educate me here

[jrkoupe]

big bimmer guy for years.......

but Ive never driven an e21!

soooooooo I found one locally in NY in Hemmings.....a real time capsule..asking of 8K


all oe stock car......one owner....82 car.

5 spd

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...0/1868406.html



I know 2002s well and e30s as well....

i was shocked how gutless the e21 was......Like no power at all....smooth, ran well, drove great...but no real guts


typical?...

[jaredmac11]

I felt like my early E21 had enough oomph at the top-end. Low and midrange were pretty bad. but get her up to 5k and beyond and she's pretty happy. Did you ring it out?

That being said, theres a reason I am swapping an M42 in to my e21...

8k is pretty high. Gems on BaT go for lower but there is a premium for a truly 1 owner car.

[jrkoupe]

8k is hi..i agree.....

but it was sooo local...1 owner...no paint work...no rust...quite unique...i wanted to drive an e21 as well......

i did not ring her out....was skeered owner would freak..older dude

Id drop in an m20 or m42/4 I think...........prolly not worth buying such a pricey creampuff.

btw, it was much more civil than any 2002 Ive driven , but most were raw hot rods, and mine is a dual carbed straight exhaust lil beast

[Thecatmilton]

The price isn't all that great, but it also isn't too bad. I could see it going between 6000-7500. These cars seem to be appreciating now.

[Ricochet Rabbit]

Contrary to what most will tell you on this board, $8k is not too much for the right 320i. Whether this is the right 320i is the question. Pluses are relatively low miles and one owner. Minuses are no sport package and a seller who might be another sphere of reality. These are not going for $18k on the west coast, or any coast for that matter. He's pretty much asking top dollar and posts 8 blurry pics. Radio is not original. The E21 driving experience is "pleasant" but these are not high powered cars. You get 2002 hp and more weight. Buy it if you like it but be aware that there is a small market for really nice E21s, most people don't seem to want to spend more than a few thousand on one but are happy with what they've got.

[tlapham]

In my opinion, not worth more than $4k, but like they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. if you are looking for power, look elsewhere or for heavily modified. The stock E21 is a soft, predictable daily driver.

[320iAman]

Prices are going up on everything. These cars were made as economy models getting near 30 mpg all around. I agree 8K is high yet with cash in hand most sellers are negotiable.

Randy

[Bonsaibacker]

For $8K you have a lot of choices in the vintage BMW world... And are E21s going for $18K on the west coast?

[Somjuan]

For $8K you have a lot of choices in the vintage BMW world... And are E21s going for $18K on the west coast?

An Alpina, sure. Most I've seen a regular one go for was around 4k. Immaculate.

[jrkoupe]

real alpinas are different animal tho!

great responses here..thnx

e21's are still good values in the classic car world. Go look at tr6/gtv/911/2002/sunbeam/xke/etcetcetc....


but it just felt so....kinda boring

the m10 carbed in an 02 feels way more alive.

but, the e21 is much more refined than an 02, it would be a better daily imo

I can see an m42/4 or an m20 in a lightened modded car...that could be tonsa fun

[glashaus]

Here’s a few examples of some non-boring e21’s...

[jrkoupe]

glas


dont get me wrong....I really like the idea of owning an e21..I do like the car......I know there are some great examples out there..........I was just surprised how it felt in stock form.

[glashaus]

jr, I didn't take offense, and I happen to agree about the stock US spec e21. I've raced both e10's and e21's...each have their pros and cons. I just currently own more e21 racers than e10's...so I'm a little bias

[jrkoupe]

I respect your knowledge

can u compare the 2 cars to own/race?

[autox320]

but it just felt so....kinda boring

the m10 carbed in an 02 feels way more alive.

I can see an m42/4 or an m20 in a lightened modded car...that could be tonsa fun

E21 is a heavier machine yup. Carb wakes up the m10 yup. LTW anything is much more fun than stock. Nostalgia of the first 3 series uh huh. Some remember the E21 as the worst model ever produced, and we tend to disagree about those comments.

Great car with some mods or tlc. To be super fun IMO need to strip the 3 series fluff back out of it

[John Adkins]

For me, the e21's being "under powered" is part of it's charm. As the old saying goes, "It more fun to drive a slow car, fast than drive a fast car, slow." I would like to drive a 2002 some day, to be able to compare the two models.

[Neu Alt]

For me, the e21's being "under powered" is part of it's charm. As the old saying goes, "It more fun to drive a slow car, fast than drive a fast car, slow." I would like to drive a 2002 some day, to be able to compare the two models.

I have driven 2002s and like them but like the E21 more. E30s are fun but bore me visually. The first E21 I owned was a low mileage iS (used car) back in the mid 80s. I grew up with 1200 1300, 1500, 1600, 1800 and 2000cc euro cars so my 1980 1800 feels normal to me. My "modern" Audi Quattro 2.0T handles the daily real world but on weekends I love finessing the 320i on the local back roads. Cheap thrills.