Intro & advice needed on potential purchase.

[KEFLON]

Hi folks

My name is Faisal im from Croydon in London, this is my first post, I've been checking this forum out for the past week n a half but never found an Introductions section. So I thought I'll post here. Well anyways, I do not currently own an E21, I used to own a superb E46 318ci M facelift but about 3-4weeks ago it got stolen of the drive. I got it back but it was wrecked, so I thought I may as well try something new but keep it to BMW. A few months back I saw this amazing E21 323i when pistonheads were doing an article on E21's I think it was this:


This kind of planted the seed I guess, and well now that I'm carless I guess I have my opportunity to own 1!

Now this is where I need some advice. I do no more than maybe 6-8k miles a year since I work from home its mainly social milage, could I use an E21 as a daily and cover this kind of milage a year? Now I've been searching for mainly 316's an 320/6 staying away from 323 mainly due to running costs n insurance. I've read the 320/6 is not that good, is that true and why? I assumed that the 320/6 would be a better drive over the 316 without a mighty increase in costs, Im I better of with a 316 if I'm not gonna go for a 323?

Lastly I've found a 1982 BMW 320/6 on ebay - link here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-BMW-320-320- ... mobiles_UK

Ill post the pics n info here too to make life easier for those that havn't check the link:









Info thats important from advert:
72k on the clock
upgraded 38dgas carb conversion kit fitted then tuned on a rolling road (Aldon Automotive Ltd)
Passed MOT with no advisories 12 Months MOT
sills seem solid and no mention of rust or rot

info thats important from emails:
fan could do with a overhaul ie claening with switch fluid as it squeals
rear shoes need doing but hes throwing those in
interior and seats are excellent no real signs of wear or fag burns etc..
paintwork is excellent it has recently been sprayed both sides and the bonnet by a good bodyshop
replaced the bumper and rear bumper last year
BUT looks to bee some surface rust on the rear valance not too bad !!!


I've requested info regarding service history and general history. Im getting more pics at the weekend of engine bay, rust area, interior etc...

Basicly, I'm in unknown terrority here with classic BMWs - I know modern ones but not early ones. It looks good to me (real good) but is this a good buy and if so whats it worth? is the rust mentioned something to worry about? On the face of it I'm feeling this 1 alot BUT just need a little bit of guidance on what to do, is there any other questions I should be asking or any other info I need before making an informed decision!

The cars 150 miles away so I can't take a trip just to have a look, so wanna get the ground work done now.

(Hope nobody steals this from under me)

Please help me!
Thanking you in advance.

Faisal

[Reck]

Looks great from the pictures. 2 owners, low mileage. Price is about right aswell.

The most common advice I've seen given on here to new buyers is bodywork. Pretty much everything else is an easy fix. Common places for it to go;

Under rear windows
Boot lid
Inner wheel arches (check behind the back seats!!)
Inner sills (where they meet the floorpan)

Prolly more I can't recall..

[e21-Mark]

Check everywhere for rust and then check again. 320/6's are nice to drive and personally I like a 6 pot over the 4. Its had a carb' conversion so should go pretty well.

Get rid of the chrome arch covers as they look rubbish and promote rusty arches.

Mechanically its all simple stuff and I can put you onto a good mechanic not far from you.

[nas80]

dont hesitate - go see it.

[KEFLON]

I would but like I said 150miles is not round the corner, I'm gonn wait till I get more pictures then go from there. This 1 is an autobox, has anyone got experience on these? are they smooth? fragile? etc... Im not expecting it to be fast, just don't want to break it.

Cheers folks!

[nas80]

u will have to trave as not many good ones, to have the luxury of being near to you, I'm afraid.

maybe u can get one of us lot to take a look for you? but tbh u can just tell from the bodywork its a good chance its gonna be cool..

autobox problems never get posted on ere, and u find u need bits theres a few being broken. u can easily go manual if it does break.

[e21-Mark]

BMW autoboxes are good, strong & reliable. The chances of finding the right car are just around the corner are pretty slim although it does happen. A couple of hours going to see a decent car will be a wise investment and you can usually tell a lot from photos & ads.
Ask about the windscreen scuttle and if the car leaks at all?

As Nas said, there are some people on here who would even go check it out on your behalf if it fairly close. Mind you, there are some who'd wanna charge you for the privilige too!

[KEFLON]

Hi folks thanks for the advice, as Im waiting on new pics I've been asking the seller more questions. I got a few more answers:

not the original stereo it has a sony cd player,
had the car a year now it has had 2 previous
owners
Number of previous keepers2 Most recent keeper
change10/11/2009
Date of other change:
02/07/2001.
the wife used it everyday to go to work now she
has a new series 1 so three cars is too expensive.
i have also driven to the Lakes and to London in
the car with no problems. i believe i have the
mots from the last owner from 2001 onwards.

There seems to be a lack off any service history or history in general apart from about 9years of mots is this important or should I dig deeper with the Questions.

Im planning to continue to try and get more info from the seller as xmas approaches and then take a trip up in the new year (lots to get sorted before xmas) OR do you folks advice I go before xmas and view it?

Cheers again

[gerrit323]

If it really is a good one it won't stay for sale for ages .. so don't wait to long .. if you really want it .. travel up there and check it out .. not everything can be said by mail