Imported 1990 316i

[M-technik-3]

The car with least options no thanks. Does it even have rear disc brakes?

[Herr Faust Schinken]

its a late model euro car its not worth it, theres almost no deference between the body of that car and US late models

[EVLE30]

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

The point is that I'd be looking at a rust-free body for little money. And by little, I mean little money for the market in which I live.

The car with least options no thanks. Does it even have rear disc brakes?

I'm not sure about disc brakes. Front I'm assuming yes. Rear, I don't know. As for options, I don't care. I'm looking for a fun car, something to build up and use for auto-x and tracks days, so the fewer options the better, if you ask me.

its a late model euro car its not worth it, theres almost no deference between the body of that car and US late models

But that's the point. It's the same body, right? So from the perspective of getting a clean body for a small price, and considering the engine as pretty much disposable, am I heading in the wrong direction on this one?

[EVLE30]

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

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

;);):p

Wait.... are you saying to buy an M20 car to so I can out the engine in the 316 body? Or are you saying to buy an M20 car and swap the M20 car engine with another one and forget the 316 altogether? And which things are "garbage"..... the 316 as a whole? Or just the 316's engine (which I would swap out anyways.

I'm sooooo confused! lol

[M-technik-3]

Well its not going to have a LSD nor bigger e30 half shafts so you most likely will be adding them. No sports seats nor an oil cooler or decent sway bars. Its a stripper and I would check the engine well since the can tends to run dry requiring a rebuilding of the cylinder head.

[EVLE30]

Well its not going to have a LSD nor bigger e30 half shafts so you most likely will be adding them. No sports seats nor an oil cooler or decent sway bars. Its a stripper and I would check the engine well since the can tends to run dry requiring a rebuilding of the cylinder head.

Well, exactly. It's a stripper. I'd be buying the shell, more than anything else. As far as non-sporty parts, heck, I think it's even better that way. At least then I'm tossing "useless" parts when I build the car, as opposed to replacing "decent" parts with aftermarket stuff.

[Fusion]

And it'll probably have the 45mm (thinner) shock struts up front.
I say it has rear drum brakes, as most here do.

[phenobarb1]

I think what everyone is trying to suggest, is that doing a swap in this 316i would probably be significantly more expensive in the long run than doing it in an m20 equipped car. I know that you've been having a hard time finding a decent e30 up in Calgary, but if all you want is a decent chassis for a swap, then having one shipped from the southwest wouldn't be a bad deal. Since you don't care about the engine, you just need to have somebody inspect the body for rust or damage, and then ship it up to Canada. A decent rolling chassis should be cheap.

[flyboyx]

well, i say buy it. you know what you are getting yourself into. if it is as nice as you/the seller says it is it is worth it i guess. finding a nice rust free body in cunukland isn't easy to do. go buy a rusty loaded parts car and swap over cruise control, seats, diff, axles power windows, steering, a/c.......

that will be the cheapest way.

[Raxe]

I'd stay away if I were you, could lead to all kinds of headaches with parts availability and compatibility.

[EVLE30]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I actually just made an offer on a good condition 1987 325is right here in Calgary. Pending an inspection (I need one for my insurance company in order to insure any car that's over 15 years old), this car should be mine!

[Stanley Rockafella]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I actually just made an offer on a good condition 1987 325is right here in Calgary. Pending an inspection (I need one for my insurance company in order to insure any car that's over 15 years old), this car should be mine!

Congrats!

I actually was looking at a VERY nice white 87 325is when I lived in Calgary a few years back (all stock too, except for the wheels). I recall first seeing it several times downtown. When it went up for sale, I inspected it but decided against it as I don't like old leather interiors and I'm not a fan of having two garage queens on my hands. I think the interior was red if I'm not mistaken. But very nice for being over 20 years old at the time.

In regards to the insurance inspection, you can easily find a "mechanic" who will do that inspection for 20 bucks. I recall getting a 93 Corolla inspected at one of these guys, he didn't even look under the car, nor take the wheels off. I didn't care, as the car was a steal for what I paid for it.

good luck!

[george graves]

316i? I hear you have to turn your headlights off when you are going up a hill. too much of a drain on the motor. ;)

[Stanley Rockafella]

I like the mis-matched headlights...nice touch, esp. for 3 g's and over 220k miles!

[EVLE30]

Congrats!

I actually was looking at a VERY nice white 87 325is when I lived in Calgary a few years back (all stock too, except for the wheels). I recall first seeing it several times downtown. When it went up for sale, I inspected it but decided against it as I don't like old leather interiors and I'm not a fan of having two garage queens on my hands. I think the interior was red if I'm not mistaken. But very nice for being over 20 years old at the time.

In regards to the insurance inspection, you can easily find a "mechanic" who will do that inspection for 20 bucks. I recall getting a 93 Corolla inspected at one of these guys, he didn't even look under the car, nor take the wheels off. I didn't care, as the car was a steal for what I paid for it.

good luck!

Thanks!

Hmmmm.... that sounds familiar. The car I'm looking at is pretty close to stock (some minor cosmetic mods), white '87 325is, with red leather interior (Recaro front seats are worn, but the rest is good)..... maybe a coincidence? Maybe the same car?
This is it:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1987-BMW-3-Series-325iS-Coupe-W0QQAdIdZ490688551

(and no, I'm not paying $5,000 for it)

As for the inspection, yeah, I thought about going that route with a "mechanic" looking at it. But for the cost of an actual inspection at around $120, I figure that's not bad to at least get a better idea of any issues with the car.