E21 316 Four Speed

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   I've seen an E21 316 for sale and I thought it would make a fun every day driver.

The problem is it has a four speed manual gearbox and I've heard that the gearing on these is pretty poor for 70mph cruising. How tricky would it be to find and fit a suitable five speed geabox to this car?

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fozzymandeus Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607	Post Options Post Reply Quote fozzymandeus Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: E21 316 Four Speed Posted: 06-September-2006 at 06:32
	I've seen an E21 316 for sale and I thought it would make a fun every day driver. The problem is it has a four speed manual gearbox and I've heard that the gearing on these is pretty poor for 70mph cruising. How tricky would it be to find and fit a suitable five speed geabox to this car?

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Andyboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Banned User Joined: 04-June-2003 Status: Offline Points: 707	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andyboy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09-September-2006 at 16:48
	Not too bad - but really a 1600 316 needs to be at the bottom of a lake. I had a V plate one years ago and 70 mph was painful (4300 rpm!) and anything over 80 needed a lot of mechanical sympathy. You need the gearbox and prop - that's all. E30 gearboxes won't fit because there's no speedo drive.

fozzymandeus Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607	Post Options Post Reply Quote fozzymandeus Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10-September-2006 at 21:33
	it's actually a later 1800 316 if that makes any difference! and I kinda liked it. One owner, FBMWSH!! and very nice paint. Has rusted a bit in the past but the owner has spent lots of money on repairs. Has been waxoyled to within in an inch of its life too. I'm still thinking about it!!