Calling BMW connoisseurs. Tell me about this car...
 

I've got first dibs on this Swiss registered BMW 323i E21. Trouble is, I don't know too much about this particular model. It may be a stupid question, but is that black trim on the bootlid standard? I'm also guessing those bonnet scoops are not. I'm hoping a few on here will appreciate this model and be able to tell me more? The sellers (two French brothers) are not being too forthcoming with a ballpark price which either means it's not worth an awful lot and they are hoping for an over the top offer from me, or it's worth a hell of a lot and they are hoping for an over the top offer from me...

1980 323i (1.6 petrol), metallic green, 64,000km, short-throw 5-speed manual, 4 summer wheels/tyres, 4 winter wheels/tyres, all original parts, paperwork all present and correct.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2dv64w4.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/2mw6new.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/11t7nn4.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/ieqxox.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/mc9o5v.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/2qwlug5.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/2h7j76e.jpg

Based on normal BMW nomenclature of the period, shouldn't a 323i be a 2.3 litre 6-pot?

A friend has an E21 - I will ask him for comment on this one +++

I would assume so, yes. I'm going by the seller's description where he mentioned 1.6-litres and 146hp.

Unless it's a replica, :-(

146hp seems a lot for 1.6 of that age

323 is 2.3 straight 6
Don't remember them ever having twin 'zorsts either.
Scoops on bonnet are addons as is the spoiler

If they are being cagey I would walk away to be honest.
(What do the seat covers hide?)

I'm curious - what's the attraction of this particular example? It wouldn't be in my top 10 BMs, or even in my top 5 small BMs, but maybe that's just me...

I’m not an Officionado, but I did own a lovely e21 316 back in the day, the genesis of the 3 series. This example looks a bit non-OEM to me. Not my cuppa tea.

I’ll gladly stand corrected, if it’s some rare in-house modified thing.

No particular attraction really, just I didn't know if it was a significant model and worth bringing over to the UK, even if it's LHD. Turns out it would be if it is a 323i... and didn't have pair of crap bonnet scoops. I'll get a picture of the engine bay anyway.

Pretty sure the twin exhaust pipes in that position are correct. The 323 in that body shape was the ‘hot’ model but not in an M sense

Absolutely should be 6 cylinder.

Given it’s been messed with even if the engine is correct (it would need to have been breathed on quite a bit to make that power too) it is a curio rather than a desirable model. Side stripes definitely not original, nor the black paint at the back. Spoiler was an option IIRC

Comment from my friend:

"genuine BMW Motorsport front air dam and boot spoiler. Twin exhaust is original, and it should be a 2.3 with K-jet injection"

Will PM his thoughts on the value :)

That’s me standing corrected!!

presuming for a moment that this has the correct engine the K jetronic is deceptively simple to keep tuned but there is plenty of info on the tricks on the internet if you google ; the volvo's of the era used it on the injection engines

So I have a reply from the seller re the engine discrepancy: "I've asked my brother to send me the picture of the engine bay and I confirm it's a 2.3 litre. The previous owner was a fan of sport's cars and asked to install a short-5-speed gearbox when he ordered the car. Then after 3 months he had the car ( at KM 16'000), he said the engine was making a strange noise. So under the warranty he asked to have the engine changed. So the number of KM shown on the board is now KM 80'000 odd. He only drove it some two years before he sold it to us."

I also have the chassis number.

http://i66.tinypic.com/5wf1i9.jpg

They continue with a minimum price... CHF30,000 which is about €26,000 :angry4:

http://i67.tinypic.com/2yudphj.jpg

:rofl: