Upgrades for e21

[PeaveyBassist]

Well... a lot of you know, I got in a little accident with a van in the e30 and got some front end damage on the d/s. That sucked. Originally decided I would just end up fixing it sometime. THEN about a week ago my boss and I did a compression test because the engine sounded like it was missing and running a little rough. Ended up having shit compression. That means to ME, a LOT of money to put into it to fix. I am going to school 32hrs/week and working 20hrs/week which means I dont make a whole lot of money. That means... I might end up getting rid of the e30. My boss has an old e21 320i at work and he said he would sell it for $1200. That sounds like too much to me so I am gonna try to get him down to $800. It has the m10 in it lol so its gonna be a turd. What kind of upgrades for an e21 are there and who all sells em? Only springs I could find were H&R Sports which might work for me. Mostly just looking at suspension upgrades. I found some stuff at VAC Motorsports. What other places have good stuff?

Will

[rede30]

IMHO there are better options then a e21. I would get somthing like a 85 318i, same engine but just not an awkward e21. you know alot about e30's so why not just stay with them. Or if you could deal with not having a car for a quarter or two of school then part out the car during the summer and make money for a nicer 325. I do realize that the e21 is right there and easy to pick up, that would be a bonus.

[Hick]

is your e30 undriveable? if not, why bother?!?!

[erik325i]

I agree with rede30. There are many better cars you could get for $1200 than the e21. Get some 318 or eta for cheap. PLus, if you stay with e30, you can reuse all of your mods with your new car.
-Erik

[Dave]

What is the condition of the e21? I assume pretty good.

Sell me the e30 for $800 then you can buy your bosses e21. ;-)

[Jordan]

Don't buy the e21.

I used to have a e21.

They handle like a wet mop, and are sloooow.

[parkerbink]

The upgrade for an e21 is called an e30.

Now if it were a 323 that would be different! Does your car run? if yes wait until you can get something better an part/sell yours.

[bmwm3n528]

My buddy Fred does some in depth work with these cars...

https://www.e21parts.net

https://www.bmw320i.com

[02stu]

Don't do it! I had a e21, and know lots of people that had them and tried to modify them. The problem with them is that they are narrow like a 2002 and have the power of a 2002, but are heavy like a e30. I'd bet your car wrecked and with low comperssion is better looking and faster then a 320i. A early 318i is the way to go or, better yet its not to hard to find a 318is with a broken timing chain for under 1000.

[gstuning]

Funny, you don´t have money for fixing your car, but yet you want to buy another one and mod that??

what model is your car??
Find another E30 shell and put you stuff in there. the most sensible solution,

[CleanAzzE30z]

Don't buy the e21.

I used to have a e21.

They handle like a wet mop, and are sloooow.

what he said

The upgrade for an e21 is called an e30.

him as well

[SpecM]

-My dad had a '78 320i, he loved it. But he likes my 325 better.

[PeaveyBassist]

Funny, you don´t have money for fixing your car, but yet you want to buy another one and mod that??

I knew someone would say that ;) I can probably get the boss's for around $800. I can prolly sell mine for the same amount WITHOUT the "mods" I have on it. All of which include H&R Sports + Bilstein Sports and an mtech 1 steering wheel. My bro says dont get an e21 just cus they are ugly. I can probably get another m20b25 for a couple hundred dollars that might last a while. One reason that I want to get rid of this one is because the front end is smashed and the engine runs like shit. To me, that equals 'piece of shit'. Dave, sell me your engine for $150 and I'll come pick it up :) Actually Dave... Part out your car and I will buy a LOT of it lol.

Will

[PeaveyBassist]

What is the condition of the e21? I assume pretty good.

Sell me the e30 for $800 then you can buy your bosses e21. ;-)

Pretty good mechanically. Cosmetic the paint isnt in the best shape and it has some dings here and there. He bought it from some doctor and its been sitting in the parking lot. I have even worked on it before.

Will

[mikeedler]

the upgrade for a E30 is a E36******** if you want to think that way.
the E21 is a great car, just not with that motor in it. I had one that I put the M20 2.5 in, and loved the crap out of it. had a koni adj. suspension too. It was not as comfortable, loud and buzzy, but that was the "coolness old skool feeling" of it.
I also dont recommend buying it, if you dont have the money for it, they are quite a bit older, and were really prone to rusting out. But they are great cars too.