bmwe21.net forums

Hi All.

I have a totally original 1977 E21 316 with a staggering 41K all genuine. I love the car to bits and drive it daily at the moment. The reason for owning is because I love the old beemers, had a very early 320i E30 (83) for a while, kinda regret selling that but I dont have room for a collection, sadly! I love the basic car set up, everything is so easy to sort on old cars, no electrical nonsense! I use it everyday and mechanically its perfect, interior is perfect too. Using it through winter may have an effect on its body tho and thats what I want to avoid. I bought another 'project' recently, I like most guys want something fast and fun to drive (E21 doesnt tick this box for me) so I bought a Clio Williams . At this moment in time the Williams is on axle stands in my garage and out of MOT so cant drive just now, its looking like I may not get this sorted until March time!! I dont want to part with either really especially the Williams but something has to give I also have another child on its way in April!! Maybe the answer is to sack both cars off and get a sensible 5 door family hatch but something isnt right about that either!!

Has anyone else been in a simular situation?? I need help!! Dont know what to do


Here's my car

You could have made your e21 ''fast & fun'' quite easily with uprated suspension, gas flow & cam, and a Weber. I guess you need to concentrate your efforts on one car and maybe sell the other to finance it? One car that works is better than two or three that don't.

RetroBeemer wrote:One car that works is better than two or three that don't.

Truth! I know this from experience.

Added to which, with the colour / condition of your e21 it would only take slamming and the look would be transformed! Stance is everything with an e21 imo. A Clio will always be more at home on the shopping or school run.

buy an e39......mmmmmm

Personally I'd flog the E21 and keep the Williams: more practical and as good at going round a corner as any good FWD car. Plus you're not having to worry about rust. In the meantime, get a £500 T&T'd pooper hatchback to drive around in for now until the Clio's finished. If you want to buy another E21 later on, well in my opinion values aren't going up drastically anytime soon.

E21meister wrote: you're not having to worry about rust.

As someone who's owned 2 I can promise you they rust like a good'un. Wheel arches are well known for becoming frilly and if they've gone, it's odds on there'll be more elsewhere.

Thanks for the replied guys!

Yes Clio rear arches rust!! I need to get both done on the Williams.

I want to keep the E21 totally original, slamming it would look better yes but its still not a car that would handle very well IMO! Its 34 years old! Its just a very honest 1 owner car that I love because of its simpleness and its life story. The issue is that I grew up with cars in an era where FWD cars are king and I understand how to push a FWD car, I have had a few RWD cars, 2x E21 316's, E39 535i, E36 316i, E30 320i, Porsche 928GT rare manual, Honda S2000, MK2 MR2 and a Boxer 2.5 and I still cannot get the same amount of confidence unlike the FWD cars. The S2000 was the best by far by the way!

I want a car that will handle, be reasonably quick and take to the track once in a while, all those things I cannot get from my E21.

The Williams should be back on the road next month having had complete new rear brake set up, Front disc & pads and the rear arches done! New MOT and its done. I have had a few Clio 16V's over the years and its something I keep coming back to as I love them soooooo much, there quick, look nice IMO! and with loads of reviews saying there the best FWD car of the decade etc etc and.....they only produced 306 RHD Williams 3's back in 95' there getting pretty rare to find in good nick.





I did over 700 miles to collect the car on a trailer, what a day!

I guess if I can justify driving the Willy and keeping the E21 in the garage all winter that would be the answer, but come April I have another baby!! 2 in nappies, I may have to do something silly and buy a Focus Zetec

So are you selling the E21 then??

Rav320uk wrote:So are you selling the E21 then??

I think I have talked myself into it!! But I dont wanna let it go aaaaahhhgggggggg

Never knew Williams rusted, but then they usually lead a sheltered life, so that's probably why few have had the chance to. I take it the Clio is a Williams 3 as it appears to have a sunroof?

Buy a focus 1.6tdci diesel - that's what I now have and it does everything you could need plus has plenty of room for baby seats and does it all ot 55mpg average.

Sell the E21 to me if you have to sell it, I want an early car and most of the perverts on here would slam it on coilovers and stick a jap turbo engine in it.

Jim

drjim wrote: Sell the E21 to me if you have to sell it, I want an early car and most of the perverts on here would slam it on coilovers and stick a jap turbo engine in it.
Jim

Spoken like a purist.

drjim wrote:... and most of the perverts on here would slam it on coilovers and stick a jap turbo engine in it.

Jim

LOL, didn't we put Mercedes Benz engines in Bimmers on this forum? AND BIG V8's!!

Yeah its a Willy 3. Most of them have had a pretty hard life really, lots are getting broken up too.

I'm with you on the Focus Jim, I used to sell them a few years ago and know how good a car they are, that 1.6TDCI is a nice engine, enough torque and good MPG. I will let you know if I sell the E21, I would want it to go to a good home of course!