A Rare Bird: The E30 Baur

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

Unfortunately, there is no "quick-and-easy" way to post photos on here.

Photos must be posted either via thumbnail attachments from your own files (which I much prefer -- click on "Start/Reply to Thread", then click on the paper clip icon in the top row of the tool bar) or through a file-hosting service (I would avoid PhotoBucket if at all possible -- grrr).

Maximum size for each attachment is 150 KB, so the photos from your file must be pretty small. If they are not, I recommend ZoomBrowser to help you reduce them to an acceptable size.

If you need more help/clarification regarding the thumbnail attaching process, feel free to PM me.

Jeff

[Baur]

Hi Tom,

First; congratulations on your Baur!

Yes, these parts aren't available anymore. But I think you can get them quite easily if someone parts out a Baur.

After my winterholiday (till Saturday 25th) I will look if I still have some old parts left, might be possible to keep the old system.

Gr Jeroen

[TomDC]

Thanks guys!

I hope to get a letter with photos to Tomscat soon and, if possible, he can put on his blog.

[BMWtyro]

Jeroen,

Did I already ask if you might have a link to Euro E30 wiring diagrams? If you do, please post it here since most of us could really use such a resource.

Here in the U.S., many of our wiring systems were hacked from the day that our cars were grey-marketed over here from Europe/South Africa/wherever. As required by Federal law, the EuroLights and rear fog lamps had to be eliminated, then the cars had to be retrofitted with side marker lamps (mine are ULO-brand lamps sourced from Mercedes), oxygen sensors and God knows what else.

The wiring below my instrument board looks like a rat's nest, and I have no idea how much of it is the result of Federalization and how much is simply aftermarket buggery. I have removed all(?) of the aftermarket radar detector wiring, and some of the aftermarket alarm system . . . but there are hot wires under there which are obviously not factory, and I am reluctant to meddle with them. I would like to put the wiring back as close to original as practical (and legal), but I won't even attempt it without an accurate diagram.

Until I get the wiring mess sorted out, I have installed a battery quick-disconnect . . . and I never venture anywhere without a fire extinguisher on board.

Jeff

[Baur]

Hi Jeff,

Didn't I send you a link to a repairs manual? Well, I just took my book "So wird's gemacht" (This is how it's made), there are 3 diagrams in it regarding the M20-cars. I will put the book in the scanner when I'm back from my holiday (25th I'm back).


This is a newer example of the book, the text in the red says "Mit Stromlaufplänen"; "With wiring diagrams"

Gr Jeroen

[BMWtyro]

Thanks, Jeroen. You might have sent it, but the title and the cover design don't seem familiar. Do you know if perhaps this book was ever published in English?

Have a great holiday!

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Here is an interesting story just developing: one of our Bimmerforums members (from the Norttheastern US) just contacted me to say he has purchased a TC2 Baur off eBay from Ireland!


He plans to ship it over to the US, so it will be interesting to hear what he needs to go through to bring it in, register it, etc. I will encourage him to share the story with us either in here, or through my Baur blog.

He already owns two other TC1 Baurs, btw, including this famous one:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/201...-baur-917.html

Congrats and good luck with the Customs process! We will be rooting for you!

Item number: 260952651926

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=26 0952651926&nma=true&rt=nc&si=jbf3Hs8jK3j%252F2xYdq B1UcGPdwBY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

1986 318 Right hand drive

1986 BMW E30 BAUR CONVERTIBLE

Almost Classic!!!!

Manual Gearbox

165000 miles

In 2010 the car was restored, sanded to bare metal, rust removed from all the usually E30 locations, fresh steel welded in place, filled, primed and a given a new dolphin grey paintjob. The underbody was fully sealed and the engine given a full service.

The following items were replaced.
LH + RH Wishbone + Ball Joint + Rear Bush (front)
LH + RH Drop Link (front)
LH + RH Brake Pads (front)
LH + RH Brake Drum (rear)
LH + RH Brake Shoes (rear)
LH + RH Brake Cylinder (rear)

The car has been garaged since being restoring, some minor interior work required.

It is located in Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford, Rep Of Ireland - (1 min from the Rosslare / Fishguard ferry)
Selling as it is a shame to have a car like this garaged...

