E30 Vs E21

[boldye30]

Hi, just wondering what the differnace between the two were? I understand the looks etc, but was thinking more underpinnings, suspension etc?

Anyone put a 328 E36 into one? I googled it but didnt come up with much.

Thanks

Matt

[pacerpete]

E21s are rather crap. They have front suspension like an old Sierra , are usually totally rotten and fooked and their deluded owners think they have the crown jewels but apart from that they are ok

[ANDY325TOURING]

/\ What he said, an E30 has an older, acceptable feel for eveyday driving. An E21 is very different, not great feel or brakes.

There are nice ones at reasonable money, a 323i returns about 20mpg!

[Rav335uk]

Theres a few running M52 engines.

www.bmwe21.net

[Andyboy]

The upside is that late model E21's (i.e about the only ones left) don't tend to rot as badly as E30's. They're not massively different to drive but most need shocks and bushes to bring them up to scratch. A nice late model 316 with the 5 speed box is okay but like old base model E30's, they feel old and wonky on standard springs.

With E21's. it the 'scene' thing to fit an M52 engine along with coilovers, big wheels, no front bumper etc etc. Start with the most original unmolested car you can and proceed to ruin it.

[capnmchl]

Absolute bastard to get bits for. The front suspension is an ancient design and the discs are crap. They rot like hell and the rear end looks retarded. They also have a stupid pull rod to the brake servo as it's a bodge of a RHD conversion.

They do look better than E30's at the front IMO though. And the seats are sprung rather than foam, so they're comfy as.

[pony]

So anyone ever driven E21 323i ? Or had a ride or owned one ? What are these like to drive compared to E30 325i Sport. I am talking about when both were as new or up to a few years old condition.

I heard E21 323 are real he man cars

Anyone seen BMW Park Lane's E21 320 that is what I call a proper E21. Only has 10000 miles at the moment.

[ross_jsy]

I drove a 323i auto for a few weeks and own a 325i sport.

Two totally different cars, the e21 was a lovely cruiser. Have fond memories of driving along the sea front with the windows down enjoying the sound of the lump.

e30 is a drivers car, handling was a lot better, as were brakes

[Andyboy]

The E21 323i is 'a drivers car' alright. Abysmal traction without the LSD and they do need the sport suspension. With both fitted they're quite good for such as old beast, less understeer than a 325i and decent tyres are essential. I had many an epic drive in mine such as Nottingham to Anglesey - set off at 5am and was there just after 7.
That was my Fjord blue V or W reg one, LSD, Billies, Recaro seats and the three spoke sport steering wheel. 195 tyres on the factory steelz. I used to cane the bollocks off that, and the one after.

[universal]

I had many an epic drive in mine such as Nottingham to Anglesey - set off at 5am and was there just after 7.

when was this? which way did you go?

[Andyboy]

Mid 1990's.

Derby - Uttoxeter, pick up the A41 at Stafford, Whitchurch to Chester and then A55 all the way to Anglesey. Could get a healthy three figure speed along there.

[suedenim]

I agree with just about all of the downsides above, especially its looks, the fact that they created a fantastic front end on the E21 only they ran out style as they got towards the rear, bottom 2/3 from the B pillar back it isn't a pretty car. Brakes feel wooden, doesn't communicate with you like an E30, front end feels vague at times (the chassis is as it left the factory, worse infact), PAS is rare and those sprung seats lose their appeal when they are at their current age and on a long journey, but the boot is a good size and nobody is going to suspect you to be hiding a body in it unlike more modern bmws

I spend an equal amount of time wondering why I own one as I do thinking of reasons to keep it. I use it everyday and it's very reliable, although aftermarket parts aren't so easily available unlike an E30. I drive it sensibly 98% of the time and it will happily join and sit comfortably with fast moving motorway traffic or jump into gaps in town driving.

