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Thread: Another Uber-Rare E36 Baur Top Cabriolet In Germany

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    CT USA
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    1982 323i Baur & 6 more

    Another Uber-Rare E36 Baur Top Cabriolet In Germany

    BMW and Baur only built 310 E36 4 door cabriolets, plus one prototype. None were ever imported to the US as far as we know. So it is extremely rare to see one of these unusual specimens on the market. This one is a 1993 316. It is #41 of 311 built. No affiliation, etc. I share it here because it is such an unusual model that most folks have no idea that it exists. I hope that someday someone will bring one 'across the pond' so we can see it first hand. I would consider it but...... I want to STAY married!


    More pics and info here:
    http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/201...uber-rare.html
    Attached Images Attached Images
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    Tom
    SE Connecticut
    1982 323i Baur, 1977 320i (carbed),
    1978 320i (parts)
    1991 325ix 5 speed, 1989 325ix (winter),
    1989 325ic (summer)
    1973 2002 Malaga (with frosting)
    1975 Mercedes W115 300D (The Departed)
    the late 1979 323i Euro (project, Now Departed)

    Visit my blog: Baurspotting
    http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/

    BWR PWR!

  2. #2
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    Feb 2011
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    Tucson, AZ
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    2016 Mazda 3 Wagon

  3. #3
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    May 2013
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    SoCal
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    1997 328is
    Interesting, a sedan-convertible mashup. Seems like the worst of both worlds, though

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    '03 Z4, '06 Forester
    I think they're cool. Wind in the hair, with none of the creaky, floppy drawbacks of a convertible.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    1982 323i Baur & 6 more
    The BMW Baurs are widely misunderstood. Most folks react to the rather unusual design with.... why didn't they just build a 'normal' convertible. What those folks don't understand is that these Baurs are historical artifacts: the design is in response to the threat, back in those days, that governments were going to outlaw convertibles because they were considered unsafe in a rollover. Notice the most prominent design feature is the built-in roll bar, along with the fixed windows. Form follows function: they were designed to be safer than a traditional convertible.

    When the threat to outlaw them passed (convertibles were never actually banned in the US---although American factories stopped building them from 1976 until the mid-80), factory convertible production resumed, and production of the Baur "Top Cabriolets" gradually faded away. That is why there were only 311 of these "TC4s" built. Baur also built all of the BMW 1600/2002 Voll (Full) Cabrio; about 2,000 2002 'Cabrio Targas'; 4,595 E21 Top Cabriolets (TC1); 10,861 E30 TC2s, plus another 3,000+ built in South Africa under license to Baur; 1 TC3 (production was stopped due to perceived competition with BMWs own Z1; and 311 E36 TC4s. The 1600/2002s cabrios and targas are rare and highly sought after, one recently sold for $65,000; Values of the TC1s, TC2s and TC4s are rising in response to their rarity and collectibility. A TC2 Baur was just added to one of the largest automobile Museum collections in the US. The rather ungainly Baur style represents an important, and nearly forgotten period in automotive history. Did I mention that they are a blast to drive? Most of the Baurs in the US are grey market cars, btw, often with Euro engines that were not available on US Models. For example, BMW only imported 3 (three!) US Spec E21 Baurs to the US, all with the 4 cylinder M10. Most of the grey market Baurs came to the US with the M20 6 cylinder, either the carbureted 320/6, or the fuel injected 323i, like mine. I love mine, and it is my daily driver. Baurs are an acquired taste, and clearly not for everyone. I hope this sheds some light on the reason for their unusual design.
    Tom
    SE Connecticut
    1982 323i Baur, 1977 320i (carbed),
    1978 320i (parts)
    1991 325ix 5 speed, 1989 325ix (winter),
    1989 325ic (summer)
    1973 2002 Malaga (with frosting)
    1975 Mercedes W115 300D (The Departed)
    the late 1979 323i Euro (project, Now Departed)

    Visit my blog: Baurspotting
    http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/

    BWR PWR!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    14

    Another Uber-Rare E36 Baur Top Cabriolet In Germany

    Damn I always wondered what's with Baur TC3.

    I live in Germany, and I have seen few Baur's, TC2's and TC4's and I really dont like them. I like the limos and convertibles, but these... I can't find them attractive.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    The Netherlands
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    DE-spec E36 328i/M3 cab
    They are different for sure. Not my cuppa.

    I have seen one in my life, which was near my work.

    They could be alright, but most of them seem pretty low spec'd.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2014
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    14

    Another Uber-Rare E36 Baur Top Cabriolet In Germany

    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post
    They could be alright, but most of them seem pretty low spec'd.
    Yeah, I forgot to mention that. You're totally right, I've seen maybe 15 TC4's and they all had so much equipment like some 316i limo from the 1991.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Netherlands
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    325iX Baur & more
    Most BMW 3-series are low spec'd. Only thing is that the higger spec'd cars survive (or lower spec'd get more options).

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    DE-spec E36 328i/M3 cab
    Quote Originally Posted by Baur View Post
    Most BMW 3-series are low spec'd. Only thing is that the higger spec'd cars survive (or lower spec'd get more options).
    Most? well hard to tell with the 100's of 1000's E36's made. Also it's a bit arbitrary what is low/medium/highly spec'd.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    Niagara Falls Canada
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    98 328is
    i'd rock it. I think it's pretty cool.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Washington, NC
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    01 330 CiC, 05 X3 3.0
    Seems to me it's just a larger sunroof. Not the same convertible feeling at all, which is more than just wind in the hair, it's a feeling of openness. You would still feel enclosed in a cage. In fact, I'd say it's the worst of both worlds. You still have the backdraft from the rear, but none of the open feeling.

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    72 + 75 2002's
    I literally CAN'T even
    Current_SeeDee 1972 Type 114 Luna 1975 Type 114
    Past___Veronica
    1994 e36 Le-Ah 1987 e30

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Rochester NY
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    E36 328i
    The rarity doesn't make it pretty.

  15. #15
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    Dec 2014
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    Alexandria, Va
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    1996 328is, 2003 325ci
    Ditto 830

  16. #16
    Join Date
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    E36 - 1998 328iS - LS2
    Quote Originally Posted by TomSolo View Post
    i'd rock it. I think it's pretty cool.
    Now's your chance. Here's one on eBay.

    (Yes, I know I've bumped a 3+ year old thread)
    Last edited by TipsyMcStagger; 11-19-2018 at 06:57 PM.

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