BMW 316 1987 model (E30)

[BMW1987]

We have a question. We love our BMW...but seems like for the last year or so the car is just costing us money. Currently the carburetor is totally dying, and our mechanic told us best would be to:

nr 1: sell
nr 2: Have a conversion be done from Carb to fuel injection or weber conversion.

I am not sure what is the best, our finances are limited, and I am not sure how much we can get for our car, I reckon not more than 20k. The car looks in awesome condition, the engine is in perfect nic, it is just the carb that is a problem.

Help, not sure what is the best!

 

[Jandre]

The thing is that, with the car in a non 100 percent condition as it is currently, 20k might be a bit much (although it is good value for money).

Fuel injection conversion will be expensive.

I will fit a reconditioned carb, maybe the weber.

 

[BMW1987]

Ours is the Pierburg carb, which seems to not be fixable as a few guys have worked on it, and they have given up, at the point of spitting small black spots out the exhaust. So you reckon a Weber would be best...man I know so nothing about cars, but learning!

 

[ivan2terrible]

best post a pic of the car and let us c the interested parties in buying such a gem and yes it will cost u 2 convert 2 fuel injection. U'll have 2 source another 316/18i and remove all u want from it

 

[Nic_s]

I see you are in Somerset. I could take a look and maybe give some advice, although I'm no expert and might not really be able to anything physically.

Where have you taken the car already?? Maybe I can point you to someone? :wave:

 

[ivan2terrible]

best post a pic of the car and let us c the interested parties in buying such a gem and yes it will cost u 2 convert 2 fuel injection. U'll have 2 source another 316/18i and remove all u want from it

 

[BMW1987]

Will do that later, must I do that in a classifieds section or just on here?

---

I see you are in Somerset. I could take a look and maybe give some advice, although I'm no expert and might not really be able to anything physically.

Where have you taken the car already?? Maybe I can point you to someone? :wave:

Hi Nic, yes we are. We go to two guys both are from Gordons bay and they come to ours to take care of the car. Albert, he is a mechanic who knows the E30s well, and he is suggesting the above. Then Anton, who specializes in Carbs...I trust these men, I am just not sure now what is the next best step. Would be great if you could have a peek..will pm you my details.

 

[BMW1987]

Just wanted to thank Nic for his input and immense helpfulness on Saturday. So we're now looking at a weber conversion option.

Does anyone know the size of carb we'd need to get hold of - I'm thinking either a 32/36 or a 38/40 - what would be best? Obviously we don't want to kill fuel consumption, but we also don't want to downgrade the motor any more than it is

 

[Gerhardm32]

Just wanted to thank Nic for his input and immense helpfulness on Saturday. So we're now looking at a weber conversion option.

Does anyone know the size of carb we'd need to get hold of - I'm thinking either a 32/36 or a 38/40 - what would be best? Obviously we don't want to kill fuel consumption, but we also don't want to downgrade the motor any more than it is

I would go for the 32/36, with the right jets and proper tuning you can't go wrong. Had 2 32/34 on previous cars and never had problems with power or fuel consumption. The 38/40 might be a bit heavy on feul

 

[Raybimmer]

Weber 32/36 would be best for this motor , 38/40 would suit 2.5 to 3.0 litre. You can Google this , there may be info from England where Weber conversions were popular .
Weber 32/34 DMTL is used overseas , but would be expensive .

 

[BMW1987]

That sounds like a plan, thanks for the advice. Now to find one of these and get to cracking ;D

Here's our car btw for those who wanted a pic. Body is like immaculate really.

 

[Nic_s]

I saw the car the other day and it even has a crackless dash which we all know is as rare as hens teeth down here with our sun. :thumb: