E21 & E30 downpipe

[Jay C]

Hi people,

Does anyone know whether E21 & E30 downpipes are the same for RHD 316 1.8, please?

Any good cheap UK sources?

Cheers

[Reck]

No, I think the E30 manifold/downpipe go off at a different angle and it would hit the steering rack or subframe. I've looked for one before and had trouble sourcing. Maybe try the dealer? BMW part number is 18111245313.

These on ebay don't look right http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-E30-SAL ... 23094e8a2f

It's a four bolt pattern but every E21 4 cyl I've seen has had a three bolt pattern like this gasket;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Pipe- ... 5d3844c5ab

[Jay C]

Thanks very much - if all else fails there's always the dealer. At least they generall have what we need. It could be worse!

No, you're right- they don't at all. Yes, have seen a three bolt gasket for a 4cyl I seem to remember now.

I was a bit stuck, had to leave the car at my Dad's and so have had to go with a local place to him doing the lot. £144 inc. vat fitted. A lot more than I was hoping, but it was that or tow it back and that would have cost more...

Hope you're enjoyin the damned fine version of the E21 ya got! Good ol' M10!

Thanks again,

J

[Reck]

Ouch! What happened? Has it rusted through? Could you not drive it home as it was?

Haha, 'enjoying' is one word I suppose. I'm on my fourth M10 with one currently in the shop being rebuilt! I'm determined to get a solid one. Also, I now know it like the back of my hand since so many things have gone wrong.

[Jay C]

Yep, rusted through and sheared whilst I was in an underpass - nice noise, the Messerschmitt like rumble and the exhaust flange of the midle box scraping aliong the road! I thought just the steel sealing gasket had gone and was getting ready to replace when the above happened. On my way to a slap up dinner with missus as co-driver - she gave me a fair bit of grief about the car not being reliable. Could I explain that exhausts are consumables to her? Still, AA bloke was nice (towed to dinner!) and an E30 owner and the meal was nice, too!

I can't say nothing has gone wrong.... Rust is my biggest enemy, followed by chasing round water leaks - I know I should replace all the hoses, but it's a bloody arse ache!

When it's all running well and the road is quiet and the back end is just twitching to break away, it's all worth it!