E21 316 1983

SteveA · Post by **SteveA** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:31 pm

After having only Triumphs for the past twelve years I decided it was time for a change, something more modern and quieter.
Trying to decide what to get next I saw a BMW E21 316 for sale and decided that was what I fancied, so last weekend I picked this up, a 1983 E21.

The bodywork is all quite straight and after a wash, clay, polish and wax it is looking a lot better. The extra badges on the front have now gone and the chrome trims on the wheels will go soon also, the only trouble is that the wheels have only been partly resprayed, so they look bad under the trims.

I would like to find some slightly larger diameter wheels for it and drop it a bit, but the main plan is to just go out and use it.

Oh, the extra badges on the front are all off and looks a lot better now.

The underside could do with some paint or other protection before the tin worm gets to it, some of it makes it looks as if it has spent some time near the coast. There is the remains of some alarm system to be removed and the electric mirrors do not work, but I am generally happy with it so far.

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:57 pm

Saw it on RR Steve. Very nice.

thetomc · Post by **thetomc** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:30 pm

Looks like a very nice example. Welcome to our forum.

What are you plans for it?

SteveA · Post by **SteveA** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:34 pm

Thanks,

it'll have to be maintenance and rust proofing near the top of the list. Looking round the tyres I can see one of them is cracking quite badly, not too surprising considering that one is over fifteen years old

Tonight's job is to try and tidy some of the wiring mess lest after the tow bar was removed.

Longer term plans are just to go out and use it, I have a fuel injected Triumph GT6, so I already have a six cylinder, fast, tight, and noisy fun car.

m3gaz · Post by **m3gaz** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:13 pm

Lovin' the beauty rings!

SteveA · Post by **SteveA** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:18 pm

The wiring for the lights was fitted using those nasty in-line connector blocks and when the tow bar was removed they just cut the extra wires off. This has all been tidied up now and re-wrapped with vinyl loom tape.

I found a set of suitable alloys, which I picked up and fitted today, can anyone identify them?

Three of the tyres were flat when I picked them up as they had not been in use for a while, once inflated I could see that a couple of them are leaking by the rim slightly and one had a leaking valve. I was in two minds about whether to use them straight away, but seeing as that one is leaking by the valve, I shall see about getting all four re-furbished. I guess they should go back to a light-ish silver, but was wondering whether it would look better if any parts were picked out in a darker colour.

arshad76 · Post by **arshad76** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:34 pm

Hi Stevie,

Congrats on the car, your replacement wheels look like 13" turbines. Hold on to your old ones, the chrome rim covers are rare AFIK