E30 325i Rag-Top

I was lucky enough to get the first of the new (U11) X1 to drive for a week, a real step up from the previous generation. Interior quality and feel was much better, in the same design themes as the iX models. Whilst it was the 18i petrol, not the BEV, it was still a remarkably good drive and response. I would the iX1 would be even more so with the increased power and added instant torque. Quite a few customers have now looked at and driven the petrol demos and placed iX1 orders off the back of it, so the response has been positive.

Euro Italian always used to be good for that sort of stuff.

Seats themselves are probably original but I have no idea as to what those headrests are from - Deffo not an M3, and they seem different to the old “fishnet” Recaros from old Escort/Capri, etc.

Factory standard for NZ new cars 😂 What is it with spiders in NZ wanting to make a home in cars and covering them with big thick webs? I finally got around to fitting the Tech-I spoiler on the boot of the vert. Always been a bit scared about drilling holes in the boot, but I made a template off an old drilled boot I have and it worked pretty well. It’s a little out of position L-R but It’s only bolted on for the summer, will tidy it up when i take it all for some panel and paint at Takapuna Panelbeaters in the winter.

The Performance Edition was a few more selected options bundled in for only a little more money. RRP would have been $130k as this one has no factory swing away tow-bar (which is a bit of a negative for me as that mean only 2,700kg tow capacity).

Mmmm.. B58 goodness.

It does feel that way at the moment. Getting the vert legal a more effective than a rain dance!!

Got the E30 ‘vert all back together, warrant and rego all done. …and it hasn’t stopped bloody raining ever since so i can’t take for a drive and enjoy it.

I wouldn’t base too many decisions off NEDC fuel consumption figures. They are calculated off a rolling road test which lasts about five minutes, so not very accurate. As a rule of thumb Diesel figures will be closer to real world figures but still higher. As soon as you Start adding more load, passengers, weight, towing, etc the gap gets wider and the diesel comes into its own.

$3k for a not quite rolling shell... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/318i/listing/3891974647 It is a 2-door coupe I suppose which adds to the value, but i'd be wary of that "surface" rust that can been seen in the photos.

If you’re looking for an E70 X5 that’s the ones to get, NZ local “Performance” Edition, especially the later ones with the 8sp auto. In terms of petrol v diesel, the petrols are pretty thirsty especially if worked hard either driving fast or towing. The diesel is much better in that regard to offset the RUC. An NZ new 6-cyl petrol is a pretty rare beast, especially in the later version. Swings and roundabouts in terms of bits to go wrong, coils more likely than injectors, versus fuel pumps, etc. Depends very much on the actual car and finding the right one. With either engine, be prepared for some hefty bills for fast wearing tyres and brakes, especially if you like spirited driving (which you can do in an X5, the pay Back is the wear due to physics!) I think you have been very unlucky with your 120d and understand your fears around another diesel Beamer.

Most likely it is the DPF burn mentioned above. Certain driving patterns, ie certain journey times and distances repeatedly can cause this. If you had an injector leaking that bad to over-fill the sump I would suggest there would also be plenty of smoke out of the exhaust, especially on start-up. Probably black, but also possibly white.

@Silver Fox have you got any E28 parts around still?

Another renaming / re-branding to try and lose their image of “Peter breaker” which they worked so hard to get!🤣

Factory is usually the electric fold-away for NZ vehicles, due to the M3 exhaust rear-box there is no room for that to fit. I understand the plan is to develop a local-fit option that can be fitted around the exhaust, but that would be the removable ball type not swing away. Whether this is feasible and there is enough room, is another question!

@M3_Power you have interest.

I also kind-of think that the black plates look better on older/classic cars, they don’t seem to look right on new cars to me.

I would think that would look really sweet with the new black and silver plates. The white body with black details is always a classic combo I feel.

From my experience, if you are able to swap the parts over yourself and not pay for someone to do it, that is the most economic way of doing it, rather than buying the parts new or used even. Pretty much paid my way through Uni doing that on old MkI and MkII Escorts.

The AliExpress spec M3. You see a few of these in East Auckland. What is it they say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”?

This looks to be a nice tidy car, with nice options (those sports seats..) in a genuine $1 reserve auction. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320i/listing/3855932278 Where it ends up price wise should give a nice indication as to the state of the current E30 market (which I think has cooled off considerably over the last few months, like the rest of the car market).

I referred to SA built cars as I have seen issues with the information on those before. However this is a German built car (not Oxford, that wasn’t even a BMW plant in 1988!) so strange of the info has errors.

It could be an error in the VIN decode information, that tends to be with SA built cars though? Do E34 have the build sheet under the rear seats like E30s do?

Is it blue, or is it white..? You decide…

Main one is the body colour, when the VIN from carjam left the factory it was definately black, not blue. Could be the same shell re-painted in the blue. Sunroof is correct to VIN. Car seems to have gained EDC at some point of the switch in the photos is real. I have engine (3.6 was in that VIN from factory), trans and body numbers but can’t check those. When does viewing start for the auction?