stumbled on an e21 318i is it worth saving?

[320ise]

the guy has this and a 316i 2dr e30. i am clueless with e21's where do they rot and what should i look for he wants 100 each, having a good look on sat so may get some pics, are e21's worth good money or will i be buying a headache?

[Z3I]

They rot everywhere, they are not popular with BM enthusiasts, and will probably be a headache for you. Its cheap tho at £100 if you've got space?

[320ise]

MY thinking was an m42 conversion

[dazleeds]

e21 deserves better get a 2.8 slapped in there

that would make one lairy beast of a car

[320ise]

it would! but i think that would be beyond me! i have a choice of the e30 and the e21 there both cheap but does anyone know what i should look for on the e21? are they a good car handle wise? i have never been in one never mind driven one! do they have pas available or is this rare on them? ideally i just need a brief buyers guide as i have not got a clue!

[dazleeds]

for rot look everywhere no exceptions most were rotten many years ago but you never know it may be saveable

as for handling very lairy arse end much more than an e30 but with a decent suspension set up im sure its sortable

at £100 i expect it to be a basket case but you never know

not sure if any had pas etc none i ever had did that i remember

prob better to research them on an e21 site

a nice e21 would put any e30 to shame in the looks dept tho imo

not had one for many years but if i ever find one worth saving i'd have it

[e21Jason]

Hi they rust and like any var it cost a lot to fix only minter 4cly are worth any thing. Pas is an option go faster bits are rare and more expensive than an e30

goto bmwe21.net

Jason

[320ise]

thanks for the link mate, are the six pots not worth more? as i always thought the 4 pots were less in demand? i know nothing about e21's so any advice is apreciated.

[320ise]

also how come some e21's have quad lights and some only have two "big lights" is the quad a face lift or somthing? i am clueless with the e 21's!

[dazleeds]

if im right the 4pots usualy have single lights and the 6s twin

dont think there was a facelift/preface on the e21

i think above jason meant a 4 pot would only be worth anything if mint not that theyre worth more than the 6s

[SLIMADI]

Probably a rotter?but might be worth saving you never know?

[tomti]

save it for retro coolness. Slammed on banded steels

[theweekendhaslanded]

Just get them bought!!

I have just bought an E21 316 1977 on a R reg. 40K usual rust here and there but its solid!! The price on these things is actually taking a slight turn at the moment (apparently) If you dont buy them then give me the details!!

[320ise]

do you get free tax on e21's?

[SLIMADI]

^^I think you will find all cars that reach 25 years old are then classed as classics so it might be free tax?

[daimlerman]

do you get free tax on e21's?

Not legaly!
Bit concerned by your description,318i,only E21 with injection was the 323i.... all the rest had carbs...
Early E21 320 was a 4 pot as well.
Must be rust free,check the usual E30 areas,plus the rest of the car.Take a magnet,those things rust like a British Leyland product!

[djk]

^^I think you will find all cars that reach 25 years old are then classed as classics so it might be free tax?

No. No-charge tax discs are issued only to cars built before 01/01/1973 - e21s weren't introduced until 1975/6 iirc, so they are nowhere near. The 25 year rolling rule was abolished by the Labour Government shortly after coming to power, hence the 1973 cut off. There is considerable lobbying from various historic vehicle groups to see it restored to a rolling date, but the chances of this ever being as low as 25 years are practically nil. It is obviously worth checking the build date on anything registered in 1973 to see if it qualifies, though I believe in these circumstances it has to be proven satisfactorily, with documentation, to the dvla before they will issue a disc at no charge.

[Nay]

It really depends on your pockets and your handy work.

E21 parts are harder to source, and kept standard and minty clean, might not be worth the money invested. On the other hand, stripping it, de-rotting it, respraying it, and rebuilding it with an E30 or whatever engine with a certain look (deep dishes, lowered etc) can make a very, very cool chariot.

If you dont have the money or the interest to do that, then a basket case wont be worth the £100 + fixing. An original, clean, rot-free one for <£500-600, is a different story

[theweekendhaslanded]

So are you buying them or passing on the dudes details!! I want one!

[320ise]

i phoned the guy today and he said he now wants £250 each for them! and i could not view them as he has no one to look after the dog why i see em (big ass rocky!) and the dog is viscous bla bla! so i will still have a look at them when he says its ok and if i am not interested i will pass on the location of them etc.

[SLIMADI]

I bet he has had quite a bit of interest in them,probably why he has put the price up?still worth a look tho you never now