I'm not sure why everyone wants to M52 them all the time, I think that M42 is a much more suitable engine for it if you're going to molest one.
*Andyboy I have taken heed of your advice and have decided to keep it as original as possible, bar wheels and as you recommend tickle the suspension*

My reasons for buying one, ones I've driven and photos of an unmolested one:

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.p ... 19#p199619



can be seen here

[pony]

That looks beautifu when originall

[suedenim]

That looks beautifu when originall

Photo is a little flattering but it is very solid. Thanks

[pony]

U should see the BMW Park Lane's E21 320 that is a proper classic
Some proper K spent on that
Only done 10000 miles now and won plenty of Concours awards

[pony]

[suedenim]

U should see the BMW Park Lane's E21 320 that is a proper classic
Some proper K spent on that
Only done 10000 miles now and won plenty of Concours awards

Is it usually kept there? keep meaning to pay the place a visit.

[ANDY325TOURING]

Saw it at gaydon, some dude in a park lane t-shirt said £30k was spent, i think he was full of arse.

[pacerpete]

Saw it at gaydon, some dude in a park lane t-shirt said £30k was spent, i think he was full of arse.

Fooook me ! 30k on a sorry E21 320 . Even Northern rock would have said no !

[pony]

Pacer I dunno how much was spent but was a lot
That E21 is one of the best in the country and is a very very far cry from "a sorry turd" as u put it
Would love to have a go in that
Looks immaculate

[pacerpete]

Pacer I dunno how much was spent but was a lot
That E21 is one of the best in the country and is a very very far cry from "a sorry turd" as u put it
Would love to have a go in that
Looks immaculate

Sorry Soni, an E21 320 was never any more than a sorry turd.


Having the best E21 320 in the country is like having the best tattoo.........


Is it really that hard to find a decent 323i that they had to toilet 30 bags on a 320 ?

[pony]

Well see if u can find a really good 323i ????

Apparently this 320 had under 5k miles when BMW bought this
What i really like about this E21 is the style statement is different and unique and stands out amongst all the modern 1/3 Series and other modern cars. Also u get to appreciate where BMWs come from especially modern 3 Series all stemmed from this with the layout placing the driver of primary importance in the ergonomics. So style, appreciating the heritage and the tail happy antics of the E21 are what I think I like about it

Obviously a modern 118/325 have far better comfort / gadgets / interior / safety / power / acceleration / brakes / grip but they cannot compete with the E21 for style and tail happy antics

On a more serious note I believe this was bought to show case BMW Classic what they can do
They have done a number of restorations on different BMWs whilst expensive is surely top quality. Also done James May BMW motorbike restoration. Obviously none of it is cheap but must be the best there is.
Also the E21 is used to deliver classic parts I believe and is used when customers collect new cars from BMW Park Lanw showroom. So they contrast the classic lines of the E21 against whatever modern BMW they ordered

Has been driven to Nurburgring and back and goes to some shows in UK

Would love a drive in this

But as I say go out and find a E21 323i if u think u can ????

[suedenim]

Having the best E21 320 in the country is like having the best tattoo.........

Is it really that hard to find a decent 323i that they had to toilet 30 bags on a 320 ?

I can't help wondering why with their resources and contacts why they didn't start with a mint 323i to lavish thousands of pounds on? I do like to see a timewarp of any model mind, even french filth

Edit: There must be a few, if not plenty lying around in museums that could be persuaded form the owners grip..

[pacerpete]

Well see if u can find a really good 323i ????

Apparently this 320 had under 5k miles when BMW bought this
What i really like about this E21 is the style statement is different and unique and stands out amongst all the modern 1/3 Series and other modern cars. Also u get to appreciate where BMWs come from especially modern 3 Series all stemmed from this with the layout placing the driver of primary importance in the ergonomics. So style, appreciating the heritage and the tail happy antics of the E21 are what I think I like about it

Obviously a modern 118/325 have far better comfort / gadgets / interior / safety / power / acceleration / brakes / grip but they cannot compete with the E21 for style and tail happy antics

On a more serious note I believe this was bought to show case BMW Classic what they can do
They have done a number of restorations on different BMWs whilst expensive is surely top quality. Also done James May BMW motorbike restoration. Obviously none of it is cheap but must be the best there is.
Also the E21 is used to deliver classic parts I believe and is used when customers collect new cars from BMW Park Lanw showroom. So they contrast the classic lines of the E21 against whatever modern BMW they ordered

Has been driven to Nurburgring and back and goes to some shows in UK

Would love a drive in this

But as I say go out and find a E21 323i if u think u can ????

