E30 M3 prices

[e21Mark]

I guess you'd have ask how many folk have £40 - 50k plus to splash out on an E30? I know a couple of the very best examples have sold in recent months and for over 90k. I imagine cars like the one from JK's collection are just as expensive, if not more so, which is why they remain unsold. I haven't seen it up close but I imagine Munich Legends would have gone through it with a fine tooth comb, as they look after all his BMW's.

I think a couple of the cars advertised, have actually sold, but the ads are left up to attract enquiries and internet hits I imagine.

The average price of the non Evo cars advertised for sale is now £43.5k, which is quite a jump from where they were 12 months ago.

[Bodie390]

I often wonder when and if the bubble is going to burst. I've got a 80k mile example sat in the garage in a very well looked after condition that must be worth a few £££ now but it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

[Welshbeef]

With the equity market in a strife at the minute will we see more flight to classic cars OR selling of these and other classic cars to subsidise the equity losses people have suffered?

[e21Mark]

Bodie390 said:

I often wonder when and if the bubble is going to burst. I've got a 80k mile example sat in the garage in a very well looked after condition that must be worth a few £££ now but it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

I was offered double what I paid for mine but I know I'd regret it and then not be able to afford to replace it.

[Welshbeef]

e21Mark said:

I was offered double what I paid for mine but I know I'd regret it and then not be able to afford to replace it.

So your assuming prices will only ever increase?

[e21Mark]

Welshbeef said:

e21Mark said:

I was offered double what I paid for mine but I know I'd regret it and then not be able to afford to replace it.

So your assuming prices will only ever increase?

or level out and stay as they are. I don't see them dropping though, no.

[Welshbeef]

e21Mark said:

Welshbeef said:

e21Mark said:

I was offered double what I paid for mine but I know I'd regret it and then not be able to afford to replace it.

So your assuming prices will only ever increase?

or level out and stay as they are. I don't see them dropping though, no.

That's a ballsey statement.

Any investment can increase or decrease in value, otherwise with stocks falling and cars in theory would stay flat at worse or increase clearly everyone would then buy and leverage to buy as it's an utter no brainer. Normally it's a race to safety ie Gold but would you class classic cars in the same vein as investment category as gold (safe haven)?

[e21Mark]

Welshbeef said:

e21Mark said:

Welshbeef said:

e21Mark said:

I was offered double what I paid for mine but I know I'd regret it and then not be able to afford to replace it.

So your assuming prices will only ever increase?

or level out and stay as they are. I don't see them dropping though, no.

That's a ballsey statement.

Any investment can increase or decrease in value, otherwise with stocks falling and cars in theory would stay flat at worse or increase clearly everyone would then buy and leverage to buy as it's an utter no brainer. Normally it's a race to safety ie Gold but would you class classic cars in the same vein as investment category as gold (safe haven)?

I'm not sure I would see all classics as being blue chip, but demand outweighs supply with the E30 M3. I know of 6 or so people who are currently searching for cars and with so many parts now NLA, there is even less chance of project cars being restored and coming to market.

[Welshbeef]

e21Mark said:

I'm not sure I would see all classics as being blue chip, but demand outweighs supply with the E30 M3. I know of 6 or so people who are currently searching for cars and with so many parts now NLA, there is even less chance of project cars being restored and coming to market.

But that demand can vanish over night.

No one "needs" a classic car, you need a roof over your head put food on the table and enough £ to pay for travel to and from work.
When push comes to shove pay the mortgage or buy a car guess which comes first.

Conversely in economic strife with asset values dropping like a stone you might find that demand drastically increased as people look for safe houses to put their money. Is that classic cars? Who knows.

Really if your an owner of an E30 M3 in one way you want a price crash which means the step up to an Evo is much less or hopping into a DB5 becomes an actual possibility rather than a pipe dream.

[japseye007]

e21Mark said:

I'm not sure I would see all classics as being blue chip, but demand outweighs supply with the E30 M3. I know of 6 or so people who are currently searching for cars and with so many parts now NLA, there is even less chance of project cars being restored and coming to market.

There is no extra supply coming online for E30 M3s unlike the oil supply. I think current prices are the new norm. 35-45k for the basic ones. It seems 45k plus for good ones. The only way the price will drop i think is if a seller becomes desperate for whatever reason and it will be snapped up, more than likely by a close so the market will never get the chance.

There are around 6 for sale on piston heads. If you know 6 people looking why have they not bought one yet?

[benny.c]

Welshbeef said:

….Who knows.

The truth is, it's anyone's guess really.

