E30 325i Rag-Top

But what about an A4 2.0TFSi Quattro S-Line...slips off the tongue! Or even a A45 AMG?? A model code is a model code, you can even de-badge it if you want to. But yeah, really it's all about showing how big your car dick is..

It really was a long, long time ago that the digits reference was to the engine cc, even E30 325e had a difference as did E36 318is, 323, etc. The numbers have been an "equivalent" factor for a long time now, so the engine in a 328i is equivalent to a 2.8ltr. As there will soon only be three engine sizes, 3cyl 1.5, 4 cyl 2.0 and 6cyl 3.0 there will be more differences than correct. It makes as much sense as referring to cars built and sold in 2015 as 2016 models, but then that's the Americans for you!!

Newer engines and fuel systems are designed with ethanol blends (and other fuels) in mind, so have different materials in the seals, etc. Plus you will have less crap build up in the lines tank, etc. being a newer car - so there is less stuff for the ethanol to attack and therefore clog things up with it. Certainly its good for power and torque increases (on pretty much any engine) but unfortunately there are draw backs for those running older systems.

Just for you Glenn...

I wouldn't put it quite like that - there are still a few years left in the E30s yet, with literally 100s of eligible race cars around, but yes there are fewer cars left to build up into a race car now. The planning process is already underway in terms of where to go next with the control series, looking at possibly E46 or E90 as the new base cars.

Car Fairs - if you can be bothered to haggle and are confident you can spot a lemon before buying it. Wave a wad of cash at the sellers and there can be good deals to be done. Might be a bit below your price bracket though, you never know?

Yeah, but it is 15,000 Euro (about NZ$22.5k) and it is a VERY bare shell, with next to nothing on it. Plus shipping, and it would probably get damaged on the way here as it's not a "roller" and the cage would be a PITA to re-certify in NZ. That UK race car at GBP 29k would be a much better proposition, and is very reasonably priced if the spec all checks out. Well, I can always dream. Maybe my UK bank account has been earning silly amounts of interest while I have been away...

US late M3 spec wheel as they needed to have air-bags at that point. But yeah, certainly ain't pretty. I appreciate it gives more power to the M3, but there was a very good reason that Paul Rosche and his design team took two cylinders of a very similar engine when developing the M3. These guys are one of the biggest profiteers in the M3 market at the moment, you see cars sell on eBay (or similar) for $xxx and then appear at EAG with a spit and polish a week later for $10k more.

Surprised no one has asked for a photo of the whores...

Not you Bruce, I know you got your car to restore and drive, not park in a shed and hope the price goes up. Plus I know you put heaps if time and effort into your car (and the $$$s), for your love of the car not to turn a buck or two. Unfortunately lots of dealers are listing (and selling) E30s at high prices and promoting them as an investment. There have been a couple of cars that I have been close to buying over the years, not going to happen any time soon unless I am very, very lucky.

Obviously not, that's why they have over 90 cars racing at each meeting.

There was one bought in NZ for the same money just a year back as well Dan, you have to be in the right place at the right time (and very, very lucky). Granted it needed a bit of work, but it was all there and solid. Rusty project cars, with the original engine, are selling for about $15k USD at the moment so it looks like I will never get to have a genuine shell so will have to convert my current car into a replica, unless the bubble bursts big time (and doesn't take me with it!). Although I could just re-mortgage the house, apparently that is going up $1,000 per month... As Graham said spotting what to buy now and keep is the knack, but buying cars as an investment is boring, the fun is in driving the damn things. Bloody speculators pushing prices up, grr!!

Don't think it's a re-post, but it sure is a great car! Very much want..

Only in NZ, a Sport Evo is a world wide collectors car with different rules in many countries. Pretty sure the rules in NZ are not so tough now, compared to when it was brought in, quite a few old and new LHD vehicles around on the roads now. Yes, correct, originality is a big factory in the market price. However, the changes are not that hard to convert back to stock. The cost of doing that would be much, much less than the potential increase in market value IMHO. As Ashmill has mentioned, E3 prices are off the chart right now, there is one on Piston Heads for GBP110k, work that out in NZDs... The last recent import 2.3 M3 I saw that popped up on TradeMe was listed at $55k, not sure if it sold though, it hasn't re-appeared. Different owner from 8 years ago. I know he has spent a lot of time, effort (and $$$s) on the car while it has been in his ownership. As for the M3 "DTM" race car that Dan has linked, what is the current market value for two small children, a wife, a kidney and possibly one arm and one leg?? Am I getting close to the 130k Euro yet??

It is also good at eating rubber seals, etc. in the fuel system. Plus it eats the foam in race fuel cells. Again this crap then get sucked through your fuel system and clogs and jams things up. Funny how Gull don't mention any of this on their fuel pumps...

"free oil and filters from a friend" - hmm, I bet they were real high quality then. I would be trying to get hold of this "mechanic friend" and sound him out, and get some more info from him about what products were used. If doesn't matter if the oil was changed every 6,000kms if he was putting cheap crap back in!

Pretty sure these are on eBay, the guy that sells all the ///M badges has a few.

Logging the new battery number is a feature on newer BMWs, won't be necessary on your E60. Was your steering pointing straight ahead when you changed the battery over, it might be a bit confused if the wheels were at an angle when the position sensors were reset.

True!! Come on, hurry up...

Good idea, It takes NZTA years to make minor changes to any part of their systems, something like that would be out-of-date before it got into operation unfortunately. Time for a drive around a few yards to kick some tyres? At least you can see the cars that are there... What are you looking for, I'll let you know if I see any whilst browsing?

I wouldn't be scared of the kms if there was some sort of history. Did the mechanic friend keep any receipts for filters, oils, etc used..? There should be some history from when the car was new as it would have been dealer serviced to start with. If there is no paperwork then look for signs of what has been done - check the air filter, oil colour, etc. look at suspension bushes that should tell you if it has been maintained at all. Then go from there.

Unlicensed bare-knuckle boxing is the real deal, makes UFC / MMA seem tame. MayPac was just a showbiz wankfest that overtook what was a good fight.

Personally I would say $90k for a good condition, well maintained and looked after (as this one is) E30 M3 Evo Sport is a very, very good price even if it has the steering wheel on the "wrong" side, you won't get near any other Sport Evo for the money. Especially if you can get the original parts included as part of the deal. Easy enough to convert back to LHD, provided the original conversion has been done properly. This car would have been converted as it was brought into NZ when it was not possible to put LHD on the road. When people are asking $55k for just off the boat from Japan on a run-of-the-mill 2.3ltr that is not totally original, this stacks up very well indeed.

Got the 'vert re-reged as the Mrs wagon is in for some panel and paint. Nice day for a drive of it, even had the roof down on the way back from son's football this morning!!

Needs cord for extra retro cool - plus you can strangle annoying passengers with it if necessary.