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Thread: Will the e21 ever have its 'day' ?

  1. #1
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    Post Will the e21 ever have its 'day' ?

    Currently, as it stands... or has been for a while, the e21 seems to be at the bottom of the totem pole compared to its siblings. From the e24 to e28 to the obvious 2002 and even the e30, our beloved e21's fall behind in "popularity". I'm fine with this, but I wonder if they'll ever have their 'day' so to speak and if any of you all have wondered the same? Looks wise, of the other 3 I mentioned I would only put the 2002 above the e21 as far as preference goes.

    I've always liked the "off" models, I would love an e36 M3 next to my e21 in the garage as I feel the e36 M3 shares similarities as far as "popularity" goes compared to other M3's and that'll be a cool oddball mix in the garage... why do you own an e21?
    Last edited by mrvls; 01-02-2019 at 10:23 PM.

  2. #2
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    Just following Bring a Trailer and other Craigslist ads... I feel like the day is coming sooner than I thought. I didnt think we'd see e21's going for a few to several thousands but here we are. I got my very clean e21 for about a fourth of what it would go for today.

    The e30 bubble is sorta tapering off. The demand will be there for awhile but I dont think they are commanding the same ridiculous price tag. Not going down, just not rocketing like it used to.
    The demand for the 2002 will always be there. Its an iconic car.

    But as the demand for the 2002 and E30 go up while supply goes down, people are going to look at the E21 more. They are the first of the beloved 3-series after all.

  3. #3
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    E21 values are slowly but surely rising, especially as demand goes up, from people who either dont want to pay for an e30 or dont want to pay the premium for a 2002 but still want a proper vintage bmw, while they all rot and turn into parts cars for all the 2002 guys and fellow E21 owners.

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    Only if it's an alpina with a 3.0 in it

  5. #5
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    Cool

    If you mean prices go up high it will happen , its a supply and demand issue e21's 320i's put BMW on the map-they were a big seller, with the supply of them dwindling the prices are going up--ave valve $5000 as it stands.

    Randy

  6. #6
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    For nice examples, prices will for sure continue to rise, at least at the rate of inflation. But will they "take off" like 2002 prices? That's hard to say.
    There are certain cars that just haven't been that popular. The E21, the Porsche 924, the Ferrari Mondial are good examples. People for years have been saying prices for all of those were about to jump up, but it never really happened.
    I've loved the E21 since it first came out, and have had them on and off since 1980. I think it's a far better car than the 2002. I think it looks better (inside and out) and drives better, too.
    It was also an icon of the '80s, really just as much or moreso than the 2002 was in the 70s.
    So it's almost complete lack of current popularity is puzzling to me.
    It's reaching, but I think part of it is the US bumpers. They really do ruin the beautiful design of the car. I used to be able to stomach them, but I no longer can and I won't own an E21 without proper Euro bumpers anymore. If there was a US version with Euro bumpers, I think it would be much more popular (and expensive) as a current used car.
    The other thing is the underpowered engine. I think the US M10 is smooth and has a great driving feel, but 100hp is just a bit thin. 130-150hp would put it in a different category.
    Finally, they did make a lot of them. Esp. compared to the 2002.
    Prices are generally low, but IMO that's in many ways a reflection of the fact that most remaining E21s are junk. A really nice example, particularly of an IS version, is a $10,000+ car. But will they ever really take off? I'm thinking probably not. The time for that is coming close to passing. Kid of the 80s (like me) are now in our 50s, starting to get into or past peak nostalgia car buying age.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoCalE21 View Post
    For nice examples, prices will for sure continue to rise, at least at the rate of inflation. But will they "take off" like 2002 prices? That's hard to say.
    There are certain cars that just haven't been that popular. The E21, the Porsche 924, the Ferrari Mondial are good examples. People for years have been saying prices for all of those were about to jump up, but it never really happened.
    I've loved the E21 since it first came out, and have had them on and off since 1980. I think it's a far better car than the 2002. I think it looks better (inside and out) and drives better, too.
    It was also an icon of the '80s, really just as much or moreso than the 2002 was in the 70s.
    So it's almost complete lack of current popularity is puzzling to me.
    It's reaching, but I think part of it is the US bumpers. They really do ruin the beautiful design of the car. I used to be able to stomach them, but I no longer can and I won't own an E21 without proper Euro bumpers anymore. If there was a US version with Euro bumpers, I think it would be much more popular (and expensive) as a current used car.
    The other thing is the underpowered engine. I think the US M10 is smooth and has a great driving feel, but 100hp is just a bit thin. 130-150hp would put it in a different category.
    Finally, they did make a lot of them. Esp. compared to the 2002.
    Prices are generally low, but IMO that's in many ways a reflection of the fact that most remaining E21s are junk. A really nice example, particularly of an IS version, is a $10,000+ car. But will they ever really take off? I'm thinking probably not. The time for that is coming close to passing. Kid of the 80s (like me) are now in our 50s, starting to get into or past peak nostalgia car buying age.
    Well put. I paid $10k for mine last april, it's in similiar condition to the one that recently sold on BaT for $14k, but with euro bumpers and a fresh paint job with clear coat, not IS though.

