Rav335uk wrote:M52 into one of these is a complete Ballache, you have to source a 323i subframe, and make your own mounts.
M30 is easier, route i'm going down, and remember in order for the speedo to wotk, you need to retain the origional 4 speed box, as the speedo works of the gearbox.
Good buy though, keep it, don't let it go.
I have bought loads of bits for mine, i've had it in storage for 18 mths now, B8 bilstiens, 323i subframe, Alpina M30 mounts, recaros, the list goes on and on.
If you need any info PM me or Jason on here, he knows his 5hit on these cars..
Rav
M50s and M52s bolt onto the E21 subframe using the E21 M20 engine mounts . They also then go directly onto the E21 M20 gearbox meaning everything from the block backwards is standard E21. The M50/M52 is now sitting at the same angle as an M20 block meaning the sump has to be modified and there is less clearance for the inlet gubbins. Easier than an M30 swap . Except for the inlet clearance, sump mods needed and fitting a radiator and sorting an exhaust it's no more harder than an M20B25 swap
You can try making a custom engine mounts to mount an M50/M52 to sit the engine with the sump flat but I tried this and couldn't see anyway to get any sort of exhaust manifold on except for moving the steering column. Also it won't clear the brake servo on a RHD if the engine was flat.
Sod all that M50 bollocks. The old K Jet stuff would be an arseache now, so a nice 2.7 or 2.8 M20 on later Moronic with a stock 320/6 or 323i five speed box would be fine. LSD's are so hard to find for these and they're only really good for 200 bhp. Some proper springs and shocks plus some good sticky 215/225 section tyres on 13 inch Mahle wheels would look good. I fancy white with the tri colour Motorsport stripes, the massive early boot spoiler, a BBS front spoiler and one of those red reflective '323i' trim panel inserts for between the rear lights. Proper Marlboro Man stuff.
Picked the car up today, set off at 8 this morning, got home just after 7, so a long day. A few pics I took after I got it on the trailer, I think it needs attention to the bodywork
Rav335uk wrote:?That looks as good as the one I have
Haha I was shocked, the inner wheel arches were fine and the rear towers looked in really good order, bonnet and bootlid are really good, the rest is fooked
I do like a nice e21. My mate had a limited edition one years ago - KGB 473T. It had factory twin tail pipes, one on each side and was a limited edition. It was a bit of an evil car, burnt a few people and was a constant target for vandals for some reason.
As Pete indicates, it'll be making toast for someone now unfortunately.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
Haha the best thing is there is a new bootlid badge on it and he gave me a brand new bonnet badge too, they may go on the e30. there are 3 old badges in the glovebox, they have raised letters on them, shame all the paint has rubbed off on em.
Last edited by jaymos on Fri May 14, 2010 7:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Topblag wrote:I do like a nice e21. My mate had a limited edition one years ago - KGB 473T. It had factory twin tail pipes, one on each side and was a limited edition. It was a bit of an evil car, burnt a few people and was a constant target for vandals for some reason.
As Pete indicates, it'll be making toast for someone now unfortunately.
That would have been the 323i, lovely motor back in the days when they first cam out.
Jaymos, all panels can be got new mate from Germany.
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right! CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
Topblag wrote:I do like a nice e21. My mate had a limited edition one years ago - KGB 473T. It had factory twin tail pipes, one on each side and was a limited edition. It was a bit of an evil car, burnt a few people and was a constant target for vandals for some reason.
As Pete indicates, it'll be making toast for someone now unfortunately.
That would have been the 323i, lovely motor back in the days when they first cam out.
Jaymos, all panels can be got new mate from Germany.
Funnily enough i was reading a resto thread on the e21 forum, it was prob in the same state as this, he got shit loads of new pannels for it, looked ace when he was done.
Ranchero wrote:How's the motor? Or the interior for that matter.
Depending wether he wants to keep it origional or not, but E30 sport seats fit and the rear bench, but there's a gap between the rear bench and parcel shelf, oh and the E30 dash can be made to fit too
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right! CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
My mate's got a pair of front wings sitting about, new, never fitted and primered about 15 years ago. Has a 320 radiator also.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
Don't listen to this lot.
Have a good look around it, if it is salvagable, do it.
Not enough of these little stars left and keeping or restoring them is a plus.
Besides, you can't loose any money on it.
I bought mine for less than yours , sold the wheels for a tidy profit and now the cars owes me nothing.
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right! CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
I agree with rav, see what is realy like and whats involved in getting replacement panels etc it will be lovely when finished and as rav also said not enough of these left now
my cousin had a 323i with the tailpipe at each side it was lovely
I agree - that's scrap and the only E21 worth any kind of restoration is a 323i. You can still buy a really sweet E21 316./320 for £1300 or so so it's not worth restoring a rotten one unless you really don't value your time. I daresay the ones who say 'don't scrap it' are not the ones who have spent hundreds of hours restoring cars.
They of course could buy it from you and restore it.....?
I'm not sure it worth going overboard on restoring it. You don't IMO need all OEM parts and have it EXACTLY how it left the factory. Just tidy it up and paint it.
Rich_W wrote:I'm not sure it worth going overboard on restoring it. You don't IMO need all OEM parts and have it EXACTLY how it left the factory. Just tidy it up and paint it.
Good luck,
I know what you mean, Im just a bit worried about how much work is on it and with some of the comments. I didnt really buy it to frag, I was after a project to do and for the money I thought it was a good buy. I know there is a hell of a lot of work to do on it and it will take a long time to do. Also Im not really interested in how much it will be worth when im done cus if I do restore it I will keep it. To me at the mo i think if I can get it back to a decent standard that achievment will be worth more to me than anything else.
. They also then go directly onto the E21 M20 gearbox meaning everything from the block backwards is standard E21. The M50/M52 is now sitting at the same angle as an M20 block meaning the sump has to be modified and there is less clearance for the inlet gubbins. Easier than an M30 swap 