I'd be reasonably confident in suggesting that anyone who purchased an E30 M3 more than three years ago won't be out of pocket though (running costs etc not withstanding).

[e21Mark]

Welshbeef said:

But that demand can vanish over night.

No one "needs" a classic car, you need a roof over your head put food on the table and enough £ to pay for travel to and from work.
When push comes to shove pay the mortgage or buy a car guess which comes first.

Conversely in economic strife with asset values dropping like a stone you might find that demand drastically increased as people look for safe houses to put their money. Is that classic cars? Who knows.

Really if your an owner of an E30 M3 in one way you want a price crash which means the step up to an Evo is much less or hopping into a DB5 becomes an actual possibility rather than a pipe dream.

Absolutely, but I just don't see it happening. (obviously just my opinion so quite possible I'm talking rubbish) Personally I would want an E30 M3 no matter what their value. The financial side really doesn't interest me that much (although I'm not complaining as I'm lucky enough to have got in before prices got too silly), which is why I use mine as intended and in all weathers. Far too many cars like these are tucked away as investments, for my liking. I'm certainly not wealthy, but the M3 was my dream car for years and it's about the driving experience for me. Corny as it may be, it feels special and ticks all my boxes. I totally get that some people like DB5, but I much prefer my old 3 series.

japseye007 said:

e21Mark said:

I'm not sure I would see all classics as being blue chip, but demand outweighs supply with the E30 M3. I know of 6 or so people who are currently searching for cars and with so many parts now NLA, there is even less chance of project cars being restored and coming to market.

There is no extra supply coming online for E30 M3s unlike the oil supply. I think current prices are the new norm. 35-45k for the basic ones. It seems 45k plus for good ones. The only way the price will drop i think is if a seller becomes desperate for whatever reason and it will be snapped up, more than likely by a close so the market will never get the chance.

There are around 6 for sale on piston heads. If you know 6 people looking why have they not bought one yet?

Mainly because values have outgrown their savings. Either that, or they're still holding out on the off chance that one with come along at a 2010 price, however unlikely that is nowadays. I think it's a shame that value is such a big issue with E30 M3. It's not just the cars where prices are high though, as parts are getting silly too. Especially with some people buying up whatever is still available. Used parts are just as crazy. Who'd have thought a rear window hoop could make £4000?! or a pair of side skirts £3000?! Rebuilt s14 for £9.5k?! I sold a whole M3 for just £500 more than that about 3 years ago!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorsport/...

Edited by e21Mark on Thursday 21st January 12:20

[528Sport]

e21Mark said:

Welshbeef said:

But that demand can vanish over night.

No one "needs" a classic car, you need a roof over your head put food on the table and enough £ to pay for travel to and from work.
When push comes to shove pay the mortgage or buy a car guess which comes first.

Conversely in economic strife with asset values dropping like a stone you might find that demand drastically increased as people look for safe houses to put their money. Is that classic cars? Who knows.

Really if your an owner of an E30 M3 in one way you want a price crash which means the step up to an Evo is much less or hopping into a DB5 becomes an actual possibility rather than a pipe dream.

Absolutely, but I just don't see it happening. (obviously just my opinion so quite possible I'm talking rubbish) Personally I would want an E30 M3 no matter what their value. The financial side really doesn't interest me that much (although I'm not complaining as I'm lucky enough to have got in before prices got too silly), which is why I use mine as intended and in all weathers. Far too many cars like these are tucked away as investments, for my liking. I'm certainly not wealthy, but the M3 was my dream car for years and it's about the driving experience for me. Corny as it may be, it feels special and ticks all my boxes. I totally get that some people like DB5, but I much prefer my old 3 series.

japseye007 said:

e21Mark said:

I'm not sure I would see all classics as being blue chip, but demand outweighs supply with the E30 M3. I know of 6 or so people who are currently searching for cars and with so many parts now NLA, there is even less chance of project cars being restored and coming to market.

There is no extra supply coming online for E30 M3s unlike the oil supply. I think current prices are the new norm. 35-45k for the basic ones. It seems 45k plus for good ones. The only way the price will drop i think is if a seller becomes desperate for whatever reason and it will be snapped up, more than likely by a close so the market will never get the chance.

There are around 6 for sale on piston heads. If you know 6 people looking why have they not bought one yet?

