A Rare Bird: The E30 Baur

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

Thanks, but I think (hope) that I can figure out the technical stuff from here.

However, if I may ask: from whom did you order your Euro tag, and were you satisfied with it?

Jeff

[tomscat1]

A new movie, filmed on location in Alaska, premieres on Friday, February 3, 2012. One of our TC1 Baur owners Jeff (alaskabimmer) has a role as an extra in the film, and..... so does his Baur! It is called THE BIG MIRACLE, and stars Drew Barrymore and John Kasinski, among others.

While we are very excited for Jeff, what you may not know, is that this is NOT his greatest claim to fame.

In May 2010, Jeff drove alone in his Baur from his home in Anchorage, Alaska on a 7,000 mile roundtrip Odyssey to Pasadena California to attend Bimmerfest 2010!! He recounted his epic journey in a thread in E21 bimmerforums at the time, and left those who were following his exploits simply awestruck!

In honor of his movie debut, and in honor of his fantastic Odyssey, Baurspotting is doing a series featuring Jeff's adventure, and much more. I have just posted Part II of the series tonight to coincide with his debut tomorrow. Pics and videos, much more to come!
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/

[AquilaBMW]

I am a BMW fan through and through and have always loved the Baur convertibles.

Here is one from CA someone might be interested in. If someone needs a local to check it out, let me know. Cheers!

Ultra Rare 1984 BMW 318i BAUR T/C Euro Targa Convertible - $2984 (san carlos)

Date: 2012-02-02, 3:21PM PST
Reply to: jeg3v-2795162121@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
For sale one very rare European-only version 1984 BMW 318i Baur T/C Targa convertible!
Rust-free, 1miles on chassis [engine recently rebuilt], 5 speed transmission, high compression 1.8 liter four cylinder engine that is peppy and gets great gas mileage too! Has CD stereo, cloth interior, CD stereo and cool removeable hardtop/folding hardtop configuration with center roll bar for extra rigidity, cool steelie wheels. Price just lowered to only $2,984. this is a great deal."AS IS"! 650.307.2251.

[BMWtyro]

Tom,
That coverage of E21 Jeff and his ride is great -- thanks for sharing his adventures with us. So: is the Baur-Jeff contingent preparing to give the Baur-Toms a run for their money, numbers-wise? We shall have to wait and see . . .

Aquila,
Love the Euro-steelies on that for-sale E30 Baur . . . but what's the deal with the missing high-beam "eyeball" which appears to have been supplanted by some sort of grille?

Jeff

[AquilaBMW]

Aquila,
Love the Euro-steelies on that for-sale E30 Baur . . . but what's the deal with the missing high-beam "eyeball" which appears to have been supplanted by some sort of grille?

Jeff

Jeff -

From my E34 experience, it seems that is being used as a Cold Air Intake to enhance performance. E34 guys report measurable improvement when they do that to their cars.

People remove the High Beam and install a mesh grill and duct it to the intake. I might actually go check it out... it might be a nice little daily runner.

Michael

[tomscat1]

Thanks to Erik M. in NY for the heads up on this link:
(Full disclosure: I bought an E30 ix from Erik last month. Thanks, Erik!)

1985 BMW 323i 325i Coupe Baur Edition Grey Market IMPORTED - $7500 (Allentown, PA)

Date: 2012-02-05, 11:24AM EST
Reply to: e5jje-2835848230@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]


1985 BMW 323i / 325i Coupe / Convertible, 6 cylinder (that's correct) 2.7 liter engine, manual

Baur Edition - if you are a BMW enthusiast you will know that this was a post production modification that removed the top and replaced it with a targa style top

One of a kind Collector's vehicle

Speedo is 192xxx

Lots of service records

Was imported to North America - considered a "Grey Market" vehicle

Most of its life has been spent in California and Texas - NO RUST!!! Stored in a garage during its time in PA and OH

Passed CA smog inspection

Recent service and PA inspection about 1 month ago - $600 in hoses, left tie rod replacement, inspection, turn signal repair.

Highlights: After market replica Alpina wheels - $1200, new chrome bumper replacement $250, after market in dash CD player, body ground effects, seat reupholstery with new interior carpeting

Cons: a few superficial paint scratches that could likely be removed with light buffing / detailing

OEM German Canvas roof replacement is also available. Just needs a professional installation.

Email / Call with questions - Jeremy 610-628-9988

• Location: Allentown, PA
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 2835848230


http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/2835848230.html

Other Baurs for sale around the world:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

[FrOzEnSoLiD]

saw this on the road a while back

[tomscat1]

Tom,

Thanks, but I think (hope) that I can figure out the technical stuff from here.

