need info/opinions on BMW 323i 1985
i jus bought a 1985 bmw 323i the motor is a straight 6 and its been completely rebuilt the car has a front strut tower bar and bilstien shocks and springs and is lowered i dont know much about this car at all basically im jus looking for info like specifications on the engine, good places to find, buy, source parts (performance and OEM) and jus some info on this car. i got it for a STEAL! at only 500.00 and its practically MINT! its got tan leather interior.i jus need info so please let me know if u guys know something about these cars.. im a japanese car enthusiast but i want to make a drift car/daily driver out of it.thanks for your timeSean
It's already RWD, so it'd be a good drifter
As for maintance, check out the cooling system--Water Pump, Thermostat and Radiator and set aside 350$ if you are a DIY'er as it will eventually fail..and you can kiss your engne bye bye. Also, if it's an automatic, I'd recomond doing an ATF flush ASAP as BMW uses "Life Time Fluid" which is not really life time. therefore theres a high precentage chance the fluid in your E30 is orginal from the time was purchased
Now, don't add stickers and don't put on it a fart can. Enjoy German vechicals, it's a huge difference from whatever the Japanese offered the same year as your E30
As some of you know, I love the Nissan products so.... I'm doing a E30 right now for my brother in law. With a swap not for the faint at heart. When it's done, no one will even know it doesn't come in the car. After much deliberation between motors for this chasis, he settled on CA18DET for the high rev's and reliability. We built the bottom end with Weisco and ARP hardware. The car should weigh in a little over 2k and will be tuned at 300rwhp. The factory turbo was replaced for a CT26 from a MK3 Supra. Here are a couple of sneak peeks! 1st pic is when the motor first went in without the trans mount in so it looks a little crooked but is now perfect. The shifter moved back about 2 inches from factory inside, which makes it's placement perfect.
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Steve Baker
Owner / Builder
P.S.
"If you don't know what you are doing, at least do it neatly"

Steve Baker
Owner / Builder
P.S.
"If you don't know what you are doing, at least do it neatly"
Last edited by back2Nissan; Aug 24, 2008 at 06:44 PM.
If its a Euro 323 it will have the distributor on the side of the engine VS the front of the Cam. If this is the case a good deal of the engine parts are not the same as here in the USA. the ECU computer is also differnt.
So if you blow the engine youll need to get a 2.5 from and IS car. OR do the twin cam swap. There also is a good video of the 3.5L big six swap as a drifting car.
I have TWO 323 euro cars. so when your ready to get rid of the engine let me know.
So if you blow the engine youll need to get a 2.5 from and IS car. OR do the twin cam swap. There also is a good video of the 3.5L big six swap as a drifting car.
I have TWO 323 euro cars. so when your ready to get rid of the engine let me know.
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Yeah sorry about the thread jack im gonna pm back2nissan to start a thread now theres a bmw sub forum which is awsome.I always wanted a ca18 powered car but didnt like the s chassis nissan.And have always loved the e30 chassis.Never liked bmw engine managment and the way they set the motors up(personal preference dont bash me please)and i work for nissan so parts are super cheap.To kouki the e30 chassis is so versatle and fun that you can do pretty much anything with it.I would definetly go over the car with a fine tooth comb though,and check for leaks,bad cv boots,ball joints,mount and all that good stuff and get it up to par on maintence and then do the fun stuff.
^ yea it's been a hot minute since i posted in here guys but i did end up getting into this project with big hopes of making it a fun drifter but it had alot of chassis problems and the suspension was shot pretty much all around... all the money i wanted to put into it to make it something special pretty much was all going into maintenance... the car sat for a little while then my father passed away and now it's sold. thanks for all the wonderful info you guys put here tho i do hope to own another E30 here soon...