[tomscat1]

I forgot pics.....this is the Baur from Ireland.

Oh, wait.... maybe that should be..... O'Baur!

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

I like, I like -- well, not sure about those wheels and tires, but otherwise: cool! I am especially enamored of the herringbone interior pattern; I wonder if it is original.

Please advise the owner that, as I understand it, U.S. legislation now exists which exempts grey-market vehicles over 25 years old from Federal compliance when they are imported into this country. It might be helpful to mention this to customs inspectors/any other bureaucrats when the car actually reaches U.S. shores. Also, the owner's U.S. Congressional/Senate office might be able to clarify that law for all concerned "before the fact". That is the road which I would take in his position.


By the way, today I acquired a 1984 316/318i/320i/323i Euro owner's manual -- printed in Danish. Initially I got all excited because I thought that it was written in Flemish (Dutch) as spoken to some extent in Belgium where my car was delivered when new. Upon the discovery that it was actually in Danish, I bought it anyway just because it is unique -- and I thought that it might be "tradable" for an English version (so that I can actually read it!), or a French or Dutch language version which would at least be more appropriate to my car.

This tabbed-chapter BMW publication is numbered 01489750748, is in what I would describe as above-average used condition and appears to be complete. Attached photos show front/rear covers, covered models/tabs and publication number/date.

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Wayne Carini of 'Chasing Classic Cars' Meets Baurspotting today.



I got to meet and chat today with Wayne Carini, star of "Chasing Classic Cars" on Discovery Channel. Fascinating guy!

Here is the New York Times article that Wayne cited in his talk today that was responsible for getting him noticed, and that shortly led to his [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]TV [COLOR=blue !important]show[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], for which he is now world famous!
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/automobiles/collectibles/02LOVE.html?pagewanted=all

Full story and more pics:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/

[davey101]

Wow, congrats Tom. Been watching chasing classics since it first started! Not sure why I haven't checked out f-40 yet. Wayne seems like a great car guy.

[minor2012]

[IMG]http://www.**********.info/7.jpg[/IMG]

[tomscat1]

Wow, congrats Tom. Been watching chasing classics since it first started! Not sure why I haven't checked out f-40 yet. Wayne seems like a great car guy.

I am told that they do a 'Cars and Coffee" thing on the first Saturday of the month at the shop in Portland, CT, but I am not sure if they are still doing that every month, or if Wayne himself is in town for those. I know he travels quite a bit.

I have attached a couple of pics taken at previous 'Cars and Coffee' events. Hmmm. Bugatti. Bentley. Always Ferraris. Fixed Head E-Type. Not too shabby.

[cmiller9]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2840481112.html

this came up today on creigs list... lol. thought it was relevant.. thoughts?

[Brokenbuyer]

The Ireland Baur is a pretty nice find. Will definitely want to keep up with the customs process and see how it all works out. Good luck with that!

[BMWtyro]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2840481112.html

this came up today on creigs list... lol. thought it was relevant.. thoughts?

cmiller,

It will certainly be relevant to Tomscat, whose Baurspotting blog focuses on E21 Baurs.

It is interesting to note that here again is a Baur which, like the E30 Baurs, appears to sit higher than its closed coupe counterparts that were destined for the U.S. market. I wish I could see some photos of how high the Euro-delivery E21 coupes sat for comparison . . .

Jeff

[tomscat1]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2840481112.html

this came up today on creigs list... lol. thought it was relevant.. thoughts?

Thanks for the link! That is a TC1 Baur (E21)... we have had it posted on the Baurs For Sale page in my blog for about a week.

It is a non-running car presently, but.... it has the rare dogleg transmission! Guys who want those will pay $1-2 grand just for that! His price is a little optimistic, although personally I hope he gets it!

Here it is on my blog, scroll down to February 15 to see the ad:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/baurs-for-sale.html

Lots of other Baurs for sale there, btw, for anyone interested.

cmiller,

It will certainly be relevant to Tomscat, whose Baurspotting blog focuses on E21 Baurs.

