Indecision, indecision...opinions welcome

[poolnoodle]

So car fixing season is here again in the Southern Hemisphere and I face a dilemma and would welcome some opinions:

I own (and have owned for almost 16 years) a extremely tidy '83 323i. The car has 245k original M20 (going strong but Aussie 323 engine had lower compression that UK models), a full service history, absolutely no rust and is original except for some mild E30 only upgrades (sports seats, tech 1 wheel, door cards, cruise, OBC, etc). In general, it is exceptional for it's age.

The dilemma arose when I recently drove a '92 325i and realised that whilst my car is fun to drive, handles well and performs well in the higher revs....THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HORSES.

Do I keep this car as it is and maintain it's originality and thus value or do I toss the engine and get a 325 motronic?
I have also been thinking about what mild upgrades would extract more from the existing engine???

Help!!!

[Rav335uk]

Why the M20b25, go the full course and go M30b35

[poolnoodle]

Why the M20b25, go the full course and go M30b35

Fully agree but need to go with what is available around here

[Topblag]

I'm a traditionalist, keep your car original, she a beaut.

Buy yourself a 325i when you get a chance. Have two E30s. It's not as if you have to worry about them getting tin worm.

Simples.

[Rav335uk]

I'm sure you have some E28/E34's over there that would break.
But on that note, I also know the prices of BMW's there too.
I was over in Sydney, and cars, electronic items, some foods were well over 3x what they are here.

[poolnoodle]

Plenty of E28 / E32 but rarely manual and I'm not a fan of the slush box

[poolnoodle]

I'm a traditionalist, keep your car original, she a beaut.

Buy yourself a 325i when you get a chance. Have two E30s. It's not as if you have to worry about them getting tin worm.

Simples.

This is one of my ideas - even looked at a 92 Cab recently but didn't like the comfort level when driving (too windy), it was an auto and the guy wanted way too much for it
Have been trying to convince the better half that we should trade her '96 Corolla on a 325 more door. I promised her I wouldn't start pulling it apart on her but she doesn't believe me
Also, finding a manual E30 here isn't so easy.

[jaymos]

I envy you mate having a rust free car, it looks like a lovely motor, keep it original dude

[m_jermyn]

323s are worthless mate, cmon you know that...... The only E30s that command money here are convertibles, 325Is or alpinas. Bin the motor and put a 325I in it......... Or keep the motor and build it up, this way you keep your numbers matching... Im sure you can find yourself a 320 block that you can steal the rods and motronic out of. All you need then is a crank and pistons and your away....

I will have a Eta block spare soon lol

Mike

[georgen]

It's dependant on wether you want to keep the originallity of the 323i. If she's a keeper, drop a 2.5 ( or 2.7 ) into her and enjoy the extra power. If you're planning on selling it in the future, and believe that an original 323i will command a higher premium than a modified E30 with a sprightly heart, than keep it as is.

Personally, I'd live for the moment and go for the bigger lump. It all depends on what you want from the car really..

Good luck with your choice anyway fella. She really is a stunning machine

[nickso]

slap a 2.5 in it and keep the 2.3 if its that worthless. that way you can enjoy the extra power now and still have the option of originality if you decide to sell.

[m_jermyn]

As above.......... Well said. Ide keep the car as you know its history, when you get some others car you get their history good or bad....

Mike