320 or 325?

[batleyrhino]

I'm fast closing in on the horns of a dilemma. I'm in the early stages of looking for an E30 and after spending a few weeks on here (and Carandclassic, Ebay, Gumtree, Pistonheads, etc) I can't decide on if I should be looking for a 325i or if a 320i would be ok.

I'm not looking to go racing, but would like something with decent acceleration, hence I'm swaying towards a 325i but I'd like to know what those with experience of both engines think. My daily is a 520d SE Touring on the current model, which has a good amount of poke and does 0-62 in 8.3 secs if you believe the BMW website. How would the 320 or 325 compare taking into account they are 20-25 years old now?

A good 325 seems to be a bit like rocking horse sh!t, whereas 320's seem a little more available.

Any advice guys?

[Grrrmachine]

320i's don't accelerate. If you're coming from a modern torquey diesel, you're going to be severely disappointed by the 320i's almost glacial acceleration figures. The 325i in comparison will feel like the Millenium Falcon. They have comparable fuel consumption, which is why the 320i gets ridiculed so much.

What the 320i IS good at is motorway miles. The engine is balanced enough to be smooth on long distances (I drove mine from Warsaw to London in 24 hours, and it never missed a beat) and most of the examples you find are unmolested because they were never bought as performance cars.

Best bet would be to buy a clean 320i now, and save the money for an engine swap in the near future. You don't have to worry about killing the value of the car since 320i's aren't worth anything anyway.

[kieran325]

Hold out for the 325.

[batleyrhino]

LOL, two answers and they are contradictory. I love this place...

So a 320 has no pull, but is a much cheaper option than a 325, and the 325 could well have been flogged. I guess a lot is going to depend on tin worm. Sounds like a 320 with no rust is a better bet than a 325 that's a rust bucket, as you can drop a bigger lump in it at a later date.

Better be on the lookout for anything with 6 cylinders then, Cheers.

[Nobby_N]

Last one i had was 320i and regreted buying it instead of 325i it was auto though! Next one will defo be 325i and hopefully not auto!

[Morat]

Least rust = best.

[Gavla]

If funds allow and you want acceleration etc then 325 is the way to go.

[hennared323i]

Least rust = best.

What he said,

And a high a spec as possible

Mechanicals are easy(ish) swaps - bodies are a world of pain if you choose a wrong un

[batleyrhino]

My old man had a 316i on an F plate, and from what I remember it was a lovely looking snail of a car.

I think if I went for something slower than the wifes car (318i Conv on a 55 plate) then I'd finish up disappointed sooner or later.

I'm thinking look for a rust free (or nearly) 325i and if I don't find one, keep my eyes open for a 320i that's in top nick.

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

[daimlerman]

What is your intended use?

If you are looking for a car to show,a 320i will be a good buy,as most were bought by older,private owners and will have been maintained regardless of cost.

If you are looking for a 'Sunday morning car' you need a 325i!

Nothing really wrong with a 320i,it's a short-stroke straight 6 that revs freely,but you need to rev it to make decent progress,hence the comments above that it uses as much fuel,but goes slower,than it's bigger engined brother.

[kieran325]

Have you got access to either of them for a test drive??

I'm in Manchester if you need a 325 to have a look at and drive.

[batleyrhino]

@ daimlerman, it's a "Sunday morning car" I'm after really, so thanks for the advice. Looks like I should be aiming for a 325i.

@ Kieran325, I live in Pontefract but I work in Warrington (when I am in the office) so go round the '60 regularly. PM me with your contact details, I'd love to meet up for a look round, cheers.

[capnmchl]

Engine swaps are easier than body swaps.

But don't buy an M10 engined car, especially a 316. Comes from experience.

[batleyrhino]

What do you think of this? I know the SE is the least attractive spec, and it's got plenty of miles on the clock, but with some history is it worth a punt?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... tem-full-2

Should I be worried about the "drives good but over 30mph suspected bearing noise from prop shaft". Would that be either terminal or an expensive fix?

[Nobby_N]

500 quid get it bought! ignore the 50 shades of grey! Bargain

[batleyrhino]

No Bullshit?

