i think i may have found alpina treasure, but need advice

[swiffer]

Hi folks, i've been offered this wreck. the story goes that it is a zender on a b plate, that blew the engine way back when and has had that engine replaced with an alpina engine

the car hasn't run in 6 years and is basically scrap, but the alpina engine, box and LSD has got to be worth saving if it is all genuine, but i don't know for sure. i was hoping that some of you that know your stuff could have a glance over it and see if you could give me any more info,




some zender wheels in a very bad way, but would be worth saving if the buckled one can be saved!











number reads

23 6e c
22513498





starter is siezed
seemed to run ok, no smoke, but wouldn't rev, it just stalled
sounded very tappity
no idea about service history, milage, or other issues that might crop up, because it won't drive




pipe from air intake split, and there would appear to be oil in it.....no idea how it got there, but could be a problem



thanks for looking folks. i don't really know enough about mechanics to take on a project like this, but someone said alpina and i couldn't stop myself, but if you think i'm mad please speak up, however if you think that this really is lost alpina treasure, then let me know and i'll get stuck in.

got loads more photos and info if more is needed to give a verdict.......

[E30BeemerLad]

Looks like landfill to me mate, whatever it's worth on the weighbridge

[Alex]

even if it is a pina lump its on early engine management so its probably only a 2.3 or 2.5

[swiffer]

even if it is a pina lump its on early engine management so its probably only a 2.3 or 2.5

i think that the engine is from a much newer E30 alpina. engine number implies 2.3, but the part number on the head implies 2.7, so i'm still a bit lost..... would a 2.3 alpina lump be worth saving over, say a 2.5?

[silversideofthemoon]

hope you have deep pockets

[Alex]

A C1 2.5 ?

[swiffer]

originally i could only find the number on the head which started 12788. i looked this up and it seems it was a2.7, but now i've found the engine number that seems to say 2.3, if my understanding is correct?

it may not even be an alpina engine, just have some alpina bits bolted on.... i think the 'c' in the engine number says that it is, but i thought the 'c' was at the begining of the long number if it was an alpina....... its all very confusing thats why i have come to the experts

if the engine turns out to be worth the effort it will be going in my cabby, and i'll weigh in the rest

[Alex]

if its a 2.3 engine block but 2.5 head then i wonder if alpina built the c1 2.5 using an standard 323i block bored out or does a c1 2.3 have a 2.5 head ?

does the head say 2.5/2.7 on the side

i'am sure barry will clear it up

[DanThe]

It appears to be a 323 donk, and as beemerlad says, landfill..

[pacerpete]

[DanThe]

/\ 323i chariots in the afterlife

[bmw-mad]

Engine is not worth much as said above it is only a 323i with not mods from alpina

I scrapped one last week in a alpina we broke up for spares as i could not shift it

[town325i]

if its a 2.3 engine block but 2.5 head then i wonder if alpina built the c1 2.5 using an standard 323i block bored out or does a c1 2.3 have a 2.5 head ?

does the head say 2.5/2.7 on the side

i'am sure barry will clear it up

A M20b25 head is part number 885 so this is not a 2.5 head on this engine its just some 323 turd not worth the effort by the looks of it

[Speedtouch]

Contact mattyb, who has an early Alpina C2 2.5 - his had the L-Jet up until recently.

Another way to check is measure the stroke by putting a string bob with weight or length of wire down a cylinder bore via the spark plug hole and slowly turning the engine over using a spanner on the crank pulley.

A 323i engine is quite a rarity as they were only made for a couple of years so would be worth something to someone.

[Simon13]

Contact mattyb, who has an early Alpina C2 2.5 - his had the L-Jet up until recently.

Another way to check is measure the stroke by putting a string bob with weight or length of wire down a cylinder bore via the spark plug hole and slowly turning the engine over using a spanner on the crank pulley.

straight up?!

[Speedtouch]

You've never measured engine stroke in this way then, I take it?

[magpie]

oooh the trinket cabinet has grown

[dapperdan8001]

[adit]

Pete, have you got a genuine Hartge Werthers original box? only i just don't know what to buy Iain for Christmas

[harry_p]

i love the wheels, how bad is the buckled one?

[TouringTash]

How much for the kettle please?

and shouldn't it have a leather handle?

[Rav335uk]

How much for the kettle please?

and shouldn't it have a leather handle?

[TouringTash]

letter of authenticity from Sytners?

History?

[B7]

Looking at the evidence, theres nothing Alpina in that car whatsover. It's a323 donk and the car is for the weighbridge IMO.

[bmwsport]

Love it!

[zaust]

Love the rare morsels Pete, What wheel's are on it ? Never seen them before. I know there after market but look intresting.

[swiffer]

Wheels are original zender I believe, they have zender on both the rim and the caps, but I've never seen wheels as badly curbed as these. One is dented, it is the back wheel on the photo of the car, you can just about make it out.....

Thanks for the feedback, I was hoping it would turn out to be a 2.7 alpina engine, and there for worth the effort saving. But if it's just a 2.3 I'll let it go as even if it turns out to be an alpina tunned engine the gain isn't worth the money let allone the potential risk.

Looks like its off to the scrapper for this one then, not before time. But wanted to check as it would have been a real shame to throw out a 2.7 alpina engine, even if it is a bit ropey

Wheels and full zender kit may end up down the scrappy to sadly, as no use to me, and I don't want to take a risk and then have trouble shifting them, but if anyone is interested drop me a message and I can try and put you in touch with the chap selling them.

Thanks

[Speedtouch]

Real OEM suggests a 236 EC engine code is a remanufactured 323i engine:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=05

[87mtech27]

pacerpete is that your collection or did you get the picture of the internet?

if so did you get the tissue box with your e30?