Many of us bore witness to certain vehicles riding a big wave when the pandemic hit in 2020, carried to new heights by a lethal combination of online auctions and boredom. The E21-chassis BMW 3-Series was one such model, with some sellers cashing out at previously unheard of levels for what was once the most unloved of the 3-Series lineup. This 1979 BMW 320i listed here on craigslist represents a return to normalcy with a reasonable asking price of $10,500.
The E21 had the unfortunate luck of being sandwiched between two of the most significant generations of BMW’s entry level sports sedan: the 2002 and the E30. The former laid the foundation for the BMW brand in the U.S.; the latter showed that this German powerhouse could build a mass production luxury vehicle that had no issues finding buyers to pony up the cash to buy one. This E21 was a transition model in many ways, as it was more richly equipped than the 2002 but it still fell pretty short on refinement compared to the E30.
Still, you get a pretty solid driver’s focused cockpit with an E21, especially when accented by a tidy aftermarket 3-spoke steering wheel and coco mats like this one is. The bucket seats left a lot to be desired, which is why the optional Recaros found in the Sports package cars were so popular. The door panels and carpeting are in good shape, but it’s still a shame this example doesn’t have a black interior – it’d present even better than it already does.
The M10 four-cylinder may have been a popular engine to swap in into the bare-bones 2002, but it was just merely adequate in the E21. This is one of the biggest strikes against this car, especially since BMW dropped the early M20 six-cylinder into the European-spec cars via the 323i. Knowing the domestic model could have been equipped with an inline-six instead of a four always makes me cringe a bit, as this was another aspect as to why the E21 didn’t find as many fans as the other model generations. Still, this one looks tidy, and the seller is asking reasonable money for an entry-level classic. Thanks to Barn Finds reader PRA4SNW for the find.
Back in about 1993 I purchased one of these from a abandoned car auction for $400 bucks it was in better shape than this one, the owner was stopped for DUI and never picked it up from the tow yard, keys were in it I drove it the 20 miles home. Kept it as my commuter for a few months Detailed it and then sold it to a dealer for $2500 bucks it was a fun little car to drive
Love how these “Ultimate Driving Machines” don’t even have an Oil Pressure
gauge. My Crown Vic has one.
Had one of these: a 79 that I picked up from the factory. Factory delivery was impressive, but nothing compared to today’s over the top experience.
I liked the 320i OK, but too many miles in BMW’s 1600, 2000CS, 2002, 2002ti, and 2002tii had spoiled me. The 320i’s cabin was very nice, but the soul was gone.
Returning to the States and a 55 MPH speed limit sealed the deal and soon the car was sold for a nice profit. We weren’t together a whole year: qualified for an annulment rather than a divorce! No tears were shed.
Oh yeah, when we took delivery, the tech immediately said he was sorry and he would have the car back in a few minutes. When I asked why, he said they had forgotten to install the radio. I told him it was OK: I didn’t order a radio. He was astounded: “You order klima (air conditioning) and no radio???!!” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was installing a Japanese radio: German radios couldn’t compare.
Also, in order to avoid catalytic converters, which demanded the use of unleaded gas, BMW used a thermal reactor to clean up the exhaust. What a wretched device, contributing to crazy under hood temps, cracked exhaust manifold, etc. etc…and probably costing power. Bad stuff. By now, I’m sure all that stuff is gone!
I don’t have any real nostalgia for the 320i, but don’t let my comments deter you: this would be an interesting, even enjoyable car for someone to experience.
I bought a new 320i in 1980, after my 1976 K5 Blazer became too rusty. The 320i was a great car for me, and was my intro to European cars.
The factory car audio systems then were all pretty poor. My BMW came with a Blaupunkt AM-FM cassette player with a feeble output of 4 watts/channel.
I was almost happy when thieves broke in and stole the radio. The worst part is they smashed the side-window and console to get it. All Blaupunkt radios were perceived as premium radios (mine wasn’t) and were popular upgrades. There were so many being stolen that 320i consoles and radios were back-ordered.
Back then car-audio stores were as plentiful as Blockbuster stores once were, and I got a (much better sounding) Audiovox AM-FM cassette with amp and equalizer with the insurance $. My poor 320i was apparently cursed, and was later stolen and totalled after a police pursuit. I later owned several 2002 models, 5,6, 7 Series and my last was an X5.
I don’t often see 320is on the road anymore, but when I do, I miss mine.
I had an 81 320i and loved it. My brother bought an 83 from a soldier coming home from Germany – it was a German spec car.
It blew my car away. What a rocket.
I thought they were great cars but they did not like Canadian winters and hated road salt even more.
I knew this one would catch your eye, Jeff.
Fun little cars. My buddy had one like this. He moved to W. Virginia and worked in D.C. While visiting, it blew a radiator hose right in front of the U.S. Capital. A broken down car draws a lot of attention from security forces.