It is interesting to note that here again is a Baur which, like the E30 Baurs, appears to sit higher than its closed coupe counterparts that were destined for the U.S. market. I wish I could see some photos of how high the Euro-delivery E21 coupes sat for comparison . . .

Jeff

You can find lots of examples of E21 coupes (they were ALL coupes) and Baurs here:
http://www.bmwe21register.com/

[tomscat1]

Ok, folks. They are starting to come out of the woodwork!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...860393915.html




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

[BMWtyro]

Gentlemen,

Someone (perhaps one of you?) told me that an E30 coupe package shelf can be modified to interchange with that of a Baur; is that indeed correct? I ask because I can buy a "perfect" Baur shelf (which has never been cut for speakers!) for $100, but if a coupe shelf will work and I can buy it cheaper, I will try to do so. Mine is flat and incorporates the central defogger blower vent (did coupes use those?). The shelf which I purchase must be cut for stock speaker grilles (or better still, no speaker grilles). The reason: somebody installed big ol' honkin' 6x9s in mine, and the grilles stick up so high (out of necessity, I imagine) that they have begun to leave oval patterns in the rear plastic curtain! (see attached photo) Please advise, particularly if that $100 shelf with no speaker holes cut in it will start to look like a bargain to me in the near future if I don’t buy it . . .

On to the next matter: while photographing my package shelf, I realized that a gap exists at the bottom of the rear top section where it should presumably meet the body. Why does it not do so? None of the snap button screws (for the top boot) which are installed across the back seem to enter the body; they are only driven into a metal bow at the bottom of the convertible top frame. It is that bow which stands away from the body approx. 3/16” at the widest. Is this normal? If not, what is wrong?

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Gentlemen,

Someone (perhaps one of you?) told me that an E30 coupe package shelf can be modified to interchange with that of a Baur; is that indeed correct? I ask because I can buy a "perfect" Baur shelf (which has never been cut for speakers!) for $100, but if a coupe shelf will work and I can buy it cheaper, I will try to do so. Mine is flat and incorporates the central defogger blower vent (did coupes use those?). The shelf which I purchase must be cut for stock speaker grilles (or better still, no speaker grilles). The reason: somebody installed big ol' honkin' 6x9s in mine, and the grilles stick up so high (out of necessity, I imagine) that they have begun to leave oval patterns in the rear plastic curtain! (see attached photo) Please advise, particularly if that $100 shelf with no speaker holes cut in it will start to look like a bargain to me in the near future if I don’t buy it . . .

On to the next matter: while photographing my package shelf, I realized that a gap exists at the bottom of the rear top section where it should presumably meet the body. Why does it not do so? None of the snap button screws (for the top boot) which are installed across the back seem to enter the body; they are only driven into a metal bow at the bottom of the convertible top frame. It is that bow which stands away from the body approx. 3/16” at the widest. Is this normal? If not, what is wrong?

Jeff

Hi jeff,

Since my Baur is a TC1 I can't offer much help on the parcel shelf in your TC2.

As for the space at the bottom of the cabriolet roof... I don't have my car here with me today, but I believe mine seals pretty tightly at the bottom. In looking at the pic you posted.... is that light brown strip below the rear window the gap you are referring to? If so, that is definitely not the way mine fits.... again I have a TC1, so it may be different.

I have a similar metal bow to which the top attaches. That bow screws down tightly to the car..... I am pretty sure that there is a rubber seal there. I will have to look when I get home. Do you have a thick rubber seal between the metal bow and the car body? That may explain this, perhaps. See #23 below.

Exploded diagrams here:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/p/b...dfor-sale.html
Part #
51 71 0 006 414


23

Sealing51 71 0 006 414

10.450 kg / 0.992 lb €43.10
$57.61


Hope this helps.

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

Thanks -- perhaps there is indeed a rubber seal missing. Also, that metal strip at the bottom is not the least bit scewed or otherwise fastened to the car's body. I'll just have to try to figure it out from the Penske.com E30 Baur diagrams if I can, but as you know most exploded views do not specifically indicate what fastens directly to what.