However, if I may ask: from whom did you order your Euro tag, and were you satisfied with it?

Jeff

Sorry, Jeff, I missed this post earlier.

I bought them from Euro Plates Group,LLC. They are fine, although I don't have anything to compare them to.

[TomDC]

Froze solid photo shows only rt hand drive baur I've seen in the us AND it had md tags!

[Baur]

The Baur from FrozenSolid's pic is a South-African build Baur. It hasn't the "Baur TC" plates on the B-pillar, but the most recognizable part is the coloured Baur-frame (all Stuttgart build Baur's have a black frame). About 3500 Baur TC's where build by the SA BMW-factory. The frames where put on before the car was sprayed or anything.

Gr Jeroen

[tomscat1]

The Baur from FrozenSolid's pic is a South-African build Baur. It hasn't the "Baur TC" plates on the B-pillar, but the most recognizable part is the coloured Baur-frame (all Stuttgart build Baur's have a black frame). About 3500 Baur TC's where build by the SA BMW-factory. The frames where put on before the car was sprayed or anything.

Gr Jeroen

^^^^^THIS is why Jeroen gets paid the Big Bucks!

That is great info, Jeroen, thank you. I remember you telling us that before, but I just didnt notice the frame color... I was still scratching my head about the right-hand drive. So South Africans drive on the wrong side of the road, also?

That is the first South African-produced Baur we have spotted in the US, as far as I know.

OK, Baurhunters...... LET'S FIND THAT BAUR! Maryland plates, metro DC area..... how hard can it be? Can't be more than 3 or 4 million cars to sift through, right?



I wonder if Lothar Schuettler knows about this one.... or perhaps the BMWCCA National Chapter? Any members here?

[BMWtyro]

Sorry, Jeff, I missed this post earlier.

I bought them from Euro Plates Group,LLC. They are fine, although I don't have anything to compare them to.

Thanks for the info, Tom. The details from Jeroen of the South
African Baur are very interesting as well!

All is not well with my poor Baur, however. As I pulled her into my garage on Sunday night, a stack of plywood which had been leaning contentedly against the garage wall for years chose that moment to topple onto Miss Opal's left rear quarter panel. No dents, but plenty of scratches . . .

Luckily, the fellow BMW CCAer who found her for me has come to the rescue with the name of an airbrush-and-buff artist who may be able to touch her up without repainting the entire quarter panel.

I'll keep y'all posted.

Jeff

[Baur]

I was still scratching my head about the right-hand drive.

The first thing I was wondering about was the colour. Didn't recognize it. But then I remembered that they had other colours in SA. And looked at the frame

Gr Jeroen

[BMWtyro]

The first thing I was wondering about was the colour. Didn't recognize it. But then I remembered that they had other colours in SA. And looked at the frame

Gr Jeroen

Jeroen,

Yes, I noticed that as well. I can't tell whether it is a medium green or a medium turquoise, but it certainly is a pretty color . . . and one that wasn't available here in the U.S.

For the life of me, I don't know what my fellow Americans have had against the color green for the past thirty years or so; it seems particularly odd considering their current fascination of the "green revolution". I have a green BMW and a green Dodge truck, and I couldn't be more pleased with the way that they look.

Jeff

AUTOMERGE-MANDATED EDIT:

Tomscat,

Here's an E21 Baur for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270910726909&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Probably only good as a parts car. Looks as thought it was tortured during its life, poor thing . . .

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Jeroen,

Yes, I noticed that as well. I can't tell whether it is a medium green or a medium turquoise, but it certainly is a pretty color . . . and one that wasn't available here in the U.S.

For the life of me, I don't know what my fellow Americans have had against the color green for the past thirty years or so; it seems particularly odd considering their current fascination of the "green revolution". I have a green BMW and a green Dodge truck, and I couldn't be more pleased with the way that they look.

Jeff

AUTOMERGE-MANDATED EDIT:

Tomscat,

Here's an E21 Baur for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270910726909&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Probably only good as a parts car. Looks as thought it was tortured during its life, poor thing . . .

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Once again, it is a small Baur world we live in.

Thanks for the heads up on that Baur.... the seller had already emailed me about that at the end of January about his plan to sell. I had tracked him down as the owner of two Baurs about a year ago.

He is keeping his other restored E21 Baur, btw, but he is selling an E21 Euro 323i, if anyone is interested.

The Baur is here:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html
and here:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/b...dfor-sale.html

along with lots of others.

Thanks again... and let me know how you make out with that ....unfortunate garage mishap the other day! Bummer.

[davey101]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1029238&type=1

[BMWtyro]

Tom,
Thanks.

Davey,
It looks more like a Nissan than it does a BMW, but I applaud the effort which they invested in the project. I take it that those are file photos; the one in your post was obvioulsy taken at a car show of some sort. Any idea who currently owns it?

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Tom,
Thanks.

Davey,
It looks more like a Nissan than it does a BMW, but I applaud the effort which they invested in the project. I take it that those are file photos; the one in your post was obvioulsy taken at a car show of some sort. Any idea who currently owns it?

Jeff

It is a one-off. That is the only one they made. It has been shown a number of times at various shows.

Jeroen posted the following 12/6/2010 here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...1566814&page=2
And the E36 is known as the...nope, not TC3 The TC3 was a Z1-like coupé build on E30-base.

"The first pictures, with [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]BMW[/COLOR][/COLOR]-signatures. But after BMW declined this car (we write 1986, the Z1 was already in development), Baur had to take the BMW-logos of. Here some pictures of how it looks now. These pictures were taken on the Stuttgart Messe this year. Because of 100 years Baur, they brought some rare Baur together (the TC3, but also the 4 door TC2 prototype, a TC2 Pick-up and the 02 "Airflow" Landaulette)."

[TomDC]

Hi all,
Well, I finally have found my baur. It's a 1983 323i (bronzit) from northern California. It should be arriving tonight or tomorrow morning.
It was listed on Tomcat's blog several months ago (orig on Craigslist). It has 160k miles and according to sellers mechanic, it will need a valve job very soon. Seats will need work too -- it has the rare brown/tan houndstooth.
What I love about it is it's pretty much like my old one and is very "light" (manual, no a/c, no pwr windows, etc).
I will send photos once I receive (tomorrow or Monday).

Btw, sorry to hear about the plywood, Jeff. Not fun.

Also, I will keep my eyes on the lookout for the rare emerald African baur! Looks like he was on rt. 66 in va and has MD "save the bay" plates,but also looks like that was before winter since trees have leaves!!

[BMWtyro]

Thanks, TomDC -- and congrats on the successful completion of your BaurSearch. That 323i sounds like a honey, and I can't wait to see the pics; tan top, or black?

I agree with you about the "light" factor: my car also has a five-speed and no power steering or power windows, though it does have A/C. That little 2.0 six needs all the help it can get to get the car moving! It's not scary-slow off the line, but I had become used to wifey's 325e which (aside from having a .7-litre displacement advantage) starts making its torque at a much-lower RPM.

As far as goes the needed valve job: if you don't intend to perform the work yourself, perhaps see what Lothar would charge for such an undertaking.

Jeff

[AquilaBMW]

Hi all,
Well, I finally have found my baur. It's a 1983 323i (bronzit) from northern California. It should be arriving tonight or tomorrow morning.
It was listed on Tomcat's blog several months ago (orig on Craigslist). It has 160k miles and according to sellers mechanic, it will need a valve job very soon. Seats will need work too -- it has the rare brown/tan houndstooth.
What I love about it is it's pretty much like my old one and is very "light" (manual, no a/c, no pwr windows, etc).
I will send photos once I receive (tomorrow or Monday).

Congratulations on your find. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

I am considering a Blue Baur Convertible at the moment - it seems to have a lot of work already done on it. It is a 323i, so I don't know how rare or coveted that is. Apparently, here is the work that has been done on it:

Bilstien front and rear shocks
New H & R springs
New front suspension
New rear shock mounts
New timing belt and tensioner and water pump
New rear window
New brakes
Upgraded headlights to Ellipsoid headlights
Good used dash with no cracks
BBS RS light weight wheels 15x7
Brand new tires low profile and hi performance
No rust anywhere in the car

Seller is currently asking about $5.7K for the car.

If anyone can chime in on this, I would appreciate it.

Here are pics:

[TomDC]

Looks like I'll have to wait until Monday to pickup since car is in new jersey still as of an hour ago (I can track online).

Jeff, I will definitely bring up to bmwexcluservice (Lothar's shop). I may also stop by Bavaria Alexandria (where I used to go many years ago). I've been out of the loop re good independent BMW shops in the dc area.

Aquila: I have no prob telling price but would prefer to do so privately. I am new to b'forums and do not know how to do this though. Just by looking at the blue baur and description, it has about $2k worth of work that mine will need. Body looks about the same condition. One thing I like on the blue one is the side marker lights were retrofitted on the bumpers and not the fenders. I think it looks a little cleaner and less risk of rust.

[tomscat1]

AquilaBMW,

I have had that car listed on my blog for a couple of weeks. It has been for sale for some time, last August at least.
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

Scroll down to January 20 to see the ad. Scroll further down, and you will see the same ad posted around December 2011, courtesy of vdubvance..... and go Waaaaay down and you will see the original post from August 28, courtesy of Rudy's blog.

It looks like a pretty nice example, but it has been on the market for a while. For some reason it hasn't sold. That tells me one of two things is happening: his asking price is just too high, and you may be able to get him to reduce it, (assuming he does actually want to sell it); buyers have steered clear of it for some reason.... caveat emptor. Close examination (vehicle inspection) recommended to make sure there aren't any hidden problems. It is a great looking car, though, so good luck to you.

(N.B. I do know that there will be an E21 Baur coming on the market out that way soon, but it will need some work, in case you want to take on more of a project.)

And there are others for sale now:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html


1/20/2012: This ad has reappeared, so it is still for sale:

1985 BMW 323i Baur Euro special vehicle - $5900 (burbank)

Date: 2012-01-20, 7:59AM PST
Reply to: mailto:sale-ckcax-2809172213@craigslist.org?subject=1985%20BMW%20323 i%20Baur%20Euro%20special%20vehicle%20-%20%245900%20(burbank)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Flos angeles.craigslist.org%2Fsfv%2Fctd%2F2809172213.ht ml%0A [Errors when replying to ads?]




1985 BMW 323i Baur targa Blue/ blue top and blue interior. 124K miles, 5 speed, AM/FM in dash CD player.
This cars were made only for Europe so if you find one it is imported by an individual they were never sold thru BMW dealers.
I purchased this vehicle to keep for myself and I have spend lots of time and money all within last month so all the work was done within last month and less than 100 miles ago.
Here is a list of all the work that has been done:
New rear window for convertible
New battery
Service
Replace the dash with a good used dash
Set of good used Ellipsoid headlights
AM/FM in dash CD player
New left and right lower control arms and bushings original
New front sway bar links
New front and rear Bilstien shocks
New front and rear shock mounts
New H&R lowering springs
New front and rear spring rubbers
BBS RS wheels 15x7 good used set
New Yokohama hi performance tires 205/50/15
Car does have a California BAR sticker so it is a California smog legal car.
Car runs and drives great, everything works in the car including A/C.
Interior is in good condition except for the driver seat does have a tear in the bottom part of the seat.
Body is very clean no rust anywhere, right front fender and right door have a small damage not from an accident.
$5900.00 Call 818-955-9577

• Location: burbank

[AquilaBMW]

Aquila: I have no prob telling price but would prefer to do so privately. I am new to b'forums and do not know how to do this though. Just by looking at the blue baur and description, it has about $2k worth of work that mine will need. Body looks about the same condition. One thing I like on the blue one is the side marker lights were retrofitted on the bumpers and not the fenders. I think it looks a little cleaner and less risk of rust.

I don't think you can do PM's yet since you have less than 10 posts. I was just wondering how the one in Burbank compares price wise with the one you acquired. If you are saying it has about $2K worth of work already done, then it might not be so bad afterall.... other than the steep price.

AquilaBMW,

I have had that car listed on my blog for a couple of weeks. It has been for sale for some time, last August at least.
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

Scroll down to January 20 to see the ad. Scroll further down, and you will see the same ad posted around December 2011, courtesy of vdubvance..... and go Waaaaay down and you will see the original post from August 28, courtesy of Rudy's blog.

It looks like a pretty nice example, but it has been on the market for a while. For some reason it hasn't sold. That tells me one of two things is happening: his asking price is just too high, and you may be able to get him to reduce it, (assuming he does actually want to sell it); buyers have steered clear of it for some reason.... caveat emptor. Close examination (vehicle inspection) recommended to make sure there aren't any hidden problems. It is a great looking car, though, so good luck to you.

(N.B. I do know that there will be an E21 Baur coming on the market out that way soon, but it will need some work, in case you want to take on more of a project.)

And there are others for sale now:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html


1/20/2012: This ad has reappeared, so it is still for sale:

1985 BMW 323i Baur Euro special vehicle - $5900 (burbank)

Thanks as always for the response. I have seen the car before and the owner is a BMW enthusiast through and through and knows his cars. He might be a little negotiable on the car is why I am considering it.

Question for me is whether it would be worth that asking price or close to it if it is indeed good running condition with all the work done to it?

Also... how rare of a car is it - particularly in Baur World? I guess that might be a subjective thing.

[BMWtyro]

Did anyone else notice that on the blue Baur's California BAR sticker/plate they list the engine size as "3.2", not 2.3?

Jeff