Ugly, but desirable 323i

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:27 am

Hi guys,

I thought I’d share some photos of another 323i I recently acquired from an E21 enthusiast.
My intention was to restore the car, but having had it delivered and bearing in mind, I have little practical knowledge of bodywork or any facilities, I feel it’s too far gone.
I’m still over the moon having got it though. It has a full recaro interior (can someone confirm its grey anthracite, the same material that’s available in the standard seats too?), with minimal wear to one of the drivers bolsters (hmm that seat swap sounds like a good idea after all Jeroen!). a dogleg box, LSD and even a universal electric window kit, which I have yet to test is working.
I do intend to swap over these extras to my silver car, but really don’t want to scrap the car altogether. It’s only got 112,000 miles on it, and seems a shame to scrap it. I haven’t had a professional opinion yet, but judging by the rust, would you guys say it would be hard to save? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Ta!

Madhatter · Post by **Madhatter** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:50 am

she's dead capt'n

The rear boot lid managed to rust through and destroy the BBS rear spoiler. Thats quite a mean feat.

I reckon you could spend 100 hours on that thing and still have rust, doesnt look like there is a rust free section on the car, its going to be something that keeps coming back.

Edit: Tell me what was on the back window you edited out

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:00 pm

Funny you should say that Mad,

I actually forgot to say in my first post there is rust on every panel, but I guess that can be seen even from the photos. There's rust in some places which can be treated. But sadly rot in others. The sills, floor pans, wheel arches and rear valance have gone right through, give the back a kick and a huge rubble of rust appears!

Someone is actually selling black doors, a bonnet and wings on ebay right now with a low start, but the rust runs a lot deeper than that. So I guess you’re one more in favour of using it as a parts car?

As for the edit, I guess nothing escapes you eagle eyed E21’ers! Like I said the car has an impressive spec and this one even has rear headrests, I know how excited that can get some people on this forum, hence the edit! I am considering selling them to get some of my money back from the deal though, but would want a fair price (what is a fair price? The last pair went for 71 EUR on ebay without the mounting kit). Anyone who’s interested do let me know. Any further suggestions about the bodywork let me know too, if I can save this car, I will.

Madhatter · Post by **Madhatter** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:05 pm

The panels are just the tip of the iceberg. Once you remove the front and rear valance you will see how bad it really gets.

Its too far gone IMHO, i dont even know if it could be salvaged, but i know for sure it wouldnt be worth spending the money on it to recover the car. I would strip all the good bits out and dump the shell/chassis.

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:45 pm

Yep, hate to agree with Madhatter but this one's dead allright!

The rust will be everywhere no doubt.

Still a nice find with the sports seats (looks like the right cloth to me!),
dogleg box, lsd and rear *********

. Great parts car!

AFAIK that shifter is NLA for a long time now and a rare part.. hang on to it just like me

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:15 pm

Jeroen wrote: AFAIK that shifter is NLA for a long time now and a rare part.. hang on to it just like me

Thanks guys,

Exactly what I thought when it came off the trailer, So I guess I’ll just be taking the goodies off it and scrapping the rest.

A few questions for if I may.

Were you referring to the gearbox Jeroen? Is it really that good? I had one in an E21 years ago, even though it seemed to go through the gears quicker doesn’t it reduce the top speed and raise the revs?
Also if I was to remove it, I assume the engine will have to come out too, so is it a big job?
The reason why I wasn’t that interested in it was because the only major mod I plan to add to my silver 323i is to install a 2.5 and convert it to motronic. Would I be better off with the gearbox from an E30, or this one?

Hope that’s not too many questions!

As for the rear h&£$%$£@ there is a secret location known only to me in a guarded vault!

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:54 pm

Hi Arshad,

Well I was referring to the shift knob but dogleg boxes aren't seen on a daily basis either. Knackered ones can have lousy changes but usually they work fine. And yes it's a box with shorter gears and an almost 1:1 5th... ideal for sporty driving but it may be too much for around town or highway use.

If you upgrade to a 2.5 keep a few things in mind:
Get yourself a 325i engine that doesn't have a cat and that doesn't have the reference sensors on the gearbox' bell housing. The E21 has its speedo pickup at the gearbox so in order to mate things you need a 325i engine with the single sensor up front so you can use the (any 6 cil) E21 box behind it.

BTW if you have troubles finding a non cat 325i engine, get yourself one with a cat and first drive to a friendly dealer with the E30. He can switch off lambda/O2 control using DIS or good old MoDiC... if he wants to. But that requires all functional controls and wiring or it won't connect to the cars' Motronic.

Removing the gearbox can be done with the engine in the car. You can just unbolt it and let it drop underneath the car... carefully

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:34 pm

Thanks for the advice Jeroen,

Well I've made up my mind about parting it out now. I will be taking out the recaros and diff, probably the gearbox too. I'll keep everyone posted on its progress.

Thanks!

hadrian · Post by **hadrian** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:29 am

Hmmm. I have the same shift knob but with the O/D pattern. Is it equally as rare?

--ALPINA-- · Post by **--ALPINA--** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:01 am

That E21 shift pattern which was intended for the E21 is rare and obsolete , ive tried to order one from BMW but no joy, so i had a choice to order either an Mtec labled dogshift pattern for the E30 or the Mtec colours shift pattern, so i settled for the mtec colours with the shift pattern on it, but would rather have a black background with the shift pattern on it...

Looks nice thou.. arshad, if you decide not to fit the dogleg, i know someone who would be interested... but suggestion... keep the LSD if you aint got one and stick it on your car... very beneficial for the rain driving control....

Jimi

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:57 am

That's great Jimi,

I'll let you know when I'm ready to get rid of it. I will definately be putting the LSD in. That and the recaro interior were the main reasons I was interested in the car in the first place.

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:04 pm

hadrian wrote:Hmmm. I have the same shift knob but with the O/D pattern. Is it equally as rare?

Nope, sorry. Still even available new...

papilio · Post by **papilio** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:40 am

Hi Arshed, sorry to see this car in this shape. However, if you take it apart - since you forgot editing the little knob on rear side window - I would be interested in those ones, if they are in a good shape.
Thanks.

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:06 pm

papilio wrote: the little knob on rear side window - I would be interested in those ones.

Hi Papilio,

I think that someone’s might be already interested in the whole car after I’ve finished with it, but if they have no use for the “little knob on the side window”

he he I’ll let you know.

varden · Post by **varden** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:58 pm

damn that car sat in a paddock for too many years.