Hol-E30: 1984 Hartge H23

It’s always fun to see crazy-rare versions of ubiquitous cars like the 3-series, especially when they look as good as the Hartge H23. Hartge, like many German tuners, has gone a bit cartoonish these days, but their 80s cars kick ass and make Alpinas and M3s look common. This H23 is a grey-market import, one of fewer than 35 in the world. With power approaching E30 M3 territory and a great look, it’s hard to think of a cooler E30. The seller has put a ton of effort into “taking this car to the next level,” and it shows.

1984 BMW E30 Hartge H23

From the seller:

Well, I’ve tried to take the car to the next level. I feel such a rare car (1 of 35 worldwide I’m told) deserves it. Here is what I have done in the last two years:

1) Dogleg transmission. I added a dogleg sport box with a new clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing etc… I did it not because it needed it, but more for the way it was geared. The rearend is a 3:25 with a stock Getrag 260 box. The 242 sport box is geared much better for this rear. I bought one and put it in. So much better. While I had it out I replaced all of the bushings and the shift linkage. Filled the box with Redline MTL. Shifts beautifully. The old box will be included and has nothing wrong with it.
2) New rear Bilsteins along with new sway bar drop links front and rear. I also have a set of original “Hartge” marked bilsteins I may include.
3) New Behr radiator and shroud. Didn’t need it but it had some knockoff radiator in it. I replaced it.
4) Replaced every vacume line I could get at with new ones (from BMW).
5) All coolant hoses replaced.
6) New header tank and washer fluid tank. The old ones just didn’t look that good (yellowing).
7) New cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, filter. Also recent oil change (Valvoline VR-1 and BMW filter)
New grill
9) Euro Smilleys – just look so nice
10) All new trim around the front euro bumper – euro front licence plate
11) Replaced all of the plastic splash guards in the front wheel wells
12) Treehouse racing control arm bushings
13) I replaced the 15″ Hartge Rims with 16″ Hartge Type A’s that have been refinished. They are running new BF Goodrich KDW2 in 225/45-16. I still have the 15’s and may include them.
14) On the interior I replaced some of the dash/door panel trim and the sill guards to freshen things up.
15) I replaced the US speedometer with a Hartge Speedo in KPH. When the car was Federlized they added a US speedo. Just didn’t seem right. Sourced a Hartge one from Germany. I took pictured of both to verify the mileage.
16) New BMW floor mats in grey which are no longer available
17) New BMW (white) Battery
1 Totally cleaned up the engine compartment with new stickers etc. Polished the strut tie bar

I’m sure I am forgetting some things, but I’ve put a ton of sweat (and tears) into this car. If you are interested you can read Ryan’s thread above and learn the history of the car etc. I will say that the person who bought it new checked pretty much every box possible. I think it has every Hartge option but the dead pedal.

I also have many extra parts, some of them very rare Hartge parts. I may include some of them if I get my price:
– Extra Hartge Front Spoiler
– Hartge rear spoiler
– Hartge 15″ type A rims/tires
– Original Hartge Deco Stripes in Silver – impossible to find new
– Original cassette deck from 84 – new in box
– lots of extra trim bits including new trim for the rear bumper

There are a few things that if I kept the car I would tackle. The sunroof still could use adjustment. Not hard but something I never got to. Not a sunroof guy. The oil pan was cracked at some point long ago and welded. I have a spare pan and planned to do it eventually. Has a small oil drip at the oil cooler line (into the engine). Probably needs a new seal. I would have the steering wheel recovered. Not terrible, but not quite up to snuff. Dallas wheels would do it pretty cheap. Last but not least would have been the A/C. It is all there and I’m pretty sure the compressor turns on. Needs to be gone through and either recharged (with R12) or converted to R134A. Converting isn’t an easy task and this was my big project for next winter.

Anyway, I am not in this thing to get my money out. It is all for the project. I would like to get 10,500 for it which is around what I paid. I would hate to put it on EBAY and have someone not worthy buy it. It deserves a good home.

Very cool car that has been brought to amazing shape. The larger Hartge wheels look great, and are indicative of the care taken to get the little things right to complete the package. He’s honest about selling at a loss at $10,500 for the love of the project, and I hope he finds it a worthy home.

-NR