Olaf

Mobil weren't secret squirrel about it - you only had to look at the sticker on the pump. A friend with an Aluminium boat filled up at Mobil in Paremata, 98. The ethanol did it's thing with the condensation in the aluminium 100 litre fuel tank, emulsification, engine probs, a tow back to shore, and an expensive outboard rebuild. I fueled a loan car at Mobil in Jville around the same time, their pumps indicated Ethanol in the 98. That Alfa (twinspark) ran better on BP98. No idea if they're still doing it. There's enough info on the web to indicate ethanol fuels are better avoided for your non-current BMW.

wow! 1000 thank yous, Cam. That's brilliant. Re the steering, plenty mention 'bending the pipes'. I'm not so keen on that. I've talked to Dan in the UK (the guy mentioned on e30 Zone, who makes beautifully turned-out pipes and hose kits to suit e46 racks in e30), £205 plus freight. "BM Conversions UK Ltd". Pricey but proper? Or is it a case of getting in Pirtek or Hydraulink or similar, and having something made up?

If you thought the cars are getting pricey, here's something that'll blow your mind. Ebay. Set of four mint 14x6J5 BBS euro weaves - with caps - no tyres. USD1275.00. You saw it here first, folks. https://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-14-BBS-5-E30-Euro-Weaves-4x100-Genuine-Factory-OEM-Wheels-325is-318is-E10-/183530899769 Now tell me 14" baskets are worth nottin' 😄 Seriously, I wonder what they'll go for?

looking great Cam @Southerner! Particularly those Style 15s, they'll be awesome. Question about steering setup. Do you have the part number for the Barina linkage please? Also what did you do with the pipes? Loving this project!

@Simca, rxsumo passed away last year. He is missed. Great that you've got one of his former cars. Enjoy it.

what makes the Tech 1 better than the Tech 2, to earn the mantle of 'BEST', @Driftit Dan?

excactamente, @Sammo 🙂

Congratulations Lee, looks like the ideal car for you. You'll have it sorted in no time. Looking forward to reading your progress!

There yuh go. I predicted $55k. Keen bidding at the end - more than a few thought this was worth more than $25k. Enough to suggest the prevailing opinions on this thread are proven 'well short of the mark'. Well done @Gaz you were on the money. Now, if this and it's ilk are enjoyed sparingly, brought out for outings on fine days, and kept in fine fettle (dry stored, regularly serviced); in twenty years what will they go for? There will be fewer e30s remaining to buy. Hmmm. Assuming willing buyers and that they're still sought-after, $100k (allowing for inflation) may be conservative, assuming a slowly increasing market overall with some peaks and dips over time. The 318iS hitches a ride and is ~$60k? And by the standard classic car math that a decent replica is worth half of a good 'un, it would suggest that taking care of your tribute coupe is a wise plan. Touring, Cabby, Baur all boost too - scarcity. And you can be guaranteed clean well-sped'd 4 doors ratchet up as well. Back to the 80's. The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades. Can't have one song without the other. Have some Webb Wilder!

Holy thread revival! What was the solution, @Kobra?

I thoroughly recommend the Auto Glym wheel brush. Absolutely brilliant, makes cleaning my 14" baskets easy. They last and last and last, this is not your $18 supercheap or repco brush. I've had mine three years and used it across four cars (now my fleet is down to three), still looks like new, gets the job done with no hassles. Buy one here, support your fellow Bimmersporter @Autoglym https://barrysgarage.co.nz/product/autoglym-hi-tech-wheel-brush/

https://www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/find-tyres?TyreWidth=205&TyreAspectRatio=55&RimDiameter=15&LoadIndex=&SpeedIndexId=&SelectedTyreBrandIds=&SelectedTyreProductIds=&SelectedTyreDrivingStyleIds=&SelectedTyreTypeIds=&ShowSizeRunFlatTyreOnly=&FindTypesSort=1&TyrePatternSizeId=9229 No stock? They were getting low some months ago in 205/55R15, with supply challenges through Ports of Auckland. The website indocates "in stock", call Bridgestone. The RE003 is a bloody brilliant tyre for the money, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. I've had them on my e46 for years (third set now), did a full set on my e60 and loved them. Looks like the RE004 is coming; Bridgestone will undoubtedly be looking to extend performance envelope and maintain loyal customers (the easiest repeat buy tyre ever IMHO) and extend market share with performance and pricing. https://www.bridgestone.com.sg/en/tyre/potenza-adrenalin-re004 Can't imagine Bridgestone NZ would introduce RE004 until RE003 stock is well depleted. And will they do RE004 in 205/55R15? HTH.

