Nigels E21 M50 (now S50B30) project

nige21 · Post by **nige21** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:08 pm

Finally found some time to upload some pics of my 323! It is still in progress, only a few small things left do do.

82 323i

This is how i bought it, very original, one owner with 155000km on it.

Being such an original example i was reluctant to mod it.

but...

I couldnt resist when these wheels were offered to me (ok i begged for them!) The wheels also came with shocks/springs (konis adj in the rear)

nige21 · Post by **nige21** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:30 pm

Ok so i enjoyed that for a while, but those 6 inch wide wheels didnt really fill the guards. Really liked these wheels so i got them widened.

First pic is a before and after shot
Had them widened from 15x6 to 15x8 at the back and 15x7 at the front.

This is how the car currently sits, it still requires a front bumper, although im taking my time sourcing a new one as i think it looks fairly good without one! The black also needs to be painted, but again im enjoying how it looks at the moment.

Im currently building some coilovers for it too which will get the front a little lower. Rolling diameter on the front wheels is actually smaller than the 13's as i have 195/45/15 tyres on it, so tyre to guard clearance looks quite bad

I should also add, all mods are reversible, so if i do want to put it back to standard i can.

nige21 · Post by **nige21** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:43 pm

If anyone does know what brand the wheels are please let me know! They look like ronals? But i havent seemed to find these exact ones anywhere else.

The 323 is my daily driver at the moment so im very reluctant to touch the engine. I have blocked off the EGR, and a free flowing air filter on it and im getting good economy so im leaving it as is for a little while at least. A 327 is so tempting though.

Im also amazed at how well the original paint has held up. It has never been resprayed, apart from the front panel after an incident with a camry driver, typical! It was also garaged for its life so no rust either.

For what its worth hers some pic of my 318i from a few years ago. Yes, the springs are cut! Friends with too many beetle/lowrider owners i think!

rob0r · Post by **rob0r** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:22 pm

Stunning cars!! They are fantastic! Love the stance of the white one, I've been known to chop a spring or two, not to that extent though

!

I really dig those rims on the 323i too. Seeing these photos really makes me wish mine was on the road

ole · Post by **ole** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:34 am

Your 323i looks amazing! love those wheels

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:23 pm

Awesome rims... remind me of M1 rims. What are they?? My guess would be Ronal to.

rob0r · Post by **rob0r** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:45 pm

Out of interest, do you remember how many coils were removed on the white one?

Cheers

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:20 pm

I was just going to ask the same thing..... Does look nice that slammed! I have finally found a salloon with tax and test which I hope will be mine this weekend! If it is the grinders coming out!!

nige21 · Post by **nige21** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:13 am

Thanks for the nice comments. Retrobeemer, the wheels do look very much like M1 replicas, although im not sure what brand the are exactly, theres nothing stamped on the back either!

In reference to how many coils were removed, answer, too many! I think it was 4 at the rear and 1.5 at the front. The rear springs were only barely captive in the strut when the car was on the on stands, the fronts were fully captive though. I had them like this for over 18months without a problem, but do this at your own risk!

nige21 · Post by **nige21** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:14 pm

Its been ages so time for an update. Made up some coilovers for the front using an escort coilover kit to suit 51mm OD struts (323i struts). Car is fairly low now, destroyed one sump already, and it really wasnt a fun job changing the sump with the engine still in the car! Latest task is building a fairly standard m20b25 with motronic. Staying 2.5 for now, but it will be a full build with new rings and bearings. The head will be mostly new too (rockers/cam), lets see how quiet the tappets will be...?

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:43 pm

Lovely alloys. Whole car is awesome looking.

ac/dennis · Post by **ac/dennis** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:49 pm

Sweet

The lowering and the rubber, make the rimms really look good m8!
\Love your car, its in excellent condition.

r1nod · Post by **r1nod** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:26 am

lovly car wa would u pay for a good rust free e21 in aus

DrGonzoPOW · Post by **DrGonzoPOW** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:13 am

Awsome motors mate, love those alloys

BlownBMW · Post by **BlownBMW** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:02 am

looks gorgeous man, love it, very well done