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
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!
Interesting, a sedan-convertible mashup. Seems like the worst of both worlds, though
I think they're cool. Wind in the hair, with none of the creaky, floppy drawbacks of a convertible.
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!
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.
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/
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).
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/
i'd rock it. I think it's pretty cool.
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.
The rarity doesn't make it pretty.
Ditto 830
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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