Pete & Bel Kilner's 323i

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PeteK
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 192
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:18 am
My E21(s): 1979 323i Euro
Location: Perth, Western Australia
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Pete & Bel Kilner's 323i

Post by PeteK »

Our e21 is a 1979 323i. We picked it up off EBay for $1400 and have spent a lot more than that getting it back to decent condition (I'm sure you're all familiar with that one!). We bought her back in March 2007 and she used to do weekend duty with the BMW Club NSW and track days when the wife was motivated. Lately, she's been sitting in the shed covered up as we're in the US and it's a long way back to Australia for a drive!

It's all pretty standard under the bonnet with just a K&N air filter. The motor is a bit tired, but she still pulls pretty strong. There's Eibach lowered springs up front, with some home-made coil-overs in the rear. They'll work better when I can afford to buy some proper springs. The front has Bilstein Sports and the back Konis. I've been playing around with sway bars and actually added a second bar front and back. Seemed to stop it leaning a fair bit. There are also adjustable camber plates installed and we run a little bit of negative camber to help on the track. She rides on 15x6 BBS alloys but they are for the e30, so the previous owner put some spacers in there. I don't like it myself and it's one of those things on the list to replace.

Interior-wise, it's not real good. It looks OK with re-trimmed seats and a new top on the rear bench, but the dash is a bit cracked and I've just got a cover over it. We have installed a 4 point harness for extra safety at those track days. There's a Pioneer CD with a simple set of Pioneer speakers all round.

The exterior is the toughest part. There was a re-spray at some point, but it wasn't the best. There was also a front end accident too that wasn't fixed perfectly. I've got some of the rust out of the rear windows, but she could do with a complete overhaul.

Pretty Pictures
Show of Excellence
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Nice and clean for once
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Engine Bay Could do with some more work, but is OK for now
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Some Work Done
Home Made Coilovers
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Installing Camber Plates
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Harness, New Bench Covering and New rear parcel shelf installed
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The rear Windows needed some love
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Looking a little better
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I had to do all this just to change the Number Plate!
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Track Days
First Time Out
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Coming In
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The Whole Team at Wakefield
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Lining Up
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In the Pits
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Pete K
'79 323i (for good times)
'81 M535i (for collecting)
'75 520i (track machine)
'03 320i (for commuting)
'97 Laser
http://team-orange.blogspot.com/
garyw51
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Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:31 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Pete & Bel Kilner's 323i

Post by garyw51 »

What are you missing more - Australia or the e21?
Will be good to see it back out eventually.
gary[color=#BF0000][/color]
e21 Alpina (Aust) 82
e21 Baur 82
79 323 auto
80 635
80 e12 M535
User avatar
PeteK
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 192
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:18 am
My E21(s): 1979 323i Euro
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Contact:

Re: Pete & Bel Kilner's 323i

Post by PeteK »

I think I actually miss the e12 the most. The e21 was Bel's. It was nice to go cruising in, but the e12 will always be my first BMW though!

I'm travelling to Australia in November, so we're going to the track day at Wakefield Park. With any luck, we might get one of the other members of Team Orange to take the e21.

I've just had to give back the company car I was driving, so it's time to buy something over here. I've been fixing the Mustang we got for Dad (you should check out the work at http://team-orange.blogspot.com/) but it really isn't suitable to drive to work everyday. I wouldn't mind getting an e21, but they all have those ugly bumpers over here!

Cheers
Pete K
'79 323i (for good times)
'81 M535i (for collecting)
'75 520i (track machine)
'03 320i (for commuting)
'97 Laser
http://team-orange.blogspot.com/
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