E21 - Anybody a fan?

[TouringMatt]

Remember following one a few years back selling on eBay i think, turbo iirc, nice car

Looked at them a few years back but just dont have the room to store one

[Gortour]

single headlamps FTW

I like the single lights with the Hella grilles and smaller high beams.
The larger outer ones look better than all 4 the same size to my preference.

ie this...


as opposed to this...

[Hoobs]

stack of replacement boxes on the shelf ("a common fault sir"). A couple of thousand miles later it dumped the clutch slave cylinders contents all over his feet ("oh they all do that sir, it's a common fault") and continued to do so every 2-3 thousand miles thereafter.

Really? You'd imagine 02's, e30's etc all to suffer the same ill fate given they use the same parts. I always thought the 4 speed Getrag gearbox was pretty much bullet proof too?

I'm pretty sure the 323i had a 5 speed fitted

78'' cars were 4 speed but might be an early example of 5 I guess? Mind you, 5 speed is just as tough.

[Gortour]

Interesting... My late 78 T plate 320 6 pot needed a replacement slave cylinder. Apart from the carb, that was the only thing that ever went wrong. Just put it down to "normal" wear and tear at the time...

[hennared323i]

Interesting... My late 78 T plate 320 6 pot needed a replacement slave cylinder. Apart from the carb, that was the only thing that ever went wrong. Just put it down to "normal" wear and tear at the time...

Did you own it from new?

[e30topless]

Remember following one a few years back selling on eBay i think, turbo iirc, nice car

that turbo turd is residing/rotting in a freinds back yard it keeps shitting gearboxes

anyone considering buying an E21 needs to get one on a 2 post ramp and have a look at the structure, these are horrid things in every respect and that's if it is solid ,
they may look cool ect but I wouldn't fancy my chances in an accident

[pacerpete]

Remember following one a few years back selling on eBay i think, turbo iirc, nice car

that turbo turd is residing/rotting in a freinds back yard it keeps shitting gearboxes

anyone considering buying an E21 needs to get one on a 2 post ramp and have a look at the structure, these are horrid things in every respect and that's if it is solid ,
they may look cool ect but I wouldn't fancy my chances in an accident

So thats where that turd ended up ! I could tell you some stories about that turd as well !

[e30topless]

Do tell Pete,

I am sure it is the same car, 2 tone with a turbo nailed on to it, the wiring is horrific !

it is festering under a tree with 4 other 21's I would love to have a fragfest but the owner would rather watch them disintegrate

[Hoobs]

anyone considering buying an E21 needs to get one on a 2 post ramp and have a look at the structure, these are horrid things in every respect and that's if it is solid ,
they may look cool ect but I wouldn't fancy my chances in an accident

Are they hugely different to e30's?

[Rich_W]

I pass a Pea Green coloured one on my way home from work. Looks nice, but I've never stopped to "inspect it"

[Greeny]

I love 'em, used to have an '81 318 e21 in silver bought it from an auction for £300. Wish i still had it.

[Greeny]

anyone considering buying an E21 needs to get one on a 2 post ramp and have a look at the structure, these are horrid things in every respect and that's if it is solid ,
they may look cool ect but I wouldn't fancy my chances in an accident

Any 70's/80's cars would be a little dodgy in an accident but i'd rather be in an E21 than say a Morris Marina or Maxi!

[Hoobs]

Agreed. Mind you, I'd still like to know what makes an e30 so much better/safer?

[e30topless]

Agreed. Mind you, I'd still like to know what makes an e30 so much better/safer?

E30 chassis legs don't rot like E21's do !



I have crashed them both and I know which one I would rather be in

[Hoobs]

I've seen e30's every bit as rotten as that, especially with the help of previous bodged repairs, such as those that were done to that 316. ( I recognise Matts photos ) Newspaper is never particularly good for structural repairs either.
The earliest e21 are nearly 36 years old, and the youngest 27, so any car of that age is likely to have rot but they're certainly no worse than any other BMW of the era.

