chromie 323 help..... Pics now uploaded!

[RichIS]

going to look at a 323 tomorrow in a veiw to frag it as its been stood for over 10 years and last started over a year a go its a local ex demo car on and old y reg with a tec1 kit and elec sunroof ect all the toys as u would expect for an ex demo car think its probs one of the first e30s being a y reg too ?

but any way with out doin the normal test of jacking the car up did the 323s come fitted with an lsd as std ?

cheers

[Speedtouch]

Not as standard AFAIK.

Could be worth saving if it's a Y-reg, as they're now very rare!

There was a Motor featured press car one registered UBL 44Y, which belongs to hennabm on here. It is in concours condition.

[RichIS]

yeh i wasnt to sure on the 323s lsd wise spose il have to take a good jack with me

as for saving could be a possiblity depending on what shes like under neath rear 1/4 where it meets the rear lights looks to have rusted thru and the rear arches are fairly rusty and the owner said theve been replaced before. and of course the cars a lovely shade of pink/ green at the moment due to fade an moss.

[Speedtouch]

If it's an LSD, it should have a tag on the diff saying S then the ratio, e.g. S3,64 = 3.64:1 LSD.

No S = open diff.

[Jim320i]

You should save it! If you dont, let someone else! Do you know the full reg?

[RichIS]

yeah il gunna check the tag if i can get the jack under it as both back tyres are flat as any thing . does look really strage seeing a "sporty" e30 on bottle tops.

[RichIS]

no i dont know the full reg will get it tomz if that can give me any more info on the car?
im going to have a proper look tomz in the morning so will update with reg then.

only called in today as was goin past and seen the owner outside never been able catch him in so had a quick look round it and got some info.
he said to me that he was goin to come see me as hes moving soon and needs it gone and he has always gone past my house and seen various e30s there

and if theres any way i can save her il try my hardest to do so

[Jim320i]

Good stuff... If you get the last 7 digits of the chassis number you can go into BMW ad get a print out of the original spec sheet

[clipper]

I didn't think a Tech 1 kit would fit on a very early pre-facelift due to the different front valance profile... might be wrong though.

[Grrrmachine]

If it's as early as you say, the frag value is going to be fairly low. A Y-reg (1982?) will have very few parts that are compatible with later models, and if the bodywork isn't in great nick then you won't get any cash for the trim either.

However, if you can ascertain it's one of the demo cars and one of the first E30s in the UK, then it'll have some historic value to it which might see a better return for you than stripping it to be bits. Fair for your wallet and for the car

If it's got a dog-leg gearbox in it though... $$$

Good stuff... If you get the last 7 digits of the chassis number you can go into BMW ad get a print out of the original spec sheet

You don't have to visit the dealer, a few people on here can do it for you. charlE30 got mine for me a few years ago.

[B7]

Give the details to Andy Everett. He's the font of all knowledge on the early 82-83 cars. His father was involved with the original press release cars.

Despite how rotten it is, being a Y reg, it's an early car and needs all the help in saving it. Especially a top of the range 323i.

[RichIS]

well from what i saw from a quick look earlyer its got wash wipe head lights, full mtech 1 body kit
mtech 1 wheel electric sunroof , sports seats ,check panel by the sunroof and probs loads more things that i missed see what she runs like tomz and i give it a full check over
body work wise its the rear arches and corner by where the 1/4 panel join by the lights.

see if i can get the vin to to get some history.

[Grrrmachine]

If that's true, and the engine fires up, it's definitely worth selling as a car, not as parts.

[B7]

Was the tech 1 kit available that early? Possibly a retro fit at a later date?

[csl]

Being a Y-reg,it does sound very intresting! Save it!!

[jonny323i]

definatly worth saving depending on rust get some pics asap

[RichIS]

yeah owner assures me its starts and still purrs like a dream

as for the tec 1 kit im not too sure on the whole chromie thing as never owned one if it was a later add on it must of be done at the bmw workshops as its all fitted properly and seems std with the car.

[Jim320i]

Was the tech 1 kit available that early? Possibly a retro fit at a later date?

If the Tech 1 kit was retro fitted, a few more of its morsels may well have been retro fitted.

If its a press release car, then it needs saving regardless of its condition... Dont break it for fook sake! For the sake of a few hundred quid profit, sell it on for a bit extra, someone would buy it.

[jonny323i]

+1

[hennabm]

An LSD was optional - they never were std on the 323i.

