Olaf

🙄 If you want to correct someone, you might want to start from a place of, you know, correctness? There's no need to hand out labels or call me names. Just place me on your ignore list.

it could be ignition system, starter motor, sensors, fuel... best thing you can do is get a really good PPI done by a specialist that really knows the e30. There's no reason an M20B25 shouldn't be able to run and drive just like when new, especially if it's had a quality rebuild. No sense loading the parts cannon, get expert diagnosis, get it sussed, and then reward the same business with your loyalty for maintenance to take care of the car and keep it running. HTH.

realistic on price, 1989 or later manual rust free up to $7k. Good luck with that. Pick two, and be prepared to be disappointed. If you want a coupe you're looking $12-15k now. Sedan $10-13k. and up. Happy hunting!

can't answer without seeing the car in question, and should be noted I'm a moderately knowlegable enthusiast rather than a professional mechanic. I don't mean to sound down on a car you've viewed, I don't even know which one you're referring to. Basic regular maintenance on e30 includes oil, oil filter, air filter; brake fluid and coolant every two years; and general mechanical inspection and replacement of parts ahead of every WoF (brakes, suspension, steering) and that good old lubrication of hinges, inspection and replacement of belts, plugs etc at the correct intervals. Many cars don't even get this much care. Your run-of-the-mill Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Hyundai etc can withstand more abuse with less maintenance. An e30 - now in classic status - needs more care. Hope that helps.

patina is a visual thing. Ghost Chip was outlining an engine that's hard to start. The danger of buzzwords is not knowing where to apply them!

showing a lack of maintenance. showing it's age is a result of following the standard kiwi maintenance plan (do f*ck-all, then pass it off as 'old').

It wouldn’t take an investigator long to verify. One suspects there’s zero risk taken - at least in respect of facts - in that release.

Looks fab. Send it!

This is a sister car to mine, only ~50 units younger than mine on the VIN. Looks tidy, and is an excellent project base, lightest-weight e30 shell (slicktop poverty spec).

Fervent Dobermann. Angelic Christmas. Something Likethat.

Nice one @Michael. Followed!

minimum of $15k. Lovely example. Everything cool from the 80's is taking a sharp increase in interest. Although the 'eta' models aren't the last word in sports driving, they are leggy and fun while not being too thirsty. Never mind the naysayers, the e28 is on the way up (M535i), tidy etas will get a leg up along with them. @freaknout this one's for you mate! edit: oooops saw this was a thread-dredge. I wonder, will waimakclassiccars get above $25k for this?

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 😊