Collector plates, insurance and vintage BMWs

[Gil]

Okay, so now I am single after nearly 30+ years of wedded bliss.... I drive a pickup because I need it to carry lots of stuff around and tow a trailer. But, it is boring (more like depressing) to drive and the cost of gas is killing me. If I get a second vehicle I would have to pay full insurance rates where I live, as you cannot get a discount for a second vehicle, despite the fact that you cannot drive more that one vehicle at once.

So I want to get a vintage BMW that will qualify for collector plates, so that I can use it to run around town when I need to. Insurance for these is a fraction of the cost. I would dearly love to get a nice 02, but they are getting rather expensive. I have an 02 restoration project in the works, but it might be quite a while before it is finished.

I am thinking of getting a nice '81 or earlier 320i instead. Does anyone have any idea how hard it might be to get a nice one that has nice paint and shines in all the right places? I am considering getting a "rust-free" one from Calif., or other dry climate. Any idea how much a nice 320i is going to cost?

TIA

Gil

73 02

[Vroomer]

a "rust-free" one from Calif

HAHAHA! That's funny. :-D

"California Car" really means "rusts slower depending on what city it was parked in". ;-]

~Vroomer

[HarryPR]

You can probably get a decent 320i for less than $2K.

I have had several e21's and they all have been very reliable.

I currently have two, an '83 which is used as a daily driver by my son, and an '82 which I had sold and bought back a couple of months ago. I thought about parting out the '82, but the drivetrain works so well (started right off after 6+ months sitting), that I'm thinking of making it a future project.

They are kinda slow, especially the latter ones with the 1.8 engines. Try to find an "is", which has LSD, Recaros, BBS 13" basketweaves, etc. My cars are the regular 320i, although the '82 one has basketweaves and LSD as optional equipment.

[Paul7002]

(nt)

[Bill_Riblett]

(nt)

[c.d.iesel]

3 2 0 i 's are krapp !

spend yer money on an E30 318is

or any 325.

320i is worst of breed.

[BarryA]

3 2 0 i 's are krapp !

spend yer money on an E30 318is

or any 325.

320i is worst of breed.

I'd have to take exception on the "worst of the breed" assessment....

In addition to a '69 '02, I've got an '81 US spec 320i that I got really, really cheap ($200, including Alpina springs, sway bars & 15" wheels & Bilstein sports) a couple of years ago. It was cosmetically tired, but only had about 80K on it - it's provided expemplary daily-driver service, 60 miles a day, every day for two years with no failures other than the catalyst imploding.

It's gotten some upgrades along the way (E30 sport seats, uncracked dash off an Oregon car, decent stereo, euro bumpers, 3.90 LSD, H4/H1 headlights, urethane rack bushings), and a set of 323 rear disks and a Super ETA M20 are being overhauled for installation in the next few months. With the 1.8, it's certainly not as quick as the '02, but as a daily driver, it's it's quieter, a bit more roomy inside, came with a halfway decent a/c system (nice to have in the summer in CA's central valley), and is almost as easy to work on as the '02.

It unquestionably handles much better than a stocker thanks to the Alpina suspension and wider wheels/tires, but those aren't terribly difficult upgrades on a stock car, and E21 stuff is still pretty available and inexpensive. Thanks to the existance of the 323 (factory euro E21 with 2.3 M20 & 4 wheel disc brakes, built on the same tub) all the parts exist to build a quick 6 cylinder car with a LOT less work than an 20 swap into an '02, and with a bit of looking, complete, decent 323's can often be found for $4-$5k.

No arguement with the positives associated with the E30 series (my wife drives a '90 325iC), but for an affordable older BMW, I'm not the least bit reluctant to suggest E21's to people who feel that really nice '02's have appreciated past the point of affordability.

[Gil]

I would get a '91 318iS in a heartbeat, except that the insurance on 2nd car is too expensive and I can't justify the extra expense.

Personally, I think an E21 is a pretty decent car. They are relatively reliable, cheap to repair. simple compared to newer Bimmers and parts cars are abundant. A testament to their reliability is the number still on the road after 25+ years. Sure, they don't quite have the sporty handiling or looks compared to an 02 or an E30 "iS", but I don't think they deserve the "bad press" they get.

Gil

[c.d.iesel]

...FINE then - buy a $200 320i and park

it right next to the '02-in-waiting'.

You'll have 2 unrestored cars then.

OR...........get off yer arse and complete the 2002

and D.R I.V E.

[HarryPR]

(nt)

[Gil]

I am very much off my arse these days. My new house (with large attached garage) ain't gonna be ready for working on cars for maybe another year. I have 5 vintage car projects awaiting the new garage, but in the meantime, I just wanna drive an old Bimmer. I'm just not interested in forking out something like $8K or so for one that would qualify for collector plates.

Gil

73 02

[BarryA]

I am very much off my arse these days. My new house (with large attached garage) ain't gonna be ready for working on cars for maybe another year. I have 5 vintage car projects awaiting the new garage, but in the meantime, I just wanna drive an old Bimmer. I'm just not interested in forking out something like $8K or so for one that would qualify for collector plates.

Gil

73 02

[Mike Self]

plate useage--it varies from state to state from the very restrictive to no restrictions at all. Also, age requrements (for the car) vary from state to state.

And BTW, you don't need to have collector plates to have collector's insurance. I had regular plates on several of my old cars for many years along with antique car insurance. But also be advised that collector car insurance is always restrictive in terms of mileage and useage.

cheers

mike

[intellichimp]

If considering an E21 320i then you might want to check this out http://www.bmpdesign.com/project_cars/e21_320i/

Don't overlook those two links at the bottom of the page(in above link).

IC

[FL02]

Get a 2002...they're chick magnets. I alway get what year is that, and I say....69 baby. They are easy to work on, you'll just have to be patient to find a decent one. Look at craigslist in your area. Ebay prices have gone up, but keep looking at local classifieds, little papers, etc and you'll find one. There is way more response driving a vintage 2002 vs. a 320, etc. I have a 2BBL weber on mine and it gets pretty good gas milage, but the original soles single barrel gets real good milage. Keep an eye out, and good luck with the car and things.