BMW E3

[bab-91]

I want a E3 so badly, I considered this... not for long but I considered it!


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-BMW-E3-2 ... 2341c8ad4b

[Gert_8]

You certainly have a taste for rust, Bab!

[bab-91]

Indeed. I'm on the hunt for a E3, E10 or E21.... to daily.



The sickness is strong with this one.

[anothere21323i]

A good E3 makes a fantastic daily. I have a late (77 on an R) 3.0Si and I love it. But it's not a car for the winter really unless you waxoyl everything in sight on a regular basis.....

[bab-91]

The E3 is the most sensible choice out of the three, due to current circumstances but it has it's own draw backs.

-Finding one
-Finding parts
-Price of Parts
-As mentioned RUST
-RHD E3 brake servos' are apparently pants and should be replaced


Do you have any pictures, anothere21323i?

[anothere21323i]

The E3 makes is the most sensible choice out of the three, due to current circumstances but it has it's own draw backs.

-Finding one
-Finding parts
-Price of Parts
-As mentioned RUST
-RHD E3 brake servos' are apparently pants and should be replaced


Do you have any pictures, anothere21323i?

Parts are ok - either from BMW, or from a few suppliers in Germany who are reasonably priced and do quick delivery.

The RHD twin servo set up is indeed a PITA - there are a few workarounds but none are quick, cheap or easy.

If you're really set on one, I'd recommend a warm climate european car - normal servo set up, plus limited rust (especially from Italy). I was lucky in terms of how I found mine (a UK car).

I do have some pics, but not to hand. I'll upload some if you like. I know of a few for sale in the UK but I don't know them intimately so I can't advise on condition etc.

[bab-91]

Pictures would be a treat!


I seen a E3 for sale in Galway, I think? It was on donedeal a few months ago but I wasn't in a position to take it on. I now have the use of a byre turned workshop.

Any details on any for sale would be welcomed but I have set myself a rather unrealistic budget of £5000-£6000... I know, not going to happen but we will see what happens.

[pacerpete]

Pictures would be a treat!


I seen a E3 for sale in Galway, I think? It was on donedeal a few months ago but I wasn't in a position to take it on. I now have the use of a byre turned workshop.

Any details on any for sale would be welcomed but I have set myself a rather unrealistic budget of £5000-£6000... I know, not going to happen but we will see what happens.

What happened to the turd in Galway ? I should be there in the next few weeks. I could bring my special screwdriver if you want

[bab-91]

It disappeared off Donedeal! So anybody's guess, it was listed for ages so it was either sold, scrapped or rolled back into its lair!



You staying in Galway or travelling around?

[pacerpete]

It disappeared off Donedeal! So anybody's guess, it was listed for ages so it was either sold, scrapped or rolled back into its lair!



You staying in Galway or travelling around?

Flying in to Shannon, up to Galway to see an ailing uncle and then down to Mallow for some interracial activity


I am a regular on Donedeal and there is money to be made bring big greedy yokes back to the UK, especially since there is a move that gets you a tidy tax/duty rebate I need to make room first

[bab-91]

Sorry for your troubles, I'm sure it won't stop you getting up to mischief!



So tell me more about this money making scheme!

[Gert_8]

Sorry for your troubles, I'm sure it won't stop you getting into mischief!



So tell me more about this money making scheme!

Make some room in your comfortable back passage and he will!

Is a trip to Aberdeen on the cards too, Pete?

[bab-91]

Sorry for your troubles, I'm sure it won't stop you getting into mischief!



So tell me more about this money making scheme!

Make some room in your comfortable back passage and he will!

Is a trip to Aberdeen on the cards too, Pete?

Opposite end of the country, so I'm safe.. ish.

I'm sure I could store the odd turd (car) for Pete if he was stuck.

[rh306]

Indeed. I'm on the hunt for a E3, E10 or E21.... to daily.

here's an E21 for you

http://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-316-19 ... 1082747924

[Gert_8]

That's great. The clincher has to be the fact that it was owned by a man!

[bab-91]

36,000 miles seems unlikely! Even if it was driven by a man

[anothere21323i]

The E3 is the most sensible choice out of the three, due to current circumstances but it has it's own draw backs.

-Finding one
-Finding parts
-Price of Parts
-As mentioned RUST
-RHD E3 brake servos' are apparently pants and should be replaced


Do you have any pictures, anothere21323i?

Pics here dude:

http://www.bmw-e3-forum.de/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=860

[Blitz]

Have you considered a w116?

