gjm

A valve cover gasket set (there are two gaskets) isn't going to break the bank regardless of where it comes from. Try BMW? Bear in mind that there are two possible gasket sets - one has a 2-hole fitting centre gasket, the other has a 5-hole fitting centre gasket. They are not interchangeable.

Disclaimer - we own the grey car that is for sale on TradeMe. The Baur conversions were originally produced because BMW didn't have a convertible in their range. Coupe bodies were shipped from BMW manufacturing plants to the Baur Karosserie facility in either Germany or south Africa (depending original location of manufacture). There were slight differences in process - German cars were rust protected and suchlike before being shipped, were then modified and painted. SA cars were shipped in white, modified, then rust protected and similar. Baur are an extremely highly regarded organisation. Aside from work they have done - and do - with BMW (starting in the 1930s, and more recently on the 2002, E21, E30, E36, E46 conversions and others) they also did all the bodywork for the Porsche 959, conversions for Opel and Mercedes, and do prototype work for VAG and Ford. The Baur design for the E30 means the car uses coupe panels and parts (other than the roof). The convertibles BMW produced later use different body panels. The Baur retains the 3 seats in the rear (presumably for small people!) while the convertible has two seats. The Baur roof design means the structural strength of the coupe is retained, and offers several positions. Another benefit of the Baur is that the roof does not leak. My wife and I know this from experience - driving from wellington to Waikato we encountered a storm that meant we had to pull over - it was impossible to see the road. Not one drop of water got into the car. They're not to everyone's taste, but are extremely versatile and easy to look after.

Every time it comes up for sale, the price has gone up. I nearly bought it... 4 years ago? 5? For under $2500.

Suspect it was as much as case of using a cap that was available as much as anything else. As suggested, stick with original spec if possible.

People who buy a $100k+ (when new) vehicle that's maybe 5 years old, then moan about how something like Carplay doesn't work and how it'll cost "as much as $300" for something.

Apparently "that was a mistake". Something so fundamental would surely warrant either a change to the details, or a remove and relist with correct info?

There's a few around. I contacted George at Advanced Chrome Platers in Hamilton and he did a fabulous job for me. (He also does wheel rim repairs.) He has (or had) a website but that doesn't seem to be working at present. Facebook page exists but hasn't been updated in several years: https://www.facebook.com/p/Advanced-Chrome-Platers-100059898652085/ I know that 10 years or so ago he was concerned that while he wasn't planning retirement, there seemed zero interest from anyone to take over the business. The business is still listed as current at Companies House.

Aside from lots of blue, the first thing I saw was "Voted NZ’s most trusted used vehicle dealership." Who voted for them?

If you can find/sort a manual M44, that would be a lot of fun.

Only thing it is missing is a full service history. Very low mileage, allegedly superb condition... Maybe a few equivalent examples in NZ, but it'll be a very few. Not really a collectible spec and that's kinda where the price is at.