    I agree that these cars would've started to gain more popularity sooner if they had 20-30hp more, and maybe weren't plagued with kjet.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoCalE21 View Post
    It's reaching, but I think part of it is the US bumpers. They really do ruin the beautiful design of the car. I used to be able to stomach them, but I no longer can and I won't own an E21 without proper Euro bumpers anymore. If there was a US version with Euro bumpers, I think it would be much more popular (and expensive) as a current used car.
    The other thing is the underpowered engine. I think the US M10 is smooth and has a great driving feel, but 100hp is just a bit thin. 130-150hp would put it in a different category.
    I think you hit it. The bumpers are very difficult to love from a first look. Once you get in it and start driving it, its hard not to fall in love but from a first glance... those bumpers are pretty awful.
    Then there's the 4 cylinder aspect. If we had the M20b30 in the US, it would be a whole other story.

  9. #9
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    I have the undesirable 82 US bumper 3 spd Auto and I love it. It drives around the city over speed bumps, stop signs and red lights ever corner nimbly. It gets lots of looks and turns heads. The E21 day is coming.

  10. #10
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    I think they handle rough roads much better than any modern vehicle. More suspension travel. The ride in my pickup is very harsh, even when just hitting things like utility cuts in the road.

  11. #11
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    A lot of good points and info here. Only time will tell...either way I love my e21.

  12. #12
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    I've always been a 2002 guy. I bought my first one in'73. And I must have had 8 or 9 since then. But I am now priced out of that market. That being said, I've always liked the E21 as well. I have had an E30 as well, but the E21 always appealed to me more. Last May I bought a'82 iS. I don't know the history of the car, but it was someone's baby and toy and some point. Built engine (guessing about 140-150 hp). Lowered springs and Bilstein sports. Volvo front brake conversion. Rear disc brakes. In other words, it feels a lot like a tuned '02. I had a short punch list of things to fix after I bought it, but most, except for the dreaded front end shimmy that appeared after I bought new tires, had been addressed. In short, I love the car! As I'm getting older, I appreciate the creature comforts the E21 provides versus the '02. And I figure I paid 2.5-3 times less than a 2002 in like condition. The E21 has now where to go but up, albeit, a bit more slowly than the '02.
    Living in the Midwest, I like to attend the Mid-America 2002 Fest held in Eureka Springs, AR. I'm going to crash this event in my E21. I've already made my hotel reservations. Anyone else want to come?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by blindrooster View Post
    ...

    I agree that these cars would've started to gain more popularity sooner if they had 20-30hp more, and maybe weren't plagued with kjet.
    no... k-jet is a wonderful fuel system
    Tbd

  14. #14
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    Having been into Austin-Healeys for a number of decades I've observed a few things about collector cars. People tend to buy the cars they wanted when they were in high school or in their 20s that they couldn't afford. When they finally get some money, they start looking for those cars. The E21 was very popular when new and I think a lot of folks will have a warm spot in their heart for one. OTOH, younger people have a harder time than guys in my generation affording a collector car as they are more burdened with student loans, housing payments, etc. than we were. It really helps to have your own home with a garage if you're into the car hobby. Also, it seems to me that more guys in my generation were used to working on their own cars than now. Doing your own work is really the only way that the collector hobby can be affordable for average folks. The E21 is a very good car for folks that can do their own wrenching as it still is not so complicated with electronics to make it difficult to work on without specialized equipment. Holding the E21 back is the number of them produced. They made a lot of them and that tends to keep values down, although the fact that more of them disappear every year due to rust will increase value with the remaining ones. My prediction is they will tend to increase in value, but probably never get to '02 levels. Rarer cars like the 320is, 323is, Alpinas, etc will obviously increase more than standard cars. After having done a few ground up restorations of Healeys and E21s, I'd pass on the following advice. Find a low mileage car, particularly a special one, and buy it. You'll have years of driving pleasure instead of cutting out rust and repairing old mechanicals. Not everyone can afford to do that, though, and that's why most of us bought a car with needs and spent way too much money buying it on the installment plan with sweat equity.

