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Thread: WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?! Should I keep or sell my e21 320is?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    Irvine, CA
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    '08 550i & '82 323i Baur

    WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?! Should I keep or sell my e21 320is?

    I'm seeking the Bimmer community's opinion. I picked up a 1982 320is in Henna Red with less than 100k miles. It's very clean for it's age, but can use a paint refresh and the drivers side Recaro seat needs to be redone. Otherwise, it's it's great shape! There were only around 2500 ever made, which makes me think it might be worth it to keep. Although, I am considering selling it too.

    What do I do?

    IMG_4955[6419] by Evan Lavoie, on Flickr

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    North Carolina, USA
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    195
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    1981 BMW 320i
    Considering there’s no mention of rust/mechanical issues, I can only assume there isn’t any. Although many of us, especially in the e21 forum would be very potentially biased towards you keeping it. Like you said, there were only 2500 made. It would be a shame to see it sold off and then gouged apart by other guys with 2002s for the Recaro seats, limited slip differential, and (assuming it’s a 5 speed) transmission.

    Public Service Announcement: Perfectly good e21s are not parts cars for 2002s!

    My 323i shell I just bought is a great example of just that: someone wanted it for parts and then after stripping it bare, simply let the shell sit outside for years! Then when I got ahold of it, an almost perfectly straight body (quoted $300 to fix a tweaked frame rail) with zero rust!

    My advice: hold on to it. If you want to sell it, so many of these are disappearing so fast that you’ll end up with a much more rare car than you think.
    These cars are just beginning to bud interest among many car enthusiasts, the value is only going to appreciate.

    There was a time when you could get a running and driving e28 m5 for $2500, and a 535is for next to nothing!

    A true 320is will without a doubt have its time too.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Ca
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    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Put a 533 engine into it

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    141
    My Cars
    ‘81 E21 320i
    I'd strongly recommend keeping it, hoarding parts, and wait until you see the second E21 sell on Bring a Trailer for $20,000. Then POUNCE.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
    Posts
    1,978
    My Cars
    '78 320i
    Keep, man. I almost sold my e21 in 2012. I was sick of the issues I was having with k jet. I was able to find a 81 iS that had front collision damage and got all the good bits. Swapped in an m42 in 2018 and haven't looked back. It will always have room in my garage until the EPA tells me time is up.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Chicago, IL,United States
    Posts
    252
    My Cars
    1977 BMW 320i
    Looking back on the cars I have owned/not owned, my regrets of selling certain cars far outweighs any regrets of not buying other cars. My current E21 is the 'replacement' of the E21 I sold in 1990.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    NYC
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    488
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    cts, e21, w124
    If you enjoy it and it doesnt put a dent in your pocket, keep it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Anaheim, CA
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    56
    My Cars
    BMW E21
    Why are you considering either? You didn't really give any reason as to why you're thinking of selling or why you want to keep it... is it just because? Do you need car space? Are you bored of it? etc etc....

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    1,631
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    1981 320i silver
    If it's not your favorite, sell it. Especially since I see you already have an '82 323.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    Irvine, CA
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    12
    My Cars
    '08 550i & '82 323i Baur
    I really appreciate your reply and passion for e21's. You're correct, no rust and it does have a 5-speed. I also appreciate your insight into what you feel the e21's will one day become. Good luck with your 323 project. I'm sure it'll be a blast!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    Irvine, CA
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    Quote Originally Posted by mrvls View Post
    Why are you considering either? You didn't really give any reason as to why you're thinking of selling or why you want to keep it... is it just because? Do you need car space? Are you bored of it? etc etc....
    I'd say limited space and the wife doesn't approve of a huge car collection. To her more than two cars (one for each of us) is too much. But, if I can convince her (and myself) that this will one day be an appreciating asset, then maybe I can keep it. Hence me asking all of you!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Anaheim, CA
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    56
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    BMW E21
    Quote Originally Posted by BAURLVR View Post
    I'd say limited space and the wife doesn't approve of a huge car collection. To her more than two cars (one for each of us) is too much. But, if I can convince her (and myself) that this will one day be an appreciating asset, then maybe I can keep it. Hence me asking all of you!
    Had a similar thought not to long ago here and made a thread... check it out.

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...r-have-its-day

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Irvine, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    '08 550i & '82 323i Baur
    Quote Originally Posted by mrvls View Post
    Had a similar thought not to long ago here and made a thread... check it out.

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...r-have-its-day
    What a great thread. Thank you for all the insight that it brings!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew320 View Post
    Considering there’s no mention of rust/mechanical issues, I can only assume there isn’t any. Although many of us, especially in the e21 forum would be very potentially biased towards you keeping it. Like you said, there were only 2500 made. It would be a shame to see it sold off and then gouged apart by other guys with 2002s for the Recaro seats, limited slip differential, and (assuming it’s a 5 speed) transmission.

    Public Service Announcement: Perfectly good e21s are not parts cars for 2002s!

    My 323i shell I just bought is a great example of just that: someone wanted it for parts and then after stripping it bare, simply let the shell sit outside for years! Then when I got ahold of it, an almost perfectly straight body (quoted $300 to fix a tweaked frame rail) with zero rust!

    My advice: hold on to it. If you want to sell it, so many of these are disappearing so fast that you’ll end up with a much more rare car than you think.
    These cars are just beginning to bud interest among many car enthusiasts, the value is only going to appreciate.

    There was a time when you could get a running and driving e28 m5 for $2500, and a 535is for next to nothing!

    A true 320is will without a doubt have its time too.
    I really appreciate your reply and passion for e21's. You're correct, no rust and it does have a 5-speed. I also appreciate your insight into what you feel the e21's will one day become. And good luck with your 323 project! Let us know how it goes.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Corona California
    Posts
    4,313
    My Cars
    79 320/6 81320i 65malibu
    To me an extra car is like a spare tire - keep it running and drive it on weekends. Through my 50 some years of driving my wife and I have been down to one car a few times, in the past, do to brake downs and such. Now we have three running cars most of the time. For the last 20 years or more one has been an E21.

    Always FUN TO DRIVE - Build Thread & Tech info - 79 320/6 track car build thread -- Videos of track car -Adam in car Auto-x video - Start-up video - 4/2011 Adam's TOP BMW time San Diego BMWCCA - 4-5-15 Dyno break-in run new M20B25 - Exhaust Thread - Link

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Wichita Falls, Texas
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    1997 BMW Z3 2.8
    Rare model of a vintage BMW...I would keep it... and drive it.

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