1981 BMW 323i

We always want what we can’t have and so it goes in the automotive realm. So many great foreign cars have been forbidden to US customers over the years that you could write a book. Last week we featured a tastefully modified 1981 BMW 323i and now hot on its heels comes another 1981 323i, one which was treated to an impressive restoration. For sale in Wisconsin, I could spend all day pouring over the details on this one, from the headlamp wipers to the houndstooth fabric. This is one well executed refurbishment.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1981 BMW 323i on eBay

Year: 1981
Model: 323i
Engine: 2.3 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 5,900 mi
Price: $24,600 Buy It Now

1981 323i Euro in Brilliantrot.

History:
According to Andreas Hartz, BMW Archives, this BMW 323i VIN 7264076 was manufactured on July 3rd, 1981 and delivered the same day to the German BMW dealer Glöckler in Frankfurt/Main. The original colour was Graphit metallic, paint code 087 and had an automatic transmission (copy of email correspondence available). The car was then registered in September of 1987 (title photocopy available) to Margaret Vandever of Tulsa, Oklahoma, wife of William Vandever, owner of Vandever’s Department Store. At some point the car became a non-runner. It was found and acquired sometime in the mid 90’s by a BMW technician with a strong affinity for E21’s. A long history of receipts (included with purchase) for parts and service follows a trail of about 10 years with over $12,000 dollars invested in parts alone. He somewhat unwittingly backed into a fabulous nut and bolt restoration of this Euro 323i. The car was posted for sale in the BMWCCA’s Roundel in late 2010. It was purchased by a well known BMW enthusiast in North Carolina, Scott B., in 2011 and I acquired it from him November of 2012. The odometer was zeroed following the restoration and when I purchased it had 2,043 miles. It now shows 9,557 km, or almost 6,000 miles. All fluids were replaced at that time. The timing belt, idler and spark plugs were replaced at 4,458 kms (photographic documentation). This car needs nothing.

Description:
The restoration included an all new M20 ‘stroker’ 1988 Super Eta with full “i” upgrades, including 885 head, cams, springs, intake, fuel system, electronics (Motronic 1.1) and +.50 Maxsil pistons. The transmission was a completely refurbished close ratio, dogleg Getrag 5 speed. The differential is an LSD 3.91 rebuilt by Aardvark in 2011. An open 3.45 differential is included with the car. All new suspension with Bilstein shocks. All new fuel system including tanks, pumps, hard lines, hoses, injectors and pressure regulator. All new brakes – rotors, pads, calipers, hoses, hard lines and master cylinder. New clutch including hose and cylinders. Ceramic coated Hartge headers and down pipes with all new exhaust. All new weather strips and seals. Complete new R134 A/C system which blows very cold. The body is razor straight with two stage Brilliantrot, show-quality paint that is blemish free, except for some very small stone chips on the leading edge of the hood as seen in the photos. The front spoiler/lip was painted black with Plasti Dip spray and could be easily reversed (peeled off). This material has the correct sheen and texture for this area of the car. Although black is correct for that front section and the side rockers, I like the red look on the sides of the car so I’ve not touched that.

The interior was upgraded by the previous owner who installed Scheel seats upholstered in an attractive red/black houndstooth fabric. The seats show no wear. He also installed the super nice E21 sport steering wheel with blue/red stitching and the refurbished BBS Mahle 15″ wheels with the Yokohamas, which are nearly new. The gray carpet appears to be original to the car and in good condition but the driver’s side does show some wear staining. They are covered by red/black Coco Mats.

Last year I installed a completely functional OEM headlamp wipe-wash system as Euro cars might have had back in its day. See it at work on the video, linked below.

The attention to detail in the execution of this car is very high. The stereo is a correct Blaupunkt CR-2010 stereo cassette which works well with period correct Sansui (remember them…?) rear speakers and front kick panel OEM speakers. The fuse box cover is the correct one with the German language markings. A complete set of documentation is included as seen in the photos: German owner’s manual, European service book (not original to the car), European map/dealership finder, European dealership listing as well as an English language manual so you can actually use it if you speak no German. An Osram Copilot cockpit lamp is included and the BMW glovebox flashlight is present and still works and holds a charge. The headlamps are 1-1/2 years old correct European H1 for both the high and low beam units. The city light feature works as it should, including when you set the turn signal stalk to L or R, with the ignition off. The Hella front fog lamps are period correct and mounted with the correct OEM hardware for a Euro E21. The rear foglamps work. The German plates are the correct pre-EU DIN plates with correct state sticker for the German state of Hesse where Frankfurt is located and the car was originally delivered. The battery has been relocated to the trunk and the enclosure done very well and to OEM standards. The spare tire is present and is an Alpina style wheel painted black (as the restorer had a set of those installed on the car) as well as the OEM jack and complete toolkit.

On the downside, the dash has the typical E21 cracks, as seen in the pictures. I meant to have Just Dashes repair it but the cracks are not all that visible from the driver’s seat so they haven’t bothered me that much, especially since the rest of the car is so, so sweet.

The car drives and feels like new. This is a powerful car and the low end torque is wonderful. The exhaust sound is just right and loud enough without being obnoxious on long trips. The suspension is tight yet compliant and not harsh at all. The gearbox shifts perfectly but you do have to let it warm up for best results and you can’t rush the 1-2nd shift, you have to let the synchros work. You can see however that my shifting on the video isn’t slow by any means. The fuel tank(s) is only around 15 gallons so combined with the larger engine and the 1:1 5th gear, your bladder won’t outpace the car’s range on long trips. The prior owner told me that if you parked on an incline with the tanks full you would get a leak. I haven’t had this happen but it may be because I never parked on a steep enough incline.

The car is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

The aforementioned 1981 BMW 323i from last week sold for $5,700. That car was a vastly different machine, a preserved driver with 200k miles. Have E21 prices reached this high? Certainly, a lot of care went into this restoration. If it were my choice, I’d pick this E21 over an E30 any day of the week. You just don’t see them this nice anymore and the non-US market engine is an added bonus in terms of rarity. If any E21 was going to fetch the big bucks, it would probably be one like this, but I have a feeling it will fall a bit short of the ask.

-Paul