Discussion
I have just started to lust after these cars once again!
Sold my previous one 2 years back and she was beautiful! I bought the car off a retired fireman who had lovingly restored her over a few years and still is one of the cleanest I have seen since (not that you see one every day!)
I am now looking at these cars and seeing the prices of certian models rocket! I mean a good 325i sport with very good bodywork and nice interior is fetching well over £10k?!
I have actually viewed a couple sub 8k cars described as very good but these needed rust repairs and some engine work!
So, it seems that a very good car, in very good condition, i.e no rust in the usual areas with very well kept interior and good engine is looking £10 000+...
I really should have held on to mine as I sold it for just over £5k end of December 2013.
Do I wait for an unmolested mint example - I have not yet seen one over the past couple of months.
Or do I buy a very well restored car - obviously one that has been well inspected and work documented.
It seems the unmolested, unpainted, low mileage, low keeper cars with every bit of paperwork are now rediculous in value, probably twice as much as other 'very good' examples and reserved for collectors
Sold my previous one 2 years back and she was beautiful! I bought the car off a retired fireman who had lovingly restored her over a few years and still is one of the cleanest I have seen since (not that you see one every day!)
I am now looking at these cars and seeing the prices of certian models rocket! I mean a good 325i sport with very good bodywork and nice interior is fetching well over £10k?!
I have actually viewed a couple sub 8k cars described as very good but these needed rust repairs and some engine work!
So, it seems that a very good car, in very good condition, i.e no rust in the usual areas with very well kept interior and good engine is looking £10 000+...
I really should have held on to mine as I sold it for just over £5k end of December 2013.
Do I wait for an unmolested mint example - I have not yet seen one over the past couple of months.
Or do I buy a very well restored car - obviously one that has been well inspected and work documented.
It seems the unmolested, unpainted, low mileage, low keeper cars with every bit of paperwork are now rediculous in value, probably twice as much as other 'very good' examples and reserved for collectors
Depends what floats your boat really, I bought a snotter in 2008 ish and sold in 2012 ish because I'm not an originality freak and always knew I wanted to go 24v, practice welding etc. A lot of people are into originality and apparently they're the ones with all the cash!!
I really regret selling now. There was just something ace about that car it had a nice aura, just felt right. C'est la vie.
I really regret selling now. There was just something ace about that car it had a nice aura, just felt right. C'est la vie.
I've had 4 in the last year; a 325ix coupe, a 320i coupe, a 325i 4 door and a 325i touring.
Have ended up with just the 320i coupe.
Decided it was a keeper as it has 2 owners from new, a full BMW service history, 95k miles and is 100% original! The royal blue metallic paintwork paired with the beige leather comfort interior also helps!
Moral of the story is if you can survive without 170bhp but still want the straight 6 soundtrack, the 320i may be a better bet if you can find a low owner low mileage all original one that is preferably a manual.
I paid £3,500 for mine.
Have ended up with just the 320i coupe.
Decided it was a keeper as it has 2 owners from new, a full BMW service history, 95k miles and is 100% original! The royal blue metallic paintwork paired with the beige leather comfort interior also helps!
Moral of the story is if you can survive without 170bhp but still want the straight 6 soundtrack, the 320i may be a better bet if you can find a low owner low mileage all original one that is preferably a manual.
I paid £3,500 for mine.
Not quite sure where you're looking?! I bought a pretty laguna green 325i touring not long back for less than £1500! I'm pretty sure there are still some great cars out there for ~£3K
Here's one for example https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/1987-bmw-325i-e30/11...
gumtree and ebay
Here's one for example https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/1987-bmw-325i-e30/11...
gumtree and ebay
The e30 is a great looking small classic and prices have firmed over the last year or two due to decreasing numbers. Many have succumbed to becoming drift and track cars due to their RWD design and weight distribution. An e30 2 Door with an M50b25 lump is a rapid car.
Have you considered the e30's bigger brother, the e34. Prices have only just started increasing and they still have the same boxy looks but are far better built and not exactly big compared with modern machinery. Pick of the bunch would be the 24v M50b25 (525i) Manual or an earlier M30b35 (535i) Manual which is one of BMW's finest and strongest engines ever built. A set of Sport Bumpers and some cool period rims and they look awesome.
For the money you get twice the car, similar looks and more practicality.
Food for thought.
C.
Have you considered the e30's bigger brother, the e34. Prices have only just started increasing and they still have the same boxy looks but are far better built and not exactly big compared with modern machinery. Pick of the bunch would be the 24v M50b25 (525i) Manual or an earlier M30b35 (535i) Manual which is one of BMW's finest and strongest engines ever built. A set of Sport Bumpers and some cool period rims and they look awesome.
For the money you get twice the car, similar looks and more practicality.
Food for thought.
C.
Twice the car in size and weight possibly but I wouldn't agree when it comes to driving experience. I enjoyed my old 3.6 M5 but much prefer the e30 chassis. Just my opinion though obviously.
There are definitely some reasonably priced e30's out there but even the very best will most likely have some rust somewhere. I looked around an M3 that had just landed from the sunshine state in the USA and even that had a couple of small spots hidden away beneath trim.
If you're not too fussed about originality I know of a nice M50 powered 2 door at around £3.5k. It's a pretty well sorted car that's in good order.
There are definitely some reasonably priced e30's out there but even the very best will most likely have some rust somewhere. I looked around an M3 that had just landed from the sunshine state in the USA and even that had a couple of small spots hidden away beneath trim.
If you're not too fussed about originality I know of a nice M50 powered 2 door at around £3.5k. It's a pretty well sorted car that's in good order.
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