looking for opinions or options please

[Davebmx]

Right so I've had my 320 convertible around 3 months now and had nothing but hassle some minor but the latest not so minor.

So the head gasket has gone and I have been quoted £690 to strip it skim the head and refit along with cambelt kit and new dizzy and rotor arm and a few other little bits. But this is allot of money to me ATM

After this the car still has problems.. Rust on front wings, small electrical problems, could do with new interior

Do I ...

A. Pay the money and keep it.
B. Sell it and make back what I Payed for it and start again.
C. Put a new engine in (if works out cheaper) and isn't hassle

[pacerpete]

Assuming it is still in one piece and running, Sell it.
Spending £700 + on it will still leave you with a ratty 320 with a shagged interior.

[Speedtouch]

There's always the cheap option of a bottle of Kalimex K-Seal!

[Grrrmachine]

Are you absolutely sure the head gasket has gone? That's one issue that never seems to rear its head on the Tech Forum.

But as the others have said, a 320i is worth next to f-all. If the engine's toast, just slap another one in or offload the car to save yourself the hassle. People give away M20B20 engines, they're worth that much.

[Davebmx]

Also forgot to ask what sort of price it would go for mot until next august and taxed till April I think new brake lines and fuel lines throughout, new slave cylinder, pas and Fan belt new abs sensor a hard top which could be sold seperatly the car itself is black with cream sport leather which would need a new drivers seat and door cards really

[Davebmx]

Had it tested with a proper tester and the liquid in the tester changed colour to show exhaust gases in there

[Davebmx]

And as for another engine it could be hassle all over again if that engines half dead as well

[B7]

As it is it's worth naff all. If you are capable, at least whip the head off and check it all out. £690 is not dear if it includes labour. But do the work yourself?

Whats a gasket set from ECP? 80 quid? A skim and pressure test 70 quid? And a days work to put it all together with another 100 quid on cambelt, tensioner, coolant and oil etc and you have a saleable asset.

Yes if you were totally anal and rebuilt the head and went to town then it would be a lot more but £250 sees it back running with reciept to say its had a belt and pressure test, Much more of a marketable option than an overheating shitter.

If you have the head tested and it's cracked, I have a good head here cheap that with a skim, would get you out of trouble.

[Grrrmachine]

A 320i is worth f-all. A cab sold in winter is worth f-all. A cab sold in winter without a working engine is not going to be worth a lot. If an M20 can be had for next to nothing, a mechanic can swap the engine in a day, so at least the car will have some sort of resale value in the future.

[Davebmx]

Anyone in or around Portsmouth wanna get me out of trouble then by either fitting a new engine or doing the head gasket.

I've just got in from a car dealership and i think I'm just going to spend £15k on a newish 3 series and be done with old cars lol

[bigbird76]

If your gonna spend 15k Have a look at a 335d m sport or a Alpina D3..

[ImysE30]

Depending on how much it owes you, sell it. Less hassle and just buy another one.

[Davebmx]

Insurance on those would be too much for me and that's on finance so that would be over 4 or 5 years lol

[Davebmx]

It owes me £1300 it runs and drives and the hard top owes me £500

[Grrrmachine]

look for the user "adit". He's a trader with plenty of stock based in Portsmouth; he's best placed to advise you on parts availability and decent mechanics.

[Davebmx]

Ye I've been In touch and met him before don't think he's been about for a few days

[Jesus325iTouring]

anal

[miniblob]

£690 is a lot of money to sort it - but borrowing £15k to buy something else.....

Not judging - I do feel that way quite often, but I've been there, done that, regretted it (sort of)!!!

I'd prob just get a second hand 325 engine to replace the dead mb20 - must be doable for less than £700!?!?!?!

Or as above, a very cheap replacement from a rusty, but running 320!!!

I know it all adds up, but electrical problems should/could (hopefully) be simple to fix, keep an eye out for cheap interior bits or just clean & tidy whats there - and come the spring time you've got a much more saleable car to get your money back on - if you still want to go a different route!!!

[Davebmx]

Again insurance for me with a 325 engine would be allot as I got in it again this morning I know I don't want to let the car go but as it is with all its other problems and with the last 2 cars I've had going bang £700 is allot

[hongkongfuey]

I'm in portsmouth . I'm free at the mo

[DanThe]

A 325i engine looks identical to a 320i engine, the car is 20 odd years old, every man and his dog could have been playing with it before you got there.....

A 2.0 engine is not worth repairing when you can buy a decent 2.5 from reputed sellers on here for £300 odd

You dont have £700 to fix your car but your considering rowing yourself into a £15k rope round your neck + the interest? If thats not enough, dont forget that newer cars still need fixing, the only difference is the repair bills are 10x more!

[Davebmx]

my mechanic is literally the building connected to where i work so hes pretty decent with me paying him back if i cant afford it in one lump so thats not too bad i can get £700 easy enough its whether it was worth doing it really

lol if im able to have to engine swapped out cheaper id go for that but as i said its finding a good engine and would a 2.5 go straight in with my gearbox, dif and set up as it is.

[pacerpete]

I have an EXCELLENT 325 engine with a replacement NEW cylinder head. I t can be seen running / driven and will be sold with a warranty.

[Davebmx]

could you pm me a price couriered please just to have some options thanks

[miniblob]

Again insurance for me with a 325 engine would be allot

What's the insurance on a £15k chariot then?????

At least if you've got a friendly mechanic next door, he'll prob fit the replacement engine for you for a sensible price!!!

[Davebmx]

2010 320D are the same as what i pay now on insurance

[Speedtouch]

lol if im able to have to engine swapped out cheaper id go for that but as i said its finding a good engine and would a 2.5 go straight in with my gearbox, dif and set up as it is.

Yes, assuming your 320i is the later (facelift) Motronic type.

[pacerpete]

lol if im able to have to engine swapped out cheaper id go for that but as i said its finding a good engine and would a 2.5 go straight in with my gearbox, dif and set up as it is.

Yes, assuming your 320i is the later (facelift) Motronic type.

Being a 320 convertible it will be.

[gooner1]

lol if im able to have to engine swapped out cheaper id go for that but as i said its finding a good engine and would a 2.5 go straight in with my gearbox, dif and set up as it is.

Yes, assuming your 320i is the later (facelift) Motronic type.

Being a 320 convertible it will be.

Well, I never knew that. Everyday's a skule day.

[Speedtouch]

lol if im able to have to engine swapped out cheaper id go for that but as i said its finding a good engine and would a 2.5 go straight in with my gearbox, dif and set up as it is.

Yes, assuming your 320i is the later (facelift) Motronic type.

Being a 320 convertible it will be.

Unless it happens to be a pre-facelift Baur 320i Cabriolet, of course...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C400180#

[Cypriotgeeza]

what colour is the hard top?

[miniblob]

320 engine for sale - £50.....

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=245575

[pud1]

Aaahh... the age-old question, "Do I spend more money on a car that isnt worth the cost of the repair.
The answer is, if you really have to sit and think about it then its a NO. A classic car is a bottomless pit financially. If you really think you can do better with that money then let it go, suffer any hit money wise on the deal and put that cash into something you feel happier with.
Im at that point now and emotions have to give way to hard facts. I can do better with that hard-earned wedge. Its going now and I feel quite happy with the decision.
Dont let your heart run away with your common sense.
Most guys on here are in love with every aspect about classic bimmer ownership and would pawn their mothers for that last original part.
Would you!!