bmwe21.net forums

Besides the obvious recaro's, LSD, and 3 spoke steering wheel, what parts are good to pick up from the junkyard as spares?

I just picked up a 1983 320iS this week and would like to stock up. It has 192k, however, looks like it only has 90k. Very well kept.

What parts are getting harder (or too expensive from the dealer) to find? Is there a list out there somewhere? I have noticed that most I come across in the yards have the 'transitorized ignition' missing.

I apologize if this has been previously posted, however, I searched under 'bone yard', 'scrap yard', and 'junkyard' and did not find anything.

This is my second E21 320iS over the years. Truly enjoy these cars!!

Regards

Haha no, don't worry, good question!

Sought after stuff... deep front spoilers if in decent condition, any 15" alloy, power steering rack or complete power steering setup, euro bumpers

The hazard switch and 6 cylinder front struts and rear trailing arms for brake upgrades.
allso 6 cylinder front subframes for engine swaps,driveshafts and any good chrome.

rear trailing arms with disc setup...
gearbox
driveshaft
pop out tinted glazing
dashboard

Donormetal, just cut her up!

jimbob wrote:The hazard switch and 6 cylinder front struts and rear trailing arms for brake upgrades.
allso 6 cylinder front subframes for engine swaps,driveshafts and any good chrome.

Having owned (and broke) a number of E21's in my time it pains me to think of all the good parts I could have taken off and didn't. The obvious stuff as others have mentioned are euro bumpers, recaros, LSD's. Rear pop put glass, rear headrests,three spoke sports steering wheels. Anthracite cloth from the back seats - even if the fronts are poor as they can be potentially used to retrim to an OEM look. Ditto carpets, door cards, centre consoles and gearknobs. Rear reflector in between the rear lights (usually says BMW or 323i).

Less obvious would be good chrome, and annoying parts no longer available from the dealers like the windscreen wiper nut plastic covers, that are sided. Crack free front and rear lenses.

Good metal like uwbuurman has mentioned is also getting useful to have as spares. Front supports, the sheet metal behind euro bumpers as I've heard this is also needed. Sound solid floor pans, as this is a weak spot on these cars, as are rusty door bottoms, bubbling front wings and corrosion free front valances and bonnets/fenders.

It's basically getting to a point on these cars that nothing should be thrown away, but of course if room is limited the more desirable stuff should take priority.

Batteryholder, good front, rear wheel housing rear, rear panel, you name it. If it is decent, just harvest it.

uwbuurman wrote:Batteryholder, good front, rear wheel housing rear, rear panel, you name it. If it is decent, just harvest it.

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