Discussion
I used to drive this. A 323 with coilovers, big brakes and an m52/2.8 with 222bhp that I built up over 4 years.
One day a couple of months back it sadly became this...
and left me this...
After a few weeks I bought another e21. A black 320 which I then upgraded with new suspension, wheels and a 2.7 m20 on triple 40's. It was nice and certainly sounded good, but I just wasn't feeling it to be honest. I didn't particularly like owning a black car either.
So after thinking things through I decided to out the black car and rebuild MIB once I could find a mint donor vehicle for a bodyshell. I found a 2 owner 316 in Scotland.
I then raped MIB for parts that I would need.
I've got pretty much everything now and this time round we won't be cutting any corners.
The hard work has started but it's a shame Christmas is going to get in the way. We are aiming to have the car finished by March or April time. It just depends how long the turbo conversion takes? My goal is anything over 400bhp but there's a way to go yet.
One day a couple of months back it sadly became this...
and left me this...
After a few weeks I bought another e21. A black 320 which I then upgraded with new suspension, wheels and a 2.7 m20 on triple 40's. It was nice and certainly sounded good, but I just wasn't feeling it to be honest. I didn't particularly like owning a black car either.
So after thinking things through I decided to out the black car and rebuild MIB once I could find a mint donor vehicle for a bodyshell. I found a 2 owner 316 in Scotland.
I then raped MIB for parts that I would need.
I've got pretty much everything now and this time round we won't be cutting any corners.
The hard work has started but it's a shame Christmas is going to get in the way. We are aiming to have the car finished by March or April time. It just depends how long the turbo conversion takes? My goal is anything over 400bhp but there's a way to go yet.
Edited by e21Mark on Friday 21st December 19:56
TVR Sagaris said:
What happened to the first one?
Since the day I bought it there had been electrical gremlins. I was forever chasing problems where previous owners had hacked their way into the loom. It seems there was eventually a major short where the loom came through the bulkhead, beneath the dash.The new car is 100% untouched and there are no bodges that need sorting. I couldn't want for a better base car to start with.
e21Mark said:
Since the day I bought it there had been electrical gremlins. I was forever chasing problems where previous owners had hacked their way into the loom. It seems there was eventually a major short where the loom came through the bulkhead, beneath the dash.
The new car is 100% untouched and there are no bodges that need sorting. I couldn't want for a better base car to start with.
Shame about your car Mark - I've seen it in a few mags - I'm sure you'll do a great job with the rebuild though. The new car is 100% untouched and there are no bodges that need sorting. I couldn't want for a better base car to start with.
Interestingly I had an electrical problem that caused smoke to appear one day from by the steering column on my old E21 323i. Had to stop the car and disconnect the battery sharpish! I think it was a short from the cowl securing screws to the column wiring. Easy fix but it could have gone bad quick.
I enjoyed my old E21 more than I ever did a later E30 325i that I had for a few weeks. Interesting about the black one, what Hartge bits did it have? My friend owned a full on Hartge converted 4-speed 323i that had been built for a UK services guy working in Germany - was very quick and I think it was about 170bhp
I used to see MIB around Kingston quite a lot - always thought it looked absolutely cracking, especially in Orange! I remember I stopped to look at it one day when it was parked up, spent about 5 mins taking it in. Very pretty car! Sorry to see what happened to it but at least you're giving it a new lease of life. Will follow the build with interest.
RemyMartin said:
Nooooo
Gutted about MIB, absolute stunner that was.
Always loved E21s ever since my Dad had a 316 in Banana Yellow one in the late 80s on BBS alleycat? wheels, identcal colour to the ones on your old black one.
Hope your new one goes well.
p.s. where do you find all these e21s
I thought about doing the new car in Golf yellow (I've seen an e12 that looked stunning), but I always loved the colour of MIB. I think the shape just suits the funkier 70's shades.Gutted about MIB, absolute stunner that was.
Always loved E21s ever since my Dad had a 316 in Banana Yellow one in the late 80s on BBS alleycat? wheels, identcal colour to the ones on your old black one.
Hope your new one goes well.
p.s. where do you find all these e21s
As for finding them? I think it's just like when you buy any car and you just start seeing them wherever you go. Obviously I always scan the classifieds and internet auctions. I paid more than I had wanted to, for the beige car, but it was worth it to me when I looked at the underside on the ramp. The whole car is in remarkable condition and just honest and unmessed with. There are still some bargain e21's out there though. A friend of mine bought a lovely red 316 last week for the princely some of just 500 quid! It does seem values are on the up though. I think people are realising they make a nice alternative to the 2002 and e30. You get a proper shark front BMW that's got a cool rating of in excess of 400 megafonzies!
VinceFox said:
Ever consider an e36 m3 engine in one?
Also, love that shape. So few e21s about now.
I was going to use an s50 but for now my budget won't stretch far enough (I have an e30/s50 with 300bhp so know how quick it could be) but even with just 240bhp from an m52, the lightness of an e21 means it'll still be good fun. The turbo conversion is something I've wanted for years.Also, love that shape. So few e21s about now.
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