Vintage BMWs are FUN! And you can STEAL THEM!! Like a PERFECT 3.0CS or V12 (850Ci)

[uai]

No the driver is an original unrestored, the passenger is reupholstered with NOS BMW blue vinyl and the BMW Corduroy from the one before the current batch of BMW Repop material.
I haven't advertised on the US e9 forum. I think I'll just make a batch from the material I have and put them online when they're done.

[Rick Cabell]

Just took my E21 ROW 323i out to take pictures for insurance. Nothing like the song of a early BMW 6 at ful till.
Ordered it new.

[merbesfield]

Just took my E21 ROW 323i out to take pictures for insurance. Nothing like the song of a early BMW 6 at ful till.
Ordered it new.

Rick, how would compare driving the BMW vs an Early Porsche? I have been thinking about getting one of these cars, maybe a convertible, as they seem like a good value at the moment.

[Rick Cabell]

2 completely different animals. That's why many of us have both. If you are talking pre 74 911's, then I can say the BMW is a much smoother and comfortable car to drive. Very strong fuel mileage and reliable. Engine never die. I ordered the sport suspension so it handles very well also.
The 911 is more of a raw car. My 323 is a 82 so comparing it to a 911 SC is a more fair comparison. You have to drive one and decide, What I like someone else could hate. Built quality is top notch. I am not so much a BMW fan after the E21.

[Jim Garfield]

I just had my '87 E30 325iS out for a drive this morning, and was reminded what a great car it is. Rick, I actually wrote BMW off when they came out with the 320. I thought it was an overweight gutless car - I was still driving my '72 2002 at the time. Your 323 with the 6 is a different animal I'm sure, the 6 in my 325 is a joy to wind out.

I've had a chance to drive with a group of RG friends in the NH and VT mountains with the 325. We frequently drive together, and I usually would be in the 911. I had the 911 trans out for a rebuild, and was curious how the 325 would fare chasing this group. Surprisingly it acquitted itself well, and I had no problem keeping up to the quick pace. The only drawback was straight line acceleration where the group could leave me in the dust. I should add that all of the cars I was with had hot rodded engines, or 3.6 transplants, so not a fair shootout. With an early stock engined 911, the E30 would be quicker I'm sure. In the twisties the E30 is a joy to drive, and has similar trailing throttle oversteer characteristics as a 911. As Rick mentioned the BMW is much smoother and more comfortable than a 911, but still has a lot of that same through the steering wheel road feel of a 911.

They are both great cars and I feel fortunate when I'm driving either one.

[767driver]

Just took my E21 ROW 323i out to take pictures for insurance. Nothing like the song of a early BMW 6 at ful till.
Ordered it new.

That is a very cool BMW!!

[merbesfield]

Nice review guys. Thanks, Mark

PS I think I would enjoy a bit more civility and comfort over the Porsche’s. Not that I would consider replacing them. Just something different.

[Jim Garfield]

That is a very cool BMW!!

It is, and it's too bad that BMW never brought them into the US. I'm sure they could have sold a bunch to drivers who were unimpressed with the 320. Those Euro bumpers on Rick's 323 make a huge difference in the look of the car too.

[Rick Cabell]

Jim,
Compared to your e30, a big thing is weight. Bumpers, other DOT stuff,ect. Also, K-basic injection. No cat, ecu,lamda,O2 sensor,ect.. I had a 320i when they came out in 77. I felt the same, heavy, not much power, drum brakes in the rear. 4 cylinder. As with many cars, the ROW gets the good stuff.

[Jim Garfield]

Right you are Rick, I think the stock 325iS is around 300 lbs heavier than your 323i, but it does have about 20 more hp. And I believe the 0-60 times are about the same. But there is nothing like light weight to make a car handle better. I've taken off the cat and pre-muffler and put in a lighter battery in the trunk where they moved it on the iS and that's helped a little with weight and distribution . Does the 323i have the same trunk battery location?

I've been looking for a pair of Euro bumpers for mine to clean up the look a bit - if you ever stumble onto a set.