E21 3-series

[minime1275]

A few weeks ago I saw a nice looking E21 320 in autotrader, advertised as immaculate condition, all original etc for Ԛ£500. I rang up to view it but it had been sold 5 mins earlier

When i was a young kid, my nans nxt door neighbour (in his early 20's) had a 323 and i loved the noise and the way it went "slidey round corners!" (before "drifting" was part of my vocabulary!)

I've gotta say, I do love the retro looks of the E21 and Im now reading an article in the new Retro Cars mag on the E21. I really want an E21 I think!

I know this is E30 Zone, but does anyone know of a similar site for the E21 - E21 Zone maybe?

Cheers, Neil

[astondg]

Sorry I can't help with the information you want. I did want to say though that, although I don't know that much about the E21 (or even the E30), I thought that the E21 and E30 were very similar (especially the early E30s) except the E30 did things slightly better. Like the back was a little better tied town and the engine had a little bit more power (comparing 323s). I understand if you just like the E21 better though, it is a bit different shape.

Aston

[tommo320i]

i saw the same ad and was very tempted!!!

[Zayyan]

I think I saw that same car in the Trader as well, looked a great buy for 500 quid but when I rang up my insurance co they basically said "no"

I really like the E21 and will own a 323i one day

The E30 is really a revised E21 if you look at it, like the side profile is pretty much exactly the same.

Shame you missed out on the 320, woulda been nice to see it go to someone from the Zone

[kidsinister]

As a former E21 323i owner, I can highly recommend them - Cheap as chips, tons of fun and an absolute BREEZE to work on (a lot easier than an E30).
Apparently though, the 320 is the worst of the bunch. Although if it's got a solid shell you can always drop a 2.7 in, can't you?

A couple of links:

This is an American site, but plenty of UK involvement:

http://e21.tricord.cjb.net/

My old car's in the owners section - twice in fact, as the new owner's also on there.

Here's another, loads of useful info:

http://www.bmwe21.net/

I'd definitely go back to a 323i if I could afford the petrol!

(Perhaps this should be moved to the Pub Talk section)

Alec

[minime1275]

(Perhaps this should be moved to the Pub Talk section)

Alec

Sorry! Im a newbie!

It was in Liverpool, was white and looked good. I assumed it was a straight-six, but Ive been told it couldve been a 4-cylinder at that age.

I love the slighty shark nosed front end and the slightly smaller dimensions.

[gareth]

keep an eye on ebay. the 323i is the one to go for. my wife had a 76000 mile old 320/6 (there's a 4pot 320 and a 6 pot 320). a mate of mine has a 316 with the 1.8 4 pot, buckets, 4 point harnesses, new spax adjustables, very clean... for sale.... maybe...!

they feel a lot lighter than an e30 (the 320/6 being 1070kg i think). they also feel a lot better built than the e30s i've owned.

mechanically, they're easier to work on than an e30, being a lot simpler. they are still very well up to everyday use though.

all in, i'd rather have an e21 but a huge pushchair and 2 big plastic baby seats dictates a e30 325i touring is the best bet sensibly!

the guys in the know are fritz's bits: http://www.fritzsbits.co.uk/ and they usually have 50odd in stock for spares. they know them inside out and are usually up for a chat. also, quite cheap too.

some link's ive got saved...
http://www.cadco.com/750iL/E21.htm
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/fo ... .php?f=143
http://www.bmwworld.com/models/e21.htm
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/index.php?showforum=16

[Chaos]

i had a monster e21 earlier this yr.

2.7 on triple 45's
lsd
coilovers
recaros
alpinas
big brakes.


it handled really well as it goes, more grip than most e30's, but then it had a pukka set of race coilovers on it.


good fun cars.

[Jimbob]

That is one lush E21 my friend

[Jesus325iTouring]

I've always had a soft spot for the E21,gotta be the 323 with twin exit pipes

Got offered a "X" reg one at the museum where my Volvo resides,it was a 316 in mint condition with 17k genuine miles,1 lady owner,FSH,could have been mine for about Ԛ£1500,I wasn't,as usual,in a postion to buy it though

[Karan]

i had a monster e21 earlier this yr.

2.7 on triple 45's
lsd
coilovers
recaros
alpinas
big brakes.


it handled really well as it goes, more grip than most e30's, but then it had a pukka set of race coilovers on it.


good fun cars.

mate i saw this on ebay.... and i can assure u i would have done an exchange with my sport for that with you..... damn i wish i knew u were selling it...

how much did u sell it for if u dont mind me asking


e21s rule!!!!! i soooooo want one.... but WTF are they???????

Karan

[psychochild187]

i just bought a e21 320 auto of ebay ! ill use it as a runa round while my e30 is fixed!

[astondg]

they feel a lot lighter than an e30 (the 320/6 being 1070kg i think). they also feel a lot better built than the e30s i've owned.

According to the owners handbook for my E30 323i (2 door, manual) it only weighs 1090kg (unladen weight, ready to drive with full tank of petrol and no options) which is only 20kg heavier. And I think the book says that the 320i of the same age is only 1070kg.

Aston

[Chaos]

how much did u sell it for if u dont mind me asking

Karan

Ԛ£3500 without the alpinas

[Widge]

Hi guys sorry to hijack the topic, that E21 with the webbers is awesome,
Chaos I've sent you an Email and PM about the boot spoiler can you reply.
Thanks

[Chaos]

Hi guys sorry to hijack the topic, that E21 with the webbers is awesome,
Chaos I've sent you an Email and PM about the boot spoiler can you reply.
Thanks

pm sent m8, did u not receive it ?

[billgatese30]

has anyoine seen the calypso red e21 in Performace BMW this month. the one with daryl's m3 in. that is awesome, lloks so sweet i neally wet myself when i saw it.

[Chaos]

mine was good fun, and the noise from the intake of the 45's and the straight thru exhaust was wicked.

[AndyG]

just to help out on a site for the e21 if anybody is interested.

http://www.bmwe21.net

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/index.php