BMW 323i (E21): Spotted
Disgruntled with modern BMW niche filling? Take solace in this gorgeous E21 323i
But the E21 3 Series is constantly being checked up on. The PH classifieds actually isn't always the best place to search, random 3 Series diesels finding their way in and creating false hope of more E21s being available. That's one to look into with the techies.
Anyway, an often fruitless search into the original 3 series turned up this delightful little 323i at Four Star. The search had been consistently unsuccessful for so long that I'd forgotten just what a brilliant piece of BMW design it is. All the trademark features that made BMW saloons iconic are here in a compact and perfectly proportioned package. The kidney grille, the Hofmeister kink, the quad lamps. It was of a time when two-door saloon was an acceptable bodystyle, where it didn't have to contrived into a coupe, and looks all the better for it. The E21 is simple in form and not dramatic but here simplicity is just fine.
And, joy of joys, it's a six-cylinder manual. It may have only 143hp but a 1,135kg kerbweight makes that power figure acceptable. Watching a quick few clips on Youtube (research purposes, of course) is a lovely reminder of the glorious sound a straight-six can make. Nothing augmented, nothing enhanced, just a pure mechanical symphony. Wonderful. Looks to be partial to a little oversteer as well...
You may have noticed with Four Star that its best cars get studio photography while the snotters only get external pics. So this E21 isn't perfect, but that of course makes it eminently more usable. Everything is still original and in decent but not pristine condition by the looks of it. History sounds good too. It would surely benefit from a light cosmetic and mechanical refresh given everything is over 30 years old now but what a great base to build on.
Engine swaps into E21s are hugely popular, to the extent that original manual 323is must be in extremely short supply by now. This should be bought, cherished and enjoyed immediately. Don't forget to sneer resentfully at every 5 Series GT you see.
BMW 323i (E21)
Engine: 2,315cc straight-six
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 143@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 140@4,500rpm
MPG: 31.5 (an average using figures from e21.net)
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1982
Recorded miles: 144,284
Price new: Who knows?
Yours for: £6,495
See the original ad here.
In about 1984 I was working as a car washer in school holidays and used to get a lift home in a black one, with "Born in the USA" blaring from the stereo.
Years later I bought a cheap one from auction, just to see if they were as good as I remembered (it wasn't). Described as a one owner car with no service history, I paid £375. Once home I opened the boot, found a fully stamped service book to warrant its 147,000 miles, 2 spare exhausts (one for each side) and a set of Alpina alloys.
Needless to say I sold it after a week for a, err, "reasonable" profit.
Great car to learn/practise oversteer in as going on or off throttle could send them sideways at low speeds. If we had nice summer cars we got these to run over the winter after old Escorts became too expensive as they were quite reliable and you could get your money back in parts or as a whole. Last one I had was a Henna Orange 5-speed with a BBS front spoiler, BBS alloys, Foha rear spoiler, sunroof and the Recaros ( they had stepped mountings so wouldn't bolt straight in an E30 ). Friend had a Hartge-build 4-speeder with 170bhp - very lively
But thanks for the plug, I'm already registered over there. If I can be drawn away from a 306 I'll be on the hunt for a facelifted Pirates Black ATR as soon as possible!
Matt
Drivers seat badly worn and I think he replaced it with a passenger one from a LHD car. Came with the multi-spoke wheels seen on old CS's and original 7 series.
Sadly sold it on as needed the cash for £300, new owner couldn't afford to run it and look after it so scrapped it after about a year! Was well pizt off as would have had it meself otherwise.
My dad was going through his Renault phase at the time, so the Beemer was seriously exotic. He chopped it in on a new E30 3 series, then rapidly progressed to an E34 M535, E34 M5 (inexplicably with a 525E in between) before the E39 M5 was parked on the drive. He was my favourite uncle
What do I rememeber, fuel seemed to cost me a fortune, loved the hardwearing cord seats, liked getting the tail out but didn't love finding oil and water mixing due to a cracked block. Sold for scrap in the end but would dearly love to run a nice clean 320 or 323i again now, especially as I could afford it as opposed to when I was 20!
In about 1984 I was working as a car washer in school holidays and used to get a lift home in a black one, with "Born in the USA" blaring from the stereo.
Years later I bought a cheap one from auction, just to see if they were as good as I remembered (it wasn't). Described as a one owner car with no service history, I paid £375. Once home I opened the boot, found a fully stamped service book to warrant its 147,000 miles, 2 spare exhausts (one for each side) and a set of Alpina alloys.
Needless to say I sold it after a week for a, err, "reasonable" profit.
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