But Soni, you do realise you could buy a decent E46 M3 CSL and a big drum of seam sealer for 30k ?

[pony]

What is seam sealer ?
I heard that 2004 CSL Barry looked at has had 2 new rear quarter panels (apparently because of rust says someone who knows prev owner on CSL register) but Barry said only had one

Think the 2003 one might be ok
I really badly want a CSL to go with the CS then I can die a happy man (well almost)

And have that ropey old 325 for hooning and tail out antics

[ross_jsy]

Seam sealer is how you fix all those cracked floor pans

[pony]

Well a lot of CSLs, M3s and a lot of E46s sufferer from this even my E46 323Ci

[Chris_B86]

go out and find a E21 323i if u think u can ????

£4975

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... hp/1090155

[pony]

go out and find a E21 323i if u think u can ????

£4975

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... hp/1090155

Nice find. Am I right in thinking that one has been pimped (ie lowered) and is also missing the "i" badge on the boot to denote fuel injection ??

[pacerpete]

go out and find a E21 323i if u think u can ????

£4975

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... hp/1090155

Nice find. Am I right in thinking that one has been pimped (ie lowered) and is also missing the "i" badge on the boot to denote fuel injection ??

Keep looking . That councilled up turd with odd rimz (ugly AND non matching) will be a P40d sack of sh1te. On a positive note it has got a manual choke......

[Andyboy]

It looks like a Dalek with that ridiculous bodykit. And 1984?

No. This is more like it -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-BMW-E21- ... 3ccfc07349

A nice original 5 speed 316 1800. Give it a major service and a paedo session plus a bit of Waxoyl, and there's a nice useable little tram, reliable and cheap to run. A good uptogether one drives fine. If it weren't so far away I'd have as stab at it.

(Or you could be an E21 enthusiast, fit 50 quid coil overs, remove the front bumper and hang out with the '21 cru.)

[pony]

£4975

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... hp/1090155

Nice find. Am I right in thinking that one has been pimped (ie lowered) and is also missing the "i" badge on the boot to denote fuel injection ??

Keep looking . That councilled up turd with odd rimz (ugly AND non matching) will be a P40d sack of sh1te. On a positive note it has got a manual choke......

I would love a bit of sideways action in that though

I think in all fairness BMW Park Lane would have loved to restore a E21 323i. Trouble is finding one. They found E21 320 with under 10k miles. Had rust because been stood outside for ages. Needed a bit doing to it even the interior. But probably one of the better E21s out there before restoration and importantly hasn't been pimped. Like I said is probably a demo of what BMW Park Lane Classic can do. Restorations cost big dough and is big revenue generator for their service dept of the few restorations they get in

[pony]

It looks like a Dalek with that ridiculous bodykit. And 1984?

No. This is more like it -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-BMW-E21- ... 3ccfc07349

A nice original 5 speed 316 1800. Give it a major service and a paedo session plus a bit of Waxoyl, and there's a nice useable little tram, reliable and cheap to run. A good uptogether one drives fine. If it weren't so far away I'd have as stab at it.

(Or you could be an E21 enthusiast, fit 50 quid coil overs, remove the front bumper and hang out with the '21 cru.)

I don't understand the E21 crew obsession with molesting every original E21
Can understand fitting the newer straight sixes for tail happy ness but can't understand all this pumping going on. I mean does it really help them pull birds ?

[suedenim]

It looks like a Dalek with that ridiculous bodykit. And 1984?

No. This is more like it -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-BMW-E21- ... 3ccfc07349

A nice original 5 speed 316 1800. Give it a major service and a paedo session plus a bit of Waxoyl, and there's a nice useable little tram, reliable and cheap to run. A good uptogether one drives fine. If it weren't so far away I'd have as stab at it.

(Or you could be an E21 enthusiast, fit 50 quid coil overs, remove the front bumper and hang out with the '21 cru.)

I hope so and maybe fully stripped out too, I need that interior!! That carpet makes me feel sick, it's perfect.

[boldye30]

Thanks for replies, only just found the thread, posting drunk again! Still like the idea of an e21!