stock e21

[nas80]

Just driven a stock 316. So glad my own car isn't stock. The end.

[drjim]

I think this is why I find my Baur feels funny to drive. I need to get a shedload of urethane bushes for the suspension, fit the steering rack bushes I have, maybe get some coilies made. Did the thing you drove feel like it was wandering all over the road and start to lift off the ground at ridiculously low speeds??

By the way was it black and newly MOT'd???

[nas80]

Yes get stuff.
Yes it feels like its looking for the nearest place to crash. Mine was like that before i spent 2k ish on suspension.
Yes is black and has a full ticket.

[Mobster]

Yes is black and has a full ticket.

Will you boys stop teasing Harley

[drjim]

Not sure what you mean, I was wondering if it was the black E21 Mark has bought to become a track car, which my engine is going into as part of operation engine swap.

[e21-Mark]

It is Jim.

These will soon sort it out.

[Mobster]

Not sure what you mean, I was wondering if it was the black E21 Mark has bought to become a track car, which my engine is going into as part of operation engine swap.

Harley is desperate for a clean Black E21.

[Jeroen]

How times do change! Every single test of any E21 in the late 70's praises the excellent and sporty handling. Nowadays we would feel that the average rowboat feels more tight. And I must agree, an E21 on stock suspension, perhaps some wear on the shocks already, add 13" balloon type tyres and yes even though you can do some spirited driving there's much more sliding involved and that combined with quite some body roll might give an unsafe feeling. Wouldn't want my drive as stock as that.

On the other hand, if you have learned how to handle that, anything else will come easy!

[Jacko]

I've never driven a stock E21, i think i would enjoy it though.

Well i'm off to see how the builders are getting on with the unit today after lunch, then go and look at another unit just to make sure we're doing the right thing getting brand new vs older but twice the space. Tough call tbh, brand new means clean, fully water tight and no damp at all whereas the older unit will be a bit rough around the edges but we could store cars for people / rent a bit of space to someone.


Then, come March, we should hopefully be full steam ahead with Marks and Jims cars - Nas, get ready for some sleepless nights and ear ache from your misses! haha

[DrGonzoPOW]

I remember my car before i put the spax kit on. It had far too much body roll, it wa horrible.
Looking forward to checking out your workshop when you guys get sorted Jacko. Sounds like it'll be quaility. Ill hopefully have some space in the one we use soon for another project. Got sandblasting and spraying gear ive been wanting to setup properly for ages. One of the guys in there is buggering off to Oz so he's breaking his Nissan Spaceship. Once thats gone then might even try making a bit of money on the side. Wouldnt mind helping you guys out with your projects ? It would be good to learn about something other than M20 engines!

[E21meister]

It's always dangerous to compare any standard E21 that hasn't had the suspension refreshed with new dampers, bushes etc. As a guide, I started renewing the bushes on the front end of The Bride (the kastanien rot car) and I could feel the difference with each change. That sai,d a standard E30 323i will leave it's E21 equivalent for dead on a twisty road.
But then it should do, it did succeed it...

[nas80]

I found a picture which pretty much sums up a stock e21 - i bet the guy is doing like 20 mph.

[TopCat]

Just driven a stock 316. So glad my own car isn't stock. The end.

Dear Nas
I love this comment!
I remember when the first 320i 4 cyl came out - i was in Germany at the time- great disappointment after the 2002Tii
Got a bit better with the 323i-but still got stuck in 2 " of snow (not uncommon in Westfalia) and you are quite right they were terrible in stock form
The other thing I remember is how snooty Mercedes owning Germans were about the upstart BMW....................

[m3gaz]

I,personally,love the handling of an unmolested E21.It helps you to know the limits of a car.If you can handle an E21in the wet,you can handle anything.I'm going to sort out the height of my new aquisition,eventually,but in the meantime i'll enjoy all the rolling and sliding i can get.
Besides,it makes you a better driver.

[e30racer]

makes you a better driver.

Defo. Mind you, most yungsters grew up with fwd and aint got a danny about oversteer!