A Rare Bird: The E30 Baur

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

Indeed, I don't believe that my '84 2.0/6 has a MAF . . . though it could, and I simply don't recognize it. Good luck with locating yours.

I thought that I had seen a French language ActiveCheck panel somewhere in the past, but I could be wrong.

Some good news, and this is directed toward all: GutenParts.com of South Orange, NJ is once again filling orders after having a computer re-keying "adventure". Good prices, great service; Levent's a nice guy.

Jeff

[Baur]

Hi Jeff,

I think you do have this part.


In front of the powersteering-oilholder, you see a grey part with a blue dot on it; that's the MAF.

@Tomscat; 114 325iX's where build, of which 21 as automatic.

Gr Jeroen

[BMWtyro]

Yep, I do indeed have that. Thenks, Jeroen.

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Check this thread.... a pickup E30 with a removable Baur-type roof. Jeroen posted pics of one before that was at Stuttgart... this one is in the Chicago area, apparently. I linked to Jeroen's pics (from E21 bimmerforums last year) within the thread.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1807805

[TomDC]

Jeff was right and as luck would have I picked up a check light in French! Basically, I was getting my air flow sensor (from a guy near Baltimore who had a euro e30 323) and when I asked if he still had the German check light, he said "no, but I've got a French one!". I just about laughed.

Also, as far as the air flow sensor, I meant its engine specific because the m20b23 sensor is different from the m20b25 and others. Would have thought they should be the same, at least for the 6 cylinders...

One other thing I've learned, the m20b23 has a unique cold air slide valve that opens/shuts based on coolant temp to allow for cold starting. It gets stuck from what I've read and can cause problems depending on whether it's stuck open or closed. I just noticed that min has been disconnected...that explains why I have trouble keeping an idle on cold morning starts. Here's a link explaining the problem: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98014

Tom

[BMWtyro]

Thanks, TomDC! Please be patient and I will pay you for ActiveCheck au France’ as soon as I "recover" from the enormous parts order I just placed to GutenParts.com of NJ. They are back up-and-running after their computer re-keying adventure, and I recommend them for Levent's good prices and friendly, knowledgeable service.

Jeff

[TomDC]

Re tomscat post above re the e30 pickup, that's a Subaru Brat lookalike, huh?!?! Remember those? I was always fascinated how you could sell a car called a brat!!! That said, I always wanted one. I also liked the Subaru baja too.

Also, I rembember using my old baur as a pickup. I once toted a refrigerator. With the softop down, the sky's (and overpasses and power lines) the limit with what you can put in there!!

[tomscat1]

It's used for two things; you can wrap your roofcover in it. And it can used to cover the window when the roof is up. That's against dirt and ice.



I've never used it

Gr Jeroen

Baur with window cover in place.

[tomscat1]

For example..... 1985 Jaguar XJS Cabriolet 5.3 Litre V12


There is a GM car in my neighborhood that is a convertible with a built in roll bar. It does not have the Targa type roof however. It is a 1994 Buick, cant remember the model, however.

Also, here are a few Renault 5's posted by HarryPR last year, when discussing the same topic, i.e., other Baur-type cars.

"check out these "Baur-ish" Renault 5's, built by a company called Sovr LM in France:" ------ Thanks HarryPR!!






Here is the thread on the Nebraska Hartge Baur above that Jeroen posted the other day:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1421891

I have PM'ed the former owner... stay tuned!

Just when you thought that you had seen it all.......

The Ferrari 400 Banham (conversion):

Can you see the Baur influence?

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/non-bmw-baur-or-baur-type-top.html

[Aleman]

Here's a SUPER nice Orange '79 for sale on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...-/230764100187

[BMWtyro]

Aleman,

That '79 has been on eBay for a while; I mentioned it to Tomscat a couple of weeks ago IIRC. The seller started off last time with a low opening bid and had lots of bidding activity -- I don't remember what it was bid up to; $9K at least. Apparently it wasn't enough, so he listed it with a high opening bid and a "Buy It Now" price this time . . . but has had no activity.

I don't know whether it is worth it or not . . . but I would think that if any Baur were worth that money, it would be that one.

Jeff

[Baur]

Baur with window cover in place.

That isn't a cover; that's a roof without window

In Germany, 323i's like that orange on ebay go for about 12 to 15.000 euro.

Gr Jeroen

[TomDC]

Guys,

1. Do you know if it's too much trouble to replace the seal without damaging/replacing the canvas? Is it just a matter of pulling out the old one and gluing in the new one? Any special type of glue I should use? I basically have a leftover/NOS seal for the soft top (had it since my old Baur so it's at least 10 yrs. old, but seems to be in excellent condition). My current seal is torn in many places and NEEDS replacement. Again, I do not want to replace the canvas top.

2. I received today Baur handle repair kit from ebay seller in England -- everything looks great. Still waiting on Maximillian Imports to get me the parts I ordered some time ago (apparently they were waiting on one "Baur" or "TC" plate part and this was holding things up. I had to call and tell them to send what they do have!

3. Took a second lunch (Hobbit style) since it's like summer here in Washington and took the Baur on a nice run. I think the interior swap is a huge improvement and more comfortable, but the seats clash with rear door cards which are Baur specific and are from my old color interior. I have regular e30 houndstooth cards, but they are obviously not Baur size. Has anyone cut down regular e30 rear seat cards to fit a Baur? A lot of work? Jeroen: did you do this with your houndstooth?

[Sammy7]

I had the upholsterer cut them for me when I brought it in to have the top replaced. It didn't seem too hard, but I figured I'd save myself the hassle (not to mention the frustration if I screwed it up) since it was going in anyway.

