E30 325i Rag-Top

Yeah, let’s not go through all that again, please.

that's a great colour Blair, can't wait to see it all back together and finished.

Annoying thing is that back in 2007 I worked on a project for Toyota Australia where their TRD section developed a "proper" TRD ute, supercharged v6 petrol, big brakes, shocks & Springs, etc. Was doing well until the bean counters closed it down for no proper reason, look at the size of the tricked-up ute market now. The "TRD" is only a few stickers, and bits of trim, no more power, etc... grr.

Come to the dark side Luke...

Count on rear-drive, manual for next BMW M3 as global M chief talks up CS and CSL specials BMW’S M division remains committed to offering purely rearwheel-drive variants of select highperformance passenger cars, despite a shift to all-wheel drive on various model lines including the latest M5 super-sedan and the forthcoming all-new M3. In an interview with Australian journalists last week, BMW M GmbH chairman of the board of management Markus Flasch also confirmed that a broader range of pure CS variants – and potentially the long-awaited return of CSL– were part of the performance brand’s future. Mr Flasch stopped short of officially confirming that the forthcoming M3 due to be revealed in 2020 would offer both purely reardrive and all-wheel-drive versions, but made it clear that customers of its smaller models, including M2, M3 and M4, were still asking for rear-wheel drive – as well as a manual gearshift. “With M3, we were able to take over the entire drivetrain concept that we offer in the M5, and we were able to do a rear-wheel-drive version as well plus manual transmission,” he said. “I won’t disclose today how we configure those opportunities, but we can do whatever the markets globally demand. “I can’t confirm it, but I’ve driven the cars!” Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers was recently quoted as saying that a clear AMG customer preference for all-wheel drive will see the threepointed star brand’s performance arm shift towards this drivetrain configuration across its range. Asked by GoAuto if he could see the day when BMW M no longer offered rear-drive variants, Mr Flasch said: “No, I don’t see the point why this would happen.” In terms of customer preference for all-wheel over rear-wheel drive, the M chief said there was a clear differentiation between buyers of larger and smaller models. “In the larger segments, SUV and also sedan, our customers typically drive the cars long distances, they drive them all year, they drive them on dirt roads – for instance, an M5 driver or also the X5 M driver, they clearly go for all-wheel drive,” he said. “We also know that on the M5, the current model, with the switchable all-wheel drive, people hardly ever switch off AWD because it’s just such a great drive with it. “On smaller segments, more let’s call it iconic M2, M3, M4 cars, they are typically either ‘entrance’ cars to certain customers or they are second or third cars, and rear-wheel drive makes the most sense for these cars because they are taken out in good weather, for special occasions. “This is not black and white, but in general there is a differentiation between the bigger cars – longer wheelbase, V8 – smaller cars, straight-six (engine), more like ‘the good weather car’, are still asking for rear-wheel drive and manual stick shift.” Mr Flasch said the M division would also continue to cater for different customer tastes through the sportier Competition spec and more versions of the CS – and potentially CSL – racetrack-oriented variants. “We will see more limited editions, especially models like the CS and, I can imagine, the CSL,” he said. “We won’t do this for every car but I would go as far as to say that we also don’t have to stick to coupes only. I can imagine CS and other special versions also will turn up. “We won’t see the GTS sub-brand in future. There will be CS and maybe CSL. There won’t be a GTS in parallel with CSL"

BMW M GmbH chairman of the board of management Markus Flasch has revealed that the high performance division is close to showing its first electrified vehicle – and that it could be an M-only car rather than one based on a mainstream BMW model line. In an interview with Australian journalists last week, Mr Flasch confirmed that the M division is working on the three major powertrain alternatives – seriesparallel hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full battery-electric – and while he was not prepared to divulge launch timing for the debutante, he said “it is not too far in the distance”. “Everything that brings competitiveness and performance to a car is relevant for M and we see a lot of potential in both technologies (hybrid and full-electric),” he said.“There is no dogma in how we equip our cars, so as soon as one of those technologies qualifies for proper M specifications we will make them available. “We cannot yet disclose whether it will be an M-only car that we will first launch this technology, but it has potential. “It might also be a standard, as you call it, car that offers thetechnology.” Mr Flasch said he had “no fear” that M would remain as relevant as it does today as tougher environmental regulations prompt the accelerated development of electrified powertrains. “It’s like in motorsport, if the rules change, you need to see these changing rules as an opportunity,” he said, pointing to the fact that electric drivetrains can enable much higher outputs. “When we talk about electric vehicles, this offers a huge opportunity for us because if you think about current systems, you pretty much control the engine output over braking, or brake systems – you destroy energy with it. “On an electric car, if you think about four independent engines, you can do this type of control on the power side, not on the braking side, and this is where we think we will make a difference when it comes to electric cars. “This is where we are very strong compared to the rest of BMW and also compared to the competition. “As long as you get the exact right amount of torque to the wheel in the right situation … then there is no certain number of horsepower or limit to the power, it’s just about how you control it. “Today’s systems with combustion engines and hydraulic brakes are pretty much on their limit, but we will push that further when it comes to electrification.” Asked if BMW M was working to a definitive timeframe to have electrified vehicles across its model range, Mr Flasch told GoAuto:“There isn’t, but if there was I wouldn’t disclose it. “We won’t see a switch, black and white. There won’t be one point in time where combustion engines disappear and hybrid will replace them, and then another point in time where battery-electric vehicles replace hybrid. “What we might see is that, depending on the market, depending on the segment, we will see different technologies in parallel.” MW M EV plan

Now this is different, and very cool... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2040115387.htm?rsqid=328e9095f5824d11b41e0eb99d68f557-005

Look for E30 Garage Norway on Facebook, they have got a number of reproduction E30 parts including the various battery tray parts. From the pictures they seem to be pretty accurate replacements, but I haven't seen how well they fit in person.

