My Dad did European delivery on one of the first e-21’s ever, 1976. I was six years old and will never forget that trip across Europe. Now, I have a mint e-21 “S” package with euro bumpers, and I’ll die with that car in my garage.
I had a 1975 BMW 2002 with turbine wheels, very much like those. You were right to gravitate to that car. It will go hundreds of thousands of miles. The newer cars won't, without replacing the cooling system a half-dozen times.
A time when the kidney grille was small and harmless -now it's capable of swallowing a bison 😊. By the way, I think you meant Hofmeister kink, not Hofmeyer.
Great review. Thank you for that. I love the e21, even more with the European bumpers. And, if it has a 6-cylinders, like a 323i, with its dual exhaust, it is heaven.
Tommy! Great choice! I drove my cousin’s 1980 320i when I was 16 (1986) and I thought it was the coolest car ever. Fun to drive but no power, though was too nervous to drive it fast. It had aftermarket Enkei wheels 15’ low pros. A Terra cotta color with gold sprayed center criss crossed pattern. Will post photos. But your videos are the best! And on point! Great job (and taste) and.. that darn radio… Blaupunkt cassette radios were king!!!
Yes Tommy, this series when new were, just beautiful to drive and really portray " the ultimate driving machine", that we know comes only from BMW! A buddy of mine was a sales rep. for these cars back then, so I, we, got to drive these a lot. Thumbs waaay up on the model year BMW! Thanks for the memories.
That was the first car I ever owned. I bought it for $1400 drove it for 4 years constantly had overheating issues and finally blew the head gasket. They wanted $1500 to fix the head gasket so I traded it in and got $900 for it. I miss it all the time.
Good overview. I have mixed feelings about E21s but this made me appreciate them a little more. They have great charm in their simplicity. I'd love to see you find one to drive.
2002tii were super cool. I drove one, great handling with the tail hanging a little bit out. They raced in the Trans Am GTU series, in the 1970s. Sorry, but I was disappointed when the smog restricted 320i came out.
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
I had a 77 320is I bought used in 1980. Great car. You said 83 was the first of the 3 series? Maybe I missed something.Maybe you meant first gen 3 series.
Correction this one is 1.8 L not 2.0 However, going on test drive with 3 GUYS in that 320i i was able to produce under 9sec from 0 to 100km .The car was very underrated !!!!
It's too bad BMW or others don't still sell cars just like that. I would buy one now if they did. Nice and simple, but understated and well engineered.
Ah an E21, a car from the days when German compact cars were not all land boats laden with safety features, emissions crap, huge pillars, electronics, huge wheels. I hope we can replicate these cars with 3D printing soon
Meh, Tommy you usually have better taste. I see the 320 as the transition car the "short sleeve with clip on tie" car. Going from the super cool yet boxy 2002 to a heavier doughy just as boxy sedan before getting the full Monty of the E30. Just never liked them, even though they were the first 3 series.
Made back in the day when cars were meant to last many years, along with the pieces of the vehicle all lasting long as well, like window regulators, trim, and great serviceability. Cheers
Yeah, you must be 14 years old because they didn’t have all these ridiculous 20 inch wheels way back when. Wheels tended to be 14-16 inches. Even the 928 only had 16-17 inch wheels. Ever heard of one of those???
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
I’m with you Tommy, favourite bmw car design for sure! Love the classics, keep’em coming!!
My Dad did European delivery on one of the first e-21’s ever, 1976. I was six years old and will never forget that trip across Europe. Now,
I have a mint e-21 “S” package with euro bumpers, and I’ll die with that car in my garage.
I had a 1975 BMW 2002 with turbine wheels, very much like those. You were right to gravitate to that car. It will go hundreds of thousands of miles. The newer cars won't, without replacing the cooling system a half-dozen times.
A time when the kidney grille was small and harmless -now it's capable of swallowing a bison 😊. By the way, I think you meant Hofmeister kink, not Hofmeyer.
Great review. Thank you for that.
I love the e21, even more with the European bumpers. And, if it has a 6-cylinders, like a 323i, with its dual exhaust, it is heaven.
Tommy! Great choice! I drove my cousin’s 1980 320i when I was 16 (1986) and I thought it was the coolest car ever. Fun to drive but no power, though was too nervous to drive it fast. It had aftermarket Enkei wheels 15’ low pros. A Terra cotta color with gold sprayed center criss crossed pattern. Will post photos. But your videos are the best! And on point! Great job (and taste) and.. that darn radio… Blaupunkt cassette radios were king!!!
Yes Tommy, this series when new were, just beautiful to drive and really portray " the ultimate driving machine", that we know comes only from BMW!