On that note, the fabric to cover the roof panel and the piece above the windshield didn't match the top, so it had to go back and I'm still driving around with a clouded window partially covered in duct tape. Good thing I only drive it when I can have the top down.

Tom, what's in the repair kit?

[TomDC]

Sammy: here is the eBay listing http://www.ebay.com/itm/170796167990...#ht_3968wt_689
Basically, it's the handle hardware and two red/orange receivers. Not really sure there was ever a "repair kit" offered by baur but I wanted a second handle b/c they are NLA.

I will give some thought to doing the cards myself.

[BMWtyro]

TomDC,

Your Baur is looking great . . . but you really shouldn't leave it parked on streetcar tracks as it is in that second photo.

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Check this one out!

The seller is known to us here at Baurspotting and he has done a lot of work to bring this car to where it is now!

Tons of pics on the eBay listing! Gorgeous Baur!

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

1984 BMW E30 323i BAUR TC2
Privately imported to California shortly after manufacture (in 1985!) where it has remained for the last 26 years... Original Alpine White paintwork. Restoration work completed in the last 600 miles include: New top, all sections, (hard, soft and header section) new headliner on hard section. Newly reupholstered seats, (front and rear). New radiator, water pump, expansion tank, hoses & coolant. New vacuum hoses. new brake rotors & pads (front and rear) and brake fluid flush. Rebuilt struts, new gas shocks, (front and rear). New tie rod ends. New inner & outer control arm ball joints and bushings. New door seals, new oil sump gasket and rear main seals. New timing belt and tensioner, New windshield chrome filler strip. Bumpers rechromed. New hood pad. New spark plugs. New exhaust manifold gaskets and nuts. New SI board batteries. New side marker and fog lights. New fuel & oil filters.
Replaced cylinder head gasket, valve stem seals, valve cover gasket... Have receipts since 1994 for $14,000.
Flawless original dash, no cracks or repairs-ever. Excellent paint, no accidents or rust-ever. Original Becker "Bavaria" AM/FM/SW electronic radio with added tweeter speakers that sounds incredible with a new power antenna. This car was ordered from the factory without A/C or power steering, giving it much improved road feel. The only downside is that you won't be able to do any one finger parking while sipping your latte...
Plus over $14,000 in receipts from previous owner which include a complete transmission rebuild12kmiles
EPA & DOT certified
California title
Note: Even though the car has passed smog in 2009 and prior, it will NOT pass California smog without new catalytic converters so if you buy and must smog you will need to install. The car has NEVER failed a smog.

[tomscat1]

Here is another TC2 Baur on the market:
Very Rare 1984 BMW 323i Baur TC - $6400 (Dallas)

Date: 2012-03-24, 12:54PM CDT
Reply to: see below [Errors when replying to ads?]


This 1984 BMW 323i Baur TC Cabriolet/Targa Convertible is a very unique and and quite special European only model. It has just over 117K miles, the canvas on the rear has been replaced years ago and looks great, everything else is original, obviously needs new upholstery. We own this car since 1985.

PLEASE PHONE CALLS ONLY 214-801-0269

More pics etc:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

[BMWtyro]

Wow, Tom, that Baur in Dallas couldn't look much more like TomDC's car if it tried! I had no idea that Bronzit/brown top/tan interior was a popular Baur combo in '83 - '84 because I had never seen it before -- and now two of them pop up in that color scheme. Sharp car, except for the non-matching seat covers.

Jeff

[Baur]

@Tomscat; do you already have a VIN or Baur-number belonging to that car? I think it's the B40670-15 (Hautmann, Cochem).

A lot of work? Jeroen: did you do this with your houndstooth?

Just seen this; no, my cars where delivered with these houdstooth.

Gr Jeroen

[THEPOOLEMAN]

Just when you thought that you had seen it all.......

The Ferrari 400 Banham (conversion):

Can you see the Baur influence?

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/non-bmw-baur-or-baur-type-top.html

How about the Opel Kadett Aero .

[tomscat1]

How about the Opel Kadett Aero .

We have that one here, along with a bunch more:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/non-bmw-baur-or-baur-type-top.html

Nice to hear from you, ThePooleman! One of these days I will have to get up to that Bav auto show!

Jeroen,

I have no other info on that Baur, yet. I will work on it, however.

[TomDC]

Jeff: thanks for the compliment above, but believe the cell phone camera hides quite a few imperfections. In fact, my next somewhat serious project is to tackle surface rust, including a 2x2 inch spot on the hood.

Unhappy note: car is back in shop that did the timing belt/ water pump job. I noticed it was leaking coolant...

As far as bronzit/brown being a rare baur color, I think my wife would give you the explanation. She hates it! I must admit, my color preference would be the blue baur for sale in california (listed in the roundel, I think Jeff found it) or that blue e21 baur in Argentina. Anyone with a blue baur want to trade????

I finally got my baur parts from max. Imports. I am probably one of the last few people to use the 1st gen of TC2 retention clips. I also put on a black oem heckspoiler (not really my idea but the PO obviously used to have one and took it off so there were 6 plugged holes on the trunk lid.). It's amazing how much faster I can go now with the spoiler!

Tom

[tomscat1]

Motodrome bmw 318i baur cabriolet for sale in action


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiEgCfmzPSU[/ame]



More BMW videos:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/bmw-videos.html

[Baur]

As far as bronzit/brown being a rare baur color, I think my wife would give you the explanation. She hates it!

Tom

Bronzitbeige is actually listed on place 5 in the most used colours on a Baur.

1. Alpinweiss I (146): 1718
2. Diamantschwarz (181): 1224
3. Zinnoberred (138): 1137
4. Polaris (60): 687
5. Bronzitbeige (139): 671

The rarest colour is Savannabeige 187, with only 2 cars (a German 318i and a Japanese 318iA).

Gr Jeroen