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
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.
Put a 533 engine into it
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.
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.
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.
If you enjoy it and it doesnt put a dent in your pocket, keep it.
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....
If it's not your favorite, sell it. Especially since I see you already have an '82 323.
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!
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
What a great thread. Thank you for all the insight that it brings!
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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.
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
Rare model of a vintage BMW...I would keep it... and drive it.
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