What is the E30 market like this summer?
Back then, you could find a very nice 100-120k E30 for about $3000 to $3500...
What do they go for today?
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
In The Netherlands the prices for the 6 cylinders range $2000 - $9000, 4 cylinders $300 - $3000.
That makes me look for a 4 cylinder touring (cheap while no drum brakes, but discs in the rear) for +/- $1000 to throw my chipped M52B28 in. I just need a rust-free shell, preferable with nice interior and no electric windows etc.
Stoked..!
E30 M3s $30000 - $40000 here atm.
Still rising as far as I know. 100k miles e30s are hard to come by and honestly pointless. Mileage shouldn't be a sticking point; evaluate the condition of the car as a whole. Every e30 will need to have new rubber components at this point regardless of mileage.
Also, as a multiple e30 owner, I'd rather go for an e36 at this point. The e30 is a fun car, but they're too pricey for what they offer. The e36 is a better driving car imo, the interior layout is still very good/driver oriented, they offered better engines, and they also look great when they're clean. There are only two drawbacks that I can think of - interior quality is poor (but can be fixed) and they're a heavier platform. Aesthetic preferences will vary. E36 M3s in particular are the deal of the century right now... that is my single favorite driving BMW.
I hope e30 prices continue to rise, and I love my E36 M3!
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
What do E36 M3's go for these days?
How about E46 M3's?
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
e36 m3s go from about 4k to 10k (most fairly decent drivers I see are around 6-7)
e46 M3s can range from 10 to 20k (most fairly decent drivers i see about 15-16 depending on area)
1991 BMW 325i(Current Daily) (S52)
I have carburetors, and I'm not afraid to use them!
There are always other fish (engines) in the sea (Craigslist)
Life is about enjoying the engine you are sitting behind.
Found a decent looking E46 M3 on Dallas CL yesterday for $12.5K. Black on black, around 125K and very clean looking. Was very tempted...
I still see the '99 M3 going for around $10K and more, but that's in the Roundel classifieds.
2003 530i -- DD; 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe -- fun car; 1990 325i convertible -- sold; 1974 Porsche 914 2.0 -- sold; 1989 325i sedan -- sold; 1983 633CSi -- sold; 1982 323i -- sold
I think $8 to $13k you will find a nice e36 M3....higher for supercharged or turbo'd if done properly. I have learned that upholstery shops can make interiors look like new so I wouldnt worry about interiors as much as maintenance.
For e46 M3, mid $20s are nice all around ones. Just a little bit more maintenance with valve adjustments, vanos, and rear subframe to worry about
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
What's a regular 150k or less
unmolested (not pimped out) 325i E30
sell for these days?
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
clean interior with no rust, between 3 and 5k
1991 BMW 325i(Current Daily) (S52)
I have carburetors, and I'm not afraid to use them!
There are always other fish (engines) in the sea (Craigslist)
Life is about enjoying the engine you are sitting behind.
I just saw a 100k mile E30 sell for over $12,000.
Is this fairly normal?
Are the days of $5000 E30s ancient history?
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
I'm not sure if the e30 M3 is driving up the prices, but finding an e30 without rust, in good to great condition will bring about 5-$8k. Ones with s50 swaps anywhere from 6-$15k.
I have resprayed mine, redone the upholestry, refreshed my m20, turbo'd it, and many other things....i hope mine could get $10k+ if I ever decide to part ways
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
They still go anywhere from $500-1500 for a project in Cali. And about $2000-3000 for a good condition one =) And no rust!
supply and demand. With each year there are less good E30s out there, eather they get torn down for race track or they get rusted out or they get crashed out. The less there is out there the higher the price would be. Same faith with the muscle cars. Unmolested ones are only found in the barns that only make it on reality car shows.
Several things are driving up the price. Drift tax, e30 tax and raising of 80s cars as collector value. We're on precipice of seeing a very strong market for all 80s vehicles of any significant historic value. Think muscle cars of the 60s and 70s.
The generation who grew up owning the 80s cars when young will soon be in a time and financial position to relive their youth.
Bought my 88 325is that had the engine/transmission swapped out, seals&gaskets&belts/hoses replaced, new brakes and suspension yadda yadda for $3900CDN. The body doesn't have much in the way of rust that I know of (although I'm thinking of taking out the carpet to get a closer look at the floorboards) but it is far from being a clean beauty like many of the forum members rides are.