Everything was extra - the elec windows, roof, central locking, headlamp wash wipe etc etc.
There were several packages available eg comfort which included the elec windows etc.

AFAIK the Tech 1 kit wasn't available for the real early days so I would say it was a later addition.

[Andyboy]

What's the reg number?

[RichIS]

bdg888y chassis number 7535138

build date dec 1982 wk50

henna red 052

0150 antheracite cloth

extras....
215 pas
498 rear head restraints
951 286+300+401+410
218 sport steering wheel
300 central locking
351 brown tinted glass
410 electric front windows
500 headlight wash-wipe
850 additional petrol
280 alloy wheels
311 l/h electric ext mirror
401 electric sliding roof
812 gb spec


supplyed and sold by 13138 R cound

unsure how to check if its deffo a demo car though ?

and to add got a bit more info previous owner had the tech one kit fitted

cleaned all the plugs up fresh battery and she fired into life
underside/floor seems solid so maninly body work

[csl]

That is early.I would deffo try my utmost to save this, fella.

[Andyboy]

BDG is a Gloucestershire number, so it's not a press car. It was registered in February 9th 1983, so it was most likely Richard Cound's demonstrator - the E30 was launched in the UK in March 1983. The first 150 or so 323i's with RHD were all Henna red and this one is number 137 - without doubt the oldest 323i known to survive and probably the oldest RHD E30.

951 was an option pack for demonstrators - central locking, electric windows, electric sunroof and alloy wheels. Alloys were either 280 or 286 even though there was only one design (bottletop) then.

So yes, it definitely needs saving, either for you to restore or someone else. What a superb find, well done!

I have the remnants of 320i number 1 which has a 999 reg number, so 888Y is a special one.

[Speedtouch]

Sounds like it would have been tremendously expensive when new, with all those optional extras.

A Henna Red E30 2-door is a handsome chariot, indeed!

[hennabm]

Good find

As the owner of one early car, if you need a new home for it, I'll take it.

Option 218 - sports steering wheel - I should think it is/was the three spoke one.

I have one of those - in the loft somewhere

[jonny323i]

I'm so jealous

[Jim320i]

I'm so jealous

I am too I'd actually part with pennies to restore it too!

[Andyboy]

Sounds like it would have been tremendously expensive when new, with all those optional extras.

£11'796.

A standard 323i was £9655 and a Saab 900 Turbo was £10'995, Golf GTi £6800.

Option 951 is the 'Luxury pack', available as an option package. Lots of 323i's had this as it was about £1200.

[Kieran_n22]

wow a Golf GTi for £6800! I seen them going for half that 30 years on lol.

[B7]

BDG is a Gloucestershire number, so it's not a press car. It was registered in February 9th 1983, so it was most likely Richard Cound's demonstrator - the E30 was launched in the UK in March 1983. The first 150 or so 323i's with RHD were all Henna red and this one is number 137 - without doubt the oldest 323i known to survive and probably the oldest RHD E30.

951 was an option pack for demonstrators - central locking, electric windows, electric sunroof and alloy wheels. Alloys were either 280 or 286 even though there was only one design (bottletop) then.

So yes, it definitely needs saving, either for you to restore or someone else. What a superb find, well done!

I have the remnants of 320i number 1 which has a 999 reg number, so 888Y is a special one.

I knew he'd come up trumps. Well done Andy.

So there you have it. Currently the oldest surviving 323i. Possibly the oldest RHD e30? Jesus if ever a car needed saving.

Right lets see the pics now see how bad things really are.

[RichIS]

wow wasnt expecting all this info hopefully going to talk numbers tomz as i wanted to check a few things and seems like you guys on here are saying the right things

if for what ever reason i dont get it or the moneys to rich for me i will gladly pass some details on to you guys and hopefully some one will give her a good seeing too will keep you updated

[B7]

if for what ever reason i dont get it or the moneys to rich for me i will gladly pass some details on to you guys and hopefully some one will give her a good seeing too will keep you updated

Do that please. There are a couple on here that would love to restore that. Me for one but space and money are at a premium at the moment.

At the very least you can be credited with finding it and helping to save it.

[Andyboy]

Thinking back, I recall seeing that car trundling around Gloucester around 1998-99. It was parked a couple of times near St Michaels Square. The 888Y rings a bell.

What's worth? Bugger all for parts really. Scrap is £200 so if you can get it for under £500, it needs buying.

[Speedtouch]

I have the remnants of 320i number 1 which has a 999 reg number, so 888Y is a special one.

Care to grace us with some pics of said priceless relic?