  15. #15
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    HealeyRick,
    Totally agree.

  16. #16
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    past generation bmws fall into a rank and file and they stay there. overall the values and collectibility goes down and then up, but the rank and file remains the same .... 2002>e30>e21.
    Tom D

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  17. #17
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    HealeyRick,
    Agree all but one possible exception, that being buy a low mileage car. My 320is is a pretty nice lower mile car (had 52k on it when bought, now has about 62k ~4 years later). I am somewhat afraid to drive it. If this car would had over 100K on it, I would easily drive it 2x as much as I do. Before I bought it, I was afraid with only 100hp it was going to have a hard time keeping up with modern traffic and that I wouldn't use it all that much. That turned out not to be the case and I really enjoy driving this car, dare I say even more so than the 911.

    Tom D,
    Also agree, I'm afraid the e21 is always going to be a "rising tide lifts all boats" car.
    "Wally" Casten - 1956 Austin-Healey 100, 1985 M-B 300SD, 1987 911 Carrera, 1997 Triumph T509

    "The more things change, the more they SUCK" -Butt-Head (Mike Judge)

  18. #18
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    Something I noticed, if people post a car they're thinking of buy a lot of people chime in with a comment along the lies of "whoa that's to much money" etc etc. Some of the value of a car is dictated on what it sold for last... so that's something to think about.

  19. #19
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    It's having the same effect as the 944. All the other porsche's have gone up and price and people want to hope on the trend so they buy the cheaper options from Porsche, and this raises the prices as demand has gone up for the 944's. I feel with the increases in 2002 and E30 the same thing is happening to the E21.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by pofo View Post
    It's having the same effect as the 944. All the other porsche's have gone up and price and people want to hope on the trend so they buy the cheaper options from Porsche, and this raises the prices as demand has gone up for the 944's. I feel with the increases in 2002 and E30 the same thing is happening to the E21.
    I completely agree. Especially since there are a lot less E21's out there than e30's and a lot of E21's get junked or parted out for other E21's or 2002's.

  21. #21
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    ^^ i'm not going to necessarily agree, there was 1.5 million E21's built so there will be no shortage anytime soon.

    also, before the E21 becomes the next big thing in the 3 series lineup i believe people will turn to the E46 as an alternative to the 2002 and E30.

    i see the future going something like this 2002>E30/E46>E21

    - - - Updated - - -

    there was 2.3 million E30's produced
    Last edited by Tom D; 01-22-2019 at 07:45 PM.
    Tom D

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  22. #22
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    there was 4.0 million E46's built so it will be a long time before the E21 has it's day, in fact the E21 already had it's day....between 1976 and 1983.

    i lived in newport beach, california during that time and you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting 3 or 4 E21's, they were everywhere!

    - - - Updated - - -

    but don't despair, there is one other 3 series more disliked then the E21 and that is the E36.
    Last edited by Tom D; 01-22-2019 at 07:46 PM.
    Tom D

    77 e21 - m42
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  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom D View Post
    but don't despair, there is one other 3 series more disliked then the E21 and that is the E36.
    if I'm being honest, I would trade both of my e21's today for a decent 2 door manual e36 M3 tho. lol

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom D View Post
    ^^ i'm not going to necessarily agree, there was 1.5 million E21's built so there will be no shortage anytime soon.

    also, before the E21 becomes the next big thing in the 3 series lineup i believe people will turn to the E46 as an alternative to the 2002 and E30.

    i see the future going something like this 2002>E30/E46>E21

    - - - Updated - - -

    there was 2.3 million E30's produced
    I'm looking for a clean E46 M3 now that the new supra is a let down with no manual transmission.

  25. #25
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    I started with Austin Healey Sprites and Alfa 105s, all worth a lot more than a run of the mill e21. When I got my first one, it wasn't an e21 to me, it was a road going version of the John player special e24 that raced here in Australia in the early to mid 1980s. After getting the legendary e21 JPS that I've had for more than 15 years, I've added another 5 e21s to the collection.
    I find they grow on you, the quirky handling, the fact that they are essentially a 2002 in a fat suit with a comfort pack makes it to me more desirable.
    Apart from the JPS and the alpina c1, all have cost less than $3k. Having said that, a MINT JPS that was owned by a mate went for approx $20k. The money is out there, but for original, unmolested cars. While coilovers, turbos, body kits and big rims may improve the cars looks and handling, they don't necessarily add to the price.
    Just my 2cents.
    Regards David

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