BMW e21 323i advice needed
Discussion
Hi all, I dont normally frequent this part of the forum as I am more of a Lotus man however Im looking at possibly buying a e21 323i (wouldnt say know to a similar car of e30 vintage either). My main interest is for a tidy weekend/ track car that I can hoon around once coilovers and decent brakes/tyres are fitted.
My main areas of concern are rust (where are the common places to look for?) and what do they actually drive like?
I have been purusing this car at 4star classics http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
The guy says its no where near mint and has had a bit of welding done - any thoughts?
My main areas of concern are rust (where are the common places to look for?) and what do they actually drive like?
I have been purusing this car at 4star classics http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
The guy says its no where near mint and has had a bit of welding done - any thoughts?
Mark-E21....Hi, unless you are a proficient welder (with lots of spare time), then that probably isn't the car for you.
The problem is 323i are pretty rare nowadays, so even a lemon can command a fair chunk of cash.
I can hook you up with a henna red 323, that needs recommissioning, for half that price but it's solid throughout and that's where the expense really lies with these cars.
The problem is 323i are pretty rare nowadays, so even a lemon can command a fair chunk of cash.
I can hook you up with a henna red 323, that needs recommissioning, for half that price but it's solid throughout and that's where the expense really lies with these cars.
If it's nowhere near mint, then it's nowhere near £5995. These were quick cars 30 years ago but........they're lively but not fast. The standard suspension is far from brilliant with lots of roll, snap oversteer and abysmal traction in the wet. You will need some decent suspension, tyres and importantly, a limited slip diff - good luck in finding one of those but you may be okay without one if the suspension and tyres are good enough and you don't go mad with it. The brakes are okayish for standard performance, but 13 inch wheels seriously limit the size you can go to.
Where do they rot? Either side of the boot floor where it meets the rear valance, rear arches, all four jacking points, front inner wings in the reinforcing areas under the arches, front chassis legs, the bonnet where the outer skin wraps over the frame, fronts wings and apron, sills. If it's had loads of welding then the car has been pretty rotten and you need to know how good the repairs are. Look at the fuel pump above the rear axle and all its pipework - it's normally in a gruesome state.
Where do they rot? Either side of the boot floor where it meets the rear valance, rear arches, all four jacking points, front inner wings in the reinforcing areas under the arches, front chassis legs, the bonnet where the outer skin wraps over the frame, fronts wings and apron, sills. If it's had loads of welding then the car has been pretty rotten and you need to know how good the repairs are. Look at the fuel pump above the rear axle and all its pipework - it's normally in a gruesome state.
Mint 323i rarely come along anyway, but a couple have sold recently for circa £10k. Unfortunately, there are people surfing the classic / retro wave and asking top dollar for poor examples.
I would suggest either Gaz coilovers (as they are only UK supplier for the e21) or Spax shocks and lowered springs. Wilwood calipers will work with OE 13'' rims, or simply fit 15'' instead. An offset of ET13 means limited wheel options though.
The stock 323 made about 143bhp but that was a few years ago. Cheapest upgrade is an e30 2.5, which will give you 171bhp and liven things up nicely. Better still, fit an m52/2.8 and you could have 220bhp with little problem. An LSD is a definite 'must have' and an e30 small case slipper can be squeezed into an e21 diff housing, if you know what you're doing?
This is my own e21 project.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My old 316 track car used an m42/1.8 twin cam and was great fun.
I would suggest either Gaz coilovers (as they are only UK supplier for the e21) or Spax shocks and lowered springs. Wilwood calipers will work with OE 13'' rims, or simply fit 15'' instead. An offset of ET13 means limited wheel options though.
The stock 323 made about 143bhp but that was a few years ago. Cheapest upgrade is an e30 2.5, which will give you 171bhp and liven things up nicely. Better still, fit an m52/2.8 and you could have 220bhp with little problem. An LSD is a definite 'must have' and an e30 small case slipper can be squeezed into an e21 diff housing, if you know what you're doing?
This is my own e21 project.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My old 316 track car used an m42/1.8 twin cam and was great fun.
e21Mark said:
It's just got easier as the 323 has been snapped up.
I should have bought it myself. They are starting to make strong money now and are tough to find.
To think you could have had your pick out the small ads back in 2000 for less than a grand ......I should have bought it myself. They are starting to make strong money now and are tough to find.
......well, at least round here you could
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