Seriously considering an E3,anyone fancy coming to Germany?!

[arshad76]

Does anyone know much about these cars? I'm slowly falling for them as a kind of 4 door CS. Like the idea of a nice respray, 16" Alpinas and either an M5 3.8 or a 4.0 BMW V8. With my E21 hopefully finished soon, I could do with another project.





http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E3-3-0S-Oldtimer ... 349wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E3-3-0-S-/110624 ... 651wt_1141

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/cla ... rno/100408

Does anyone have a view on these? Rust, driveabilty and so on. And yes has to be a left hand drive again! Help me find a cheap solid one and I'll be a friend for life

[e21-Mark]

I've owned a few of these and think they're awesome cars. The best I had was a 3.0si in dark blue. They have quite a following in Europe so values are much higher than here.

I'm up for a German road trip if you find one you like.

[arshad76]

I've owned a few of these and think they're awesome cars. The best I had was a 3.0si in dark blue. They have quite a following in Europe so values are much higher than here.

I'm up for a German road trip if you find one you like.

Good to get some positive feedback from a past owner. Worried about rust and obtaining spare parts I guess Mark. I think there's a guy in the BMW car club doing a lovely refurb and currently can't get hold of another Windscreen rubber to replace his old cut one. I hope you don't reneg on me when the time comes, I just need to persuade Dr Jim and it will be a great little road trip!

[e21-Mark]

My old 2500 is for sale down in Tunbridge Wells. It's the lack of spares that put me off tbh. It needs front wings for starters.

[Mobster]

http://classiccarsales.ie/buy/view/BMW_E3_3_0Si/688

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... 89&bih=483

Great cars.

[Jeroen]

Parts availability and rust seem to be serious issues indeed so be extra careful, inner front wings are rusted badly many times for instance.

BTW if u guys are planning a road trip, plan a pit stop in Holland as well!
Oh and the Dutch E21 maniacs plan to attend a classic car show in Utrecht this Sat. Dunno if the show is worth while but it will be fun anyway.

[arshad76]

I'm guessing inner wings aren't available new then Mark? Is it left hand drive by any chance?
A trip to Holland is way overdue. I was at Manchester Town halls christmas fair last night and loved the bavarian feel of the stalls. Reminded me of a trip to Holland a few years ago. Well if you or anyone else knows of a tidy little E3 that might be for sale, please do let me know

[Jeroen]

Thing is that they're all LHD here. But you have to see some of the Dutch E3's on next years' Sharknose Meet...

[arshad76]

Two very different cars I know, but any German speakers tell if the black is a good project car or if the gold one is as perfect as it look?


http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E3-3-0S-Oldtimer ... 349wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E3-3-0-S-/110624 ... 651wt_1141


My car should be done by then and that will give me enough motivation to check some tasty E21 and E3's out. I think mine would be the only left hand drive with UK plates, I'm sure of it

[Danny043]

I don't have any experience with E3's, but I'd say get one! They're beautiful.
This picture would make a nice desktop background. Too bad about the reflection of that fairy in the rear

[drjim]

Arshad as I recall you don't drink so if I do come you are the designated driver!!!

A massive road trip like that might be fun but would require use of a lot of my brownie points.

What about an E9?

[arshad76]

You're right Jim I'm tea total, but I do get bouts of narcolepsy now and then, so I'm not sure whats worse?! I initially thought E9, groovy coupe, except they tend to be more expensive and an E3 with a modern engine and 16" alpinas would make an even more stylish practical unusual motor IMHO. I'm looking into both I guess and have seen a few cars in the US for $5-6K. I'd rather buy from Europe though, kinda fancy a road trip at the same time.
Lets have a chat next time I see you. I remember almost going through with buying a yacht with an old work colleague and sailing it across the Atlantic to sell for a profit, so I'm pretty serious!

[e21-Mark]

I don't drink either so we can share the driving.

[arshad76]

I don't drink either so we can share the driving.

Cool beans, more to spend on E21 parts and saving up for an E3

[arshad76]

I've been using my holiday time for an indepth investigation into E3's! Prices range anywhere from €3,000 to £25,000. Plan is to refurb it and swap the engine so a good base car would be fine. I came across this one in Germany for a bargain €900...



Not too rotten by the looks of things...




Has suffered an engine fire. Not a bad thing as I plan to change the engine anyway, except it was pretty bad....




Spoke to the seller on the phone - nice bloke. And he said it would probably be better for parts as the front end reached such a high temperature it cannot be restored. I just wanted a second opinion of you guys and also if anyone knows the most economical way of picking it up from Germany if there is some hope it can be put back on the road. Better to hire a trailer and drive there and back or pay a recovery firm?