E30 325i Rag-Top

A lot of this comes down to local market variations in the naming of cars, for example the E30 had an 325iS in the States, which was badged as the M325i in Nu Zilland and called a 325i Sport in the UK. The the SAFAs did something completely difference and I can't remember what they called it! There were definately two different models in the UK market, 318i coupe and then the 318iS which always had the M-Sport kit, interior, etc. Again, may well have been different in other markets.

And it's not even a wrap so you can't peel it off and make it a better car either. Mind you, it would be very easy to spot in the car park!!

If you're going to go so far as to strart changing the cluster over, then it's probably worth the bit extra to go to the full digital TFT screen and dials, a lot more impressive!!

Really? From the photo you have posted you can see what looks to me like the end of the chassis rail bent through 45 degrees and crushed. That doesn't look too easy to replace correctly. The link to the parts catalogue is helpful, but you really need the full repair manual that shows exactly how things are to be removed and replaced. Was the accident not recorded, I would have thought it would have been with that amount of damage? Isn't it funny how many people manage to hit things smack bang in the middle of the car... but can't seem to steer around it, even with ABS??

Don't start that one again. Although a big old 7 series like this does scream "drug dealer car" so maybe a body or could be the stash? Let's go halves and find out which one! As for the Toyota V12 being cheap - if you think BMW Original Parts are expensive, Toyota can take things to another level for the less common stuff. And that was even with a hefty discount!!

Hey Glenn, what scale is the M3 GTR model? I would be very interested if it is in 1:18th scale.

Everything about that car screams "money pit" to me. Possible head gasket issues, leaking oil and pretty much neglected everywhere else.

And don't forget it's got a tape player in it!! Luxury!!

Cool, you got the right one. I should have known that frequency, lol.

I would be more worried about fitment and rubbing than pot holes. Unless they are real cheap rubbish made from recycled plastic they should be more than ok for everyday road use.

Considering it's a 32 year old race car that's had at least two big (and many small) accidents it's surprisingly solid. Couple of spots that need attention, which you tend to find when it's completely stripped. Definately not "riddled with rust" as you put it. Worst part of the car is the rear end, hence the boot lip, which was stitched on from an '83 NZ New 323i that I never treated properly before painting.

Ah, right. Didn't click on the link, just read your post. Yup, that is cheap for a spare key. Not sure that frequency is the right one for NZ New remotes though, is that the exact one you have ordered?

Finally got some decent weather and managed to co-incide it with some free time, and managed to be fairly productive with it as well. Took the tow bar and wiring off of the F31 as that is now being replaced with a different car and model. Also cleared out all the accumulated junk and bits off stuff that seem to accumulate in daily drivers. Brushed the brake dust off the wheels to make it look half clean when it goes back. Since the yellow ball made an appearance in the sky I took the covers off the convertible and took it out around the block to drive the cobwebs out. (Oh, if only it were really that simple!! Full story would be... Put the garage door up, which pushed two tyres and a wheel off the stack by the door causing them to bounce off the convertible and around the garage. Luckily the cover saved any damage to the paint. Looked in about four cupboards and three drawers to find the keys for the convertible, tried to start it - not quite enough juice in the battery, found keys to wife's car, moved that, then pushed the vert back so I could boost it off the race car battery - finally got it started. Drove it around the block a couple of times to get things up to temp, tyres really squeaky - need more air. Pumped up all four tyres by foot, put it back in the garage. Brushed some of the dust and bits and pieces off the outside, put the cover back on.) Total miles travelled this year, since last WoF, now up to 92miles - woop, might make triple digits before it goes for next WoF! On Sunday took the E46 wagon for a drive as it hadn't been started for a while, it's sitting waiting for me to give it a real good clean and tidy up before we sell it. Also managed to find a bit of time to fluff around on the racecar, got the bushes pressed out of the new rear subframe and cleaned up some of the bodywork ready for painting, wrote a few more things on the list of jobs that need doing. Treated a little bit of surfacre rust on the subframe and around the lip of the boot where it was starting to bubble. Painted a few more parts for the latest model kit M3 and stuck a couple together, so much more detail on this one than the first one it's testing my eyesight that's for sure. Overall quite pleased, and don't feel like crap today which has happened the last couple of times I have tried to do anything, so might chance my arm at a few more jobs during this week.

Not so sure what the point of that would be, as you don't actually end up with a spare key if you have to cannibalise your existing key to make the new one? So all you are doing is changing the case from the "old" style to the "new" style. You would really need to know what you are doing with a soldering iron in there as well, having smashed up some of these keys it's a pretty small and intricate pcb to start soldering things onto and off of. Good luck if you give it a go, let us know how you get on...

Bloody hell that is nice. Good job it's all the way down south otherwise I could see myself accidentally buying that.

You missed Stanley Unwin from that list, made a whole career out of talking gibberish!!

Quote: "Miller then tried unbolting the regulator on the tank and tried to attach the gas torch head straight onto the bottle." It is just incredibly lucky that this guy didn't take anybody else out with him when he went bang, in a residential area, during the day. The age old problem of how do you stop dumb people doing dumb things, without making it more difficult for all the other people to do it properly.

Whoa.... shots fired!! In terms of performance and handling, the E36 is without doubt a better car, and also in terms of "bang for buck" the performance of the E36 is far greater than an E30 - look at the prices you can get a reasonable E35 M3 3,2ltr compared to say a Spanish E30 325i. If you wanna go fast, what would be the better bet? Having said that, can you ever love an E36 as much as an E30, and will the E36 ever start to appreciate in value like the E30. It is this whole heart over head thing that tends to mess you about when looking to buy cars. Disclaimer - the E36 compact is clearly not part of this argument as they are just silly!

Or the Spanish version "rear 5sp manuel"

So if a car is 50 years old and done 200,000kms then that still counts as low mileage? i don't subscribe to that logic, that process would be defining "below average mileage". Low mileage would be an absolute figure for me, and that would certainly have to be well south of 100,000kms even for an E30 that is getting on for 30 years old.

I think only E36 had bottle caps in 15", the E30 14" ones go for about $15 each at the scrappys. and since when has 110,000+Kms been "low" mileage??

Minus about $5k as it is as 316i, minus about the same amount as it looks like an SUV due to the ride height from the stock springs and bottlecaps with high tyres. Weird spec as well, 316i with leather, (maybe a re-trim at some point in it's life and no pics of front seats??) and bugger all other options added.

I think I have a couple of those in box somewhere in the garage, not genuine part but brand new aftermarket parts. Can have for very cheap.

Very much of interest, but too far away from me unfortunately. Cost of shipping it up to Aucks would be far too much. Pre-facelift coupe that looks to be quite worth saving. Someone in SI must be interested..?

M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel can be programmed with your favourite combination of modes and settings. It's hours of fun deciding what's your preferred set up, takes a lot of back-to-back testing!!