BMW e21 ALPINA 325I NO RESERVE M20 320i 323i CALIFORNIA CAR 1 OWNER FOR 35 YEARS

Description for BMW 3-Series 1982

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1 OWNER CAR FOR 35 YEARS. I bought this e21 320i from the original owner on the EXACT day he purchased it 35 years before. This started off as a completely stock HENNA RED 1982 320is. However, its M10 engine (original) was near-death….And….So began the project. Those of you who have modified cars will understand this: It’s been referred to as “project-creep” ie: “I’m just going to upgrade the exhaust.” Which then leads to, “Well I have to upgrade the intake” which then leads to “It really needs a new set of wheels….” Etc, etc, etc…You ONLY say you are going to do one thing and before you know it, you are doing everything.
That’s EXACTLY what happened when I purchased this car. Originally I thought to just rebuild the m10 engine…But…Wouldn’t it be really nice if it had a six cylinder like the European e21 323’s? However, I wasn’t going to go with that engine and the associated Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, etc….Soooo, I decided to do a six cylinder swap and found a 90k mile 1989 325i and out came the engine and in it went—no, of course it wasn’t that easy.
Sourced the appropriate motor mounts so that the existing subrame could be utilized. Alpha-N engine management with a custom intake (MAF for the m20—name escapes me at this time, but I wasn’t going to do this swap and use an AFM). Battery was relocated to the trunk using a package designed for this e21 swap by TOP END in North Hollywood, California (Digression: They do not exist anymore but back in the day they made all the good stuff for 2002’s & 320’s). The battery tray is smartly-integrated into the rear strut brace. Ditched the mechanical cooling fan assembly for a triple-core BEHR radiator with electric fan cooling. Custom dual exhaust with a BRAND NEW CARB-approved high-flow catalytic converter/brand new 3-wire Bosch 02 sensor. Over-the-counter BMW M Carbon Fiber exhaust tips bought (overpaid) from the dealership. Brand new clutch and shift bushings. AC BLOWS FREEZING COLD. This was an imperative when it came to the swap—no half-assing. The entire engine swap has about 1,000 miles on it—it has been ”sorted”.
EVERY COMPONENT IN THE SUSPENSION was uprated: Bilstein shocks, 323i springs, sway bars, bushings, front & rear shock-tower bushings, control arms, brake rotors, pads; handbrake cables adjusted & tightened. Four wheel alignment—drives perfectly straight and true.
Interior was gutted and it took me forever to find the original spec black houndstooth factory cloth. New headliner. Original Recaro seats upholstered and a custom ($$$$) set of CoCo mats sourced to match the interior. Oh yes, lest we forget the dashboard: Found it in Hungary…Might be the best e21 dashboard in existence. Back to the exterior: Front & rear European bumpers were sourced and applied. Rear tail lights are BRAND NEW—can’t find them new anywhere but I managed to find a set. Original (large) factory toolkit in trunk. Installed Blaupunkt Columbus head unit (Bluetooth Audio/Telephone) because…Well…Because it was a Blaupunkt…Original WORKING odometer was kept and integrated into an ALPINA customer….
Hence the “elephant” in the room…It’s NOT a C1. I would argue that it is better—but I’m sure purists will scream HERESY. Look at this as an Alpina tribute car with more power and a lot more reliable.
Another digression: NO RUST. California car all of its life.
Back to the Alpina stuff: Front valence, steering wheel, instrument cluster, auxiliary gauge cluster, shift knob, gauge cluster, dash-plaque, engine-bay serial plate, rear trunk (inside) stickers, Alpina body decals, Alpina front & rear badging and ORIIGINAL Alpina wheels which I found—in garbage condition—and then resuscitated (trued-balanced, blasted & painted utilizing Wurth correct paint) with brand Kumho new tires.
I’m missing a billion things but here’s (really) the bottom line: It’s 1 of 1. It’s been sorted and drives REALLY, REALLY nice. Turns heads every time I take it out…Anywhere…Always a bunch of thumbs up, headlights flashing to signal me when I’m in it. Happy to answer any questions. Chris. 818.857.1300