The BMW E21 320i is the Very First and Most Underrated 3-Series

Most people reminisce on the days BMW built it’s iconic E30 3-series, however the BMW E21 that came before it is truly an underrated classic. In this video I give a walkaround and tour of my 1981 BMW 320i and give my input on why the E21 isn’t as sought after as it’s successor.
Sold on August 14th 2021.

[@houseofno]

I love these cars. A shame these cars are so underrated. People like to pretend the 3 series started with the E30 but so not true. There would be no E30 or any other 3 series if not for E21. I love these.

[@E21Life]

I like that they’re underrated. You can pick up a nice example for a relatively affordable price.

[@janogrodnik1145]

About that rear license plate. In all european modells e21 the license plate is under the european style bumpers. Greatings from BMW fan and owner from Poland :)

[@doca8792]

The radio stayed in that position all the way ‘till end of production 1983 MY. It’s like that to accommodate the after thought factory a/c. If you didn’t get one with a/c from ‘77-‘83, then you’d have a horizontally positioned radio with some storage space underneath. In the family we’ve had had 6 of these. ‘75 Euro, and the rest U.S. MY ‘77, ‘80, ‘81, ‘82, and currently and the one I’ll die with is an ‘83 black “S” Package in immaculate condition.

[@jacobm1882]

I'm pretty impressed with how thorough you made this for a walkaround of your car.

[@doca8792]

The engine has forged internals, and the block is the same as the S14 motor found in the iconic e30 M3. The M3 engineers were in a rush and instead of developing a new motor, took this tried and true block and developed on it in 14 days, hence S”14”.

[@DMC_vlogs]

The M10B20 does not have forged internals as standard. It uses cast pistons and connecting rods. The S14 only used the basic architecture of the M10 block. It has a different bore, stroke and a DOHC head.

[@michaelparadigm7836]

Things is lose instantly upon owner ship is the steering wheel and shifter knob in favor of the OEM steering wheel and shifter. A roof rack would be a definite no!. Only fanboys install them … oh and French style headlights. Which even France got rid off. But fanboys still have a hard on for that junk

[@steveong4738]

Great video. The E21 started the BMW growth phenomena. The E30, very popular in UK, took that to greater heights. I did have both an E21 and E30. The E21 is very special car.

[@markl5562]

Didn't find cars like this built by Detroit in the 1980's......

[@nulldua8547]

very underrated :) i love my e21

[@brugaldr809]

Best Bmw ever made. BeautifuLL styLing, Great "Race car" HandLing and FEEL simple and Easy to work on(with TONSS of available upgrades) and never goes out of StyLe👑👑👑👑

[@anthony605]

Great video. The value of this model will definitely rise. So many have been parted out or destroyed (especially in California). It’s just a matter of time before someone figures out how few these E21’s are left in the United States and the collectors interest will go up. If you have one hang on to it because there are so few left.

[@justinb3560]

I think this is the next bmw I will purchase. I’m not a big 3 series guy but the look of these cars is just perfect. It will go nice with my e34.

[@INNO222]

I always loved the E21. I wished it came with 4-wheel disc brakes and power windows(regardless on how small that car is, it's a BMW).

[@TechnoVault67]

You can use 323i trailing arms for an easy rear disc brake conversion, you can also use the front hubs to convert to vented rotors since the stock solid rotors tend to warp easily

[@INNO222]

@@TechnoVault67 Excellent! Thank you.

[@dennismundt7378]

This car is so beautiful. I like the US style BMW with the bumpers. The M10 engine is one of the best engines out there. I wish you many beautiful miles on the way with many memories and stories. :-)

[@mebeasensei]

I just can’t watch that front bumper sticking out like that, and obviously not in the original design, but probably because of Californian laws. We have the car in Australia too, with the front bumper more streamlined into the body and very nice.

[@stevedickson5853]

The same everywhere barring the US

[@EverDayzLLC]

I have recently got this car and it needs to be restored. Anyone have any recommendations on where to buy body parts for it?

[@enjoythehunt5135]

I've got body parts.. email me

[@Art-ez4wd]

Bumpers like benches LOL 🤣

[@car-u-fix-it8070]

Uncle sold one to me for $500 in 1998..loved it but it was neglected a lot…at 19 years old I had no money and limited mechanical knowledge but I managed to drive it for a year. Then more issues and no money. I had to sell it for $150 dollars and the car ended up in Tijuana, Mexico. I miss that car so much…😥

[@chadglass7705]

Beautiful.

[@waltersickinger1499]

“Two thousand and two”......not......”Two double 0 two”. Your naming would make any BMW aficionado cringe.

[@kurtkuczynski286]

In 1980 I paid around $12,000 for mine and all my friends thought I was nuts. Then they drove it. A bunch of people I knew had the 320 and all of them had numerous mechanical problems. In 165,000 miles, one clutch. Then I schmucked it into a guardrail at some moronic speed. Bye Beemer.

