1979 Bmw 320 problems

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The BMW 320 was a car manufactured by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG also known as BMW in Germany from 1937 to 1938, the successor to the 319-based BMW 329. It was offered in 2 door saloon and convertible versions. Approximately 4,200 cars were made, of which 1,835 were cabriolets.

The car was first presented in July 1937. It showed a very similar resemblance to the 329. It was a high performance car with many admirers. The 320 was built on a shortened BMW 326 frame and used a 326 engine with a single carburettor and an output of 45 hp (34 kW). The 320 had a top speed of 65mph. The suspension, which was carried over from the 329, consisted of an independent front suspension with a high-mounted transverse leaf spring acting as upper control arms and a conventional live axle on semi-elliptic springs at the rear. It had a slightly greater displacement 6-cylinder engine. It was available as a two-door sedan or two-door convertible and stayed until 1938. The BMW 320 was smaller, less expensive, and lighter than its predecessor. It offered easy handling, a fine finish, and a good power-to-weight ratio.

The 320 was replaced by the BMW 321 in 1938.

1979 Bmw 320

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Common 1979 Bmw 320 problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1979 BMW 320i, several common problems have been identified:

  • Valve Guide Wear: Another prevalent problem is valve guide wear. This issue can impact engine performance, leading to issues like poor fuel efficiency, loss of power, and even engine misfires. Valve guide wear can also result in increased oil consumption and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.
  • Rust: The BMW E21 3 Series, including the 1979 320i model, is known for rust issues in various areas of the car. Problematic rust-prone areas include the sills, rear arches, front wings, front chassis legs, boot floor corners, sunroof panel, jacking points, rear axle mounting points, and the rear panel around the tail lights and boot seal. Addressing rust problems promptly is crucial to prevent structural damage and maintain the car's integrity.
  • Front Strut Tower and Inner Wing Rot: While front strut towers rarely experience rust, rear ones can be prone to corrosion. It is essential to inspect the inner wings where the front panel joins, as stress cracks can develop in this area. Addressing any signs of rust in these critical structural components is vital to ensure the car's safety and longevity.
  • Carburetor and Fuel System Issues: The carburetors in the 316 and 320/4 models, particularly the Pierburg carburetors from 1980, can present problems. Owners have reported issues with these carburetors, with some recommending replacement with a Weber carburetor for improved performance and reliability. Additionally, fuel system components like water pumps and remote thermostats should be regularly maintained to ensure optimal engine function.
  • Engine Maintenance: Proper maintenance of the M10 engine in the 320i and the M60 unit in the 320/6 and 323i is crucial. Regular maintenance, including timely oil changes, checking for leaks, and monitoring engine performance, is essential to prevent major engine issues. Ensuring the engine is well-maintained can prolong its lifespan and maintain the car's performance.

By addressing these common problems proactively and ensuring regular maintenance, owners of the 1979 BMW 320i can mitigate potential issues and enjoy a more reliable and enjoyable driving experience.

1979 Bmw 320 engine

Is BMW 320 Series reliable?

Reliability Survey, the BMW 3 Series ranked 18th out of 24 cars in our most reliable executive car class with a score of 87.5%. This was above the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Skoda Superb, but below the Audi A4, the Jaguar XE and the Mercedes C-Class.

What is the most common problems on a BMW 3 Series?

One of the most common issues across the whole 3 Series range, overheating tends to be a sign of a faulty water pump. These are resilient parts for BMW, but they eventually reach their end of life and need to be replaced.

Is BMW 320 fast?

BMW 320i Speed

With sprint times being between 4.4 – 8.4 seconds, depending on variant.

What engine is in the 320?

The suppliers providing turbofan engines for the A320ceo family were CFM International with the CFM56, International Aero Engines offering its V2500, and Pratt & Whitney's PW6000 engines available only for the A318, while for the A320neo family are CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines.

Is BMW 320 Series reliable?

Reliability Survey, the BMW 3 Series ranked 18th out of 24 cars in our most reliable executive car class with a score of 87.5%. This was above the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Skoda Superb, but below the Audi A4, the Jaguar XE and the Mercedes C-Class.

What is the most common problems on a BMW 3 Series?

One of the most common issues across the whole 3 Series range, overheating tends to be a sign of a faulty water pump. These are resilient parts for BMW, but they eventually reach their end of life and need to be replaced.

What engine is in the 320?

The suppliers providing turbofan engines for the A320ceo family were CFM International with the CFM56, International Aero Engines offering its V2500, and Pratt & Whitney's PW6000 engines available only for the A318, while for the A320neo family are CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines.

Is BMW 320 fast?

BMW 320i Speed

With sprint times being between 4.4 – 8.4 seconds, depending on variant.

1979 Bmw 320 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 320 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Bmw 320 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1979 Bmw 320 complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Bmw 320.

1995-10-24

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-04
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

1979 Bmw 320 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1979 Bmw 320.

1979-01-12
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
  • Summary: TO PREVENT VAPOR LOCK, AN AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP IS INCORPORATED IN THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE WIRING CONNECTIONS AT THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP MAY NOT MAKE PROPER CONTACT, RENDERING THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP INOPERATIVE. DRIVING UNDER CONDITIONS OF EXTREMELY HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH TEMPERATURES, OR FUEL CONTAMINATION, WITH THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP INOPERATIVE COULD ALLOW VAPOR BUBBLES TO FORM. THIS MAY LEAD TO ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
  • Remedy: DEALER WILL HAVE THE WIRING CONNECTIONS TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP SOLDERED AT NO COST TO OWNER.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1979 Bmw 320 problems:

common E21 problems?
common E21 problems?
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?487857-common-E21-problems

Feb 20, 2006 ... common E21 problems ... 79 320i and I'm wondering what the common problems with this car are? ... Bimmerforums.com is not affiliated with BMW NA or ...

1979 320i | BMW E9 Coupe Discussion Forum
1979 320i | BMW E9 Coupe Discussion Forum
https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/1979-320i.42414/

Jan 16, 2023 ... Well-Known Member. Site Donor $. Site Donor $$.

E92 Buying advice - 320i M-Sport - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
E92 Buying advice - 320i M-Sport - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797073

Jan 28, 2013 ... Any other common problems I should look for? ... norman1979 04:48 AM 01-28 ... FWIW I never had any problems with my 320i which I bought new in 2008 ...

328i E9x Common Problems? | BimmerFest BMW Forum
328i E9x Common Problems? | BimmerFest BMW Forum
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/328i-e9x-common-problems.600851/

Feb 14, 2012 ... 328i E9x Common Problems? Jump to Latest ... 1979 320i. Save Share. Like · J · jkegarch. 17 ... BMW's have a sensitive electrical system and an old ...

1979 BMW 320/6 - S54 Project - bmwe21.net forums
1979 BMW 320/6 - S54 Project - bmwe21.net forums
https://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26079

Jan 9, 2017 ... An on and off search soon yielded a worth recipient of this engine, a 1979 BMW 320/6. ... common problem, it will be not to easy to get a ...

Other years of Bmw 320

bmw 320 1981 photo
320 1981
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bmw 320 1989 photo
320 1989
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bmw 320 1995 photo
320 1995
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bmw 320 1996 photo
320 1996
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bmw 320 1997 photo
320 1997
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bmw 320 1998 photo
320 1998
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1979 Bmw 320 photo