Re: buying a friend's 320i (archive)

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1) Rust - check lower door sill, shock towers, trunk shock towers, bttom undercarriage, lower valence, under rear tail lights, trunk lip, etc...
2) Electricals - check lights, instruments, AC accessories, heater, idiot lights, wipers, elec mirrors, etc...
3) Accidents - check, check, check. Use CarFax.com to verify as well.

Everything else can be easily repaired or maintained outside of these three things. Otherwise choose wisely.

The '81 model, has the 1.8L motor vs. 2.0L found on earlier 80' and back models. However, 5sp transmission and high ratio differentials offered on the '81 and newer offset the smaller motor's torque output to make the car a decent performer. Better fuel mileage goes to the '81 and later models. The '81 uses the K-jetronic fuel injector system with Lambda probe whereas the earlier may have the K-jet but w/out Lambda (I could be wrong on this...). By far, the greatest advantage to K jet injection is the relatively straightforwardness of the fuel mixture and idle adjustments, thus providing as a big plus on these cars easy tuning & cheap maintenance . Also, I believe the '81& later has electronic ignition, requiring almost no maintenance.

In selecting a car dated in the early '80's there comes with it a certain amount of commitment and cost in keeping it up, replacing parts and rubbers that are worn/broken, and wresting with parts that are seldom available at your local auto parts store. But that's the case with all early '80's makes, not just BMW.

TO this day, I still have fond memories of my 1st 320i, a new '79 4speed/AC/Sunroof/Alloys/leatherette/olive green paint/foglights, my brother sold to me w/ 8k miles in '84. Didn't take long for me to experience the famous throttle trailing oversteer that eventually led to its replacement several months later. In my situation, I was speeding out of an Interstate highway and exiting off / onto a 270 degree downhill ramp. As soon as I saw the curve getting tighter I let off the gas. "OOOHHHH SSHH****", I yelled because the rear wheels slid out from underneath my control and I fishtailed off the ramp, slid the car over the curb and spun a 360 down the sloping greenscape. Three wheels folded under the undercarriage with the lower side valence crumpled up from the slide, and twisted the driver's door shut. So if I have to put down as a negative, it would be this condition that a new BMW owner needs to watch out for.

: Hello all! This is my first time to post here. I'd like to seek advice and comments on the 320i '81 model, US version, 5-speed manual. I appreciate any story regarding the said model so I could make a good decision (this would be my first bimmer if I like it).

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