Boys and Girls, I present to you, the Datsun (that's Nissan for you young-uns) 240Z (HS30). Amazing styling, torquey low-tech unburstable L24 2.4 litre single-cam straight six with a couple of carbs (yeah before Fuel Injection was an everyday thing) producing 150hp, and in most cases a manual gearbox. Great looks, desirable, fun to drive with a short wheelbase and four wheel independent suspension, two doors. They hailed from the early 70's, and by the time the mid-late 80's arrived, you could find them in the classifieds (before we had the interweb) for about $5000-6000. An awful lot of car for the money. Everyone was busy living the dream - even after the '87 (stockmarket) crash, and those wanting a shark were buying JDM 280ZX off of dealer's yards for the standard $12,995 as they were 'better', and had 5 speed gearboxes. About 5 guys in the team I worked with back then had 280ZX's, one even had two! Never mind that they were self-lightening and set about disolving by about 1995. Back to the 240Z. Thirty years later there's only ONE 240Z on Trade Me. Dealer's price, $89,990. And it's a left-hooker! A $40-60k pristine M325i looks like pretty good value to me, I know which one I'd rather be driving (much as I love the 240Z and enjoyed driving them back in the day). https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/other/listing/2869915414 "I can't understand why 240Z's are so pricey. They used to be cheap". Same applies to Ford Escorts, Toyota AE86, Holden Monaro, XA/XB/XC Coupes, Toyota Celica, you name it. 80's Ladas are still cheap if you can find one 😊

no mate, they've spent it all on housing rennovations, boats, cars, or rental properties... and e30's.

PS: because the 80's are in again, and who really wants to be seen driving an Audi.

Because they want one. Beause they've always wanted one, and can now afford one. Because they rode in one as kids. Their parents/relatives/friends/neighbours had one. Because it's a cool looking car. Because it's a fun car. Because VW Beetles & Kombis - also cool cars - are beyond the reach of most, whereas e30's are affordable. Why does anyone buy a classic or collectable car?! Do their motives need to be validated, pass some arbitrary bar? Why do people want to buy a house in this market? Speculation?

One of these is getting driven regularly. You guys need to stop making these broad assumptions. At least four of these have been sold in the last 12 months, not including the white one in Dunedin, and excluding the red one currently for sale.

The only person with the info paid for it. If he shares it, in confidence, one would expect that confidence to be maintained. Put it this way Dave. Based on your post above, I won't be sharing any confidential information with you. Pointless? It's nunya, and you're irked as nobody's telling. If you want to know what they value up at, get yours valued, or buy one. PS: "in the club" was my reference to actually owning an e39 M5. They've got their own club too. It's an intersection on the Venn Diagram - Bimmersport is not all-enveloping.

mate, you're quibbling about an auto, and overlooking it's crack-free dashboard!!! 😎

there ya go, five keen buyers in the market where one is for sale from a limited pool of thirty-something. if that's not demand pushing up price, what is?! 😉

indeed, that's where membership of BMW Car Club NZ can certainly help.

Exactly one? On the contrary. I know a couple of people interested (not merely spectating).

I think it's quite the reverse. Harm is suggesting it's incredible that that car hasn't already met reserve.

Here's another musical interlude, brought on by mention of cruisin'. It doesn't fit with the alt and indie thread, so I'll leave this here...

yes, though that lovely Starion was a bonus (I'll add a pic shortly, need to get the few images from my camera processed). I was pretty impressed with a number of them, despite not being my general 'style'; we're all car people after all. Maybe this mob viewed grey-haired old geezers (like myself) with a pinch of suspicion or at least curiosity 😁