"The generation who grew up owning the 80s cars when young will soon be in a time and financial position to relive their youth."
I agree that certain 1980's cars will start to appreciate, the E30 being one for sure. It is a 1980's icon car if there ever was one. In the late 1980's I wanted to find a nice example of my first car, a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, but by then the muscle cars had gone parabolic in price and I was priced out. 1980's cars may not see that kind of huge appreciation, but it will still be good. If I had $8-$10k sunk into my E30 to get it back into pristine shape at this point in time I would not worry about losing money at all if I plan to keep it for a few more years. In fact, I think I am getting up there to the $8k range right now with the suspension refresh and new head gasket I'm doing at the moment in my garage.
Just bout a '91 325IX 5-speed just about fully optioned for $2100
215k chassis miles, documented maintenance dating back to 1994, engine swap to a 'newer' used M20
Interior is near mint, new windshield, body is rusted, e-brake doesnt work, wipers do not work, needs a new exhaust but it had an ANSA exhaust installed back in 1994ish with original paperwork from Italy?
Guess I am lucky I found a good guy that didn't tax me for the 5-speed and AWD
How about in the pacific northwest?
I would gladly pay $13k for a nice unmodified, well-maintained E36 M3. None out there.
As for a nice E46 M3, there's a few good ones on the market, but not many. Nicest one in my area is a 2003.5 with six speed and no navigation and 30k miles original. All maintenance done incl. valve adjustment and beisan vanos parts.
'16 VW GTI
'77 320i
'71 E-Type Jag
Past Cars:
'08 335i, '95 318is, '01 325Ci, '79 MGB Roadster, '76 Triumph TR6, '63 MGB Roadster, '66 Triumph TR4A, 06 John Cooper Mini (Red), '06 John Cooper Mini (Silver)
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
100 K is well maintained and clean all around does make for an enticing item. I lucked into a deal recently, my shop is next to an auto auction and one day this was sitting at the curb. 5sp, 211 on the odo, nearly new Michelins all around. No cracks on the dash, no rips in the headliner. One small ding, half-assedly hammered out. Ran pretty well, little bit of clutch trouble. To my surprise, they offered it to me for $1200. They know my shop is next door and they had a small drama with my immediate neighbor regarding their regular use of a gas powered pressure washer. My neighbor knows his rights and small engines operated at length outdoors is something he has the right to protest.
He prevailed, the old man of the auction was pissed at his son for not handling it better, maybe they were trying to spread goodwill, who knows.
At any rate, there was perhaps a reason they let it go for that price. I replaced the timing belt - it had been lose but still on the marks (?!), the PO left the tensioner locked in the open position. The teeth will hold it on for a while, but whoa. Dodged a bullet. The water pump was way old, the rack became noisy one week after I bought it, not sure how they pulled that off. Found a boneyard rack for $45 - no fluid leaks, boots good - put it on, still howled, got the pump from the same rig (117 on the odo), put it on and all is well, for now.
I drained the tranny and it had maybe 3/4 of a qt left and it looked funky. I see signs of tranny seal leak. The heater core was leaking and neither rear window operated, the latter not too hard to fix but annoying. The rear defroster doesn't work, I bought the Permatex repair kit, wish me luck. Then I discover the odo is broken. Who knows for how long.
Still not a bad deal, the engine only used maybe a 5th of a qt. in an 800 mile trip recently. In primo maintenance condition, could probably go for $3 to $4 K assuming 211K was the correct mileage.
Last edited by cmac2012; 12-31-2014 at 11:54 PM.
cmac
Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
2015: Just saw a 325e sell for $7000
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-bmw-325e/
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
How many miles on the E46?
So, what are your thoughts on the current E30 market?
Does it seem crazy that people were complaining about paying $3000 a couple of years ago?
E39 DIYs done: Wipers, O2 sensors , MAF , Upper/Lower Intake Boots , FSU , ABS module fix , Power Steering Reservoir , Changed Rear Differential Oil , DISA , SAP, Vacuum lines , Radar Detector Hardwire , Fuel Filter , LED Angel Eyes , Headlight Adjusters--> [1],[2], [3] , Headlight Polishing, Punted: Fan Clutch/Tensioner/Pulleys , Oil cap O-rings , Window regulator ,Crumbling Cowl
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