E30 325i Rag-Top

Have fun mate! Just remember to keep a gummy on it !

Got sent these pics from our resident Dirty Drifter at work, hence the titles "real BMW". Not sure why anyone would go to those lengths to modify a 3-series for drifting, and as for putting a 2JZ into it as the engine transplant - I would have thought the body would have rejected it? It has a certain presence about it though, and would look quite intimidating in the Open Class Racing, so not all bad.

Cheers for the info Mark. I will get some one to look at my bores and see what size they need to be opened up to and whether these would be the go, take your point about the price of the other options! If I remember right you can get away with over-sized rings on a smaller piston, but it's not ideal and is only a short term option.

Which engine are these from, pre-f/l or f/l? Can I fit them into a pre-f/l within the rules for season after next? Still trying to get my head around all this flat top, high top, higher top stuff

I'm not suggesting that an E30 M3 would be an investment, before or after maintenance costs, but they are worth more than some people on this thread think.Depending on how deep the current world financial mess gets prices may drop a bit more, but I don't think they will go much lower. E36 M3s are still dropping in price, more expensive to maintain and more common and E46 M3s are falling even faster!

Well I know mine is ! I have no idea of the total numbers of cars made which would give an indicator as to the rarity of them, but I would expect it to be lower than most of the E30 range as they were only produced from the end of '86 on-wards. Certainly in the UK there were limited editions and models within models which are rarer overall. The smaller engined versions, 318 especially, I think detracted from the overall collectability of the model. Personally I would say it has to be a six cylinder, particularly with the additional weight, and a manual (majority were autos from what I have seen), in the pre-facelift. But then I am biased....

Mate, just remember growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional!

Oops, yes, I think I am agreeing and trying to point out to others the error of their ways.The price of some of these Aussie muscle cars astounds me, basically due to what else you could buy for the same price - nearly AU$1 million for a XY GTHO Phase III (with NO race history), you are into some serious kit. Personally I think the Aussie stuff has peaked, due to the buoyant economy meaning there are lots of guys who have now made some big bucks in business who want to buy up their dream cars - namely GTHOs, Monaros, etc. which exist in very low numbers, even for the road versions. I cannot see this being repeated in the future and the global interest and world market for an E30 M3 will only push the market higher over time, especially for cars with race history, etc. If only I can find one... Then I will be torn between putting it on the track or keeping it original..

If you want to compare an M3 with Aussie Muscle watch the video of Jim Richards in the M3 and Peter Brock in the Commodore - classic racing! Then tell me which is the better car.. As for values, Commodores are pretty much unknown outside Aussie and NZ, the M3 (especially the E30) is an Icon all around the world. Bigger market = more demand = higher prices. End of.

Before we go too much further...Is that price of $350 just for the shipping. Don't forget to add on the customs entry, shipping documentation fees, BAF, cost to take it into the port, etc. $350 is about right for the actual cost of carrying it on the ship, it's the ports and customs that sting you. check with your contact at the shipping co. what is covered and who is picking up the other costs. Plus good old Import duty and GSt at this end, charged at market value in NZ NOT what you paid for it in Aussie! I have contacted the guy about this car and will have a peak if it's still available when I am next in Melbourne. My first opinion is that if it's in that kind of state paint wise the mechanicals are not likely to have been looked after, and will need lots of replacements to bring up to scratch. For me, this is not an issue as I am looking for a race car project so would replace lots anyways. About $25k NZ for a rough example I would say is about market rate....

But this is a VERY rare, model the AC SHNHITZER version, much rarer than an M5. The car has plastic badges slapped all over it saying AC SCHNITZER and the mupper still spells it wrong??? Obviously a knowledgeable salesman.

A while back I got rounded on for suggesting that punishment for anyone fitting M3 badges to non-M3 cars, and only slightly less of a punishment for M badges on non-M cars. Take that crime and multiply by the Merc triangle and you should get shot in public! With the wonky number plate I think it's just a lazy arse as its got a Jappa plate holder, so only one screw hole lines up in the standard plate. Obviously too hard to put a couple of holes in the plate in the right place!

Hey Glenn, do you do laybys? I really want one of these off you, but my assets are particularly liquid at the moment....just an idea?

Looks nice Foxy, a possibility for a tow-car for me. Whats the rating on the tow-bar on it? I know it can tow an E30 & trailer "no trouble" but I tend to attract the plod when towing, so would need to be kosher on the weight limit. Cheers, JTP

Are these Genuine BMW filters? If so I would be interested if they are for the M20 motor (are they same for pre and post facelift?) Cheers, JTP

One man's sh*t is another man's treasure. Different people appreciate different things in a car. The true context of a Concourse as you have so rightly pointed out is to be original (as car left the factory) and well presented (clean & shined), the car doesn't have to be exotic, exclusive or rare to qualify. In a concourse there is no reason why a run-of-the mill Austing shouldn't be entered, and beat, any Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Aston or whatever. From a spectators point of view then obviously you would prefer to be looking at the other cars...

FWIW My magic solution to squeaky disc brakes?Good old fashioned copper grease, a light film on the back of the pad where it sits on the piston, quietens down even the worst in my experience. Plus makes it easier to get pads in and out.

That muffler from TradeMe is definately for show and NOT go. I would be surprised if it had any positive effect on horsepower at all on an otherwise standard exhaust system. Again, if you are keeping the rest of the exhaust standard the sound shouldn't be that much louder. I am a fan of the twin DTM style pipes so like the look. Seems a reasonable price, my OEM 325i muffler was GBP 270 which is about $700! Check the inlet size would fit on the 318i exhaust and that there is enough room around any read skirt you have to clear the twin pipes, otherwise the dicking about to make it fit can cost a bit of time and more $$$s

Provided there is still some room left for my bits an pieces, no worries Might have to limit the amount of brand new parts (still in packaging, etc) as customs would get a bit suspicous of a container full of parts "there all for me officer, honest" and start charging GST and import duty, etc. Fingers crossed there would be a car in the container as well, so a few parts to go with it would look Ok. I will post up on the board when I make any definite arrangements, but is likely to be a few months away yet.

Tried to PM you but your inbox is full. Are these OEM parts or aftermarket? Cheers.

And Fanny's your Aunt?

Find someone who is shipping a container of stuff out from the UK and chuck it in with the rest of their stuff. How soon do you want the spoiler? I may have a container coming out in the next 6 - 12 months if that helps.

How did you manage to get onto the track without a roll-bar in the 'vert? I would love to take mine back on the track to compare it with my 320 but can't get out unless I fit a roll bar which I am not going to do! Just wondered?

Excellent trade, highly recommended, A+++++ Your Feedback Rating: FrantiC (1*) Cheers, JTP

From what I have seen on the net with those M3 pictures previously, it was the husband who did that to the M3 which belonged to his wife's new lover!Strange how most of the cars seem to be Bimmers and most of the pictures from the good old US of A, maybe there is a trend there ? Never catch me messing around, I get enough grief from the Missus as it is