5k: Low Mile Survivor: 1983 BMW 320is
The BMW 3-series arrived on the automotive landscape in 1976 as a replacement for the aging new class chassis (BMW 1600/2000/2002). The 3-series was an immediate hit and for a long time was the de facto yuppie car, but is now becoming a classic in its own right. Find this 1983 BMW 320is
with only 34k miles on the odometer for sale in Sanibel, FL currently bidding for $5,000 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.
The E21 was introduced the world in 1976 and nothing was ever the same in the sport/luxury sedan segment.
This 320is is powered by an M10 1.8 liter 4-cylinder fuel injected engine that puts out 101 horsepower and 100 ft-lbs of torque (a big step down from the European market 2.0 liter and 125 horsepower). Performance specs from contemporary sources were acceptable for the time (0-60mph in 9.8 seconds) but the 320is is not at home at the drag strip. BMW’s nimble chassis, 5-speed gearbox and limited slip differential are much more happy at a track or winding country road.
The s at the end of the 320is name was a special package for North America included a few neat tricks up its sleeve, including a set of hip hugging Recaro seats, a leather wrapped tri-spoke steering wheel, a set of large front/rear anti roll bars, a unique front air dam and a limited slip diff.
See another low mile ultimate driving machine in Maytag white? tips@dailyturismo.com
Always liked this model…
There was a young guy who had a Baur 323 back when I used to live in Cairo; he would tear up the streets with that car street-racing anyone who would date stand up to his Bimmer (BMWs are the holy grail of the street scene in Egypt). Used to see it regularly up until the late 90's, then it just disappeared. Not sure where it went.
I loved the way it looked, he had it lowered a little, with the famous Alpina wheels (15", if my memory serves correctly)
2 things I absolutely Loved about that car was:
– The Baur roof (always been a fan… long story that started with a Matchbox E30 Baur)
– The exhaust exiting on each side at the rear – always liked that look
I only realized how rare these Baurs were when I started readying more about them a few years ago…
Hope it's still around somewhere
This car will be way over $5k when the auction is over.
I owned a worn out 320is for delivering pizza in the late '90's. I still remember how much fun and reliable it was. I took a LOT of sh*t from other drivers and some customers for being a kid driving a BMW around. No regrets, other than I still don't have a 323i.
These are so primitive and meant for getting there compared to the overengineered , overpriced seat warmers with wheels that BMW turns out today. Back in the day we refered to these as "Iranian War Wagons"…as they seemed to be driven exclusively by the Shah of Iran's pals who washed up in Southern Calfornia with plenty of money for BMW's and finely ground white powder and Champagne…..or so I heard
MSG, probably.
When these first came out, I looked at the owners and figured that law schools were handing them out with their diplomas. They weren't the smartest guys I knew, they just thought they were. Unfortunately, I allowed my perception of those owners to skew my thinking about these cars, which unlike many of their owners, were solid and reliable.
@Tinman:
I resemble that remark. Actually I was driving a '67 VW 23 window, I've always been vehicularly ahead of the curve…….if far behind culturally!
DFRWN2012-better that, than where I am; vehicularly on target, financially behind the curve!! 🙂
~ i owned two 320i.s years back and was amazed with how reliable they each turned out to be. one was automatic purchased from the dealer auction for $650. the other, a 4spd from a friend's lot 'back line' for $900. other than brakes, tires, exhaust, vacuum lines, and an alternator – bench rebuilt in 15 minutes for >$30, there was no expense to speak of.
I think the guys who want 2002s but can't afford a nice example will start to look pretty hard at these, sometime in the next few years. The E21 seems like it's similar enough that it should ride the wave of 2002 value & popularity.