Highlights
- Well maintained Baur with lots of recent work
- Smart specification including BBS alloys
- Large history file of maintenance dating back to earliest days
- Very original and tidy low mileage example
- MOT to July 2025
The Appeal
You may wonder why BMW offered a full convertible and the ‘Baur’ cabriolet. Drive the latter and the reason becomes clear: these highly engineered models retained the structural integrity of the saloon and offered the choice of full convertible or ‘Targa’ style motoring. All whilst retaining the big boot and four-up practicality of its hard top cousins. In short, perfect for a summer spin around the lanes or a longer trans-continental jaunt.
Smartly finished in black, this 1990 Baur was well specified by it first keeper - there is a hard wearing fabric interior, desirable manual box and those classic BBS alloys. It has been sparingly used in the intervening 35 years, clocking up less than 85,000 miles in the hands of just seven keepers.
The current keeper bought the car in 2017 from its previous long term keeper and has kept up the themes of regular maintenance and sparing use set by his predecessor. The car is in good, usable condition. There are some minor points to note in the photos, but nothing that prevents this car being used straight away.
Recent work has included a cambelt change, brakes overhaul and attention to the front shock absorbers and suspension. It is said to drive very well with no known faults. With MOT to July 2025 this versatile E30 is ready for summer.
The vendor says:
“I would say it's a lovely, honest and well looked after car, and a joy to drive when the sun is out and the roof is down.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 14th May 1990
- Factory built in February 1990
- Seven keepers from new
- Previous elderly keeper from 2005 to 2017
- Current keeper since March 2017
- Sparingly used by current keeper
- Dry stored throughout his tenure
- Not used on the road between 2018 and 2023, but regularly started and driven around private estate
- Recommissioned in 2023 with list of work below
- Very good history file dating back to earliest days
- Stamped service book and wallet as shown in photos
- All MOTs dating back to 1993
- Described as a lovely, honest, and well-looked-after car
- MOT to 24th July 2025 with minor advisories to note
- 84,462 miles on current MOT with 84,472 miles showing in photos
Recent work since 2023:
- New pads and discs front and back
- Front shocks, mounts & springs
- Front suspension bushes and ball joints all replaced
- Cambelt replacement
The Condition
- Black paintwork has been refreshed but we are told is largely original
- Paintwork shows some scratches, edge chips and frontal stone chips
- There are some areas of lacquer peel to note in photos
- Bodywork is smart and well preserved with no accident damage reported
- Panels appear to be largely free of corrosion as advised by the seller
- There are a couple of areas such as front nearside arch edge that may benefit from localised repainting to preserve condition
- Shut lines are nice and even as shown in photos
- Some minor dents and ding from parking damage as shown
- These include a small dent to lower area of passenger door
- Exterior fittings including bumpers show some age in photos
- Removable targa roof panel with folding rear panel and black tonneau
- Targa roof panel is in good order and rear panel is in need of repair as shown
- BBS alloy wheels recently refurbished and in good general condition
- Fitted with matching Continental tyres showing good sidewall condition and plenty of tread
- Underside is solid with expected surface rust but no structural advisories on MOT
- Jacking points recently cleaned and cills repainted with stonechip
- No rust under the battery or windscreen/scuttle vents
- Grey fabric interior in good condition for age with some points to note in photos
- These include wear to driver’s seat bolster and crack on dash top
- Remaining fittings such as door cards, carpets and switchgear in fair condition for age
- There is a small stain to driver’s footwell as shown
- Fitted with period-style Kenwood radio cassette as shown
- Factory steel spare in boot
- Boot carpet is clean and tidy for age of car
- No reported electrical, lighting, dial or switchgear faults
- No dashboard warning lights visible in photos or advised
The Mechanics
- 1,990cc 4cyl M20 BMW engine
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Well maintained with service history dating back to 1990s
- Recent new battery fitted
- Recommissioned in 2023 with details above and below
- We are told the engine area has no leaks
- Vendor reports that car starts first time every time and performs well
- Engine bay is very clean, wiring cleaned and re-wrapped with fabric tape
- Exhaust is blowing and a little noisy according to seller
- Recent work includes new pads and discs front and back
- Front shocks, mounts, and springs replaced
- Front suspension bushes and ball joints replaced
- Cambelt replaced in 2023
- No reported running or driving issues except as noted
- Minor advisories to note on current MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
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