A buddy of mine was a sales rep. for these cars back then, so I, we, got to drive these a lot.
Thumbs waaay up on the model year BMW! Thanks for the memories.
Those E21's drive so well. Totally underrated.
I believe after 1981 they were 1.8 liter engines.
Whenever you see an add for a tire sale, “Starting at $29.99” these are the tyres they’re talking about!
I like these too, but my fave is the 2002.
Keep it coming! Good job!
That was the first car I ever owned. I bought it for $1400 drove it for 4 years constantly had overheating issues and finally blew the head gasket. They wanted $1500 to fix the head gasket so I traded it in and got $900 for it. I miss it all the time.
My mum had one - 1982 6cyl 320 with auto box. 3-speed! Thank-you for the nostalgia! Those US spec bumpers are absolutely hideous though.
It's gorgeous.
Good overview. I have mixed feelings about E21s but this made me appreciate them a little more. They have great charm in their simplicity. I'd love to see you find one to drive.
I've always been extremely interested in these, because California, and Pre-smog. Some of these were made 75 and down.
I own a 79 e21. It’s such a fun little car to drive.
The Hofmeister kink went back farther than the E21.
when’s there going to be a update on the samurai
It says a lot when even the Hyundai Excel rolled on 14s.
2002tii were super cool. I drove one, great handling with the tail hanging a little bit out. They raced in the Trans Am GTU series, in the 1970s. Sorry, but I was disappointed when the smog restricted 320i came out.
My good friend had one of those. It was indestructible and handled great! What a great car. You can put 205 60 13 tires and it would stick
I had 195/60r14s on mine and it would stick so well it would end up on 3 wheels...
Haven't you ever seen a Mini with 10" wheels?
Great car thanks
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
My first car at 16 in ‘87
Never seen the even smaller wheels of a 60. Morris Mini?
I had a 77 320is I bought used in 1980. Great car. You said 83 was the first of the 3 series? Maybe I missed something.Maybe you meant first gen 3 series.
Correction this one is 1.8 L not 2.0 However, going on test drive with 3 GUYS in that 320i i was able to produce under 9sec from 0 to 100km .The car was very underrated !!!!
It's too bad BMW or others don't still sell cars just like that. I would buy one now if they did. Nice and simple, but understated and well engineered.
Ah an E21, a car from the days when German compact cars were not all land boats laden with safety features, emissions crap, huge pillars, electronics, huge wheels. I hope we can replicate these cars with 3D printing soon
Wow look at the the size of the grille
Most wheels were 13" back in the day. Some had even smaller ones, like the old Mini.
I guess you're too young.
I owned a 1983 320i. Not nearly as nice condition! Fun car, if slow, and classy.
Base model '82 Civic hatchback-12" wheels.
E28 my fave BMW but this and e30 close second :)
Personally I think the sharknose BMW 635 CSI looks way better, there is still one floating around I see from time to time...
Real biemer for me is all type with a round headlamp
Oh no that's not the first 3series what about the 82 320i
My neighbor has one in orange sitting in his driveway. Not nearly in as good as shape as this one.
1.8 Ltr bubba. The 2.0 was pre 1980.
Meh, Tommy you usually have better taste. I see the 320 as the transition car the "short sleeve with clip on tie" car. Going from the super cool yet boxy 2002 to a heavier doughy just as boxy sedan before getting the full Monty of the E30. Just never liked them, even though they were the first 3 series.
1.8 liter .....I'm pretty sure
I got an 83... all tricked out..
Front bumper delete....
15 x 7 ET 13 BBS ...sick
Great example of a perfect factory car
It's a Bonnet..not a hood
I got the early gauge package. Not 55 red 120 mph not that 85 mph crap
Got one of these for $200
Made back in the day when cars were meant to last many years, along with the pieces of the vehicle all lasting long as well, like window regulators, trim, and great serviceability. Cheers
1983 is a 1.8 liter
Yeah, you must be 14 years old because they didn’t have all these ridiculous 20 inch wheels way back when. Wheels tended to be 14-16 inches. Even the 928 only had 16-17 inch wheels. Ever heard of one of those???
These cars sold well back then despite their lacking power and yeah they were a bit of a chick magnet to use an 80's phrase.
First
when’s there going to be a update on the samurai
Agree!
I have a Samurai as well and need to know how the TFL one's doing
I 3rd that. Haven't seen that Suzuki or Andres hummer in forever.
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."
Bestest All around and design bmw car ever Built. If only bmw would of kept pre 80s design on interior and the 2,0. "The fuNnest cars to drive are not necessiriLy the fastest...."