320 parts car advice -- complications and a gamble

[_z_]

Well here's the deal. I know a woman who has this car sitting in her yard in eastern Oregon (about 300 miles + from me). Its a 77

She says it used to be running a few years ago but her boyfriend messed around with it and it won't start any more. She just wants it gone for $200 like NOW.

I'm trying to figure out if its a 320is -- she says it has recarios and a five speed so it sounds like it might be an IS -- which would be cool for the parts alone (LSD, recarios etc) and heck it might be a runner if the boyfriend was an idiot maybe I can just fix it and sell it whole (or drive it!)

The complication is that I can't get over there to see it at all .. also the PNW is getting a shit storm and no way do I want to tow a car over the pass. BUT! I put in one of those 'move my car' quote web sites and found a few offers that will pick the car up and deliver it for abou $450 ..

So if somebody wants to deliver the car through the snow for $400 I'm thinking thats a way better deal than me and some buddies trying to haul it back. I know between the beer and strip clubs i'll end up spending at least that much & probably more.

However, I'd really burn my nards to get the car here and find out it isn't an IS .. ya for $200 it'd be OK but for $650 or so it wouldn't be cool at all.

So the question really is how can I determine the real make of the car. Does the fact that it has a 5 speed in 77 mean anything? Can you take the VIN and look it up somewhere to find out? Is there any way I can tell a person who really doesn't know anything about cars how to find out (she isn't going to climb under there and look for the S or whatever on the dif .. not her cup of tea i'm sure)?

Think I should just pony up the money and take a gamble?

cheers for any advice.

[cj]

Unless someone installed a 5 speed later in its life, stock was a 4 speed in '77. It will have a 2.0l instead of the 1.8l. I've seen Recaros' in a late '79 that did'nt have the is spoiler. I would'nt gamble on this one.

Cris

[_z_]

Unless someone installed a 5 speed later in its life, stock was a 4 speed in '77. It will have a 2.0l instead of the 1.8l. I've seen Recaros' in a late '79 that did'nt have the is spoiler. I would'nt gamble on this one.

Cris

even the IS in 77 was a four speed? ya i'm thinking no .. but its sure tempting. I"m getting that 'haven't bought a car in a while' itch. Man I wish it was closer.

[cj]

Dude there was NO is in '77, is's did'nt appear 'til mid '80.

Cris

[_z_]

Dude there was NO is in '77, is's did'nt appear 'til mid '80.

Cris

no kidding!! So now i'm wondering if it really is a 77 (like she might not know) or it must have been modded by somebody to have a five speed & recarios

See this is why I ask the brain trust of the FAQ !!

cheers

[cj]

Look at the mirrors(they're the flag style), it's a pre '80 car.

Cris

[_z_]

Look at the mirrors(they're the flag style), it's a pre '80 car.

Cris

cool. that tells me a lot. See when I was like 19 I had a 78 320 w/carb but thats about all I know about them. Great car .. but I never studied those models at all.

So now its probably a good 200 car gamble but not a good 600 car gamble. Its cool I can spend money on something else for sure!

[Mike Self]

a Euro model, as all the E21s that came to the US were injected (Bosch K Jetronic, I think) four cylinders: 2 liter 4 speeds with 3.64 diffs 77-79, and 1.8 liter 5 speeds with a 3.91 diff 80-83.

I thought there were "is" models in '79 but that they were four speeds and the "is" stuff was a limited slip, Recaros, slightly stiffer sway bars, BBS wheels and a little trunk spoiler. But I'm not an E21 expert...

I'd make REAL sure the car you pictured actually had a five speed before I dragged it 300 miles for many $$$...

mike

[Bill_Riblett]

We actually have a 77 320i. As others mentioned, the official "S" option didn't start until 1980, which is also when 5 speeds were installed. However, you could order a 320 with Recaros and a limited slip. The LSDs are 3.64s.

But what was standard doesn't really matter much, since any of the later upgrades were all easy bolt-ins. Our car now has a 5 speed, aftermarket Recaros, and a 3.64 LSD, none of which came on it when new.

I gotta do a CD here on what this car is worth! A non-running car that has been sitting outside in a field and that you haven't seen is very risky for what it is going to cost you.

[winstontj]

So the question really is how can I determine the real make of the car.

Think I should just pony up the money and take a gamble?

cheers for any advice.

$200 for a site-unseen car with 5-speed is a decent deal. 5-speed is worth $200 and scrap is another $150. Unless you can get someone to go over there and check it out you probably don't want it for the $650 however you could still get your money back.

You pay $650

5-spd - $200

Recaros - $100

Scrap value - $150

250mm drums (backing plates) - $50

Front hubs - $50 ($25 each?)

That's $550 and $100 short of what you have into it. You could work to sell off another $100 worth of crap - and if it has a LSD then you've just made your money back 100%.

You could also part the thing out and really make everything back. Intermittant wipers, possible steering wheel, I don't really need to tell you all of this.

It's up to you but unless you have a lot of time to burn I'd find someone to at least get you a VIN and if not try and get someone to make the trip over to check it out. Parting out a car and selling crap to break even is a PITA (as we all know). Best to go with the sure bet so you know you'll come out ahead. IMO.

Good luck & I hope it's got a LSD in there for you.

[tkent02]

Even if it is a true 320is it is no big deal, they are still plentiful outside of the rust belt. You should be able to find a dead one close to home for $100 or so, check the local auctions, craigslist, things like that.

Diffs, five speeds, seats, and a steering wheel are cheap at self-service wreckers anyway, just look around.

[Dave3x72tii]

to a five speed early in life, and it's a close ratio....

[_z_]

Even if it is a true 320is it is no big deal, they are still plentiful outside of the rust belt. You should be able to find a dead one close to home for $100 or so, check the local auctions, craigslist, things like that.

Diffs, five speeds, seats, and a steering wheel are cheap at self-service wreckers anyway, just look around.

Ya I have a standing order at the local car wrecking yards to give me a call whenever an older BMW comes in.

Just living out here in the boonies every where is a long way away. Like the town nearest me has 200 people kind of thing.

I actually got a shipping quote just in for $325 which is pretty cheap. I've asked the woman to get more pics and said i'm still thinking abou it.

If it has nice wheels I might bite

thanks for all the advice !