[anothere21323i]

Have you considered a w116?

Super

[bab-91]

The E3 is the most sensible choice out of the three, due to current circumstances but it has it's own draw backs.

-Finding one
-Finding parts
-Price of Parts
-As mentioned RUST
-RHD E3 brake servos' are apparently pants and should be replaced


Do you have any pictures, anothere21323i?

Pics here dude:

http://www.bmw-e3-forum.de/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=860

Fooking hell! You hardly daily that!!!?

I've been playing with the idea of this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351158413779? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Have you considered a w116?

They are lovely but not practical in anyway, my great uncle has one so I'd rather a E3, only 22 left in the UK apparently.

[anothere21323i]

The E3 is the most sensible choice out of the three, due to current circumstances but it has it's own draw backs.

-Finding one
-Finding parts
-Price of Parts
-As mentioned RUST
-RHD E3 brake servos' are apparently pants and should be replaced


Do you have any pictures, anothere21323i?

Pics here dude:

http://www.bmw-e3-forum.de/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=860

********* hell! You hardly daily that!!!?

I've been playing with the idea of this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351158413779? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Have you considered a w116?

They are lovely but not practical in anyway, my great uncle has one so I'd rather a E3, only 22 left in the UK apparently.

I do daily it when it's warm and dry in the summer, but as I said earlier, it's not a car to daily during the winter really. It's going in to storage for the winter in the next few weeks and won't come out again till spring. A 5 speed overdrive gearbox is definitely worth fitting if you can find one. Mine has an early E24 635CSI 5 speeder and it makes a huge difference.

[anothere21323i]

This is properly

http://www.autoscout24.com/Details.aspx ... asrc=st|fs

[bab-91]

I do daily it when it's warm and dry in the summer, but as I said earlier, it's not a car to daily during the winter really. It's going in to storage for the winter in the next few weeks and won't come out again till spring. A 5 speed overdrive gearbox is definitely worth fitting if you can find one. Mine has an early E24 635CSI 5 speeder and it makes a huge difference.

I would have imagined it would be fine in winter if not for dreaded rust?

Do you have a build thread by any chance?

This is properly

http://www.autoscout24.com/Details.aspx ... asrc=st|fs

I think the other one is more within my price range!

[anothere21323i]

I do daily it when it's warm and dry in the summer, but as I said earlier, it's not a car to daily during the winter really. It's going in to storage for the winter in the next few weeks and won't come out again till spring. A 5 speed overdrive gearbox is definitely worth fitting if you can find one. Mine has an early E24 635CSI 5 speeder and it makes a huge difference.

I would have imagined it would be fine in winter if not for dreaded rust?

Do you have a build thread by any chance?

This is properly

http://www.autoscout24.com/Details.aspx ... asrc=st|fs

I think the other one is more within my price range!

In theory, yes. They have very effective heaters and wipers so are a practical proposition for the winter, but it's more the exposure to wet and salt that would kill one quite quickly. Underbody rustproofing is one thing, but it's all the exterior brightwork that you need to watch. It's all expensive to replace.

That other car looks ok, but it's a 2500 and it's been on sale for a LONG time. If you're going to do it, 3.0Si or 3.3Li is the way to go!

[bab-91]

Good to hear it has some good features

Whatever I end up with will be no show car, so engine size and general appearance isn't a big concern. If its solid, I'd be happy. I'd try to keep it free of rust and after i'm finished using it as my daily, put it in the byre and maybe do something with it in the future.
So if it's a lowly 2.5 I'll not be too concerned about ruining its godly oem-ness as its a lowly spec



I didn't realise that car had been up for a while, I only seen it last week. Do you recon its in need of major TLC. I'd assume so or someone would have snapped it up?

[anothere21323i]

Good to hear it has some good features

Whatever I end up with will be no show car, so engine size and general appearance isn't a big concern. If its solid, I'd be happy. I'd try to keep it free of rust and after i'm finished using it as my daily, put it in the byre and maybe do something with it in the future.
So if it's a lowly 2.5 I'll not be too concerned about ruining its godly oem-ness as its a lowly spec



I didn't realise that car had been up for a while, I only seen it last week. Do you recon its in need of major TLC. I'd assume so or someone would have snapped it up?

E3s have many excellent features, not just good ones! Years ahead of their time. Don't forget that a 3.0Si in 1973 was about 25% more than a Daimler Double Six! All round discs (vented on some) and independant suspension was spaceship technology then. I know I'm biased, but these really are great cars.

