What should i do to my 320i?

[Borderbmw]

Hello all,ive just got a D reg 320i from a mte of mine its solid just nrrds a little tidying up,and its pretty good mechanically,but im stuck for idea of what to do to it,its totally standard at the moment in Lachs silver.

I dont want it to be a M clone,or alpina/Schnitzer etc,i love those cars but its not one,so any of you have any idea's?

[Geeman]

Keep it standard and SLAM it to the floor. Make it a sleeper. Nice new chrome, subtle rims (maybe standard 15's or some Alpina reps) and keep it clean... clear indicators (especially as it's Lachs Silver!) and it'll look really nice... Old School style.

G.

[Borderbmw]

Hmmm interesting,its one of the first plastic bumpered models,so would chromed stuff fit?

[Geeman]

On a D plate...? I didn't think plastic bumper'd cars came out till '88 which was an E plate...

If so, my plan's out the window then...

[Jhonno]

D plate is 86/87 should be a chrome bumper model

[320Touring]

Like Geeman says--SLEEPER

lots of cash on brakes, tyres and engine-LSD too if poss-Exterior nice and neat, but factory look.

Whereabouts are you in the borders mate? I was out and about around Monieve (sp?) yesterday-some killer roads about there!!!

Also some pretty damn good ones over Peebles way!

You defo up for the REALLY NORTHERN MEET? as I gotta meet some fellow 320 owners up here!

See ya

320Touring

[Moofles]

On a D plate...? I didn't think plastic bumper'd cars came out till '88 which was an E plate...

If so, my plan's out the window then...

agreed here, i have always been under that impression and haven't seen any car that disproves it...of course you can still re-chrome it, haha, but it will look a bit out of place with the plastic bumpers (which you can't replace with chrome ones)

[tommo320i]

there's a million and one things to do with it but the best I can recommend, is to enjoy it!!!

[Karan]

2.5 plus sport box plus lsd!!!! lots of fun there

tidy bodywork
good suspension kit-H&R cup
m3 bushes
sports interior
15in bbs
good brakes

all the above is easy enough to do and u'll have loadsa fun in it!

Karan

[BlackCabrio]

I seem to remember you could buy a 'dechromed' car to special order as long ago as D platers

So either consider it a special version, or you may find that chrome bumpers can be fitted, if you want that look

[Borderbmw]

Im defo up for nothern meets,and its definately a plastic bumper model,date of registration is 08/05/1987,im going to try writing/phoning the supplying dealer(if they still exist!) and see if they have any records of sale & spec etc.
I like the sleeper idea very much tho,ive got an engine build in my mind!!!!

E30 touring,i live about 10mins from peebles,in a town called Innerleithen,and there are some damn good roads round here,feel free to come down one day and we'll have a blast(goto to change my cambelt and do valve clearences this week 1st tho!)

Bit of a long shot,but does anyone know of any garage's/specialists looking for a mechanic and qualified welder in the scottish borders/edinburgh area?

[Gwynleym10]

08/05/1987 That must be one of the first plastic bumper cars to hit the shores! Mine is registered 12/04/1987 and its metal...

[StuBeeDoo]

there's a million and one things to do with it but the best I can recommend, is to enjoy it!!!

Seconded!

[matt320]

Mine has a build date of 07/87 and it is a chrome bumper.

Matt

[Borderbmw]

Ill take a pic and try and get it up on here to show you,i might take the chassis number to the dealers and see if they can tell me the build date?

[Blade]

well i got the wife an 320i and put a mtech engine into it (the 320 was knocking its head off) wish i had kept the 320i as it makes my gti look like its a 1.1 ford pop cost me a Ԛ£300 had other bits done at the same time all in all its cost a Ԛ£1000 and still need to do some work on the wires anyway think i will try and swap with the wife what ever anyone does to there E30 there's always just one more job to do.
i need deep pockets

[BlackCabrio]

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi will tell you the build date if you enter last 7 digits if VIN/Chassis no.

[Borderbmw]

Thanks for that mate,thats given me a build date of april 1987,and its definately a plastic bumpered model,ill put a pic when i can work out how to do it!

[StuBeeDoo]

Ill take a pic and try and get it up on here to show you,i might take the chassis number to the dealers and see if they can tell me the build date?

Check this out Dude:-
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do
Put in the chassis number and it will tell you all you want to know!
HTH
Stuart

[Simon13]

I would say smoked looks better than clear (which looks tacky to me) on lachs cars but it's my opinion.

A big bore throttle body would help spice it up a little too

Sports were de chrome so it must of been an option for the other models

[Quaser]

It may be painted chrome bumpers!

Q

[Borderbmw]

Dont think its painted chrome bumpers,there body colour with black plastic centers

[Simon13]

some cars came like that i'm sure

[Quaser]

Are the ends (the bit that goes around the side of the car) black or silver/black/silver?

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... jerran.htm

example of chrome bumpered car which has body colour bumpers!

Q

[Borderbmw]

Cant remember,and i cant see from here,but it has got the early style lights.think the end caps are silver/black/silver from memory

[Quaser]

Aaah

Early style lights = chrome bumper model.

So it could be painted chrome, or..... retrofitted plastic

If the car was mine, i'd probably stick a 325i engine in it, bbtb, chip and filter to start with!

Q

[Borderbmw]

Think ill keep the current lump,as its still sweet,im just going to paint etc a few bits like the rocker cover,and tidy the bodywork up.
Might even respray it in Lachs silver(current colour) but with a flip in the clearcoat maybe,kind of old school with a modern twist

[Moofles]

example of chrome bumpered car which has body colour bumpers!

I think all mtech1 sports are like that, body coloured bits where chrome is present normally...

think the end caps are silver/black/silver from memory

If I am reading that right you are saying the bumpers dont have any special "end" - they just stop?
The chrome bumpers all appear to have end caps (look at the black trim line bulge out at the end, in to a cap), and the plastic bumpers never do...

[Borderbmw]

Think from memory it has one piece bumpers,that just wrap around but ill check.

Im kind of underdecided on the wheels,ive got 14" bottletops in pretty good condition,but i like 15" BBS's too

If im keeping it kind of old school(and budget wise for now),i might get the bottletops refurbed and get the rims diamond cut?

[Daryll]

BB,

For what it will cost you to get the bottle tops refurbed and diamond cut you couldn't probably pick yourself up a tidy set of BBS rims. There is always a dozen sets for sale between here, fleabay and bmwecarshowroom.com

Daryll

[jog5000]

I'm in a D-reg 320i, with plastic bumpers, not chrome...... Delphin Grey... lovely, best car in the world.... to me anyway.