Gerwin: 1980 323i

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Thegs
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Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Thegs »

As we are introducing cars (projects) over here I will share my latest as well. As some of you may know it all started with an 1978 320/6 as my first car, but it sadly got worse over time. I still own it at the moment, but I'm sorting it for parts.
In the mean time I owned a 1978 733i (also know as the Banana), some non-BMW cars, but at this moment still a 1985 735i and a 1995 740i. But more important I bought a nice 323i almost 2 years ago. This is how a bought is some time ago.

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As said it is a 1980 323i, with some nice options. I bought it with a 5-speed gearbox, LSD, pop-out windows, Recaro seats, lowered spring with red Koni shocks and rear BBS trim. It was restored like 15 years ago and painted Henna red at that time (it was Olive green before).
To get it running I bought it on Wednesday and left to the Eiffel (Germany) on Friday with the guys from this forum. It ran like crazy and I found only a few point to make it even better.

First update was to replace that horrible home-made and leaking rear mufflers. I bought some brand new ones on Ebay and was still searching for the chrome tailpipes.

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Then all of a sudden the fuel pump died and I stranded with the car. Nothing to worry about with a 33 year old car, but when I removed the complete assembly I understood it needed replacing :bag

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In the mean time I was busy replacing the engine of a E34 520 for a friend of mine. That meant not much work was done in wintertime. But it was still time to remove the LSD from my car to get it refurbished. After removing I mounted a standard 323i diff, so driving in the summer season was still possible. To be honest the LSD is still in the garage and I will send it out soon.

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The important info to look for on a LSD :mrgreen:

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Again I got distracted by buying a E38 740i with needed some attention. That car is still my daily and I enjoy it very much, but wintertime was over again and I wanted to get the 323i ready for this season. Since I bought it I never found time to give it a thorough clean, so I did it before last weeks first drive. Got it all washed up and used clay to remove dirt and some imperfections.

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Later that week it got to work with polish and wax to make it even more perfect. I used all compound and pads from Monello, developed by a Dutch company which sells products for polishing but also works on exclusive cars themselves. To make clear I made some 50/50 photos to see the difference between the unpolished parts and the polished.

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After a week of hard work this is the result, I'm very happy with the car and look forward to the upcoming season.

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Upcoming projects are upgrading the suspension to poly bushes, fitting a rear spoiler and drive it a lot :mrgreen: . Hope to meet you guys at this years Sharknose Meeting!


Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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uwbuurman
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My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by uwbuurman »

Nice to see your beautiful Red here, Gerwin! Polished superb!
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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Thegs
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My E21(s): '78 320/6 4-sp
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Thegs »

Been busy with a lot of thing lately (work, Sharknose Meeting, Spa Classic and lots more), but found time to do a small drive with Jan and make some pictures of my car.

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This is kind of a expiriment of joining two pictures (one capturing the building and one for the car).
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Couple together with Jan's car.
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Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Duracel79
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Duracel79 »

Nice pics :takepicture
1982 323i (S54 "Test Mule" - to be rebuilt into M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - The refined S54 Race car)
1982 635csiA (New project)
1985 728iA (For Sale)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
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Jeroen
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My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Jeroen »

+1, nice work mate! And a nice car of course!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
1rdmanahan1
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by 1rdmanahan1 »

It's looking really good! If you ever care to sell the lower rear BBS trim, let me know. I'm willing to pay a premium for them.

Kindest regards,
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Thegs
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My E21(s): '78 320/6 4-sp
'80 323i 5-sp
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Thegs »

Took it for a spin on the Ring last weekend. There where a lot of photographers present so thought I share the shots with you guys.

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Regards, Gerwin

1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2008 BMW E91 320dA in Monacoblau
2009 BMW E60 523iA in Sapphireschwarz
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Jeroen
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My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Jeroen »

:thumbsup
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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uwbuurman
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My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
Location: Ljouwert

Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by uwbuurman »

Nice mate!!
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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323baur
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by 323baur »

Cool car!
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you.
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Peter V.
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by Peter V. »

:thumbsup
Gr Peter V.

.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.

BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
BMW E85, 2004 Z4 2.5i Sterling Grau.
BMW F31, 2017 320dA EDE Luxuryline Mineral Grau.
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gerrit323
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by gerrit323 »

Mooi Man :thumbsup
1992 Mazda mx5
1994 e36 m3
2015 Renault Mégane RS 275 trophy
2019 Abarth esseesse
2020 caterham 310R
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cobbler2u
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My E21(s): 323i baur
323i special
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Re: Gerwin: 1980 323i

Post by cobbler2u »

nice looking car you have there :thumbsup
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