This 1979 BMW 320/6 is a car I closely monitored when it was on eBay a few weeks ago. It’s the only other car besides my own European-spec E21 that I’ve seen in recent years with the 2.0L carb’d M20 inline-six cylinder, and it appeared to be in respectable condition. The buyer even posted on Bimmerforums how excited he was to have won the car, which is now back for sale here on eBay with bidding over $3,500 and the reserve unmet.
The 320/6 is seen on these shores far less frequently, as most attempts at importing a gray market E21 focused on the hotter 323i, which featured a more powerful and fuel injected inline-six. The “baby six” was a decent motor but didn’t offer much of a performance advantage over the four-cylinder offered as the solitary engine choice in U.S. models. Strangely, this car appears to have developed a collapsed spring or other suspension-related issue, as it wasn’t sitting this awkwardly in the listing from a few weeks ago and I don’t believe it’s been lowered.
The seller notes he recently had the 320 shipped from Arizona to New Jersey, and I have to believe he’s going to barely break even selling it again so quickly. The car has been in the states for a while and was said to have been federalized years ago, which helps explain the crappy U.S. lighting, including sealed beam headlights and sidemarkers drilled into the body. Fortunately, it retains its Euro-spec bumpers but I’d count on the heavy crash protection bars being welded into the doors and behind both bumpers as well. It does retain the speedometer in KMHs and BBS front spoiler.
I’ll be honest: I didn’t love this motor, even after a full rebuild. I recently had my car converted to triple Webers and I *love* it. The 320/6 now makes some good noises and is infinitely more entertaining to wind out. That said, this is still the form you want to buy one in, with the original Solex still attached, so you can get a solid baseline on what it needs next. I’m curious as to why the seller is letting this one go so quickly. As of June 7, he still seemed to be enjoying the car – a short love affair, for sure. The selling price a month ago was a tick under $5K, so it will be interesting to see where this one lands.
The only reason I can think of To part with his prize so quickly Is that he is terribly disappointed in the car. Perhaps the droopy spring might be a clue.
perhaps s/he found out how slow they really are compared to current day vehicles?
It’s an old 320. Front end shakes at highway speed. It makes it a very disappointing driver.
Having owned a nearly identical UK spec E21 with only exception was a full bbs body kit and gold wheels (i bought it that way) .. if maintained these are reliable if underwhelming in standard form (mine wasn’t)…it had over 270,000 miles when i parted with it over 10 years ago and its was still on the road as of last year
I have been driving a Euro 83 320I with the M20 baby 6 for the last 5 years or so. Coming from Switzerland it is in a E30 chassis. Power is down a bit and requires some revving but the handling more than makes up for it. 5th gear on the highway and cruise all day.
Its not listed anymore as of 6/30/2018
He fell prey to the realities I am sure many are finding out the hard way. The old cars became old and cheap for a reason. An air cooled swing arm Porsche is a nightmare anywhere north of 40 degrees latitude. A 328 Ferrari has 250 real horsepower with astounding maintenance costs. Anything made prior to 1965 has drum brakes. I’m not expecting the current collecting craze to abate in the short time I have left. But it will return to sanity.
I’m guessing that poor owner had his car damaged by an incompetent shipper. I can’t tell you how many I had to go through before I found a great one. It could be just a broken spring, hope it’s not a rotten strut tower. Nothing like an expensive problem to deflate your thrill on a recent purchase. Neat car though there used to be a few of these running around here in Augusta in the 80’s and 90’s due to the Army base. I haven’t had one of these cars in 25 years so am not up on the market for prices of parts and such. Fjord blue is a nice color and somebody is going to want this car or its parts.
I bought this 320/6 from the owner in nj. I am bringing it back to AZ. The owner in nj has 5 other bimmers and needed to sell a couple to start a business. The car is rust free, has a complete history going back to 1985. The rear passenger side is a collapsed spring and did not interfere with me driving it to Minnesota. I had zero issues on the drive and made it in about 20 hours. It really is a great car. I paid 800 more than he did, but with his shipping cost it was a slight loss for him. It’s a good driver now but I will be putting some $$ into her over time.
Good for you John!
Please keep us updated on your progress!