting on left or right hand side.
Please ignore if it sounds silly just looks odd.
Plan to replace the 22mm E12 master cylinder with the OE 19mm. Also fitted the strut brace last night.
The gearbox is a sport version and the ratios are just about ideal. It certainly accelerates way quicker than my old car, although it might be a handful in the wet.
I'm taking it on it's first long run tomorrow, with a trip to Wales. Obviously having the auxiliary gauges for water and oil make keeping check easier. It'll be interesting to see what kind of MPG I'll get? I plan to try and get some video too.Thanks.
It's been pretty reliable and I've put nearly 600 miles on it, over the past few days. The brakes are bedding in nicely too, although I still plan to play around with master cylinder bore sizes and modify the fulcrum point on the pedal.
Hopefully going to make the BMW show @ Santa Pod a week on Sunday. It's a bit of a hike but motorway speeds are pretty effortless.
It's been pretty reliable and I've put nearly 600 miles on it, over the past few days. The brakes are bedding in nicely too, although I still plan to play around with master cylinder bore sizes and modify the fulcrum point on the pedal.
Hopefully going to make the BMW show @ Santa Pod a week on Sunday. It's a bit of a hike but motorway speeds are pretty effortless.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff