Anything I should take heed of?
Laurence
320i - Things to look out for?
Moderator: martauto
Bottle tops!
oh and stop stalking me 
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SUMPCRACKER
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 2040
- Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Milton Keynes
Look for dodgy repairs on the front scuttle corners, rusty front jacking points,rear boot floor corners, inner arches.....sills & where they join the floor.....diff whine.....Look at the car from the rear and see if it sits level, listen for a slight knock when you go on and off the power (power lol) inspect oil and water ect...
Lots more too,
If its not realy cheap, and has some of the above, haggle like fck, because not many people are up for buying cars in early january.
Lots more too,
If its not realy cheap, and has some of the above, haggle like fck, because not many people are up for buying cars in early january.
Coming from someone who's signature is M40 powered more door thats quite amusing!sihooker wrote:Look out for the total lack of power...that'll be the engine running correctly
The 320i gets a hard time but a decent example is a very pleasant thing to drive - nice and smooth and they don't go too bad after 3.5K. As standard they just lack a bit of low down torque.
Check everywhere for rust - scuttle, sills, sunroof tray, arches etc. If possible remove the trim in the boot as this can hide some serious issues - I've known of more than one E30 where I've been able to see the rear wheels from inside the boot! Also worth getting your hands under the rear carpets to check for water/moisture.
Check the cooling system works as it should and that the cambelt and tensioners have been replaced recently. If not make it your first job. Original dealer number plates, glovebox torch, manuals and a full toolkit all indicate a well cared for car.
Good luck - a 2 door Dolphin Grey saloon on BBS is a good looking car regardless of engine.
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Jim320i
- E30 Zone News / COTM Team
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If your not interested in it, PM me the details and location as my old man wants 320i like mine... My problem was the sills... Hidden away under the the driver door at the jacking point was a rather large hole...
Also, my rear lights let in water which sits in the boot... Not good but i'm sure thats not just 320i's but rather the whole e30 range... But new seals should sort that I just havent sourced any yet..
Also, my rear lights let in water which sits in the boot... Not good but i'm sure thats not just 320i's but rather the whole e30 range... But new seals should sort that I just havent sourced any yet..
No contest really. 6 pot smooth engine with FSH, less than 100K and the right number of doors vs a clattery 4 pot 4 door. One of Speedtouch's chips will perk up the 320i no end and provide much better fuel consumption as well as improve the torque. If the bodywork is OK then go for it. As said before, any 2 door E30 on the right wheels in Dolphin Grey is a very handsome car.VeinAST wrote:I'm viewing this over a cheap 318i Auto ;)
It's got 15" BBS, 2 door, dolphin grey with fsh apparently, sub 100k too !
Dave in Torquay
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sihooker
- E30 Zone Addict
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Believe me, i dont think mine is any faster! If i were to go 6 cylinder i'd have a 325i cos buying a 320i wouldn't be worth the effort...darkchild wrote:Coming from someone who's signature is M40 powered more door thats quite amusing!sihooker wrote:Look out for the total lack of power...that'll be the engine running correctly
What is it then? My touring seems to do this, seem to notice it when reversing actually. Sometimes it won't do it, but you can almost make it do it/not make it do it, by playing the clutch right.SUMPCRACKER wrote:listen for a slight knock when you go on and off the power (power lol) .
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
The later 320i engine is probably the most reliable and issue free engine of any fitted to E30's.
They may have a thirst problem, but they don't give any serious other trouble.
They may have a thirst problem, but they don't give any serious other trouble.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Best ones have five! (along with better suspension and brakes.)Pompey Faggot wrote:Make sure it has no more than 2 doors
Im picking this up tomorrow!
Turned out to be almost perfec!
Only issue was a slight rust patch on the rear valance near the exhaust, both wings slightly dinted and a small dent on the bootlid.
Lovely other than that! My dad drove it as I dont have 3rd party cover but it was great!
Will post some pics up when i get back!!
Turned out to be almost perfec!
Only issue was a slight rust patch on the rear valance near the exhaust, both wings slightly dinted and a small dent on the bootlid.
Lovely other than that! My dad drove it as I dont have 3rd party cover but it was great!
Will post some pics up when i get back!!
