Slightly OT again: 3er tourings (& no not e46s)

[paul p (chi-town)]

I need help. Like in the head.
I’ve seen e30 tourings.





I’ve seen the e36s too.
Is importing one of these into the US as bad as dealing w/ the M5Ts?
Like federaling it will cost multiples more than what the car is worth.
Am i up way past my bedtime?




93 SE-R---94 530iT&A---92 325i ….”Hang up & Drive!”
”It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error;
It is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error."--Robert H. Jackson.

[DrewZ]

It's the same importation/federalization crap as on an M5T. The problem you'll run into on the E30 and E36 Tourings is that their value will probably exceed the imporation/federalization cost. Bummer. There's a guy on the E28 board that snagged an E30 iX Touring (5-speed, no less) that had been for sale in upstate NY. A few months back, there was a real nice E36 Alpina Touring in the Roundel listed somewhere in the upper $20s. That thing was drop dead gorgeous. My fidelity was sorely tempted by that one . . .

Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring

[Elekta]

I wouldn't click this link then if I were you....

[Brian C.]

A year or so ago I was walking around a rather up-scale area of Miami Beach when I saw a E46 touring parked on the road. It was very clean looking, not too old at all, but when I walked past it I saw an "M3" badge on the back. The badge looked pretty much OE to me, but what do I know? I looked into it and saw that it was an auto-tranny. Do you think this was legit or maybe just a "Owner's Upgrade"? It's the only M3T I've ever heard about.

Brian C.

[DrewZ]

link to E36 Alpina B3 Touring
Pic

[Jason]

only one that i know of so far

[Jon K]

Anyone know what the hell that controller/electronic thing is in the E30 M3T? Its to the right of the shifter... wtf.

[paul p (chi-town)]

Dunno guys, both the Alpina and the one at WillZ are a bit much.
I’m thinkin just a 2.8L small six in either would be enough for me. With an imported chassis the engine actually the least of ones worries.
I just don’t like the e46 as they went away from the driver canted cockpit. Then there is the issue of the lightened steering feel. No interest in wrenching an OBDII car anyways.
It’s really funny, used to not like the e30 that much, but thought the e36 was a gorgeous car. But i’ve warmed to the older chassis; lighter, tighter, boxy (like the Sentra . Kinda like an e34 that shrunk in the wash. Plus it looks really cool as a touring. But then it would be silly to own two 3ers.

Least expensive and logical option would be to find a healthy 525iT and do a manual swap on it. I remember being a passanger in just such a car. I forget the owner but Ben Thongsai did it. W/ a shorter diff the thing was quite punchy at AutoX speeds.

Then again if a job i applied for comes thru, who knows.
That one from WillZ starts lookin a little bit more dooable.
Some lucky S(orD)OB will get Rolf then.
I love that car. Box stock (almost) it’s the best daily driver evah!

93 SE-R---94 530iT&A---92 325i…….”Hang up & Drive!”

[mikey535im]

I really like the looks of that e30'T',very nicely done!

Mike

[Paul in NZ]

I walked past it I saw an "M3" badge on the back. The badge looked pretty much OE to me, but what do I know? I looked into it and saw that it was an auto-tranny

True //M are manual only