Looking at an 316 E21 - Fuel economy question?

[milfordkong]

Cheers fellas, much appreciated.

Mark, I'm going to go down on Sunday and see what's what. I've spoken at length with the owner and hopefully everything is in order. I'll be spending plenty of time checking the car based on the advice and expert info on this thread and throughout the forums, will be taking it for a lengthy test drive too - Unfortunately it's the only time I can go in the next couple of weeks so I need to seize the opportunity and it's going to cost me 200 miles worth of fuel myself so can't stretch to yours too. I really do appreciate your advice and offer to take a look though.

Cheers Gaz, those are all good tips - Having spoken to the chap he assures me that having had the car recommissioned, such perishables have been checked and replaced - It has 5 new tyres and the brakes have had a lot of attention too - Of course this is just his word, and i'll be checking everything I possibly can before I part with any money.

Looking forward to seeing what's what, but won't be making any silly decisions this time round.

[Jeroen]

Well have a good trip then. Full report on my desk by Monday morning pls

[milfordkong]

It did not go well, probably should have taken Mark up on his offer and saved myself a long journey but you live and learn.

I didn't really look at it much as I was almost instantly sure that it wasn't the car for me, there was a substantial amount of rust on the front and rear underside that had simply been painted over. The rest of the car may well have been tip top but it wasn't what I wanted and so I spoke to the seller briefly but didn't hang around.

The search continues.

[Jeroen]

Sadly that how things go when looking for a car 9 out of 10 times, better luck next time, stay critical indeed!

Bad thing sellers advertise their cars as being in a much better condition than they actually are, I guess most are hoping Stevie Wonder is coming over to check the car out.

[e21-Mark]

Sorry you had a wasted journey.

I've PM'd links to some other cars.

[milfordkong]

I've spotted an auto, something i'd not been prepared to consider before but this looks like a nice car.

Is there much difference MPG wise between the autos and the manual? This auto car also has the weber carb fitted.

[e21-Mark]

Not a massive difference unless you keep getting up close and personal with that second choke. Manual conversion is simple enough too, although autos are more peppy than you might imagine.

[milfordkong]

Cheers Mark, very helpful as always.

Sorry for all the economy questions, but how would a 320A compare to a 316A economy wise?

[Jeroen]

What kind of 320? 320/4 carb, 320/6 carb or fuel injected 320i/4?

[e21-Mark]

We didn't get 320i/4 or 6 did we?

6 cylinder is obviously a bit more juicy but worth it for the sound alone, plus added torque. Standard Solex isn't great though and can cause issues. I've heard a Weber conversion won't work due to kickdown shananigans but there's one listed? My old Baur could manage 30's on a good day or long run, with a Weber. 20 somethings with Solex.

Fit an M52 2.8 and you'll get 40+ mpg.

[Jeroen]

We didn't get 320i/4 or 6 did we?

K-Jet M10 320i 4 pot? They are rare early examples, but they do exist!

[e21-Mark]

Oh yeah. I had an e12 520i/4 many years ago too.

There's a 320i/6 around too. I went and test drove it last year? Sapphire blue. Someone here did buy it but not heard from them recently.

[Jeroen]

Well 320i/6, thát was never produced by BMW...

[e21-Mark]

Whoever did the conversion did a really nice job of it. It really looked like a factory job. It ran really sweetly and even had a battery in boot conversion too.

[Jeroen]

Yeah some guys are doing an amazing job making things at least as good as factory new, same story with Jeremy. Just take the E36 M3 instrument cluster converted to E21 housing...