[@ericB3444]

Sonnyball: If YOUS Bosch cap fell off here what happens on Route 66?

[@randon32ndFan]

Of all the cars I've owned and sold*, this is the one I most regret not keeping. *1972 BMW 2002, 1979 BMW 320i, 1986 Porsche 928, 1986 Plymouth Colt, 2001 VW Jetta VR6, 2008 VW Passat W8, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T and 2011 BMW 328i Touring.

[@Lar308]

The number plate was always under the rear bumper on European models and that black plastic serrated piece between the rear lights was just left blank like that with just the bootlid (trunk) keyhole in the top middle. I loved that design feature.

[@yx274]

Ugurr

[@baronvonteuchter1412]

damn that US-spec front bumper is fugly!

[@joecox310]

My 1983 has the radio pointed at the sky like yours. That's a beautiful car you have there.

[@Murph_OKC]

So glad I picked up a 83 e21 about 8 years ago..

[@Nobody-im9yk]

Only the cars with air-conditioning having the radio upwards.

[@StevenThompson-o1t]

Brittany Village

[@1984AP]

We had a `81 320i in Cypress Green new. Nice example. I like your vintage period-correct BMW vanity plate - not sure when I last saw that. The slang term, "diving board bumpers" is something that came out in the last 15 yrs.... Prior to that hardly anyone any complained about the US-spec bumpers. Why? This was NORMAL for almost every car domestic or foreign in the US prior to 1986ish. These seats or at least the headrests are from a `80 or earlier. Love that radio. You have the orig.front and rear emblem/roundel... very hard to find now. From `93-on the design changed. `80-`83 US E21s all had the radios positioned like that.

[@Markdasmiths]

Green is one of my favorite colors! I’m sure that was a really sweet looking car. I have a 1989 R107 Mercedes-Benz 560SL so I’m no stranger to US-spec bumpers… it blows my mind how many people can’t stand them. I personally couldn’t see my car without them. It’s pretty hypocritical that people who “tout” and admire originality alter the way a car came from the manufacturer brand new. I’ll stick with my chunky bumpers and sealed beam headlights.

[@1984AP]

@@Markdasmiths Glad you like green too. The E21 was my family's 1st BMW, I was only 2-5, but remember it well. I have an Iceland Green E34. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5XWaJ6brK2joK8 - Totally agree, I have no issue with big bumpers. It's part of the era of the US. I like the license plate lights on the US E21 too - granted you are right, it is the only BMW, where they are the most obvious - but I always thought they looked cool as a little kid at my eye-level, and the cool horizontal vent-looking trim between the rear lights. Yes, I like the sealed-beam look too!

[@jaspernatchez]

How does the handling compare with a 2002?

[@abe4781]

Drop an amp and some dual 10 inch bandpass box and I'm back in high school!

[@janeeccleston9196]

The bumpers are ridiculous 😳

[@jondonnelly3]

replace that bumper with eurospec

[@tahaklc3811]

North American ❤️

[@samh3029]

Very nice example. Back in '81, I really considered buying one of these. Would up getting a Chevy K-10 short bed 4WD pickup instead. 🤪

[@flight505]

Had a white '77.

[@BanjoLuke1]

The E21 is a lovely machine, whichever engine it has. For its time it was solid, swift and a hoot to drive. It was somehow reinventing a niche on the market. A Triumph Vitesse for the late 70s. As to the rear plate, in Europe is lived/lives beneath the bumper. The bumper has a shaped lower edge to make room for the plate. The ridged plastic panel between the lamp clusters was a styling feature common in that era. Nice video of a nice car.

[@jonathanroman5067]

BMW got away with having circular sealed beam headlights in the 80's, I am shocked that North American DOT did not make aforementioned BMW have square sealed beam lights like the other 80's cars in the U.S.

[@stevedickson5853]

God they'd look horrendous

[@jonathanroman5067]

@@stevedickson5853 Horrendous by having square headlights?

[@stevedickson5853]

@jonathanroman5067 yes, it wouldn't look like a BMW should

[@hertzair1186]

Almost bought an 81 320i in 1986….trading in my Audi 4000. Always thought this was such a handsome car….but under powered…0-60 in 11.5 sec was anemic even back then, where a same period VW Scirocco could do it in 10.4.

[@shahrokhabedi3476]

Wowwww 😍😍😍

[@vapsa56]

I had a 1979 e21 316 when I was stationed in the Netherlands. Loved that car. 1.6 litre 4-speed manual.

[@Lkhrobertson]

The first car I bought was a charcoal gray 1978 320i….beloved, and would buy it again.

[@mellilore]

Euro guy here, 1976 pastellblau e 21 is my daily drive and must say damn those USA bumpers slaughter it!!!!!!

