Thinking about an E21

[3050rpm]

Had a lot of fun with my '82, put over 300K on it, no problems with drivetrain at all, about the only major stuff I recall needing was a new steering rack , battery and alternator, shifter bushings, wheel bearings. The notorious shimmy was taken care of by replacing suspension bushings, I gather not all that big a job.

As a previous post suggested, check the trunk for water/rust. I was getting water at the front, i.e. just behind the rear seat bulkhead, under the pad. I think it was coming from underneath along a horizontal seam, which didn't look like a pretty repair by the time I parted with the car. Similarly, the rear panel of the trunk at the bottom (bumper level) has a box construction which invites the accumulation of water and development of rust, so check for that as well.

In the dry, the car was an absolute blast to toss around, but at any hint of even damp road conditions I made sure to behave myself, this car is skittish in the wet. Similarly, if you live in snow country and intend to operate the car in those conditions, again don't engage in any fancy stuff, put four snow tires on, and put a 50-lb. bag of kitty litter and a copy of Nietsche in the trunk behind the rear seat for some added weight and traction. Have a ball!