Lee's 82 e21 316 manual converted

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LeeLee
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My E21(s): E21 316 1981

Lee's 82 e21 316 manual converted

Post by LeeLee »

Hope this is a ok start to thread on the bm.
Had this e21 for a year or so now,
really love it but something always needs doing on it,
I got it from Kingston upon Thames,on my first test drive I remember being waved at by a couple in a blue e28 and just loved driving it,the old owner took this pic of me and the car afterhanding over the keys awkward haha
Image
After fixing loads of problems,and replacing little bits and pieces along the way I decided to force myself to buy coilovers and what better way to do this than to cut your springs :-/
Image
regretted it straight away it looked ok but was awful,ohwell you live and learn.
I wanted coilovers,but didn't fancy having my car off the road while stub axels were attached to some struts,so came across these,
Image

ordered the rears from gaz,

Image

one problem I came across was the front struts were made for the large hubs and bearings,
so I gave the fritz bitz boys a bell and had them delivered,
here's the results I raise it and lower it depending on how I feel and drive the joy of coilovers haha

Image

Image

Image

Image
Last edited by LeeLee on Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Jeroen
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My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by Jeroen »

Sweet! Thanks for sharing! Always something to be done about our oldies but still!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
p24kash
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My E21(s): 82 uk ex 320 auto now m50 manual
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by p24kash »

nice, loving the ride height
LeeLee
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Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:53 pm
My E21(s): E21 316 1981

Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Yeah tell me about it it's just a shame it's not starting at the moment :-/ ahh cheers mate little high as of the moment but it drives well nice
LeeLee
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Image couldn't resist adding this photo from last summer haha would like the e92 in a garage next to the e21
LeeLee
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Posts: 311
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My E21(s): E21 316 1981

Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Last year a set of pop outs came my way,
Always thought they were kind of cool on the larger engine models,
I'm not sure this is the best way to go about it if you have the og screws and everything would be better,but they work perfectly and have never had a leak or problem from them there very sturdy.
So I went about removing my old ones
Image to remove the windows at first seemed hard work I found a couple of screw drivers,metal hook and some small cut offs of hard board useful on the inside of the car,
Once you get to a point it just pops out,I put the new seal in which was easy enough to pushing it into the corners.
Image
So with one out had to fabricate some way of attaching them,
I had the screws for the pop out hinges but noting else,
Image
Gave these a little tap with a screw driver and hammer :-/

Image
Found the hooks behind there for bolts to hold the front side of the windows in place I rolled the pilar leather near the seat belt out the way to see
Image
,tightened up some bolts,they have to have quite shallow heads,or they won't fit and also can't be to long or they will obviously stick out,
Was a bit Fiddly but got them nice and tight.
At this point we moved on to the hinge,trouble was we couldn't fine where they went through the roof lining near the rear seat belts,so we had a feel around and made a slit,and realised the screws wouldn't attach because something was missing behind there,so decided to use a couple of wall plugs laying around in a friends garage,Image
Screwed these wide plugs in and tightened the screw in
Image put the plastic cover over the screws and gave it a try and must say I've bin pleased with the results they look great
Image
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Jeroen
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by Jeroen »

:thumbsup
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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e21-Mark
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by e21-Mark »

LeeLee wrote:I got it from Kingston upon Thames
->

Must be something about Kingston and e21's? :thumbsup I'm sure I recognise that reg' number? So where are you based?

Do I spy leatherette interior?
LeeLee
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

I'm in northampton mate ;) the advert is still online somewhere,is yours from round there then?
Yes I fitted the interior it's from a e30,
drivers seat has a few little arrears I'm looking at getting repaired.
but with the white paint work it really does look great,
and much more comfortable than the old seats haha,I also have a bmw italvolanti wheel I fitted,makes me feel like I'm in a group 5!! Kind of haha
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e21-Mark
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by e21-Mark »

LeeLee wrote:I'm in northampton mate ;) the advert is still online somewhere,is yours from round there then?
No, but I am and I used to have an e21. :)

Might be the ad that I recognise the reg' from? m3gaz used to have a white 320 auto, that was bought by a chap called Miles who lived near Kingston Uni.
LeeLee
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Miles rings a bell but not sure,ah ok I get you,the guy I got it from run some company that sells range rovers,he had loads of cars,and a mustang in primer on the drive,it's not as mint as he was selling it to be,but I love it
LeeLee
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Posts: 311
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:53 pm
My E21(s): E21 316 1981

Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Image still got these waiting to fit at some point can't wait!!
Image
Picture from behind the wheel
Another visit to the local bm parts desk
Image
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e21-Mark
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by e21-Mark »

LeeLee wrote:I got it from run some company that sells range rovers,he had loads of cars,and a mustang in primer on the drive,it's not as mint as he was selling it to be,but I love it
Doesn't ring any bells.

Are you planning to run twin 40's then? I've got a 316 Weber 32/34 & adaptor available.
LeeLee
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by LeeLee »

Yeah I am,I think that's what's already fitted tbh not sure I know the previous owner said it's got a weber fitted
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e21-Mark
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Re: Lee's 82 e21 316 auto

Post by e21-Mark »

Most likely is what it'll have. 40's sound better, but mpg is awful.
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