323 newbie questions

[sarahw20000]

First of all hello everyone

My boyfriend and i have just bought a 1985 323i 4 dr which is our first bmw and we don't really know alot about them.

Could someone tell me what spec the engine is? I know it's a 6 cylinder but how many valves, whats the original bhp and top mph?

It's got electric mirrors but not windows and pas but not central locking, is this right because it seems odd?

Also can someone tell me what the differences are body wise (ie side skirts, different bumper) between ours and and M3 of the same age and where we could get side skirts (fairly cheap if poss) from?

Thanks for any replies and sorry for twenty questions, we're used to fords!

[kam-325i]

Hello and welcome to the Zone and E30 ownership....

I think all E30's came with central locking as standard, so it might be a problem with the Control unit, which is not to bad to do. The M3 is a completely different beast to a standard E30, they share very little.

As to body kits, the best for yours would be a M-Tech 1.

The engine has 2 valves per cyclinder, top speed is around 130ish i think.

[sarahw20000]

Hi thanks for replying, ours actually looks pretty much like the one in your sig, it's black with the chrome bits but it's got 17" TSW venoms, which i don't know if they suit it but we can't afford more alloys so they'll have to do!

Where would i find the control unit for the central locking? we were gonna take the door cards off to have a look but we havn't had a chance yet.

It was really meant to be a runaround as my last car got written off but we really like it now(even though it makes us look slightly like drug deallers/pimp) and would like to 'pimp it up' a bit more without spending too much.

Another thing i meant to ask was has it got any sort of immobiliser/alarm?

[Dominitry]

Well, alarm on mine is a key hole under the right hand side rear light, it's an early model sport.

I know what you mean about the drug dealer part, i've even had someone walk onto my driveway while i was working on the car asking if i had any rizzla?! lol

Is it a 2dr or 4dr?

[Gwynleym10]

All UK spec cars have central locking.

If its not UK spec, i.e South African or something it may not. (My SA car doesn't )

Easiest way is to look at the petrol flap, is there a solonoid there? or do you have to lock the actual cap with keys?

Check all the fuses first... and then try to see if it works from the boot and passenger door.

[kam-325i]

The control unit for the central locking is behind the speaker in the drivers footwell. Also check the connections that come from the drivers door to the bodywork, this can be the problem sometimes.

[Fushion_Julz]

Central locking relay is behind the speaker grille in the drivers side footwell (RHD car)...

2.3 M20 motors produced around 145bhp

They were all pre 86, though and an '85 car is one of the last..

L-Jetronic injection and chrome bumpers, etc...

You could get cars with no electric windows or sunroof...all had electric mirrors, though...

Forget about trying to fit M3 stuff to a standard shell...Despite being the same range (E30) M3s have almost every panel, other than the bonnet, different to a standard E30 and, in any case, yours is a 4dr and the M3s were only ever 2dr...
The wings are wider, and the skirts are flared to meet them....
Bumpers fix differently, too.

As Kam said, an M-Tech kit would be the way forward if you want to mod it!
Although I don't think there was ever a genuine factory-fitted M-Tech 1 4dr, everything other than the side panels will fit..

[Theo]

everything other than the side panels will fit..

I was under the influence that on the mtech 1 kit you dont have side panels, only a pair of side skirts, which would fit 2 or 4 door variants. Ive never been sure of this though so would be good if someone could clarify the situation, Thanks.

[sarahw20000]

The petrol cap you actually have to unlock with a key so does that mean it doesn't have central locking? It's a GB registered car, RHD, maybe it's just too old.

Styling wise we'll probably only put some side skirts on coz it's lowered already and i don't want to start catching bumpers on speed bumps

I had a CAT1 alarm and central locking kit for a 3dr fitted to my last car that was written off so i might see if i can rip that out and get it fitted to this one and just have central locking on the front

[Gwynleym10]

The petrol cap you actually have to unlock with a key so does that mean it doesn't have central locking? It's a GB registered car, RHD, maybe it's just too old.

Hmm strange, have a look in the drivers speaker well for a little black box, should be just below the speaker. If there is nothing there with no wire "unused" wires then its a right PITA to retro fit central locking...

[sarahw20000]

What does 'PITA' mean?

[kam-325i]

What does 'PITA' mean?

