E21 320i - Needs work but tempted...

[Rav335uk]

That will be a abrgain if all is true

[rob0r]

Clear indicators are cheaper direct from Walloth and Nesch posted from Germany, around £40-50.

[Ace 325i]

Thanks for the input guys!

The green e21 - manual - but i suppose that wouldn't matter if a conversion was on the cards..

I am going to look at the e21 i initially posted about today. Will report on the outcome when i get back!

[capri_rob]

Good luck fella

[pacerpete]

Looks like a dog slow , rotten ,15 mpg 'bridge dodger to me . Get it weighed !

[Ace 325i]

Went to see the car today...

It does need alot of welding. The engine is sweet as honey though. Started and sounded mint! It made me think twice about an engine conversion as it has a FSH and all documentation. On the other hand the welding will cost a few bob coupled with the plans i have, it may all add up. I'm keeping my eye on this also which seems a mint example;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-320A-E21-MOT- ... 7C294%3A50

I don't want to rush into anything..this is something I will be spending alot of effort, time and dosh on!

[mr_dink]

You won't find an e21 that doesn't need the sills doing which is £1500 in welding staight away.

As long as you include this in your budget you'll be all good.

[cirrusloon]

I had a carb'd 320 auto and it was a very thisty and noisy car. Motorway speeds are horrendous as it's woefully undergeared. Unless you're going to use it to pootle to the shops on a weekend, get rid of the lump.

E21's are superb, but an M20B25 is certainly the way to go along with very decent suspension.

[Ace 325i]

..I think i will go down the conversion route. I've been looking at some engines on ebay ..what do you guys think about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-comp ... 7C294%3A50

comes complete with pretty much everything and the auto gearbox for another 30 quid!

If only my budget permitted...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M6-V10-ENGINE ... 7C294%3A50

this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-2-5-ENGINE-20 ... 7C294%3A50

[Ace 325i]

How about a modern TD engine? I can see how this would be fun...but maybe a difficult route to go down?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-X5-ENGINE-3-0 ... 7C294%3A50

Ideally, if something like this could fit in an E30 or even an E21, it would be my dream outcome!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E46-COUPE-2-5 ... 7C294%3A50

[Ace 325i]

This does look like a steal to me!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0356244215

any advice??

[Rich_W]

How about a modern TD engine? I can see how this would be fun...but maybe a difficult route to go down?

Anyone who considers a modern TD engine to be suitable for a conversion. Needs to seriously re-evaluate what they like in a car! Do you like changing gear every 5 seconds? Do you like having massive Turbo Lag?

[Andyboy]

You won't find an e21 that doesn't need the sills doing which is £1500 in welding staight away.

As long as you include this in your budget you'll be all good.

Nonsense. There are still plenty of solid E21's out there, mainly late model 316 and 320 cars. the late E21's were far better built than the early E30.
A mate of mine in Notts has a remarkably rust free 1981 E21 320 Auto - it doesn't need welding and has not been welded. Runs smooth, very good interior. Been off the road a while so no T&T and needs some bodywork, mainly a dented front wing and paint. I think it has quite a lot of history as well, not many owners.
If you're into this kind of stuff (God help you), this would be a very good place to start.

[Ace 325i]

I've had a little think and have got my eye on a few examples for the shell/body.

I would've thought the torque of a TD engine would be pretty addictive in an E21. I can understand it may be a difficult route to go down..

I've also been speaking to a person selling an M54 2.5 out of a E46 2002, complete with the auto triptonic gearbox. The engine has 57K on the clock, but i have been negociating on the price. It has a decent amount of power, as much as I'd be happy with (supercharger later?), along with being a modern engine and auto, it does fit the bill for what i'm after.

Would this engine be a straight fit into the E21 shell? If so, and a decent price is at hand, this might be the first buy of this whole project!

[casper8r]

... an M54 2.5 out of a E46 2002, complete with the auto triptonic gearbox...

Would this engine be a straight fit into the E21 shell? If so, and a decent price is at hand, this might be the first buy of this whole project!

After this project is finished you might consider offering your services to The Crown. A person with enough patience to transplant this engine into an e21 including all electric gubbins and solve the wiring should be able to easily withstand occasional torture.

I'm a liability with spanner but I suspect your biggest worry would not be the mechanical fitting of the engine but the wiring. That being said I've seen pics and videos of e30 with an engine from e39 m5 which was probably more complicated, but I don't think this would be a very easy swap.

If you're ever having trouble falling asleep here's some nighttime reading for you: http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/BMW_docs/electran1.pdf

[Ace 325i]

Ok guys...

I bought "it". Thought it would be an E21 etc..but couldn't help myself!

1986 E30 325i - black with chrome trim. Picked it up £400.00 off the bay. I've already started spending the bucks on parts!

Heres some pictures;







On order:

E30 M3 evo door mirrors
Dechrome all round
M-tech 2 bumpers [need skirts!]
Custom dark red back lights

Awaiting Paycheck:

Genuine full tan leather interior - door cards and roof lining [guy wants £700.00 on a custom order?!?!]
New carpet
M3 Sport Evo suede steering wheel/alpina Momo steering wheel?
Strut braces - back/front
Exhaust
Single headlight grill - I've been looking everywhere for this!!!! Any ideas?

Further plans - as the $$$ rolls in:

Full professional re-spray - in black. I've been told white and even gun metal grey...But have my heart set on the black/tan combo
BBS RS deep dish - hoping these will fit?
Uprated brakes - grooved/drilled discs, EBC pads - ss braided hoses

I have a lot more on the cards...but will not say before i do!

Any suggestions or advice on parts would be really helpful. Hoping to be a regular part of this forum now as work has now begun!

[raj1980]

the more i look at the e21's the more i think i should have got one.

[Ace 325i]

don't say that to me now mate lol..

Still. the E21 will be on the cards if i come across something i can't refuse..

[raj1980]

don't say that to me now mate lol..

Still. the E21 will be on the cards if i come across something i can't refuse..

dont worry i got a e30 too. its already had a m30 conversion so will not change now. i do love the e30 but i have a cooling problem at the moment that i need to sort.

[ImysE30]

Keep the chrome, don't molest it with a Tech 2 kit

[rob0r]

I nearly bought that when it went on ebay the first time, it looks great.