Imported 1990 316i

[EVLE30]

As I'm hunting for my first E30, I came across this:

http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-rare1990-BMW-3-Series-316i-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ490667761

It caught my attention because it's a 316i. I've never heard of that before. A little bit of research and I discovered that this model was never available in North America, and this car was imported into Canada by a BMW enthusiast. I like the sounds of the car.... mainly it's light curb weight of around 2,370 lb. Yeah, it's a weakling with about 100 BHP, but I think that light weight would have a lot of potential after an engine swap.... assuming that's possible?

What are people's thoughts on an imported 316i?

[Emre]

It caught my attention because it's a 316i. I've never heard of that before.

Consider yourself lucky.

A little bit of research and I discovered that this model was never available in North America...

For good reason.

...and this car was imported into Canada by a BMW enthusiast.

Couldn't have been that big of an enthusiast.

what are people's thoughts on an imported 316i?

Avoid.

[serdar255]

Consider yourself lucky.

For good reason.

Couldn't have been that big of an enthusiast.

Avoid.

lol

[nando]

M40b16. Its like the worst m20 combined with an anemic 4 cylinder. Sohc with a timing belt.

Do not want.

[lolcantturn]

M40b16. Its like the worst m20 combined with an anemic 4 cylinder. Sohc with a timing belt.

Do not want.

A timing belt?!?!?!?


:hitler::hitler:

[Threehz]

Depends on what you want to do with it.

[EVLE30]

Depends on what you want to do with it.

I'm interested in it because of the very low curb weight. I'm assuming that it being an E30 chassis, it would be possible to do an engine swap.

Light weight + decent power = lots of fun

Initially, I'd be looking for just a light, nimble car to use as a fun daily driver. And then at some point, I would consider using it's E30 chassis goodness as a starting point for building an auto-cross / track car.

[TobyB]

It's light under the hood...

t

[Garageaholic]

My E30 will soon have more than 3 times the displacement of that E30.

[AndrewBird]

The only reason it it's light is because of the smaller engine. Once you engine swap it, it will be the same weight as any other swapped e30.

[EVLE30]

It's light under the hood...

The only reason it it's light is because of the smaller engine. Once you engine swap it, it will be the same weight as any other swapped e30.

Ahhhhh.... I see. Thank you. I didn't think of that. So it really is the same chassis as all the others, with all the weight savings coming from the tiny engine.

Well, that changes my opinion of the car as a light-weight option.

[EVLE30]

To further expand on the question of "what do I plan to do with the car"..... as far as an engine swap leading to a "just as heavy" car as any other E30, I guess what's attracting me to this car is the overall condition of it. I got tons of photos from the seller (above and beyond what's in the ad that I linked to in my first post, the car is about 400 miles away from me) and the car appears to be in excellent condition, both inside and out, with no rust. So I guess what I'm really considering for this car is using the shell as a host for a build project in the long-term, and just a fun little car in the short-term.

In light of that, and if I can bargain down the seller to the right price, can anyone see a problem with looking at this car as a starting point for a build project?

[slammin.e28]

It is a genuine, unmolested, Euro, oddball e30.

Buy an M20 car to swap it. Those things are garbage.

;);):p

[MrBurgundy]

If you're going to do an engine swap, what's the point?

[carbeater]

If you're going to do an engine swap, what's the point?

euro goodness