[e30topless]

as an E21 owner you have your right to defend them , Although this doesn't make you right
Don't get me wrong I think a well sorted E21 is a very pretty thing.. but sadly Most are bodged up turds ,
I owned an 1983 323i in 1992 and that was a sorry piece of landfill back then

[TPS]

Don't get me wrong I think a well sorted E21 is a very pretty thing.. but sadly Most are bodged up turds ,
I owned an 1983 323i in 1992 and that was a sorry piece of landfill back then

100% agree, My first BMW was a 1982 323i, I loved the shape of it, but I bought it with heart not head, unfortunately it had seen better days, I'll love to own one again, but would be alot careful in future when buying.

[Hoobs]

I agree too. There are definately some ropey examples out there! All I'm saying is that e21's are no more prone to excessive corrosion than any other BMW of the same era or because there is some inherent flaw compared to the e30. There are plenty of rotten examples of both.

[Gortour]

Interesting... My late 78 T plate 320 6 pot needed a replacement slave cylinder. Apart from the carb, that was the only thing that ever went wrong. Just put it down to "normal" wear and tear at the time...

Did you own it from new?

No, got it about 9 years old. Had it about 5 years, thoroughly enjoyed driving it.

[StuBeeDoo]

Would love to have a BMW E21 323i Coupe for a month.

What's one of them, then? I thought there were only 2 versions of E21 - the factory version and the Baur convertible.

[Hoobs]

They were all 2 door coupe apart from the Baur.

[hennared323i]

Interesting... My late 78 T plate 320 6 pot needed a replacement slave cylinder. Apart from the carb, that was the only thing that ever went wrong. Just put it down to "normal" wear and tear at the time...

Did you own it from new?

No, got it about 9 years old. Had it about 5 years, thoroughly enjoyed driving it.

Fair enough, maybe the old fella just had a bad un then

[gareth]

I had a 320/6 and apart from that pathetic excuse for a carb, it was a really lovely car to drive. Very reliable. Handled pretty well for a saloon and at least as comfortable as any other car i've owned. It was pretty low mileage though (70k iirc?) and one old boy owned from new

I'd like another but I'd need to spend out to get a decent one (rust-wise) before considering it.

[Hoobs]

The old Solex carbs are notoriously poor on 320's once they get a bit worn. The Weber replacement is way better.

There seems to be a lot more interest in e21's recently. Mind you, there are still quite a few people who think the 3 series started with the e30.

[Madhatter_]

As far as i know the e21 was around the same weight as the e30. The e30 looks much better also so who gives a shit.

Tbh i dont think they are that popular in germany.

Loaded 323i with AC and auto is only just over 1100kg. Lighter and smaller than E30's

Had quite a set back this year after a car accident, otherwise mine would be rebuilt by now.



Daily drove one for 3 years up and down mountains, didnt have a problem with anything but a new thermostat. They arent totally useless, but you do need to learn how to drive them otherwise they will bite you on the arse. Good suspension and tyres makes a HUGE difference, bit unfair to compare it to an E30 when they have much more tyre under them. Rust coating was that tectyl stuff, so its really no different to what was available at the time.

They get a hard time and really are the forgotten bmw, which is a shame because they have all the classic shark fin bmw looks, kinda like a compact 6er.

[Rich_W]

I saw a very nice Orange one today in Kingston. "MIB" was the Irish plate.

[Hoobs]

That'd be me.

[02Man]

Yay,spotted !

[LeChiffre]

Is trhat the famous 323i that's in every magazine in Wh Smiths?

I don't mind an E21 - but have a real illness for the old New Class four doors from the sixties such as the 1800Ti. One of those or a fintail Merc.

[Hoobs]

Is trhat the famous 323i that's in every magazine in Wh Smiths?

I'm embarrassed to say it is, yes. In my defence, I've been trying to spread the 'e21 word' as its amazing just how many people forget the e21 even exists. I've even had people refuse to believe that the 3 series didn't start with the e30!

Neue Klasse are lovely cars. I know a few guys with them and the detail and build quality is something else. An 1800 tisa would be on my all time BMW wish list for sure.

[Rich_W]

Hoobs / O2Man who did I spot?

[Hoobs]

me.

[Rich_W]

[02Man]

Sorry,confused the issue again