Hello!

[Mark-e21]

Hi, I just thought I would say hello as I've joined to help with my search for an FB. I used to drive FB's in the late 80's and early 90's, when I also worked for Mazda and looked after their press fleet in Kent. My first was a silver 1981 car (FTH 1W), which I then p/x'd against C984 DKP in metallic blue. I also had a kermit green '79 car but can't recall the reg' on that one and a red non-runner I believe?

Anyway, around the same time, I also discovered BMW 2002's and e21 3 series. I've not been without one of those since. I currently own a white 02, a blue 316 (resto-mod project) and an e30 M3. Obviously, with 3 old cars to maintain, what I really need is a 4th. Hence I am now looking for an FB. Does anyone have an info / opinions on the blue car on Car & Classic for £1895 or the red, minter on eBay at £4 495?

So here are a few pics of my old BM's. The 02 is my daily driver and pretty original apart from the altitude. The 316 is a full nut & bolt job, with 2.8 24v, cams etc and 240bhp + 75 nitrous. It should be finished next month. The M3 was built with track days in mind and is pretty special. It's due to arrive in early March.

[ian65]

Hi Mark,
nice collection of classic beemers
welcome to the forum

As far as those cars on ebay goes, I reckon that blue series 2 car is pretty good value, it looks clean enough and series 2 cars are starting to get a good following. The red car is overpriced I reckon. The trader is chancing his arm,hoping for that 1 buyer who will pay the sticker price..... it's worth £3500 at most. It's been around quite a bit, it was in Ireland last year then ended up in Scotland .... it couldn't find a buyer up there and ended up being traded in last week.
Dave on here ( Codge) records the movements and sales of all known 1st gens in the Uk and has comprehensive records going back a fair few years.... he has both of these cars recorded and will be able to give you the low down on them.

Good luck with your search

cheers,
Ian

[myatt1972]

Welcome Mark,
I do like a 2002 myself, I owned one once and was going to restore it but house buying got in the way

The only pic I have............

Yep, a bloody targa :x

[Mark-e21]

Thanks guys. The seller of the red car did offer it to me at £2.5k but I hesitated, spent some of my budget and he said he's now agreed a deal at £3750 with a dealership. I like the blue one but the arches and door need rust repairs. The seller has gone quiet and not replied to my emailed offer yet. I'd really like the white car but it's priced too high for me. The car I would really like is the early ex California modified car but again, it's out of budget.

The targa looks as though it had lots of potential.

[KiwiDave]

Hi there Mark. I do like your thinking... you can never have enough car based projects. My BMW of choice would be a 635 CSi (or M635 CSi if money wasn't a factor).I do like that M3 though, is it a 2.5 evo?

As far as looking for a nice FB goes, you'll be doing very well to find one that doesn't need some sort of bodywork TLC. Wheel arches and doors (bases and frames) suffer in particular as they are moisture traps.

There are, of course, a few cars that spend their lives in garages (heated sometimes too) but as you know, they come at a (sometimes not very realistic) price.

If you keep an eye on the 'Spotters Corner' thread, most FB's for sale anywhere in the UK will be mentioned at some stage.

REgards
Dave

[codge]

Hi Mark, another Dave here. Welcome.

I'll check out GGO 1T, FTH 1W and C984 DKP against my files tomorrow. From memory There was a cluster of 5 or 6 successive reg DKP's all Tender Blue.

Let me know if theres anything new about the Red, White and Blue cars currently for sale that I can tell you......They've been fairly well talked about already.
(I am a stickler for data protection by the way in case you think I'm the house gossip).

You've had a Mushy Pea Series 1? Most of the guys on here would kill for one of them. We've seen some heading to the wreckers and we've all shed a tear.

Cheers......Dave

[Mark-e21]

Hi Dave's

No, it's a regular 2.3 but with the Evo bits fitted and a carbon DTM airbox etc. It's sat in Ireland waiting to come over in a few weeks.

I'd love to find either of my old cars. (I think it's a middle age thing?) I doubt FTH1W still lives though. After I px'd it I think a chap in Maidstone barracks bought it and the doors were pretty ropey then. C984 was lovely though and I had a white 924 at the same time.

I swapped the early green car for an old 3.0si BMW. It was pretty solid, ran the early 13'' alloys and had no rear spoiler. At the time I didn't like the no spoiler look, today though, it would be the first thing to go!

Does anyone know a white FB reg' B 230 VHW?

I was interested in the early LHD car at Lenham sports cars in Kent, but seems it has been bought. There's another early left hooker near me, that would be perfect, but it's out of my price range.

[Hobbawobba]

Hey mark. Welcome to the forum. Nice collection of cars you've got there!

Any particular plans for when you find a decent 7?

[Mark-e21]

I'd like something very low and on minilite style, deep dish wheels, with no spoilers and aftermarket mirrors. It's more looks than performance I'm after.

[ian65]

Does anyone know a white FB reg' B 230 VHW?

yep.... this one?