What actually makes a e30 convertible classed as Mint?

[bhaza]

Was just chilling having a drink thinking about my car and then suddenly asked myself what actually needs to be done to a e30 convertible for it to be classed as a Minter? I have seen some real nice e30's and I would have thought they are mint but then get told they are not, so please can someone tell me or point me in the direction to get answers please?

Thanks

[capnmchl]

The same thing as every other car.

No rust, everything works, no damage (cosmetic or mechanical) to the car, low miles for age, high initial spec, desirable colour.

[Jim320i]

For it to be a minter, it would need to be as it left the showroom... As in zero rust, every part and everything in perfect condition. Mileage isn't a factor. Nor is the spec that was fitted from factory. It can be a 316i 4 door auto in poverty spec and it can be mint.

A lot of owners think their e30's are better than they actually are. The majority of the e30's I've broke have been in better condition that a lot of the cars being used on here. But that doesn't mean there cars are scrap... Yet

You'll have different opinions too, some will think something with a respray in gold flake corn flake shade paint on some 18 inch bbs replicas with retrimmed leathers in Cadburys purple would be mint... Others wouldn't.

My opinion, as above is for it to be as it left the showroom in perfect condition, nothing else.

[bss325i]

Zero rust, perfect condition paint trim and mechanicals and most importantly a general air of unmolestedness.

[snakebrain]

It's a bit like girls - there are loads you think are pretty decent, then you run into a proper stunner with perfect everything and you realise the others were a bit middle of the road really...

[bhaza]

The reason I ask is there are a lot of 325i convertibles some with tech 2 kits all leathered and looking nice going for 1000 +, but then you see a hopeful bargain like the one on gumtree it's states one owner, 52k genuine mileage, bronze and seller asking 950.00 why has that not been scooped up by a e30 enthusiast?

[mark_i]

so long as the shell is rust free and no panel damage, most e30 can be restored with parts from donor cars to be near to mint as is reasonable for a 20+ year old car.

[snakebrain]

near to mint as is reasonable for a 20+ year old car.

Yeah, but that's not mint, is it?!

Unrestored mint condition always trumps a minty restoration, no matter how good.

[Gavla]

When it comes to classic cars I would say a minter is a car that does not require any work done to it. Solid shell, solid body, solid mechanics all round good condition.

[capnmchl]

When it comes to classic cars I would say a minter is a car that does not require any work done to it. Solid shell, solid body, solid mechanics all round good condition.

That's a better way to look at it. Almost like you could take for an MOT the next day or in 3 months or in a year and it wouldn't fail on anything apart from the odd bulb.

[maggspower]

Mint is not an opinion of condition, nor does it take in to account how old something is, it means as it left the factory, regardless. If it does not mean this, we will have to invent another word that does. Because that is what it used to mean.

The meaning has been diluted somewhat over time, and ebay.

e.g "the interior is mint, apart from the large skid mark on the drivers seat, and the pubes and crisp ensemble found in the rear ashtray".

I would say that the described interior is infact not mint.

I now avoid things said to be mint, as they are invariably not mint.

[Grrrmachine]

Remember that "mint" means "to produce a coin". If the coin (let's say it's a pound) is still shiny, no greasy fingerprints, chips or scratches, then it's "freshly minted" or "from the mint".

If it doesn't look factory fresh, it's not mint. Simple.

[pacerpete]

Mint is not an opinion of condition, nor does it take in to account how old something is, it means as it left the factory, regardless. If it does not mean this, we will have to invent another word that does. Because that is what it used to mean.

The meaning has been diluted somewhat over time, and ebay.

e.g "the interior is mint, apart from the large skid mark on the drivers seat, and the pubes and crisp ensemble found in the rear ashtray".

I would say that the described interior is infact not mint.

I now avoid things said to be mint, as they are invariably not mint.

That interior may not be mint but it does sound awesome, any pics ?


PS I have a large screwdriver waiting here for anybody who reckons they have a 'mint' E30

[magpie]

if the Diddler was a hairdresser .........

[Gavla]

Mint is not an opinion of condition, nor does it take in to account how old something is, it means as it left the factory, regardless. If it does not mean this, we will have to invent another word that does. Because that is what it used to mean.

If Mint Condition =" as it left the factory"

then

Show Room Condition = ?

[Sanchez]

Mint is the Diddler resto amongst a couple others. Not much comes close.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

[Z3I]

The only person who really knows what "mint" means is our old friend on Ebay the BMWSPARESSHOP, who have used the term no less than 45 times in their current Ebay offerings.

The term is usually prefixed by "its", and means the same as "good" "nice" and "awesome", and is usually followed by a price equal to, or above the value of your whole car.

[Gert_8]

Was just chilling having a drink thinking about my car and then suddenly asked myself what actually needs to be done to a e30 convertible for it to be classed as a Minter? I have seen some real nice e30's and I would have thought they are mint but then get told they are not, so please can someone tell me or point me in the direction to get answers please?

Thanks

Get the Op ///KAMI to describe it for you?...

[Topblag]

The only person who really knows what "mint" means is our old friend on Ebay the BMWSPARESSHOP, who have used the term no less than 45 times in their current Ebay offerings.

The term is usually prefixed by "its", and means the same as "good" "nice" and "awesome", and is usually followed by a price equal to, or above the value of your whole car.

The mintiest, unmolested cab I've ever seen is Z3I's one. No paint damage, no rot, everything is clean and original. Enough said.

[magpie]

doesn't Trevs fall into this category ?

[snakebrain]

The (ex) Luke Scott's 318i convertible is pretty damn mint. As is this epic 15k M635CSi..

http://www.hollybrooksportscars.com/sho ... ge/bmw-m6/