E30 325i Rag-Top

Thanks Josh... .. For adding another item to the "things I must have for the race car that I can't afford" list, Getrag 265 fit meant as well.... Mmmmmmm

GST to pay on top of purchase price and shipping at 15% is roughly $9k, so not under 65k, but not far from it. Not sure I would be brave enough to drive an M3 in that colour, wheels look good though, could be interesting when it comes to trying to on sell it!

Does that make them more valuable, or worthless ??

The cars are known as the DTM M3s, but as you can see from the photos they bare very little resemblance to a factory M3!I think the cars are pretty much custom-built from scratch in carbon fibre, to the rules of the DTM class - engine size, power, aero aids, etc. Makes for pretty close racing, but with overtaking and panel rubbing as well, not a procession.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything, or had some sort of disclaimer at the bottom of the post. To be clear, nothing I post is in any way an official BMW NZ communication or view. I am nowhere near high enough up the tree for that honour. Even to the point of using "they" rather than "we" in the post above. Trying to keep my use of Bimmersport separate to my work, as i wish to, is proving a little more difficult than I thought. My response was merely intended as the sharing of some information and trying to help a fellow bimmersporter with a suggestion of how to solve an issue. Note: any views or opinions expressed are entirely those of the individual concerned.

True, but BMW NZ don't allocate the invite list for these events at an individual level. There are a number of slots for each session that are allocated to the various dealers to invite their customers. A few slots are allocated by BMW NZ to corporate customers and brand ambassadors, that's all.The best way for you to get an invite Tom would be to have the conversation with the Sales Manager or Sales Person you deal with most regularly at your local dealer. BMW Group NZ is a wholesale organisation, they have very little direct contact with customers as this is why there is a Dealer Network to manage that part of the business. With the complaint letter to Head Office your details would have been passed on to your local dealer (and the magazine sent), for them to follow up.

For those of you that missed the announcement on CRC Motorsport Show on Sunday: BMW Group New Zealand Corporate Communications Media Release 22 April, 2013 BMW partners with TV3 to bring Kiwi fans coverage of world’s best touring car series. DTM fans in New Zealand will soon be able to see regular free-to-air coverage of arguably the world’s best racing action, the German Touring Car Masters, courtesy of BMW and TV3. The new broadcast partnership will see highlights of all ten DTM rounds broadcast in the primetime Sunday afternoon slot as part of the hugely popular CRC Motorsport Show. “BMW returned to DTM racing in 2012 and enjoyed a successful homecoming to the series, with Bruno Spengler from BMW Team Schnitzer securing the championship in the final race of the season,” said the Managing Director of BMW Group New Zealand, Nina Englert. “It was a momentous achievement considering it was the team’s first year back in the series, and the fact the title was decided on the final weekend was testament to the close racing throughout the whole of the season. Race fans should expect many similar battles throughout 2013.” CRC Motorsport presenter, Shaun Summerfield, attended a DTM round at Norisring in 2012 and is looking forward to the start of the new season with great anticipation. “DTM cars are the most extreme example of a Touring Car on the planet, and with a field of drivers from 11 different nations, including former F1 drivers and the likes of Andy Priaulx, the DTM has genuine global appeal,” said Mr Summerfield. “The DTM cars sound unbelievable and are amazing machines to admire. For me, these are the best looking race cars anywhere in the world. “They may only sport a 4.0-litre V8, but do the maths on a DTM and they boast a better power-to-weight ratio than a V8 Supercar or V8 Supertourer.” The opening race of the 2013 DTM season is at Hockenheimring the morning of Monday May 6 New Zealand time, with coverage on TV3 the following Sunday May 12. In addition to covering each of the ten rounds, a dedicated season recap highlights package will also screen in November. Details of the rounds and local broadcast dates are as follows: Round Race Date Broadcast Date (NZ) Hockenheimring May 5 May 12 Brands Hatch May 19 May 26 Red Bull Ring June 2 June 9 Euro S'way Lausitz June 16 June 23 Norisring July 14 July 21 Moscow August 4 August 11 Nurburgring August 18 August 25 Oschersleben September 15 September 22 Zandvoort September 29 October 6 Hockenheimring October 20 October 27

Or maybe even someone from their sales team ?

