School me on Bavarias

[CRH_E30]

Thinking of selling my E30 and buying a Bavaria. What problems should I look for?
Any main problems with these cars?

[Todd Black 88]

If your looking for one, a friend of mine has a real nice one for sale up here. Was originally a us car from California iirc

[rob-redm]

Thinking of selling my E30 and buying a Bavaria. What problems should I look for?
Any main problems with these cars?

That would be a step backward...

[CRH_E30]

That would be a step backward...

How so?

[Threehz]

There is an older gentleman in my neighborhood with a Bavaria, and it is beautiful. I pass it almost every day and finally ran into the guy at a gas station a while ago and talked to him. He said it has a little over 460k on the original engine and it runs like a sewing machine.

I plan on making an offer someday.

[Swanny]

Calling f34r....

I guess depends on where you're getting it from. Here in the NE we have to worry about inevitable body rot.

[wikkid]

If it were a 3.0 or a 2002, I could be interested; in those cases, "going backward" would be ok with me. But the Bavaria does not do it for me in the same way.

[Luis325]

They are great cars!!!! i need one soon!
I just havent found a solid one down here in PR, Too much Rust on them...
Check it well for rust man...

[cheapthrills]

The main issue is rust. Look in all the areas you would on a 2002, especially the rockers and rear shock towers. Pull up the trunk carpet. They also had generators (not alternators) originally, but there is a Bosch unit that bolts in directly. Fueling options are many: the twin Zeniths are okay, and the later EFI M30s can be swapped in as well.

We have '72 Bavaria as a somewhat stagnant family project car, which my uncle bought new. A large hurdle is that these cars, fully sorted, will bring between $4-10k. It is extremely easy to get very upside-down on one of these financially after fixing a few problems. In other words, buy a fully sorted one that is ready to drive. Any car that has been sitting for long will have the typical fuel, brake, and radiator issues.

That said, it is a pretty fantastic car. With ~180 hp and a ~3000 lbs curb weight, it's got a pretty good power/weight ratio. Both handling and cruising comfort are very good, aside from wind noise (which can be solved with better door/window seals). The front brakes are 4-piston fixed calipers, so stopping power and brake feel is much better than you'd expect. Its performance is startlingly relevant, even compared to modern cars.

http://www.seniorsix.org/

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...68-1977-(E3-E9)

[LJ851]

Awesome cars. Rust can be an issue. Drivetrain is very durable, original carbs can get ornery with age and use. Fun to drive and pretty light for their size. I scaled a friends and it was 3000 lbs even.

[CRH_E30]

Thanks for the replies guys. The one I'm looking at is about 5 hours away for a very good price. Only problem is that there are no photos of the interior, so I'm put off a little about that.
Carb'd M30, ceramic headers, weber carbs, 4 speed, and beautiful exterior. Driven at least twice a week. Gonna give him a call today.

EDIT: Nevermind on the sport springs, got mixed up with another article

[LJ851]

Thanks for the replies guys. The one I'm looking at is about 5 hours away for a very good price. Only problem is that there are no photos of the interior, so I'm put off a little about that.
Carb'd M30, ceramic headers, weber carbs, 4 speed, sport springs, and beautiful exterior. Driven at least twice a week. Gonna give him a call today.

Post pics when you get it.

[Brezzi]

they're sweet heres a pic of my friends to give you some ideas:


... yes its on air.

[Swanny]

^^^^^^^^
yummy

[nomansfriend]