[mcbonio]

325's do tend to be thrashed a little more than other models, as they are fun and quite fast. If you want one thats not been trashed go for an auto, as you really can't trash them like you can a manual. M20 engines are very tough and hardwearing engines, theres folk on here use them for drift cars, constantly redlining them for extended periods of time, and they just keep on going.

Personally I'd be looking for a good solid shell on the car rather than a great engine, engines can be swapped out in a few hours, a good m20 can be got for a few hundred quid. A rusted rotten shell will cost thousands to put right and make you want to commit suicide.

Go for the 325i model, the 320i is slow as sh*te and you'll kick yourself for not getting the 325 when you are constantly being taken over by ford focuses and astras. It also uses the same amount of fuel as the 325i so you might as well.!

[Grrrmachine]

What do you think of this? I know the SE is the least attractive spec, and it's got plenty of miles on the clock, but with some history is it worth a punt?

Where did you get the idea that the SE is the "least attractive"?

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... 5i#325i_SE

And 170k isn't "high mileage": it's less than 8000 miles a year!

What you really need to do is read this:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ing_an_E30

especially the Rust section, so that you know what you're really looking for.

[batleyrhino]

Thanks Grr, I read the wiki buyers guide the other week when I joined, it's great advice. I've also read the rust section and that's good too, especially the pics for a novice like me.

On the mileage, you are right of course that 170k is low miles per year, and it seems from advice on here that the engines are pretty much bulletproof and capable of much more than this if serviced regularly and given fluid changes as necessary, so that doesn't frighten me off so much if there is history to back it up.

The SE being least attractive comment comes from the general theme of some threads on here, not that I'm thinking about resale values on a car I haven't even bought yet!!! I guess that it comes down to personal choice, cloth or leather, Auto or Manual, Cruise or not, etc.

One thing is for sure, the advice and experience I'm getting on here will be invaluable when it comes to parting with some cash....

[Captain_Birdseye]

As a 320 driver you will be making a noise like a machine gun just to go slightly above average speeds, don't know what the 2.5 is like, well I do now. Same fuel consumption = little point in having the 2.0.

[BATTS91]

I have a question for you sir , are you rather mechanically minded and have acess to tools .

I ask this as like a few others have suggested the best bet with an e30 is to get a clean shell and worry about the engine size and performance later , There are many zoners that offer engine sway services ie m20b25 or if your onto a winner the 24v route ie m50b25 or m52b28 .

[Brianmoooore]

If it's a saloon you're looking for, there's a few other differences to consider between a 320i and a 325i, other than the capacity of the engine, where the lesser version loses out.

[batleyrhino]

I have a question for you sir , are you rather mechanically minded and have acess to tools .

I ask this as like a few others have suggested the best bet with an e30 is to get a clean shell and worry about the engine size and performance later , There are many zoners that offer engine sway services ie m20b25 or if your onto a winner the 24v route ie m50b25 or m52b28 .

Have to confess, I'm an electrical engineer not a mechanical one, but I do have a small appreciation (or so the wife says...).

The issue would be space to do the work if it was mechanical and changing out lumps, as I don't have it. In terms of tools, I've got a set of spanners and sockets, do I need more...

[batleyrhino]

If it's a saloon you're looking for, there's a few other differences to consider between a 320i and a 325i, other than the capacity of the engine, where the lesser version loses out.

It probably is a saloon that I'm after I think, what are the other differences? Stuff like an OBC for example or is that standard on all 6 cylinder models?

[petchy]

The issue would be space to do the work if it was mechanical and changing out lumps, as I don't have it.

A few places/people I am sure will offer a drive in/out service for you. Ie drive your 320 into their garage and drive it out with a beasty engine fitted! May cost a little more than doing it yourself like but keeps ya hands clean and the wife off ya back complaining about oily engine blocks on the diningroom table! (some women can be very unreasonable!)

That's what I plan to do anyways just waiting for the right engine at the right price!

As the guys say look for a solid shell first, then the little bells and whistles which can sometimes prove expensive to retrofit (front fogs, headlight wash wipes, OBC, sports interior etc...)

[Brianmoooore]

It probably is a saloon that I'm after I think, what are the other differences? Stuff like an OBC for example or is that standard on all 6 cylinder models?