Lol, you didn't have to do that - I was just being pedantic. Glad you enjoyed the prize!

I am waiting on some more info on the costs when the stuff arrives in NZ. GST at 15% will be a bit of a pain, but the rest of the costs will be spread across the whole shipment which will bring the costs down per part. If someone sticks their hand up for the second engine, I'm pretty sure we could get to that figure Jamez.

Grrrr... F30 = 3-Series Sedan F31 = 3-Series Touring /rant!

After much searching I have managed to find a 2.0ltr S14 motor in Europe, as used in the E30 320is. Basically the same engine as the E30 M3, just with a shorter stroke to keep it under the 2.0ltr capacity. Trouble is, the guy selling has two engines and two matching Getrag dog-leg gearboxes and wants to sell them all in one lot. Whilst I would love a spare I cannot afford it at this point. So is there anyone else out there that would like to take the other off my hands? The engine is a complete swap and includes loom, ECU, air-box, exhaust headers, etc. everything you need to drop it into your E30 and get it running. At current exchange rate the price for the engine swap works our at NZ$4950 plus shipping and duties, gearbox would be $1,750 plus shipping and duty. These engines are pretty much identical to the E30 M3 units and can easily be changed to the 2.3 or 2.5 ltr size with bolt in bits, and can also use the M3 s14 tuning parts available. A great re-power for an E30, or for an M3 re-build or even a STW, BTCC or ETCC replica race car build. Anyone out there interested in any of these very rare parts please let me know so I don't have to miss out on this opportunity. Pics to follos shortly.

Has the bumper cover actually been cut away, or has it been rubbed away by the tyre as the suspension has travelled? Viewing on a phone so hard to tell from the pic. Either way, it's Hoary as!

^^ again.Thread dig as it's Dan's real birthday today, rather than his Bimmersport birthday Hope you get lots of turbo bits to play with!

X6 50i with AC Schnizzle bits n pieces, sounding mean at Maraetai Beach around lunchtime. Looking good in black, with black and black. Not sure about the big AC stickers on the side though, too much? Anyone on here..?

Definately a good car - well developed and good set-up. One careful lady owner, only driven on Sundays, never raced or rallied, never been in an accident.

Well spotted, that's exactly what it is. The X4 is to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5. Not exactly what I would call small, you don't get any real idea of the size from these style of concept images. Bearing in mind the current X3 is larger than the original X5 and this has the same platform.. It won't be a huge seller in terms of it's volume, but it's another niche which will generate a few more sales without excessive amounts of work as it's on an existing platform and drive-train. Still a few more (small) gaps to fill in the market!

Or Dolphin Grey or Lachssilber!

Wait a while until they get to the 20 year old mark, no worries about emissions or frontal regs, etc go for your life! Roll on 2019 I guess...

Uh oh! I'll see if there is anything lying around.

Yeah - one for the week and one for the week-end!!Not really, apart from the new hood (which I can get cheap) I have all the parts needed sitting in the shed. Could be a nice little money maker project for a bit of time invested, plus saving another vert. Hassle and cost of getting it from South Island rules it out. Tried for a long time to get that fire damaged one in Palmy but no joy either which is a shame as that would also be a good project for me.

Luckily its on South Island so I won't be fighting you for it!Body looks pretty sound, a lot of it is just tidying up. Hood would be a fair few $$$s and quite a bit of dicking around though. A half decent set of rims would make all the difference, plus a manual if you are so inclined. All pretty straight forward and you will have a good car at the end of it!

^^ha ha, spotted!!

Can't believe a car can get into that state in only 60 odd thousand miles??

What body shape is he after - sedan, vert., coupe or wagon? How much budget does he have to play with?