Mainly because values have outgrown their savings. Either that, or they're still holding out on the off chance that one with come along at a 2010 price, however unlikely that is nowadays. I think it's a shame that value is such a big issue with E30 M3. It's not just the cars where prices are high though, as parts are getting silly too. Especially with some people buying up whatever is still available. Used parts are just as crazy. Who'd have thought a rear window hoop could make £4000?! or a pair of side skirts £3000?! Rebuilt s14 for £9.5k?! I sold a whole M3 for just £500 more than that about 3 years ago!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorsport/...

Edited by e21Mark on Thursday 21st January 12:20

So lets assume that engine has been maintained correctly... Why are the throttle butterfly caps yellow? Never had the throttles balanced, thats part of the E30M3 service schedule isn't it? Factory caps yellow, replacement caps blue...

Its been a while since my E30M3 ownership, amazing cars but not worth £30-40K for standard cars..
As pointed out earlier if they are worth this price why haven't the ones in classified sold?
I'd be gutted buying a £40K car when the bubble goes pop.

interesting to read some parts are no longer made, another reason to not buy.

Good on you if you buy one at this price, they are amazing machines but at this price im oot

[mark.c]

528Sport said:

So lets assume that engine has been maintained correctly... Why are the throttle butterfly caps yellow? Never had the throttles balanced, thats part of the E30M3 service schedule isn't it? Factory caps yellow, replacement caps blue...

Its been a while since my E30M3 ownership, amazing cars but not worth £30-40K for standard cars..
As pointed out earlier if they are worth this price why haven't the ones in classified sold?
I'd be gutted buying a £40K car when the bubble goes pop.

interesting to read some parts are no longer made, another reason to not buy.

Good on you if you buy one at this price, they are amazing machines but at this price im oot

I've bought throttle body caps from the Dealer before, both yellow and blue were available.

[japseye007]

Whats this bubble people talk of.
I have never seen a classic car to rise in value only later to drop considerably in value
can someone please tell me some that have done this?
Its not a house we are talking about here

[Welshbeef]

japseye007 said:

Whats this bubble people talk of.
I have never seen a classic car to rise in value only later to drop considerably in value
can someone please tell me some that have done this?
Its not a house we are talking about here

Lol you jester

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4473442/Hooked-...

http://m.caranddriver.com/features/baby-boomers-cr...


http://www.hiltonandmoss.com/blog-entry/whats-happ...

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/car-culture/...

[stevesingo]

I absolutely get what Mark is saying and I also use my Sport Evo as intended, much to the surprise of fellow BMW Car Club track day goers.

I suspect the reason some cars go unsold is that if you look back a few years when prices were £3k for a rough one and £10k for a mint non evo car.

Where are the rough hard used cars and track slags of 10yrs ago I wonder? Surely they have not been tarted up and put on the market as mint cars?

[Bayerische]

japseye007 said:

Whats this bubble people talk of.
I have never seen a classic car to rise in value only later to drop considerably in value
can someone please tell me some that have done this?
Its not a house we are talking about here

This is the reason that I do not take financial advice from someone in their mid twenties.

[japseye007]

Welshbeef said:

Lol you jester

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4473442/Hooked-...

http://m.caranddriver.com/features/baby-boomers-cr...


http://www.hiltonandmoss.com/blog-entry/whats-happ...

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/car-culture/...

Thanks for the links but IMO
There is a huge difference between a million pound car or 5 million pound car and a 50k car.

When your getting to Those figures absolutely it's an investment. I would doubt there are many E30 M3 owners who have bought for investments purposes a few years ago(I'm sure there are some) such as two posters on here who use there cars often and as intended. They love the cars and don't have any inclination to sell at these prices by their admission. Many owners would be in this category. I'm sure there are also owners who don't want to drive it at all with the way prices are rising and they will be hoping it rises more. I think prices will have to go much higher before certain owners arms could be twisted but I guess it's only them who can answer that.

It would be interesting to get a poll going, I don't know if they do them on here to see how many owners would be looking to sell at current prices or how much they would need before they would sell.

Sport evos are really getting up there though I have to admit, compared to say 215Bhp models.

There was 1512 215bhp models produced. 480 were cecotto models, 25 Roberto ravaglia models and 50 Swiss market cecottos. This leaves about 950 215bhp models produced. How many are left who knows, I would think a lot less so these may demand a premium also like the sport evos do, perhaps.

Does anybody have the figures or is it even possible to get figures of how many of the different models are still around?

Edited by japseye007 on Thursday 21st January 23:08

[Welshbeef]

But your seeing bog standard Escort mark 2 1.3 Ls selling for well over £50k, Sierra 2.3D's selling for £24k etc these are not special cars in any way that was similar in the previous bubble but with older cars (as clearly the Sierra 2.3D was a brand new car at the time).