bmwe21.net forums

Ive been given the task of getting this running in the summer. From other forum responses I assume the car is an E21 3 series? Will it be easy enough to tell which engine it has by an underbonnet shot or do I need a photo of something specific? Where's the VIN number located? And finally where's the best place to get spares?

Thanks for any answers in advance

Easy to tell from pics.

4 cylinder it's likely a 316. 6 cylinder carb fed its a 320 and 6 cylinder injection is 323i. Disc brakes on rear mean 323 too, or modified lesser model.

Parts from main dealer, Walloth & Neische or other people here.

Good luck with it. Great cars.

Thanks for the reply, pretty sure its a 320 then. Other then ignition bits and bobs and brakes is there anything that generally goes wrong with these when they've been sitting for a while? Also do these use metric or imperial nuts/bolts?

Imperial.

They're pretty much bullet proof other than corrosion. Rubber seals harden on cars that have sat idle, so clutch slave might pop once back in regular use. Same for wheel cylinders etc.

Apart from that, it's just good old fashioned mechanics.

e21-Mark wrote:Imperial.

You sure its imperial? Everyone else has told me its metric lol

Goodness knows why I wrote that? I was thinking metric but typing imperial.

Phew, you had me worried there! Thanks for all the info dude, much appreciated

No probs. Keep us posted on how things go with it.

I found this for the vin: http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

Gave me the spec:

Chassis number 6*****4
Vehicle code 1812
Series E21
Model 320 ( 320 M20 )
Body type saloon
Catalog model ECE
Production date 1979 / 10
Engine M20
Transmission Manual
Steering Right
Catalyzer NONE

Can i buy a carb rebuild kit from somewhere? I've seen one on ebay but £60 plus postage seems like a lot?

where are you?

South Africa?

Im in the UK and intend to get all the parts from/sent to the uk. The car is in Malaysia.

Have you bought the car or thinking of buying it? I see the car is Sabah registered. There is a gorgeous 323i for sale on Mudah in Sabah. Price looks all right, for such a good looking car.

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+323i+M+-15001777.htm

Looks wonderful indeed!

The car is my girlfriends, grandads (who has passed away), it was used by her uncle until the ignition barrel stopped working. If I get it running then I get to use it during the summer whilst I am there on holiday (plus get some brownie points with the family!). If im honest its one of the things im most looking forward to when I get there!