15x6 front 15x7 rear (more) (archive)

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I love the wheels! Got em years ago. Also, added Alpina Quick-ratio steering rack, LSD, and Euro 5 speed (from 82 323). BMW three spoke steering wheel and 320is Recaros. I never put the Bilstein Sport Susp. on the car. That's next (when we get back to SC!) My 77 Alpina has the lowered suspension and it really makes the look complete, not to mention handling!

I drove this Zyprus Green car for 2 years unrestricted in Germany/Italy. Ah, those were the days....

: replace my US picnic bumpers w/ the euro ones. Definitely want those wheels on my 323i too...can't tell if they're staggered 15x6 & 15x7 - but they look great !

: With less than 60k miles on my new/old 323, I look forward to reaching in the 200k mile mark like yours.

:
: : Brian,
: : I am a long-time 323 owner and would say that your apprehension about being able to work on the car yourself might be unfounded. When I purchased my 80 323i in Offenbach DE from a friend in 1987, I had only owned simple carbed cars (including several 02s). The initial difference I noted in the 323 and my 2002 was the refinement in 'creature comforts'. The wiper system was smooth and worked consistantly!, the fan/blower/air distribution defrost ability was improved 500%, windows rolled up and down smoothly with little effort, and even the guage lighting was so pleasing!
: : These were the things that really hit me right off the bat.
: : It was later that I could appreciate the reliability of the E21 (especially the electronic ignition and Bosch K tronic injection system. My 02 point system was in constant need of tending to. The 323 has literally NEVER had the distributor rotated once in the 13 years I've owned it. Put about 200K miles on it, and has never left me stranded. Most older Bimmers will boast the latter if you keep an eye on things, but the 323i appeals to most because of the obvious Euro purity. Bumpers, quickness, braking (4 wheel disc), etc.
: : I offer this to you as someone currently living in Europe, seeing and driving the Euro cars/with road rules completely opposite of the stateside police rule.
: : When I to choose a car for my 12 y/o son (in 4 years, it will be an E21 323i (the one he came home from the hospital in!). No worries, safe/reliable, and easy to understand and work on. And an older BMW that will defrost the windshield in seconds, not minutes!
: : Good luck with your decision!
: : Regards,
: : LT Chip Steele
: : 80 323i 250K miles, Alpina this and that.
: : 77 320 Alpina A4 #0060 Gelb 122K kms
: : 97 Volvo 855 T -7 passenger rocketship!: I've done some research about buying an '02, and along the way bumped into the gray market e21 323 site...

: : : I recently test drove one that is fully european with an '88 325i swap (owner asking $2300 w/ extra set of wheels, but will go lower). It still has the factory (mechanical) injection from the 323, but the tranny from the 325. Mechanically the car is in great shape (will nead some simple seal work on the motor in the next couple of years and new shocks/struts), but the paint is in bad shape with a little rust. Still, the body seems to be easily resorable since there are no dings or "dangerous" rust. The car is a rocket, drives like a dream, and has everything I could want in a daily driver. The problem, however, lies in the fact that I want to work on the car. This will be my first project car and I originally was going to get an '02, which seems to be much more easily wrenched on. Does anyone out there have experience with either/both and have any advice for me? I really like both cars, but keep going through the debate in my head over which car to get...it seems that the 323 is much more rare, but I wonder if I am capable of working on it in the capacity that it needs.

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