E21 Parts on an E30? - United Bimmer Community

**Joey** · 05-22-2005, 01:01 AM

I was driving a long, long way out in the boonies today, and came across this helpless little 1983 320i parked in someone's yard. I really liked the wheels, noting that they look something like Alpinas, and apparently Alpina made E21 wheels or something (any aficionados know if these are a set?); I want to know if these will fit my E30 without any problems. They're 13x?, mounted on 205/60s.

In addition, the car itself is most definitely toast (it has Georgia plates, and is in eastern West Virginia). There's a registration or something on the dash from November of 2003 with $490 on it (I'm assuming this is how much the car was sold for). Is there anything (suspension-wise in particular) I could look for that might be of use to me, or any of you guys? I'm going to call about buying some parts tomorrow and see how willing the owner is to let me chop it up. Ought to be fairly cheap.

witeshark · 05-22-2005, 01:09 AM

Clearly the body is clean, Engine info is your next goal

**Joey** · 05-22-2005, 01:37 AM

I'll tell you, I'd sort of like to buy this car. I have to leave my E30 behind due to moving out and college expenses, and my girlfriend is my only source of transporataion. Her parents keep procrastinating buying her something more practical than an SUV, and a 320i would be so awesome for her to have. It's an auto, too.

I don't think that'll happen though.
The interior is..whoa.

**Adotodot4** · 05-28-2005, 09:27 PM

They're probably the standard 13" turbines. Similar but smaller than the alpinas. Would be et 12.

**BimmerKris** · 05-29-2005, 03:36 PM

You can bolt the head and swap pistons with the early 318s it's it makes a huge difference. but that is all i know

**Adotodot4** · 05-30-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerKris

You can bolt the head and swap pistons with the early 318s it's it makes a huge difference. but that is all i know

I didn't know that...

Well that makes sense if its a pre-80 320i, where they were 2.0 liters. Swapping that head and pistons should effectively up displacement to 2L.

However the e21 he pictured is an 83 which has the 1.8L m10, like the early 318s, so I don't think you'd get that same gain. (correct me if I'm wrong)
-AO
edit: this is all from experience with e21s, I'm not as familar with e30s, though we share the m10.

**BimmerKris** · 05-30-2005, 05:56 PM

past my band of knowledge