316 throttle cable issues

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finsin_m10_316
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Posts: 3
Joined: Mon May 26, 2025 10:53 am
My E21(s): 1981 e21 316, m10b18 engine, carb

316 throttle cable issues

Post by finsin_m10_316 »

I am a new e21 owner (1981 316 m10b18 model with carb). The other day I was driving along, when the throttle cable snapped, it only snapped just at the end so I was able to feed it further into the attachment on the carb. But the car is now idling way too high (2k rpm).

I’ve been looking for replacement throttle cables but I cannot find any online anywhere. Do I need to replace the whole cable? Or do I need to re-tune the carb with the slightly shorter cable? If anyone knows where to find the part or how to tune the carb I would greatly appreciate any help!


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Jeroen
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Posts: 29807
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 316 throttle cable issues

Post by Jeroen »

LHD http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E21/E ... den_cable/

RHD http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E21/E ... n_cable_2/

Tried to look up a LHD manual cable and its approx 56 Euros from the dealer's here
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
finsin_m10_316
Newbee
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon May 26, 2025 10:53 am
My E21(s): 1981 e21 316, m10b18 engine, carb

Re: 316 throttle cable issues

Post by finsin_m10_316 »

Ive adjusted the idle (to account for the shorter cable) and it seems to be running fine. But I will get some new cable as the old one is corroded.
Thank you!
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polov8
E21 Pro
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Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:30 pm
My E21(s): '83 Polaris silver 316
Location: Dronfield

Re: 316 throttle cable issues

Post by polov8 »

Is your car running the original carb or has it had a weber direct replacement fitted? Easy to tell, if you have a choke, it's most likely a weber. Reason I ask is that to fit the weber, the original throttle cable is used but the inner at the carb end is cut and the cable held in a clamp, which immediately makes it a stress point and the point where it's most likely to snap, especially if the throttle pedal stop is incorrectly set such that you put it under strain at full throttle. Ask me how I know......
Andy
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Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29807
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 316 throttle cable issues

Post by Jeroen »

Good addition indeed!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
finsin_m10_316
Newbee
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon May 26, 2025 10:53 am
My E21(s): 1981 e21 316, m10b18 engine, carb

Re: 316 throttle cable issues

Post by finsin_m10_316 »

I presume it’s the Webber, the cable is clamped onto the carb, so I’ll have a look at the peddle stop to make sure that’s in the right place.
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