BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Wed 25 Nov 2015 12:41
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - thatdrmaz

Ok here is the dilemma and your advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've an immaculate (no rust) 1984, BMW e30, 316.

The carb has just gone. BMW want to charge £1,700 to fit a new carb as the original Pierburg 2BE.

the alternative is to fit a much improved - though not original part - Weber 32 / 34 manual choke carb. for £700

My question is this, which is the carb that will ensure the long life and heritage of this classic car - I appreciate there's a trade off here in terms of BMW 'prestige' (£1700 for a carb?!) and keeping on the road a great and sound car.

Thanks

Mariann

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Nov 2015 13:03
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - Palcouk

Just an observation; I would be consulting a BMW specialist garage and not a main dealer or

www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/weber-carburettors-parts/w.../

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Nov 2015 13:06
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - Railroad.

The carb has just gone. BMW want to charge £1,700 to fit a new carb as the original Pierburg 2BE.

Did I read this correctly? What exactly has 'just gone' about it? I'm sure I'm not the only one on here that would be very interested to know. Don't part with any money yet. Pierburg carburettors aren't difficult to work with. Many younger technicians wouldn't even know what to do with one.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Nov 2015 13:21
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - skidpan

Surprised the Pierburg has lasted that long. They were a menace on many 80's and early 90's cars especially the Golf 1.6.

But don't spend £700 on a Replacement Weber, whoever gave you that price is having a laugh.

Here is a link to the Weber UK site

http://www.webcon.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=968

£321 (probably plus postage) including all the necessay fastners. An easy fit in a few hours.

I accept that it will not be an original Pierburg but unless you are planning on selling the car as totally original in the very near future I can see no issue. Keep the Pierburg to give to the buyer should you sell the car, they can get it fixed if they so desire.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Nov 2015 14:25
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - Railroad.

They were also fitted extensively on Vauxhall Astra and Nova models from that period. I was a techician in a Vauxhall dealer at the time. The most common fault with them were the choke pull-off diaphragm that would fail. This would lead to the engine running rich when cold and when the choke was on, as the choke flap would not be pulled back slightly as it should be when the engine was started. Additionally a brass vacuum pipe at the base of the carburettor would become blocked and prevent the same diaphragm from working. I used to drill these out all the time using a pin-vice and 0.5mm drill bit.

Other than that I always found Pierburgs to be quite good. Like any other carburettor they did benefit from a clean every now and then, especially the accelerator pump jet, which if blocked would cause a hesitation.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Nov 2015 17:17
BMW e30, 316 - BMW e30, 1984, M10 engine - carburettor dilemma - elekie&a/c doctor

The pierburg electronic carbs on these were no good when the cars were new.How do Bmw know the carb is at fault and not the electronic control unit?I would go for a Weber conversion fitted by an independent specialist.Better performance and economy.You will need to have a manual choke cable fitted (discreetly),but tbh ,once the throttle pedal is given a few pumps the engine will start and run pretty good without choke initially if the engine tune is set up correctly.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....