gjm 3258 Report post Posted May 23, 2022 1990 Baur 325 in Dolphin Grey (as far as I know, the *only* Dolphin Grey Baur in NZ.) For sale is Mrs M's 1990 Baur 325 in Dolphin Grey with black roof. Literally just sailed through another WoF with no advisories. Only being sold because of health issues - Mrs M needs something 'taller' that she doesn't have to climb up out of. The Mercedes 500SL I bought her will also have to go. For anyone unaware, the Baur is one of the rarest E30s and combines the best of the coupe and the convertible. They were built under license from BMW (in Germany and South Africa), initially because BMW didn't have a convertible option available. The roof offers several positions from fully closed to partially open to removed, and the design retains the structural integrity of the coupe. All body panels are in common with the coupe, so no hunting for expensive convertible-specific parts, the rear seat space is retained (it’s significantly reduced in the E30 convertible), and the roof is watertight - we've driven in torrential rain with no issues of any sort. The conversions were expensive. To buy a Baur, you first went to a BMW dealer and bought your E30. The car was then sent from the factory to Baur where it was converted, at significant extra cost. Because of this, many Baurs are fairly low spec and have cloth seats, a heater (no aircon), no OBC, and so on. Our car is very different as it is a high spec car with many options. This car has never wanted for anything in the 4.5 years we've owned it. We flew from Auckland to Dunedin to collect it, driving back to North Waikato. The engine – M20B25 – starts first time, every time and quickly settles initially to a fast idle, then a smooth tickover. It’s one of the quietest and smoothest M20B25s I’ve heard in over 30 years of BMW ownership. Engine bay is really clean. Serviced by me every 4-5000km, and if something stopped working it's been sorted. Odo stopped working, as is common on these, but the gears have now been replaced. The *only* thing I can immediately think of that can be improved is the grey leather interior which at 30 years old is showing signs of it's age. There’s one split in the passenger seat inside bolster, and two splits in the top of the rear seat due to sun damage. We had the driver side seatback outside bolster panel replaced when that had an issue. The carpet on the rear parcel shelf has faded but could be dyed back to original colour. The dash does have cracks which are hidden by a dash mat; we have an uncracked dash that will be offered to the buyer. Everything is original: no mods or swaps (unless you include the towbar or the radio. 🙂 ) So no loud exhaust, no ultralow springs or coilover suspension, no huge rims, no aftermarket bodykit. Body work is very good to excellent. Signs of having been used, but no dents, bends or buckles, and NO RUST. It *has* had some attention to keep it looking good. The Baur roof is watertight and does not leak (unlike many convertibles 😉 ) ad includes the leather cover for when the rear window is folded down. The rear window is clear, uncracked and not faded or obscured. Windows are all etched with the Baur VIN. Options: 13 button OBC full leather interior air conditioning cruise control front foglights electrically adjustable wing mirrors 14" BBS basketweave rims (including spare, with very good, Goodyear tyres - no cheap Chinese rubber) front foglights Recent work completed (in addition to regular servicing, fluids, etc): distributor cap and rotor arm replaced with new parts all 4 shocks were replaced at SuspensionTech (https://www.facebook.com/stech.co.nz) about 2 years ago engine mounts replaced gearbox mounts replaced propshaft 'donut' replaced engine sump gasket replaced rocker cover gasket replaced We took her to Pete at Peak Valet in Havelock North for a professional clean inside and out, and a polish and paint protection. This has revealed some imperfections in the paint, the result of use on Kiwi roads, but also shows how good the bodywork is. Not perfect, but very good. There are spare parts that will be offered to the buyer including a set of used Koni shocks, Kolbenschmidt oil filters, replacement genuine BMW decals for the hub caps, a couple of good tyres, the uncracked dash, a complete pair of electrically adjustable wing mirrors and... I'll have a look. Drives beautifully, turns heads with the roof up or down. Sadly, been used very little in the last few months (most of summer) but always starts first turn of the key. Very happy to answer any questions. Really want this to go to a good home - offers will be considered. Car is in beautiful Hawke's Bay. Come on over, and drive it home. $22,000. 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
