E30 325i Rag-Top

In the freezer..... ...in the dry ice box? Sorry mate, couldn't resist. Will check where we got ours from at work, how much you after? Is it for a 70's style mobile disco smoke machine?

A bit of a bodgy one, but I have had this problem before and the way I got round it was to turn down the stop cock a bit to restrict the water flow! It's normally a high water pressure issue, combined with lots of tees in the plumbing system causing blind ends. Restricting the flow a bit helps restrict the pressure and stop the pressure waves caused when the tap or valve is closed. Not very technical, and not really solving the root cause of the problem, but cheap and easy to do

There has been a lot of tightening on regulations around welding over the past year or so, any welding required to be done for a WoF, suspensions, seats, belt mounts, etc. needs to be done by a NZS 4711 (or higher) certified welder. What can look like an acceptable and safe weld can have no penetration at all and no strength.Back on topic, I am surprised your welder didn't come with a bottle, or at least Mitre 10 had the option to offer a bottle. I used to get mine from the local pub when I was in the UK (they use CO2 to keep the beer), finised off the Co2 then re-filled with Argon or Argoshield (a good all round welding gas). Shouldn't be any hassles with a BOC account, just name address, couple of bills. Only need more info if want a credit account. My 2c, been more than happy with BOC as both a big and small user of a number of gasses. Guess it all depends on who is running the local branch though.

As it is only round the corner, and I'm semi-seriously looking for an E30 M3, I did go and view this one. It is a very, very original vehicle in very good overall condition. I am looking at an M3 that I may possibly set up for racing, and when I told the seller this he was pretty horrified! Plus points on this car: - LHD +++ for originality with me any way - dog leg gear box - leather interior - immaculate - straight and original body Not a minter, but very original.

Dodgy what? ..parts? ..traders? ..people?? ..roads?? ..acid ??

I might have to set you up as a "favourite seller" on Bimmersport at this rate! As you say sensors for these, I'm guessing all are electrical gauges, not mechanical right? Have you had chance to test them out to see if they are working ok? Also, what size are the dials, 2"?

Don't worry, it's only Glenn & Lady525, so they must be "flirting" again It's obviously changed a bit since my day... Didn't have e-mail and computers to flirt with in them days, but at least you knew what they looked like before you got too far into a hole

He wasn't in a Ferrari, but one of my mates managed to rear-end a Cop car right outside the pub Did he get a huge cheer from the crowd of onlookers when he got out to talk to the rather angry officer Luckily he wasn't over the limit, or being silly, but trying to sort his seatbelt out. Still got a few points and a fine though, but his reply "still worth it" for all the drinks he got bought in the pub over the next couple of weeks Wonder if anyone in the pub offered the Ferrari driver a drink to calm his nerves?

Jesus those wheels are nice What fitment are they and what vehicles (bit of a wheel noob, sorry) I'm not sure on all this ET stuff yet!

Don't forget the over 20 years old loop-hole for imports! As this car is over 20 years old now, or will be soon, as its a 1989 (goes on first reg. not build date though) you would be able to import without the need to meet impact regulations, etc. From UK, shipping would be about GBP 1700 = $4675, plus MAF steam clean, VIN, etc approx $1200 Then you would have to add import duty and GST on top, which would be about $3k off top of my head. And any costs to meet compliance, brakes, lights, seat belts, etc. allow another $1k Rough total = buy price + $9875. Unless you know the bloke, that knows a bloke, from the other thread, that can get cars imported from the UK for $750

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