Ultimate daily for you would be a sound, solid car imported from Europe (so long as you can live with LHD). The reason I say that is that there are so few cars for sale here, you've got greater choice on the continent and you don't have to worry baout the RHD twin servo set up which can be troublesome.

That car you spotted has been for sale for a long time, but it's impossible to say why without inspecting it. The only thing I can say is that a rough E3 would bleed you dry very quickly in terms of restoration costs.....

[bab-91]

LHD wouldn't annoy me at all, especially if its a auto!

[anothere21323i]

This might be worth a look:

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx? ... 00&asrc=st

Important thing to note is the Swiss 'CH' sticker on the rear. If this is an original, Swiss dealer supplied car then that's good news, as apparently they did extensive rustproofing on these when they were new as part of the pre delivery prep. The German E3 enthusiasts are always keen on Swiss supplied E3s for this reason, as they all seem to have survived well.

Your other option is a car that's been in Spain/Portugal/South of France/Italy all it's life as they don't salt the roads so rust isn't really as big an issue. I brought a 320is over from Milan about 10 years ago and the underside was just incredible.

This one is epic - a manual 3.3Li wasn't available in the UK (auto only), and this colour combo is super :

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx? ... 00&asrc=st

I love this colour (Ceylon gold - my first Si was this colour) but this car looks rough:

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/bm ... ORT&noec=1

These might be worth a look:

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/bm ... ORT&noec=1

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/bm ... ORT&noec=1

But this is my favourite:

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx? ... 00&asrc=st

[anothere21323i]

Have you seen this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2500-E3-/ ... 20eef9b063

[bab-91]

Some lovely examples there but most are more than I want to spend. I've set myself a strict budget, some may say its unrealistic but we shall see.

I am quite fond of Ceylon!

Have you seen this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2500-E3-/ ... 20eef9b063

I had seen this and its within budget but I hate that blue colour (Rivera?) reminds me of Estoril Blue, I hate the sight of Estroril Blue!

But this is my favourite:

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx? ... 00&asrc=st

I love that colour and the carpets are a nice touch I'd really not like to spend more than 5000 GBP not including getting it dragged home.

[anothere21323i]

Some lovely examples there but most are more than I want to spend. I've set myself a strict budget, some may say its unrealistic but we shall see.

I am quite fond of Ceylon!

Have you seen this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2500-E3-/ ... 20eef9b063

I had seen this and its within budget but I hate that blue colour (Rivera?) reminds me of Estoril Blue, I hate the sight of Estroril Blue!

But this is my favourite:

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx? ... 00&asrc=st

I love that colour and the carpets are a nice touch I'd really not like to spend more than 5000 GBP not including getting it dragged home.

It's not Riviera blue, and it's not Fjord or Baikal either. My money is that it's a non original BMW shade following a re spray. Have a close look under the boot lip, it looks like the rear strut tops are red? Also the front inner wings should be body colour, not satin black. Whilst vinyl roofs were dealer fitted occasionally (especially by Park Lane), it has the feel of a re sprayed car. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the usual caution applies. But if you can't stand the sight of Estoril (which it looks like), then maybe this isn't the one for you. By contrast, both fjord and Baikal look gorgeous in my opinion. Biased obviously!

[rob0r]

E3 KREW REPRESENT

I bought this 3.0si a few years ago, it was destined to supply parts to another car and probably scrapped. I saw it on Ebay after a friend passed me the link, and all photos were from the front which showed incredibly rusted front wings, so I thought the worst. I realised it was less than 5 miles away so went to look anyway, I got out the car and immediately asked the price to end early. The wings were totalled but amazingly it's nearly solid, I think if proper photos were taken it would have gone for a looooot more. The shell needs an afternoon of welding perhaps less.

It had what I thought was the original engine minus all the injection system, thanks to this the head was full of debris. It later turned out to be a 1980 3.5 which I realised when I yanked it out.

Doesn't sound good does it? Well to me it's a blank canvas which was going to be scrapped. E3 track car is most likely what will happen.

Current plans are Alpina B10 M30 3.5, E12 steering box, E28 rear axle, E30/E28 LSD, E28 BC coilovers (direct on rear, E12 front hubs), 16 x 9" ETA Beta Lucy 9s, interior TBC

















Donor for the rear axle

[anothere21323i]

Don't you fancy restoring it?

[rob0r]

Not my bag. I don't do nice cars and finding parts to restore this is going to be tricky. I get bored of nice cars as I can't push them as hard as I want

[Blitz]

So it's going to be a drift car