Filed Under: News
For the last ten years or so I have watched a red 3 Series BMW standing in the driveway of a bungalow not too far from where I live, it hasn’t as far as I know moved a wheel, from a distance the body looks in very good order, so one must presume the problem is mechanical.
As a much sort after saloon one fails to understand why it is left, however on the way to Carrick on Suir there is an identical red 3 series BMW doing exactly the same as our local one, though I think the owner has now invested in a garage,I can confirm the car is safely tucked away, whether or not he can fit both the BMW and the Volvo sports in is a matter of some conjecture, we are perhaps strange animals, especially when one sees cars left to rust articles in some of the magazines.
My sister in law purchased one of the latest creations from the Munich factory, however she and the immediate family insist on calling it “a beamer”, it is rather like calling the Rolls Royce a “roller”, you can see what court I am in.
In late 1982 BMW released another incarnation of the original 3 series which made its debut in 1975, this was of course an upgrade of the very successful 2002 saloon, whilst German engineering has always been considered conservative so one does not expect radical changes in any of the cars.
The 320i is the middle model of three, there is a four cylinder 316 and another 6 cylinder 323 with a longer stroke giving it 2316cc, the 320i has only 1990cc, however both cars have 5 speed gearboxes as standard and it is an option on the smaller four cylinder model. .
One can also get an automatic, at a cost of course, however BMW’s are driver’s cars and part of the joy is the superb gearbox.
Outwardly one would be hard pushed to tell the difference between the three cars, naturally the badges on the rear do give all away, I remember we had a five series at work and for some obscure reason we asked that it came without any indication as to which model it was, perhaps it was not good advertising for an insurance company to be driving the top of the range model.
In the UK the 320i cost almost 9K, though there was various goodies one
could get like a manual sunroof for £400, and a limited slip differential
nearly £300, electric windows would add £275, green tinted glass a steal at almost £100 and central locking £150, which doesn’t seem out of this
world, spare parts again seemed reasonable for a car of this class, a set of brake pads just over £80, and exhaust system complete at £142, but think hard that was nearly 30 years ago.
At this point one has to accept that power steering was not available on the 320i and is therefore heavy at parking speeds, but a sports pack was becoming available which put that matter right, who cares any way the car is described as a jewel, it is meticulously put together, the engine will cruise at the top end of the range all day long, considering you have rear wheel drive the road manners are impeccable, the vacuum front disc and rear drums stop the car without any undue pressure required.
The boot is described as huge, which is very useful for anyone who tours and plays golf, or just likes to carry lots of bits and pieces, there is nothing worse than a pokey boot, being a Volvo fan I guess we take that for granted.
Seating, well typical German, on the hard side but one does appreciate it after a while, there is nothing worse than soft soggy seats, the instrumentation is described as perfectly functional and easy to read, the slightly smaller steering wheel is beneficial, and the four halogen headlights are a boon and when dipped do not dazzle oncoming drivers.
The 320i is fitted with air blending unit, a departure from the water valve unit BMW had always used which had a slow warm up time.
Do you know that writing this article has almost convinced me that the BMW is best thing since sliced bread, even the petrol consumption given that you are driving performance vehicle is round about 26 to 30 odd miles to the gallon which is about the norm for the late 70’s and early eighties.
Apparently the body is not rust prone but like all classic’s they need a little tlc to be kept in tip top condition, we do have some club members who have very immaculate examples and I am sure they would be delighted to give advice to anyone contemplating a 320i.
Before you decide to rush out and snap up the first available example, I was in a web site in Australia relating to BMW’s and there was a few
Complaints about things like warning lights and windows but in the main there was little to worry about.
Technical specs, a 7 main bearing engine with toothed belt camshaft drive, you get of course Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, the compression ratio is 9.8 to 1.
Suspension is Independent Macpherson struts, coil springs and telescopic dampers, plus an anti roll bar, at the back end there is independent semi trailing arms, coil springs and telescopic dampers and yet another anti roll bar, some suspension set up.
Steering rack and pinion using 14 inch wheels and 4.5 turns from lock to lock. The test car was fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P6.
3 speed wipers plus flick/wipe, electric screen wash, air conditioning sorry that’s extra, cloth seats and head lining, laminated windscreen and the underbody protection is described as electro phoretic bath plus was underbody sill and wax injected box sections, no wonder the body is so good.
Happy motoring regards Ted
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