1977 BMW 3 Series 320A review from Australia and New Zealand

Rust in rear right wheel well.

Air conditioner (aftermarket) seized, and was summarily disconnected.

Seals around the front and back windshields deteriorated.

Thermostat worn out.

Unstable idle (Carburettor worn, and needed reconditioning).

If cold, it needs some encouragement to start.

This is the first car I have owned myself, though I have driven several others just as frequently, and I have to say that I really couldn't be happier with it.

This is the earliest 320 (the 320A), with a 4 cylinder engine and 109BHP. Though by current standards it isn't powerful, when you put your foot down, it goes well.

In terms of speed, it feels comfortable to around 150Km/h, after that it feels uneasy, though the current top speed (recorded) is 186Km/h.

It is reasonably light, the dry weight

being only 1040Kg, so it doesn't need a lot of encouragement to get going.

Though it lacks power steering it is only 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, so it's not like you have to really turn it to make a turn.

It handles superbly; there is no slack in the steering, which is usually common in cars of it's age.

One of the best things about the car is the consumption. It runs on the smell of an oily rag. I get 7.5L to the 100km.

And even at 27 years old, it still draws the eye of pedestrians. I often get questions about the year, the age and often people strike up conversations because they had the model, and let it go, regretting it afterward.