Test BMW 3 Series E21 – why it doesn’t necessarily have to be a 323i

The BMW 3-series E21 shown here, a 320/6 in Reseda green, is practically in new condition and has covered only 34,000 kilometers on its beautiful BBS wheels in almost 45 years. What should something like this cost? For such a car, €17,500 is the minimum amount you have to pay. In general, the 320/6 with its wonderful carbureted six-in-line is quite affordable, with E21 fans it is known as a real Secret tip. Or rather: it still is, because good specimens can still be found, but they are slowly becoming as rare as four-leaf clovers. The 320/6 is especially interesting because it is a bit more modest than the 323i, which is twice as expensive.

From 1977 you could also get the BMW 3 series with a six-cylinder. Before that you had a 320 (109 hp) or a 320i (125 hp) four-cylinder as top versions, both made way for the 320/6 and the 323i respectively.

Brand new 6-in-line for 3 series in 1977

Although both versions have the then brand new M60 six-in-line engine (later renamed M20), the engine in the 320/6 is equipped with a double Solex carburettor, while the 323i and Bosch have K-Jetronic for the injection. cares. With a bore/stroke ratio of 80 x 76.8, the injection variant also has a longer stroke, with the 320/6 this ratio is 80 x 66 millimeters. And with an output of 143 hp, the 323i still delivers 21 hp more to the seven-bearing crankshaft that is driven by a toothed belt. The sound coming out of the 323i’s two exhaust pipes is also a bit rawer and more uninhibited than that of the 320/6, which has to make do with a single pipe. The 323i is more a car for rugby players than polo players.

E21 first only with four cylinders

When the expensive E21 is introduced to the world in 1975, it looks like Jaws in a tank of innocent goldfish to its competitors. Until 1977, only the four-cylinder versions 316, 318, 320 and 320i were available with a chain-driven camshaft with five bearings. Nevertheless, the compact BMW does not lack power: the 125 hp top model 320i makes competitors such as the Ford Taunus and Opel Ascona blush. Arch rival Mercedes also has little to offer against it at that time. At that moment, the chubby one stands ‘Strich-Eight’ still in the showroom at the brand with the star, the new W123 does not appear until 1976. And we even have to wait until 1982 for the more comparable Baby-Benz, the 190.

The 6J x 13-inch BBS wheels were once available as an accessory from the BMW dealer. From the factory, 5.5 J x 13-inch wheels could be ordered that resembled these honeycomb wheels like two drops of water.

BMW 3-series E21 has a modern chassis for that time

The BMW E21 also deals a sledgehammer blow to its competitors with its chassis technology. The modern McPherson front axle in combination with a trailing arm rear axle is a novelty in a segment in which a rigid rear axle is still very common. In addition, the BMW technicians have found exactly the right adjustment. You can drive nice and sporty with an E21, but the occupants do not have to pay for that dynamic with lousy suspension comfort. You feel that the E21 sends in a little less directly than its predecessor 02 or its successor, the E30. However, that fits the friendly character of this car. Even at idle, the six-cylinder sounds like Frank Sinatra after a few Camels – without a filter, of course.

Bought new by a German lady of 52

We don’t know what music the German first owner of the Blaupunkt ‘Frankfurt’, dating from 1925, played, but it is clear that she handled her 3-series with care. In October 1978 she picked up her new acquisition at the BMW dealer. All booklets are present, including the maintenance booklet with only a few stamps in it. After all, this E21 has not needed many services given its virgin mileage. The lady, dating from 1925, opted for the optional three-speed automatic transmission with torque converter instead of the standard four-speed manual transmission. Although the automatic transmission provides a lot of comfort and quickly switches to third gear in an attempt to tame consumption a bit, the sportiness is rather limited given the meager 160 newton meters of torque.

Better go for manual transmission if you are looking for a sporty car

So if you are looking for a sporty car, we strongly recommend going for a manual gearbox. From the outset, the 320/6 was available at extra cost with a five-speed sports gearbox, from autumn 1979 an alternative five-speed gearbox with the top gear serving as overdrive was also on the option list. Just like the four-speed gearbox, they offer the BMW-typical shift feel with precise shift paths and direct feedback right down to the palm of your hand. Meanwhile, we glide along the highway at 100 km/h, with the engine making approximately 3,000 revolutions per minute. In terms of driving, the old E21 is unmistakably a BMW. The (optional) power steering reacts immediately to a small steering movement, so that it is completely in its element when cornering. Driving straight ahead with this car is actually a shame. That the chassis technicians have done a great job, is evident from the fact that even coarse irregularities are only passed on to the occupants to a limited extent.

The first BMW 3 Series was only available as a two-door.

Radio off, six-in-line full

We have long since turned off the radio, the six-in-line under the hood provides the musical accompaniment. At low revs it only grunts a bit, at full throttle the six-cylinder, on the other hand, sounds like a saxophone solo in a jazz song. There is therefore no need to discuss the driving impression with the BMW 320/6: emphatically focused on comfort, but still a typical BMW. As far as prices are concerned, the enthusiasts are also united: it will certainly not become cheaper.

Until model year 1980, the exterior mirror was placed ‘loose’ on the door, with the facelift these graceful copies make way for plastic ones that are included in the window section. The later 02 models also have the same exterior mirrors.

This story was previously published in AutoWeek Classics 12 2013