BMW E30 316i Baur Cabrio

The BMW E30 316i Baur Cabrio

BMW never built a convertible version of the E21 (316 to 323i) in series production. Of course, the Baur body company was happy to step into the gap again and offered the open 3-series variant called TC1 for all engine versions. In the summer of 1975, the E21 series replaced the 1602 to 2002 models built since 1966. The 02s (internally called the 114 series) had enjoyed great popularity; by 1975, over 750,000 units had been built and production of the 1502 continued until 1977. BMW therefore did not dare to experiment much when the new models 316, 318 and 320 were presented to the press in July 1975. Automobil Revue commented: "The image of the sporty, compact sedans is retained and supplemented by the attributes "comfortable", "safe" and "family-friendly"." The successor to the 02 was a bit larger, but at the same time slightly flatter, so that the length was now 435.5 cm (+8.6 cm), the width 161 cm (+2.1 cm) and the height 138 cm (-3 cm). At the same time, the wheelbase grew by 6.3 cm to 256.5 cm. Visually, the new model was more like the larger five-seater than the 02, which it replaced. While the basic line was generally well received, the large naked rear section was heavily criticized, so that BMW had to announce adjustments soon. Functionally, however, the first three-seater was convincing in many respects. The glass area had increased by five percent compared to the predecessor, and the interior offered significantly more space, even for those sitting in the back. The dashboard had become much more modern, with the center console tilted towards the driver, as in the previous five-seater. A great deal of attention had been paid to passive safety, which had been significantly increased compared with the previous model without the bodyshell gaining weight. The entry-level model of the E21 was called the 316 and had a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft and carburetor. The 316's revised unit, which had been taken over from its predecessor, produced 90 hp at 6,000 rpm; the increase in power over the 1602 was five hp, even though the engine ran on regular gasoline. Externally, the 316 differed from the 320 primarily in the absence of twin headlights. Otherwise, the self-supporting body and chassis with struts and wishbones at the front and independent rear suspensions with sloping trailing arms were identical on all models. Only the brakes (discs at the front, drums at the rear) of the 316 had to do without the internally ventilated brake discs. The rack-and-pinion steering did without power assistance, and 165 SR 13 tires were fitted. A 316 cost CHF 15,850 in Switzerland, DM 13,600 in Germany. The gap to the 320 was around 12 percent. For the 02 BMW, Baur had built a full convertible from 1968 to 1971, but from 1971 they switched to a new design, which was also called a hardtop convertible with a fixed roll bar, fold-down rear window and removable roof section. Baur wanted to offer a similar conversion again for the E21. A first prototype was already completed in spring 1977, but it still had to be approved by BMW. The TC1 was launched at the end of 1977 and all available engines could be ordered. As a BMW 316 Baur Cabriolet, the car was priced at DM 21,156. For the conversion Baur received complete vehicles from BMW production and cut out then in Stuttgart the roof and attached the stiffenings and adjustments. This was not cheap and so a Baur version cost about DM 6000 more than the base car. But for that, it kept the factory warranty, while the warranty on conversion-specific parts was covered by Baur. The Baur convertible proved to be variable. Depending on the desire for fresh air, it was possible to lift the roof insert, remove the roof section and stow it in the trunk, or even fold down the rear window. The space conditions remained just as untouched as the everyday utility and the driving performance; after all, the weight had not increased despite the conversion. Auto Motor und Sport verified this with a 323i Baur convertible in the summer of 1978. The car was convincing. The body seemed just as stable and quiet as one was used to from the sedan. Driving performance differed only positively, if at all, from that of an earlier measured 323i sedan. With the relatively high price Baur prevented a strong spread of the hardtop convertible. In fact, 530 units were converted in 1978, then 815 in 1979, 1045 in 1980, 1157 in 1981 and finally 1048 in 1982, so that a total of 4595 sedans mutated into convertibles in Stuttgart. Compared to the total production of the E21 of 1,354,961 units, the Baur versions accounted for just 3.4 per mil. You couldn't get much more exclusive with a small three-seater. By the way, there was also a Baur hardtop convertible of the E21 successor E30 introduced in November 1982. But when BMW started to offer a full convertible (without roll bar) itself, the niche became steadily smaller.