Introduction & general section

All you need to know on buying or maintaining an E21 is being gathered here!
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Jeroen
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My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
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Introduction & general section

Post by Jeroen »

OK under this section I'd like us to put in joint efforts to compose the ultimate E21 buyers guide and since this is neatly categorized let's also add any useful topics and links covering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), past issues, useful fixes and modifications. I've created a few main chapters here, please stick to those. If you feel a category needs to be added please PM me.

Please keep this place clean so we can all find hands on info without too much banter. Pictures are most welcome to illustrate issues.

Any suggestions... let me know by PM! Thanks in advance for your additions!

General info
Pre-facelift tech specs (-79): https://www.bmwe21.net/up_79_specs.pdf
Facelift model tech specs (79-on): https://www.bmwe21.net/79_on_specs.pdf
US models: http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=140
Paintwork & upholstery colors: http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=106

Topic on workshop manual downloads: http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=951
Owners manuals (handbook) downloads: https://sites.google.com/site/e21323i/e21-manuals

Where to get parts: http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5185

Online VIN decoder: http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=21354
All kinds of useful calculators (spring rates, gear ratios, tyre sizes, wheel fitment)

Details on convertible versions: http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=144
Details on limited editions: http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=137


Buyer's guide - magazine articles
There were some magazine articles about buying E21's as well. You can post them here.

A nice start thanks to E21 Meister for this Feb 08 Practical Classics article...

Page 1
page 2
Page 3
page 4

Thanks to Kam we also have the 2002 Total BMW article...

E21 Buyers Guide 1
E21 Buyers Guide 2
E21 Buyers Guide 3
E21 Buyers Guide 4
E21 Buyers Guide 5
E21 Buyers Guide 6


Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 779
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: Introduction - please read!

Post by Reck »

I made a checklist for myself when going to inspect a car tomorrow as I know I'll forget things, thought it might be useful for someone else to save them spending an hour typing it out!

Buyer's checklist

Engine
Condition of the camshaft and rockers under the valve cover?
Condition of spark plugs? Fouled?
Condition of the radiator/stat?
Condition of hoses - crunchy?
Start from cold - noise?
Does the oil warning light go out as soon as the engine starts?
Are there signs of excessive visible exhaust emissions?
White water vapour from the exhaust is normal while the engine is cold
Blue smoke isn't normal – that's oil burning
Don't worry about faint blue smoke from diesels, but black smoke is serious
Sludge under oil cap or radiator cap?
Condition of dizzy/rotor?
Does it rev cleanly?
How does it idle?
Does the temperature sit at halfway when warm, even after some time at idle, does the auxiliary fan come on (if applicable)?
Is the clutch in good condition? If you hear a noise when you release the clutch in neutral, this could mean the release bearing is worn.
Is the oil level correct? Too low shows neglect; too high could be an indication that the engine is using oil though it may simply have been over filled in error.
Any oil on block etc? Oil pan damaged?

Documents
Road tax
Can the seller show you the V5C or similar vehicle registration document? You won't be able to tax or register the car without it.
Is the seller the registered keeper shown on the V5C (if applicable, UK)? If not, why are they selling it for someone else?
How long has the seller had the car? Short period raises questions or seller could be trader.
Does the registration document have a watermark (if applicable)?
Are there any spelling mistakes on the registration document?
Do the VIN (vehicle identification number), engine number and colour match what's on the V5C/registration?
Does the number plate match what's on the V5C/registration?
Has the VIN plate been tampered with (it should be stamped onto the body on right front side in the engine compartment, and there should be a aluminum ID tag on the same side close to the firewall)
If there are VIN numbers etched on glass are they all the same and do they match those on the VIN plate and V5C/registration?
Can you see deliberate scratches on glass to remove etched-in marks?
Does the seller have a current MOT certificate and certificate of insurance?
Emissions test readings -

Garage / Ramps
1. Compression test.. "Check with a calibrated compression tester, battery fully charged, engine at operating temperature, throttle wide open and at starter speed."
Dry: Cyl1 Cyl2 Cyl3 Cyl4
Wet: Cyl1 Cyl2 Cyl3 Cyl4
Haynes says that below 130psi (9 Bar) is bad ....135-150psi (9.5-10.5 Bar) is average...and above 150psi (10.5 Bar) is good. Over 190 psi (13 Bar) may be high and cause engine pinging depending on fuel spec
2. Condition underneath - chassis: rust, damages, look at floorpan, chassis rails, jacking points, arches, sills, bushes
3. Condition underneath - suspension: front ARB, front arms, rear arms, subframe bushes, steering rack, wheel bearings (rock), suspension leaking, brake lines
4. Other: fuel tanks, fuel lines, sump damage/leakage

Body
B Pillars, front windscreen, rear windscreen, front floor (kickspace rust or leaks), rear floor (rust or leaks), sills, doors (don't forget the bottom), arch edges and inner wings, bumpers (rusty insides), boot surround (seal and rust underneath), door seals, under spare wheel, fuel filler neck, inner wings seen from the trunk

Interior
Handbrake height/feel
Lights - Hi/Lo, Indicators, Fog, Brake, Hazard Switch
Heater/blower
Wipers & washers
Elec mirrors
Horn
Seatbelts
Headlining
If allowed, remove rear seat backing to check for rust

Test Drive
Ask seller to allow you to cold start the engine, check valve cover for warmth in engine before first start
(with cold engine issues will be easier to notice)
Temperature Gauge Behaviour
Oil light flicker
Forward Gears (noise esp)
Clutch bite
Reverse
Steering wobble
Steering response
Steering hard left/right
High speed
Hard braking - Any clonks? Pulling to one side?

Edited by Mod (Jeroen)

One last word of advice here: always be suspicious with minor issues. In many cases the seller tells you that an issue you found may be something minor. If it really was a minor issue the seller would have fixed it himself! I've heard many stories already, common examples:
> rattling engine that -according to seller- only requires valve clearances to be adjusted but turning out to be a worn camshaft and warm rockers, a complete cyl head overhaul
> overheating engine that -according seller- only requires a new thermostat or coolant turning out to be a blown head gasket and a ripped cyl head
If you don't trust it or if seller says it's minor, have seller fix it before you buy!
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Introduction - please read!

Post by Jeroen »

Thanks for that! But if you're looking for an E21, please make sure to check out the more detailed topics in this sub section as well!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Prufrock
E21 starter
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:26 pm
My E21(s): 1977 S plate 320/6
Location: Lincolnshire and West Sussex

Re: Introduction & general section

Post by Prufrock »

Jeroen wrote:
Page 1
page 2
Page 3
page 4
Nice to see my Practical Classics buyer's guide still doing useful service.

John.
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Introduction & general section

Post by Jeroen »

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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