E21 320i - Needs work but tempted...

[Ace 325i]

Hi guys,

Fairly new to the forums and have been taking a back seat browsing. I've been searching for some E30 325s or the like - prefered in Auto due to a bad knee.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0442183727

This has caught my interest. It does need work on the sills and panels but only has 87k on the clock! It would make a lovely platform for me to work around.

Does anyone know of any people who would do a reasonable restoration for me on this? If so, i might be willing to take the plunge!

I've seen the Euro/German? spec crystal sidelights and chrome trims for this which i think would make the car look unique! I have big plans but lets make a decision first!

Great forum guys...love it!

Ali.

[capri_rob]

Can you weld ? If you're gonna pay someone to do it you will need deep pockets !

Welcome anyway fella

[Ace 325i]

How deep are we talking? Haven't welded before in my life!

I'm an average earner, but am willing to spend a few hundered bob a month to get this car pristine in the months to come..

[JimmyC]

Where are you based?

[Ace 325i]

I'm in North West London. Towards Edgware..

[JimmyC]

Dave Kear details below would be just the man for the job.

Give him a buzz, he is a real craftsman and knows more about BMWs than most, beased in Essex too so local

[Ace 325i]

The crystal lights i was talking about. I have a picture of a showcar e21 at home I'll upload later...but thats basically the sort of look i am hoping for. Subtle, discreet, yet truly noticable

[Ace 325i]

Jimmy - Thanks!

I'll give him a ring later. Seeing as you may have come across similar builds before on different cars, how much do you think the welding and repairing of the panels will cost? I am after an A1 job and no cowboys!!! However, looking at some of the cars on here, I am sure you have recommended me a gem

[Rav335uk]

Those "Crystal " repeaters are £70 on ebay for a start.
KI've got one 316 auto, i'm stripping and rebuilding with a 3.5ltr engine, lots to do, but my budget is about 4k.
Oh and i've bought some BBS splits £900.
So depending on how you want your car to look or perform, it's up to you

[JimmyC]

Jimmy - Thanks!

I'll give him a ring later. Seeing as you may have come across similar builds before on different cars, how much do you think the welding and repairing of the panels will cost? I am after an A1 job and no cowboys!!! However, looking at some of the cars on here, I am sure you have recommended me a gem

I personally have no idea

He's definately not a cowboy, he takes real pride in his work

He's about to do a 2002 for my mate, and has also done and E21 track toy which is being shot for Total BMW this month.

Like I say you wont find better IMO

[Ace 325i]

I have considered an engine conversion. I've seen your blue beauty! must be a beast. I had a e34 535i M-sport, so i can imagine the fun you have in your machine .

If i do an engine conversion, I'll prefer to leave it Auto as I'm more of a cruiser with the occasional thirst for speed . Any suggestions on this side?

Most of the parts I'll probably order from Germany - as I have a few cousins there. I have seen the single headlight conversion for this - I'm not sure if it will be compatible with the Hella Angel eyes though?

If i spare £400.00 a month for the next 6 months - Thats 2.4K - I'll chuck in another 2.5K bringing my budget to around the 5K mark. Reasonable?

[Rav335uk]

Try this forum, i'm on it, for bits and peices, and info too.

www.bmwe21.net.

Have fun now

[JimmyC]

Dave is an engine conversion king too ;)

Get yourself along to the BBB BBQ this friday as between Dave and Richard you'll be laughing

[Rav335uk]

I have considered an engine conversion. I've seen your blue beauty! must be a beast. I had a e34 535i M-sport, so i can imagine the fun you have in your machine .

If i do an engine conversion, I'll prefer to leave it Auto as I'm more of a cruiser with the occasional thirst for speed . Any suggestions on this side?

Most of the parts I'll probably order from Germany - as I have a few cousins there. I have seen the single headlight conversion for this - I'm not sure if it will be compatible with the Hella Angel eyes though?

If i spare £400.00 a month for the next 6 months - Thats 2.4K - I'll chuck in another 2.5K bringing my budget to around the 5K mark. Reasonable?

That sounds a good budget.
As for engine cinversions, a M20B25 will go straight in, 170bhp will spin the wheels in first no probs, and second.

If you want some BBS splitties, let me know.

But for that money, i'm sure you can put in more power, and have it look like a sleeper

[Ace 325i]

Ok now I'm getting excited lol.

Very close to buying now...awaiting my brothers [mechanic] opinion!

17 Alpinas would look nice on this I'm imagining. Borbets?

My brother has a 3.2 V6 lump from a 95 Honda Legend - 99K on the clock. I owned the Legend before and know how well it runs! The auto gearbox is perfect although fitment issues may be a concern though?

How easy is it to drop one of the modern engines into something like this? I recently saw an E46 lump with loom ecu the lot go for about £1500.00. It was an SMG. Now THAT would be a conversion!

