So, where are all the E21 people?

Originally Posted by drw1926

Oh yah, it's a good assignment. Better than my last one (Tikrit, Iraq.) You're right, I'm in the Army.

You are right. Much much better.

Originally Posted by drw1926

The actual colour is Sappire Blue (or Saphir Blau in Bimmer-Speak). But yeah, it really kind of favours Arctic.

Ach, I remember Saphirblau. The car is gorgeous. I wish I had room for it.

Originally Posted by drw1926

BTW, a friend of mine is offering to buy the car for $5500. I really don't want to sell it...at all. But it will save me $1000-1500 shipping if I sell it (Uncle Sam only ships one POV for you; you have to ship any others at cost.) Even though she is slow as hell...and old...and the clutch just went out as I stated...it is so much fun to drive. I really like the 'greenhouse' atmosphere, so easy to see all around you. I wanted to do some mild mods to it as well, like an LSD, sport exhaust, maybe a few more things. Not to mention I need a second car (not a new one though), for those days when I just don't feel like (or can't) ride the motorcycle.

I easily have $8k in the car all told...if I ship it that's at least $9k total. Also, some of the guys on the Bimmerforums Hawaii community thread advised against bringing an E21 to Oahu...they said it will start rusting quickly (due to the salty air.) (There is NO rust anywhere on the car at this point.)

Suggestions?

I know that 2002s were prone to rust in some spots but I never encountered any with my E21s. Granted, I only had mine for 9 years.

I would also assume that the folks in Hawaii might know more about local conditions although I really have trouble imagining it rusting out overnight.

You are right, this is a toughie.

I guess I would probably take it with me and risk it.

Oh, and you should consider putting a 2002 exhaust manifold and eliminating the cat. That's what I did and I definitely gained a few hp. A friend who was expert in all things E21 told me that the 2002 exhaust manifold would do about the same for me as headers and since this was closer to OEM, I went with it.

Beautiful car!

I live in Puerto Rico about a mile from the beach as the crow flies. I restored my 2002 back in '92 and it still has no rust at all.

The secret is to keep it under a good all-weather cover when you are not using it and to wash it after you use it and before you cover it. Get yourself an air compressor to blow out the water from the nooks and crannies after you wash it and keep it waxed.

It's a bit of work, but well worth it.

I'd suggest storing it for your tour maybe be at a relatives place. When I was TDY to Hawaii with the USAF I noticed a lot of rusty cars, (Guam was worse). The salt air gets into places you cannot imagine.

How did you ever keep it rust free in Jersey? I'm from there and it was always bad on cars.

I just went to this years Florida German Cookout (which was terrific) and I had the ONLY E21 at the event.

Mine is a 1979 323i (euroSpec)

I will try to get a pic on for you.

Originally Posted by XGiWiTHA323i

I just went to this years Florida German Cookout (which was terrific) and I had the ONLY E21 at the event.

Mine is a 1979 323i (euroSpec)

I will try to get a pic on for you.

One of my all time dream cars.

Originally Posted by XGiWiTHA323i

I just went to this years Florida German Cookout (which was terrific) and I had the ONLY E21 at the event.

Mine is a 1979 323i (euroSpec)

I will try to get a pic on for you.

Beautiful looking car. Do you have interior pictures?

Believe me when I say with this interior I can't wait to get A/C!!!!!!!!!

Hey, i just bought my first bmw. its a 83' 320i.but yeah out of no where i became a fanatic, so i wanna drop some money into it.the interior is in mint condition and the body has a few rust spots, but nothing a little bondo and new paint job cant fix.its got 130,000 on it, but it was driven by an old lady from like, day one, then it sat around.so its still got some life to it. but yeah, would it even be worth it?

As long as you are ok with understanding that it is something you will probably never sell for what you have in it then it's ok. I know I will NEVER get out of my car what I have in it. I simply love the car and that is what makes the investment worth it for me.

Good Luck!!!

absolute classic.

R:

I just pulled my '80 320i (Alpine white) out of hibernation and can't wait to get behind the wheel again... It's the only car I've ever owned that I couldn't part with (Stored it for two years and missed driving it so much I decided to bring it back out...) I'm actually getting rid of my newer truck so I can use my 30 year old car as a daily driver... I'm a little nuts i guess. I think I've only seen on other e21 around where I live. The bumpers alone are a conversation piece just a question if anyone knows, mine's all stock except for a red "reflective" piece between the tail lights (where the large black trim usually is)that says "BMW 320I" In big bold letters... was this an aftermarket thing? just never seen another with this attachment, did BMW offer it at the time as an aftermarket item? Anyways, just wanted to say hi!