[@johnhamill8687]

Its a beautiful car by any means, however the 1.8 M10 with all of 101 hp is also very slow, it can just barely get out of its own way, and it would be embarrassing to get beat by a VW Bug. A vintage GTI or Scirocco from same era is much quicker. Given the slow 4 pot, not sure what collector value will ever be compared to 2002 or later E30 325i with proper straight 6. I do like these cars, just wish they had a bit more under the hood.

[@GeneH339]

Complete, except for the rechargable flashlight in the glove compartment. :) ...still a beutiful piece of machinery.

[@leonlinares6962]

I’m looking to buy one here in the states that has euro bumpers, a 6 cylinder(not sure if m20), 5 speed, and carbureted.

[@E21Life]

I’m on my 2nd ‘82 E21. Shark nose Bimmers are my favorite cars.

[@enjoythehunt5135]

Make some videos...

[@E21Life]

@@enjoythehunt5135 I did… kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6K2emZvlKt6h5Y

[@enjoythehunt5135]

@@E21Life I meant e21 videos

[@E21Life]

@@enjoythehunt5135 Lol. I know what you meant. I just stick to sneaker videos. My E21is pristine, and I tried to get Doug DeMuro to review it a couple of times, but never heard back. Thanks for the vids.

[@d.jbrickmocs1637]

I got a E21 2.8 from 1981. Is under restauration. Love the E21. Best looking 3 series i think

[@dedwardmalick]

Nice video. I had a 83 320is with Recaro sport seats. It was a great car.

[@michaeldean2447]

Had a 78 when I was in high school. In my opinion the 2.0 8v was a better power plant. I bought a 79 with a bad Trans (auto) for 600. Boy o boy you sure won't find those deals these days. Nice car but I'm to fucking old to play with them anymore.

[@chrishauser5180]

3:08 is this car available? Or can I see it in person at a DC cars and coffee?

[@Murph_OKC]

4:17 would you be interested in selling the oem roof rails?

[@Solrac85]

Wait til the cable snaps o ln the sunroof

[@erezyoal]

The u.s. bumper looks redicules

[@Jbizzle_klok]

Looking to purchase a manual transmission classic coupe car and was leaning towards a Fiat or an Alpha Romeo of some sort but starting thinking about an E21 3 series. I think it fits the bill as far as the "classic coupe" look and the prices I'm seeing looks to be more in my budget. I think I read somewhere these cars have issues with rust is that true? Do you think it's worth importing one from Europe instead for the improved motor?

[@Markdasmiths]

The E21 is fantastic value for a “classic” European coupe. It’s hard to believe my car is 40 years old this year. The M10 4cyl engine is a robust/reliable motor (although not very powerful) and with the manual steering is a lot of fun! My car is a 5speed which I believe is a MUST for a North American spec car. Rust is an issue with these cars, although it’s not impossible to find one that’s solid (look for west coast/southern cars). As far as importing one I think it would be a much larger expense for a car that isn’t worth all too much, however there are a few “Grey-Market” E21’s that have been imported into the US during the 70s-80s. My favorite thing about these little 3-series is you just don’t see them, there is far more E30’s still on the road than E21’s.

[@Jbizzle_klok]

@@Markdasmiths Thanks for the reply. Why are you selling yours? And where do you have it listed?

[@Markdasmiths]

@@Jbizzle_klok Mine will be listed forsale next week on my local Craigslist once I get home from vacation. I’m located in Baltimore Maryland.

[@Markdasmiths]

@EZ SLIDE I have far too many cars at the moment! That’s the reason I’m letting it go. It shares the garage with my E36 M3 and my Z3 Coupe… I have enough odd-ball BMW’s for now haha. Although I’m always looking for new projects.

[@nizamwalji1774]

@@Markdasmiths did you sell this or are you selling this?

[@Jc-jf9rz]

What was the dial pad for ?

[@potatojake197]

6:03 I have an 83' and it still points to the sky

[@typhoon320i]

beige vinyl interior.

[@abe4781]

Miss my E21

[@jayraysdiy852]

I have an E21. I removed the front bumper and the side marker lights on the rear fenders. I also blacked it out and tinted the windows. I really like it.

[@daves5716]

Nice car and nice video. I have an '83 with the sport package. You didn't mention it, but your wheels are from the sport package - steelies standard and "turbine" alloys were optional. The cross-spokes are a PITA to clean but look so much nicer than the others. One other correction, your leather seats or actually leatherette (marketing speak for vinyl.) E21s were not available with leather. E21 values have been on the rise for the past year or so, mine is probably worth twice what I paid for it in 2013. Good luck with the sale.

[@c_mind]

do you have an instagram?

[@deborahmadick2692]

Beautiful car is it for sale?