[Rav335uk]

E46 lump can be done, all you need to do is blank of the vanos unit, iirc.
Auto box from the legend, depending on how wide it is, will probably need the tunnel widening on the car.

Alpinas are a NO NO!!!!! only 15" origional ones will look good, and no Borbets either.
Take a look at the site above in the link, plenty to see in the photo gallery

[Rav335uk]

Take a look at this for a rebuild thread.

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5861

[Ace 325i]

M20B25 - compatible with an auto box?

The original look would be the one to go for. I want something a little more unique though..



okay...maybe not that unique!!

What about interiors? I am not sure how easily available a sports leather/recaro? interior is available for the E21..any ideas?



This look seems to keep calling me......

[casper8r]

Sounds like a very reasonable budget! Depending on how motivated you are and the facilities available you could save some money by learning to weld. Basic repairs shouldn't be rocket science, can you be bothered though?
Some guys on Retro Rides organised a get-together and got some pointers on welding, looked like a lot of fun from the forum pictures.

It shouldn't be too problematic to source a complete e30 325 auto for £4-500 which would contain most of the parts you need for the swap. In fact I'll have one for sale shortly.

That E21 looks lovely!

[Rav335uk]

That's on 15" alpinas.
Leather interior from a e30 will fit with a bit of modding, but is doable.
E30 dash fits too!!

Not sure on the autobox, but if your stripping the cae back then i don't see why you couldn't fit it.
As i said before, all the questions can be answered on the E21 forum. There a re guys on there who have had these cars for years and know them inside out , what fits, what doesn't.

[Ace 325i]

I think I'm going to do it . You guys will be hearing a lot from me in the months to come once I've got hold of the car. Casper - I might give you a shout for that transmission - good nick?

[casper8r]

I think I'm going to do it . You guys will be hearing a lot from me in the months to come once I've got hold of the car. Casper - I might give you a shout for that transmission - good nick?

Yes - as far as I can tell. I've got two autos at the moment (both 325 tourings) but I hardly use them so will sell the tattier one. I won't be able to break it unfortunately - lack of time, space and skills so will be for sale as a whole. If all you need is the transmission there should be plenty for sale, Spadge usually has lots of goodies and others sell them as well.

It looks like majority of e21 owners go for BBS but some Borbets (?) would look nice:


I think it'd look great on some oldskool minilites for that retro rally look (i think this one's a 2002):

[JimmyC]

If you go 325 call Richard at BBB, details below ;)

[Ace 325i]

That looks like a dream. The borbets don't look too bad on them! Although i can appreciate the original look..

After the welding, I think a re-spray will be on the cards. I'll also keep my eye open for any interiors going. Mind you, my mum has been using massive industrial sewing machines used for large thick materials for years. If it is a case of removing cloth from the seats and covering it will custom leather - so be it!

[Ace 325i]

I am hovering around the idea of a single headlight set up upfront.

Cars like this do not make it easy to make a decision!

[Rav335uk]

That car is my phone screen saver, and thats exactly what i'm going to model mine on

[e21Jason]

Not a bad car

e21 3 speed auto and the solex carbs (it is not a 320i as they were a 2.0l injected m10) are shit I have had a few, and if you swap to a later type you need to add an after market electric speedo.

Best conversion is a e30 325i engine and autobox swap along with the e30 motronic fuel injection if you want to keep the auto.

try a m50 or s50 swap is a lot harder and you need to double your budget

Jason

[Ace 325i]

So this car is not the 320i 2.0? I was using the engine and transmission as a solid base to work around - conversion is a thought but for now - 87k on the engine and little use sounded appealing in regards to the reliability factor...

I will keep my eyes open for a E30 Auto trans/Engine combination..Whats the finance involved on it if you happen to know? Bare in mind, a re-spray, rims/tyres, interior all will be overhauled!

[ProperOldschool]

Thats mint that Alpina is.

[Ace 325i]

I know this may make the car look a little older, but I do prefer the single light set up upfront.



Imagine that with the clear repeaters on that alpina. What do you guys think?

[casper8r]

I don't think single lights make it older - IIRC all 4 cylinder versions were single lights while 6 cylinders were twins, have a look on Youtube

[youtube][/youtube]

If you're going for a swap why not buy a 316 or 318? Saves converting the lights and IMHO it's easier to find a smaller engined retro in a good condition.

[capri_rob]

I reckon it will be pretty thirsty being a carb'd 2.0 6 Cylinder Auto - quicker you get a more modern engine in the better !

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it if you go ahead - I reckon you should try and track down some genuine Recaros for the interior - some from a Capri/Manta/Early Astra GTE should go in without too much hassle and won't break the bank.

Keep the twin headlights

[Rav335uk]

Thats mint that Alpina is.

That isn't an Alpina, but a very good likeness.
Was a 3.5 iirc and sold for 15000 euro's!!

[casper8r]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0421402511

hmm...

[capri_rob]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0421402511

hmm...

A better buy than the one in the OP if the description is true