Pain In The Ass

[sarahw20000]

Oh i won't be doing it, i'll pay someone, i tried it on the first car and your right i ended up getting so frustrated i nearly broke it in a rage!

[Nelly]

Is it the petrol cap or the petrol flap you have to lock with the key??

Just in case, before you start pulling it to bits, open the petrol flap - on the left side there should be a hole in the middle of the recess for the edge of the flap to close to, this is where the solenoid pops out from to lock the flap determining c/l.

If it is there than as mentioned - check all fuses - c/l module in the drivers side speaker well - open the drivers door (you'll see a fat black rubber cap between the two door hinges, pull this off + down to reveal a white nylon block connector, get this separated by depressing the two tabs and pulling towards you, this will reveal a load of connectors, the very bottom one is the c/l one.

This one normally corrodes due to moister getting into the rubber boot and welling up around the bottom pin!!!!!

Hope this helps the two of you out, Neil.

[Nelly]

O, nearly forgot - a big warm + friendly welcome to the Zone, how you have fun on here.

[Simon]

Welcome to the zone!

I always thought early E30's didn't have central locking?

[Simon13]

yes Chavgros beat me to it, central locking came standard many moon later!

M3 kits, there isn't one as such, as your car came out before the M3.
As said m-tech 1 kit is your best bet.

early 323's made 130 something bhp and a later one like yours are 150bhp

HTH

[Lordschleife]

Forget about trying to fit M3 stuff to a standard shell...Despite being the same range (E30) M3s have almost every panel, other than the bonnet, different to a standard E30 and, in any case, yours is a 4dr and the M3s were only ever 2dr...
The wings are wider, and the skirts are flared to meet them....
Bumpers fix differently, too.

Also even if you did get an after market kit of somekind that fit, the angle/position of the rear windscreen is totally different on the M3 so it still wouldnt look like one

[astondg]

The specs from the owners manual:

Engine Type: Straight 6, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. Cast iron block and alloy head.

Displacement: 2316cc
Max Output: 150hp (110kW)
@ 6000rpm
Max Torque: 151lb.ft (205Nm)
@ 4000rpm
Redline: 6200 (doesn't list the limiter but I hit it a few times at about 6500rpm)
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Stroke/Bore: 76.8/80
Fuel Supply System: Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection

Top Speed
Manual: 127mph (204km/h)
Automatic: 124mph (200km/h)
Although I am not sure a standard car would get to that, I'm not even sure my modified one would.

Acceleration
0-62mph (100km/h): 9.0/10.7*
Standing Kilometre: 30.1/31.9*
*Automatic transmission

Anything else you want to know just ask and I will see what I can do.

I am in Australia and my car is a 2 door with the same spec as yours (power mirrors, pas, manual windows, no central locking) and I also have a sunroof. I had central locking fitted when I had the windows tinted.

Aston

[sarahw20000]

Thanks for all the info guys

i checked last night and the solenoid thing isn't under the petrol flap so i don't think it's got central locking

I just got a quote for removing my old cat 1 alarm&immob and central locking kit and fitting it to the bmw and it came to Ԛ£250! to buy it and have it fitted in the first place was Ԛ£325

[Nelly]

Well done mate, looks like the E30 bug has set it's claws into the Two of you. Hope to see you on here sharpish with some step by step pics for the other peps who might be interested in the conversion your under taking. You should be able to find all you need for your car in the parts for sale section, and they'll be alot cheaper than Knacker yards or main dealers. Will we be seeing some pics of the motor soon - maybe a "before+after" scenario?

Neil.

[Gwynleym10]

A complete 2nd hand central locking kit for a e30 should cost between Ԛ£20-40 put a wanted add up.

Fitting is the issue though, could be DIY if you have the patience...

[Julian_Jules]

Top Speed
Manual: 127mph (204km/h)
Automatic: 124mph (200km/h)
Although I am not sure a standard car would get to that, I'm not even sure my modified one would.

Aston

Aston,
I touch an indicated 200kph on my 1983 323i.......exactly as my factory manual claim it would on a dog leg! yes, it's bone stock enginewise.

Sarah,
Welcome to club and liske Aston - my alarm/centralocking was retro-fitted. My filler cap have a keep lock and the flap is free to open.

Have fun with a BMW owneship - she's a blast to drive!