And no, the gap doesn't show up in the attached photo; you have to be in the back seat with your head above the package shelf, looking down and rearward with the top raised to see it. It is only about 3/16" at its widest and it doesn't appear too easy for rain to get inside, but I still want to seal it if it is supposed to be so.

[tomscat1]

Have you seen this parcel shelf, Jeff?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-GENUINE-BAUR-CONVERTIBLE-PARCEL-SHELF-MINT-/180808401967?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM& hash=item2a1905442f

Item number on ebay UK: 180808401967

Looks like it is in that $100 ballpark with express shipping though. Is there a cheaper shipping alternative from the UK?

Now that I look at it, I'm thinking this is the one you are looking at!

Small Baur World.

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

[BMWtyro]

Tom,

Yep, that would be the one. $31.39 + $62.79 = $94.18. He won't ship it any cheaper way than Royal Air Mail because he says that it will take to long to get here and that it will probably arrive damaged . . . and he's probably right.

I think I should just say "To heck with it!" and buy the thing . . .

NOW . . . MORE EURO-SPECIFIC PARTS INFO NEEDED!

I want to give this car a tune-up (among a LOT of other needed maintenance). I'd rather not buy "Genuine BMW Parts" for this operation since I know that ignition parts were supplied by Bosch in the first place. However, I know of no way to convert the BMW #s to Bosch #s, which would thereby allow me to do some price-shopping on eBay and such.

So, here are the BMW numbers according to Penske:

Distributor Cap = 12111289519 $36.59

Rotor = 12111286111 $32.89 or 12111707263 $13.00, both 1K ohm -- no explanation of difference

Plug Wires = 12121710591 Price: $212.71 !!!

Spark Plugs = 12129061869 Price: $9.38 . . . each !!! At least the Penske breakdown does considerately cross them to Bosch W8 LCR . . . but does anyone know if that is a current Bosch number? This I can probably figure out for myself.

All I know is that I cannot afford to perform a potentially $340 tune-up, and I believe that knowing the current Bosch numbers is the key to making it do-able. If a source/site exists to cross these BMW numbers (even if the site is in German), please clue me in.

Thanks.

Jeff

[tomscat1]

Jeff,
I dont know where you go for prices, but try these two:

http://www.bavauto.com/


http://www.fcpgroton.com/

CALL them... dont just use the website. I cant remember where I bought mine for my TC1, but I know it was one of these two. And I spoke to them about the part numbers that I had from Realoem. I believe it was the guy at FCP who converted them to Bosch numbers for me------even though he told me he couldnt get them for me!---- I then took the Bosch numbers and got my order. Sorry to be so vague, but it was over a year ago, and I dont have the paperwork easily to hand.

If you dont get what you need from the above.....
Foreign Car Parts

734 Poquonnock Rd
Groton, CT 06340
(860) 445-0063

Call this number. FCP is a list sponsor, and they have a big internet operation. The number I just posted above is their local shop, which has been my local choice for about 20 years.... way before they went on the internet. The dad, who owns the company, is at this phone in Groton, CT. His son runs the internet operation out of Old Saybrook, Ct. The Groton retail store is old school. The guy who gave me all the Bosch cross reference numbers for the BMW parts is at the Groton store. It may be worth a shot. Good luck. Btw.... for my TC1 323i M20... I KNOW I didnt pay 227 bucks for wires! Good Grief, Charlie Brown!

[BMWtyro]

Tom

Thanks for the leads. The prices I quoted were admittedly taken from the Penske site, which represents full-boot retail.

I recently had my first good experience while speaking to a BavAuto rep (Alan or Allen). While he didn't have the item I needed, he did offer some very useful info for which I thanked him; it has often been frustrating to talk to most of the others up there.

I lately use Levent at GutenParts; his prices are quite reasonable, and you can't beat the personalized service. I should probably have called him about this by now.

So: do Baurspotting users get any discount at FCPGroton . . ?

Jeff

UPDATED INFO:

According to this spark plug chart http://e28calendar.com/Misc/SparkPlugChart.pdf, all of the M20 "i" engines used the W8LCR plug -- along with a few other '80s - '90s BMW applications . . . so they shouldn't be too hard to find.

Now to find Bosch numbers for that oddball cap, rotor and wires . . .

Jeff