I have a BMW E30 320is as a daily hack at the moment, and was wondering is it worth hanging onto when it's no longer required (soon-ish). Picked it up for silly money, really nice condition, etc., etc. Are these rare? Haven't seen any others for sale trawling the net, just the odd 318is.
Wouldn't want to let this one get away if it were a "keeper", like most people I've let cars go before that I would kill for now.
If it's a real 320iS, then yes, it's worth keeping.
If, as I suspect, it's just a normal 3 door 320, then no.
That'll be the LHD one then.
I'd like a 320iS, that little four-pot is a gem. Expensive to put right when it's not maintained properly though - £1200[1] to replace the cam chain, ffs.
[1] From a "specialist", that is.
Yes, LHD, hence peanuts price, 4 pot 16v and it has BMW M-Power on the rocker cover which was, I must admit, the bit that swung the deal for me. Goes like you know what off a shovel too. Imported from Portugal by its former (Portugese female) owner who lives just down the road. Built 1988.
Maintenance/ servicing costs don't worry me, another week and I'll have my "proper" car back and it won't be doing daily driver duties any more, so if it breaks it breaks and will have to wait its turn to be fixed. FWIW, mechanically it checks out. Electrics, odd bits of trim and the bodywork around the tail lights could use some work. Which is why I wondered if it was a keeper or not. Sounds like it is, cue skinned knuckles and harsh language.
If you were near me in the YooEss, I'd take a good look at it and prolly be seriously tempted. I have been trying to find a good one for a while for autocross, especially since E30 M3s are like hens' teeth but a lot more expensive. Don't give it away, whatever you do.
It's definitely a 'keeper', then.
Effectively an Italian market M3, but sleeved down to 2lt from 2.5lt due to Italian tax rules.
Um, not exactly.
It's a smaller capacity M3 engine, yeah, but the suspension and bodyshell are basic 325i stuff.
Four stud hubs as opposed to 5 stud, 3 series instead of 5 series wheel bearings etc.
I'd love one.
Does it still have the horribly slow standard E30 steering or a quick rack?
In news:EnHgf.1006$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe4-win.ntli.net, john decided to enlighten our sheltered souls with a rant as follows
I think it's got the standard E30 rack, but I'm not sure.
Should think an M3 rack would fit if you used 320iS track rod ends instead of M3 ones.
Apparently, the M3 rack is indeed a straight swap, presumably with 320is track rod ends as you say.
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