e21 BMW 316

[e21mark]

Hi Neek! I figured it was about time I put a thread up here.

Today we modified the wiper linkage, to increase the amount of sweep and allow us to run a single wiper. I know single wipers aren't for everyone but I really like the way they look. I also like the fact they're not too common. We've also been welding up any holes left from deleting trim, like the black plastic panel between the rear lights. Fortunately the only repairs that were needed, was a hole in the front screen scuttle and the offside rear window.



Still, not bad for 32 years I suppose.

[e21mark]

Decided to have the centre section of the wheels done in anthracite. I also need to find some new centre caps, as the ones I have are a little too shallow to clear. I've been looking around for some show rims but want something a little different to the usual basket weave design like BBS. They're lovely wheels but just a little too popular. I used to have some 15'' Panasport split rims but I made the mistake of selling them. I may try and track another set down and build them up with wider lips. I don't think I can go much wider than 9J on the rear though?





I've had to buy a set of fake Engelmann mirrors, so that I could raid them for their mounting kit. Fortunately they're the same as the originals, although the mirrors themselves are pretty poor. The plastic they use isn't great quality but worse than that, the mirror glass itself isn't angled, so you can't actually use them for the reason they exist! Also, if the glass breaks you have to junk the whole mirror, whereas the originals break down into parts and new glass is available.



The Recaro's I'm fitting were originally in a VW I believe, so are a little wider than regular e21 items. The runners aren't even close though, so I'm going to remove the stock seat mounts from the e21 and fit them as low as possible. I've tried a few different seats in e21 over the years and they always seem to sit too high. Being just over 6' 2'' I want as much headroom as I can get. The seats themselves are in awesome condition and were an absolute steal at £200!





I'm still unsure about fitting the Ronal front spoiler, as the car will be running quite low and being static and living in a street with loads of speed bumps, it's not exactly fun. I've managed to get a 320is front lip from a guy in Seattle though, so once it lands I hope it'll be an ideal compromise. I do like the Ronal though. In fact, I have a few for sale.

6 weeks today, I hope to be flying out to collect the M3.

[e21mark]

The e12 arrived today. I've got some 7x14 dished rims ro refurb' and some -60mm springs and Bilsteins. First a good detailing is in order.

[Greg|H]

This thread is awesome! Its rare you come across all these older bmw's in the uk, especially 2002's! the things I would do to drive an '02 on a daily basis.. I've only ever seen 1 before in the fresh/metal. I like where the e21 is going. I wasn't sold on the rota's at first, but they've grown on me for sure.

Staying tuned for updates

[e21mark]

I wasn't sold on the rota's at first, but they've grown on me for sure.

A few people have said the same, although I really got them initially, because they were just different to the usual basket weave rims that most e21 seem to have. The problem is there just aren't that many rims to choose from, that work with the e21 offset. I wanted as much dish as I could get under stock arches too.

I did put this together but I need to sort the right width rims to fill the Group 2 arch kit properly.







Nearly finished working the rear arches and hope to paint the car next week. I'm properly excited at the prospect of finally seeing the whole car in Laguna Seca blue after over 18 months of work so far.



320is front lip arrived from Arizona today. We didn't get this front lip in Europe so it'll be an unusual sight on a UK e21. I just need to use some heat and fix the warp.

[Press22]

So you're building both the E21 and E12 now? I like that E21 in white.
Send some of those E12 Mirrors my way if you ever come across spares.

[e21mark]

So you're building both the E21 and E12 now? I like that E21 in white.
Send some of those E12 Mirrors my way if you ever come across spares.

I'd love to, but I promised SWMBO that I would stick to my e21 and e30 M3. I'm just going to smoke around in the e12 for a couple of months and give the 02 a break, then sell. If you really want mirrors, let me know exactly what you want and your budget, then I'll see what I can find for you? You can find me on FaceBook if easier? jackyardbackoff@facebook.com

[Pseudonyms]

This thread makes me very happy.

Love it. Keep up the good work man!

[Nuts]

Damn, bud you some nice German metal....:-) Love the colour!

[montgomery]

Amazing build thread.

[drosas]

I like e21s.
So I like this.
Very much

[C-Hutch]

well then! this is looking quite amazing so far.

[jackjamesw910i]

Followed you on RR for a while now. When your e21 caught fire I thought you were out of the game but things took a new level of awesome. Please keep one thread for all your cars

[e21mark]

Followed you on RR for a while now. When your e21 caught fire I thought you were out of the game but things took a new level of awesome. Please keep one thread for all your cars

Shall do.

320is front lip arrived. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a warp in the bottom edge.



20 minutes with a hot air gun and it went back to the original shape. It'll get a bit more working once it's fitted. I still haven't decided between this or the Ronal spoiler though?



Deleted one wiper hole and screen surround repairs are finished.







Deleted the rear trip and welded up the holes. Going to go and do the prep work myself next week and it should finally be painted next Saturday.



Nice early tii turned up for restoration.

[e21mark]

Dropped down and picked up a blue top tint screen from today. Really nice condition and no chips anywhere.



Also snagged some ''as new'' headlights. The old ones are OK but didn't want to bolt corroded parts to the freshly painted shell.