Originally Posted by heyjay

I just pulled my '80 320i (Alpine white) out of hibernation and can't wait to get behind the wheel again... It's the only car I've ever owned that I couldn't part with (Stored it for two years and missed driving it so much I decided to bring it back out...) I'm actually getting rid of my newer truck so I can use my 30 year old car as a daily driver... I'm a little nuts i guess. I think I've only seen on other e21 around where I live. The bumpers alone are a conversation piece just a question if anyone knows, mine's all stock except for a red "reflective" piece between the tail lights (where the large black trim usually is)that says "BMW 320I" In big bold letters... was this an aftermarket thing? just never seen another with this attachment, did BMW offer it at the time as an aftermarket item? Anyways, just wanted to say hi!

I couldn't handle my front U.S. bumper stickin' out into next week, either. So I tucked it in.
You can see the writeup and pics, here: CLICK HERE for bumper tuck.

Car looks WAY better and it's a poor man's way of getting around the expense of Euro spec. bumpers. As for the rear reflector... those were aftermarket. Companies made 'em for BMWs, Datsun Z cars, Porsche 944s, and a few others during the late '70s & early '80s.

Nothing wrong with using an older European car as a daily driver. Just keep it maintained. Both of my daily drivers are old, too. But they're fun to drive and I loathe new cars, so it works out rather nicely. To each their own. Have fun with your car.

(edit) Well, since this is a thread asking for E21 cars...

WOW! Thats an amazing little car you have there! I love to see em still truckin... especially when they look that nice!

^^^x2 from a e 21 guy at heart....Mark how much do you drive her???

Originally Posted by bmwadam

WOW! Thats an amazing little car you have there! I love to see em still truckin... especially when they look that nice!

Thanks for the kind words, Adam. I wish that there were more on the road around here, in So Cal. They're either all hiding and/or gone. Mine's the only one I see.

Originally Posted by Paul Christian

^^^x2 from a e 21 guy at heart....Mark how much do you drive her???

She's a daily driver, but I also drive an equally clean '87 Volvo 245DL 5spd. wagon.

So, to answer your query, both cars are driven a lot and are both fun. Except the E21 doesn't get used when I go surfing. Hence the surf racks on the wagon.

Hiding? Hmm...mine isn't hiding, just not going to much other than autoX's. I may start driving it daily though after selling the current e30 Daily car. We'll see....

Hope to see you all at the 'Fest this year!!!

NICE! Good to see people using their Bavarian cars for which they're intended.

Man what an aggressive stance that car has. The front rakish lines in the nose/hood area. Sweet.

Originally Posted by drw1926

Hey guys, sorry I have never posted my pics. I had some problems for Herr 320i with the water pump back in early February, and recently (May 2007) for the clutch. I tried to teach my wife how to drive a stick, the old man gave up. So now I have to replace my clutch....

Anyway, here are some pics I took in December. Sorry for the long wait. I absolutely love my car, it is more fun to drive than my '03 540i/6. In fact I will am selling/trading in my 540 for a new 328. I can't bear it, but I never drive my 540i/6, it just sits in my garage waiting to go outside. I am always on my motorrad (Beemer) or my 320. The 540 has become a garage queen that nobody wants to play with....

Oh BTW, I am moving to Hawaii, I will take the (new) 328 and (old) 320 with me. The guys in Hawaii said bring the 540, not the 320 as it will rust in the salty air. But, I cannot bear to part with my 320...hope she will not start rusting from the sea breeze.

OK, pics to follow...again, sorry for the long delay...I appreciate your patience!

Greg

Primo!

Originally Posted by Rennsurfer

I couldn't handle my front U.S. bumper stickin' out into next week, either. So I tucked it in.
You can see the writeup and pics, here: CLICK HERE for bumper tuck.

Car looks WAY better and it's a poor man's way of getting around the expense of Euro spec. bumpers. As for the rear reflector... those were aftermarket. Companies made 'em for BMWs, Datsun Z cars, Porsche 944s, and a few others during the late '70s & early '80s.

Nothing wrong with using an older European car as a daily driver. Just keep it maintained. Both of my daily drivers are old, too. But they're fun to drive and I loathe new cars, so it works out rather nicely. To each their own. Have fun with your car.

(edit) Well, since this is a thread asking for E21 cars...

that is cool to see you a car guy.....how do you like brick???that is what my mother calls a Volvo....

Originally Posted by Paul Christian

that is cool to see you a car guy.....how do you like brick???that is what my mother calls a Volvo....

Very common name for our beloved Volvos. Mine's been the best car I've ever owned. Had it for 16 years. I did a few small mods so it's not a typical slow one. Mine's a rare 5spd. too. Which helps a LOT.



Sorry for the non-BMW image. I can attempt to save face with this...



which I took while in my 320i, last night, on the way back from the grocery store.

it's all good brother...I was looking at a 2 door GT VOLVO 5 years ago too,but it was sold a couple days later......I like the pics too....

WoW, there are some E21's here.

Bump. Anyone know where I can pick up some alpina bumpers?! Also anyone know the offset and wheel size of this bad ass mofo...