E30 325i Rag-Top

Those ones for the Life Insurance, with the automated woman's voice?? I can't see how anyone has ever bought something off of them.. So awful and annoying.

Exactly, it's all about choices and priorities. You don't HAVE to live in AKL, you don't HAVE to have four beds, an en-suite, double garage, garden, in a nice area. But due to those wonderful rules of supply v demand in a free market if those are the things you choose to have, then be prepared to pay the price for them. If the population forecasts are correct, then things aren't going to change any time soon with more people moving into AKL..

It's certainly a "show" car, because with only the weedy 2.0ltr pulling that lot around it isn't a "go" car!

Hmm, not sure there is going to be a BMW engine in this version, maybe only in certain (Euro VI markets)? And I think the 4 ltr diesel mentioned is the 40d engine, which is still only a 3 ltr but is twin turbo, a bit confusing!

You would be surprised how many people F@#k about with their cars after buying a lead and some software off eBay, manage to cock things up following the YouTube tutorial, and then try and claim it has developed a fault and want it fixed under warranty.

This was part of the technology swapping deal announced a few years back, which also includes the 'sports car' Supra / Z4 development work as well. BMW supply diesel engine tech to Toyota in exchange for hydrogen-fuel cell tech from them, plus engineers collaborating on a number of projects. You can expect to see the diesels (and versions / parts of) coming through on other Toyota models as well.

Uh-oh, that doesn't sound too good....

need stretch and poke for stance!

Expect to see more of this now that the scumbags know the police have to end their pursuit in this situation as it's "too dangerous"...

Don't you mean the M4?

Any more details? I don't think I've seen that car before.

Can you please put prices against the parts you have listed in the original post? Thanks.

Hmm, not sure that makes it any easier, 320i becomes a 320t but so does the 325i and the 328i, three different models all with same number.On the X5 you then get the xDrive30t, the xDrive30tt and the xDrive30ttt...?? Could start selling "t" badges as well as "//M" badges on TardMe..

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!!