Finally got back to working on the race car - hoo-rah. Nothing interesting though, filling and sanding FRP panels, joy. So far have made one big pile of pink and white snow.

Most drivers are very reluctant to give power figures for their cars - but Sharpie's motor has certainly got some mumbo, combined with the rest of the car being very well set up and balanced it is very quick and well towards the pointy end. There are possibly some more powerful engines in other cars, including some very trick M4x twin cams from the US of A, in the series as well. The 2 Ltr Championship used to be part of the Open Class grid, and was a great way for people to share an E30 car between two drivers. It was seperated out from the Open Class grid due to the exact reasons you mention - mostly the safety aspects, as the closing speeds were phenominal between an A Class V8 / turbo car and the shared E30 series cars. It does get VERY busy at the end of a handicap race as everyone bunches up... need to have some very large cojones for some of the moves made (not by me I may add). Lots of drivers, myself included, have moved from the E30 Class into 2 Litre Champs, either developing their E30 car or into other E36, etc. The class has certainly developed in terms of numbers, and also the speed of the front guys is getting quicker all the time - many lap records were broken this year. I think once I have finished "developing" my car and get back on the track I will be further away from the front than when I started! If you like this vid, try and find the one from Kayne Barrie running in Nick Thompsons E30.. another very quick car being expertly driven. Here...

I hope it’s house trained and doesn’t make a mess on the carpet?

Das ist einer Emm funf ja?

I sat in one back in the day when they were available new from the dealerships in the UK, quite pricey over a standard 320i M-Sport IIRC. Quite a cool little limited numbers homologation special, maybe a little down on power in road trim to be fully exciting but still interesting none the less. I didn't get to test drive as there was no demonstrator vehicle as the dealers, so I can't comment from personal experience on that side. I have certainly never come across one in NZ, or heard of one. A quick search reveals nothing NZ, which I would expect. Even in terms of the used imports there is nothing in the screeds of 320i models that have been registered that would suggest it was an E90 Si model.

What's thay saying about you can't keep all of the people happy all of the time? Unfortunately BMW like all car companies is having to adapt and change to survive, and in some ways has had to compromise on it's original prinicples - no turbos on M Cars, RWD, etc. Even though the cars will be FWD the objective is still the same - to make it drive as a BMW should, and to be the best drive in it's class. This will of course mean that many enthusiasts see the change moving away from what they love - RWD N/A in-line sixes for example. Don't panic about the end of RWD across the whole range, or even M-cars, yes there are more models moving to an xDrive layout, but there is still a place in the model line up for the RWD M car. AMG have just signalled they are moving to AWD only, for better stability and getting all that power down on the road. 500+ horses through two road tyres is quite a handful in many situations, even for an enthusiast driver.

If you look at the economics of the car industry closely, to will see that there is NO money in boring little econoboxes, that is part of the problem. It is such a competitive price driven segment of the market that is just screwed on costs and pricing. You have to sell an absolute pile of these cars to make any cash - see Toyota! What is does is give you some production volume and economes of scale for parts / platforms and off set some of the development and overhead costs of operating a car company, so that you can make some money on the larger stuff.

Anybody that thinks BMW has chosen to go down this path is missing the realities of the current (and future) car market. The fact the BMW products have stayed in this layout for longer than most is a tribute to efforts of the engineers to get every last little bit from every other part of the design. Being in an open, and largely unregulated, market here in NZ many consumers are blissfully unaware of the factors that are really steering development of motor vehicles.

Well, you see, I have a number of E30s so I am familiar with the overall concept. I also have a high-level of 3D perception and visualisation, so from the various photos showing the details I can put it all together in my head.

Looking at their web-site, the level of spec and options you get on what looks to be a very cheap car are pretty good. Although it is very hard to judge the level and quality of the materials used from a few web-pictures. Plus of course then there is the drive and handling to consider, but at first sight on paper they are a halfway decent proposition. Depreciation is another issue - what the value of a used MG3 would be in 3 years time is anyone's guess, but then who buys a new car as an investment or a rational decision anyways? Costs look to be covered with inclusive servicing and warranty. The offering from the major Chinese players has improved a long way, especially now they are looking outside their own market, so it could well be a reasonable buy for the budget customer. We shall see how they go. My only real gripe is the blatant ripping off of the "British" heritage in the marketing, and the "since 1924 bit" hmm..

Four dealers signed up to peddle these monsters to the public, over 30 of the things registered last month (mostly demos). They do have a fully electric SUV in the pipeline which could be interesting.

Saw that pop up on TradeMe, RHD conversion and 221k+ kms knock the price down considerably.

And the Tards / experts have arrived in the Questions section. ok, it’s not perfect, but it’s cool if that’s your bag and you can always negotiate on price, but some people... jeez.

As usual Glenn is spot on, and I can also vouch for this, just ask me how I know...

Really interested in getting this for the wife, but need to de-fleet something first, damn.

Most of it is accurate, but you know what they say about believing what you read on the internet.. Not really related to cabin and boot space, but emissions reductions and manufacturing costs. Latest industry predictions are that a number of major manufacturers will either fold or have to merge due to the level of costs and resources required to meet the next round of emissions targets. The industry is increasingly being driven by government legislation rather than customer demands unfortunately. Take one for a drive, and without any prejudice, see if you can tell which end is providing the grunt.

Just popped back up on the Tard.. nice project, cool theme. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/competition-cars/auction-2046336605.htm Still a lot of work to finish it off but will be O for Orsome when done.