Far more important bits than that, I'm afraid - brakes, suspension and drive train.

[polsta]

It probably is a saloon that I'm after I think, what are the other differences? Stuff like an OBC for example or is that standard on all 6 cylinder models?

Far more important bits than that, I'm afraid - brakes, suspension and drive train.

and you can buy cheaply and fit/add on all the extras you want, best thing about e30s so many things you can do and add and all aprt of the fun hunting some parts down and making a car your own and all parts like that are interchangable

a 320ivs a 325i same sort of fuel consumpsion ....its a no brainer to get a 325i,buying a 320i and doing engine swaps etc isnt the best way to go if its a long term keeper car, its better to have an original 325i for the future than a 320 with a 325 engine, in a value/classic sense,be patient wait for the right car that you really want, with preffered engine and color etc, youl love it much more

[suchy]

As previously mentioned, shell condition is primary! I'd still look out for a decent 325 if going to be a Sunday car though. If you intend to do engine swaps down the line then really is two options (imo!) either a cheap pov.spec 316 and rip everything out and install the gear you really want or a 325 and just upgrade brakes and suspension to match whichever engine you go with. Or you can just go with a really nice 325ise or Sport and keep it at that

[batleyrhino]

The Pompey boys have arrived!!

Cheers for the advice guys, I'd like to find exactly what I'm looking for straight off, a nice straight rust free 325i Sport or SE, but I guess I'm not the only one looking for one of those.

There is the option to get something else and look to drop a bigger lump in it, that might be quicker but not necessarily easier.

Lots to think about whilst I'm looking.....

[bss325i]

First and foremost, what is your budget?

[batleyrhino]

That's a very good question, and is pretty much determined by the car as much as anything else. From the motors I've seen on here, Car & Classic, Ebay, Gumtree and PistonHeads, I can afford something mid range, or something that would need work (and the work), but the real "minters", listed at or above £3.5k are probably out of reach for now.

I've been trying to understand if there is an applicable budget for a 325i but it seems to vary so much, I'm struggling to pin down what is good money or overpriced....

If you could help in setting the right budget for the different quality of car then that would be much appreciated. I've seen talk of "you'll need a grand to sort out that amount of tin worm..." and looked at the cost of interiors should I need one (£150-£400 would do it?) but I'm sure I must be missing some parts of the jigsaw.

The only conclusion I'm coming to over price is, it would be better to buy one from one of you guys who know what they have and are realistic with the price and what it needs....

[suchy]

The only conclusion I'm coming to over price is, it would be better to buy one from one of you guys who know what they have and are realistic with the price and what it needs....

If you don't know too much about older cars then yes. If you know cars then nothing wrong with trying to find one owned by an older person, garaged, looked after etc. He'll still probably know what he has and won't be the £500 'find' everyone seeks but an honest car is an honest car.

[bss325i]

So £3.5k is you upper limit?

Forget looking at 325i Sports for £3.5 as they will be rubbish and no doubt hiding a multitude of rotten sins!

That budget should get you a very nice 325iSE 2dr and the best of the best 4dr saloons and tourings.

Infact the is what looks to be a nice silver 325iSE touring with only 67k on the clock with a decent spec which includes factory fit A/C, sports seats, 15" BBS and switchable auto box.

Guy only wants £2500.

Cabrios can be hit and miss at £3.5k, some nice bargains to be had and some utter overpriced scrap as well.

Best advice i can offer is get someone who knows these cars WELL to go with you to view any potential purchase. Paying someone for their time could save you much much more than what it what cost to put right a catalogue of issues that may be missed upon viewing.

[Grrrmachine]

There's a huge argument about both "mint" and "Sport", and what value you put on cars with those words attached. A mint Sport (the two combined) can command very high prices, a Sport with rust will sell for less than two grand and a mint 320i can be had for hundreds.

Polsta makes a point of "find the perfect car and you'll love it more"; I'd argue that build the car you want, and you'll love it even more. If a mint 320i shell can be found then a good 325i engine can be had for hundreds, and swapped in a day.

If money is the deciding factor, I'd go for the engine swap. A converted 325i in a clean shell will sell for good money if the job's been done right.