Is a e30 m3 worth 40k more than 325is?
Discussion
Whatsmyname said:
As a car to drive I'd say the E30 M3 is no more than a £10k car, the rest is just investment / bubble crap.
The videos I’ve seen (current) of owners day Harry’s garage etc they need to rev the buts off them to get anywhere. A bit draining IMPE but I’d never buy one though love its looks and bulky for those that do buy them for whatever reason. A shame more don’t buy the super touring 600bhp Sierras RS500’s... Miles better or Cavalier Turbos
Jaybmw said:
I bet a well sorted chassis wise 318is is just as capable as the overpriced m3 in my eyes. Not as beautiful looking mind but no way 50-60k less of a car
I suppose it comes down to the era you grew up in - to some the E30s M3 they enjoyed watching them race, where as to others the E36/46/92 are the ones for them. It’s great to have choice.
Prices are a bit high for my budget but hey
helix402 said:
s m said:
I had a Tech1 325i Soort for a while years back
Nice solid car but for whatever reasons I preferred my old E21 323i ( 5-sp, LSD, Recaros, BBS wheels and spoilers )
Tried an E30 M3 ages ago when I had my 325 Sport but it didn’t seem like it was worth the extra money even when that was only a few grand
s m said:
You’re right - haven’t seen one or a 525iX for ages
I had a Tech1 325i Soort for a while years back
Nice solid car but for whatever reasons I preferred my old E21 323i ( 5-sp, LSD, Recaros, BBS wheels and spoilers )
Tried an E30 M3 ages ago when I had my 325 Sport but it didn’t seem like it was worth the extra money even when that was only a few grand
For 1/5th or less of the price of E30 M3’s you can have so much more fun. It’s nostalgia or perceived greatness/must be super. Tie has moved on and it’s bettered in every way possible a long time agoI had a Tech1 325i Soort for a while years back
Nice solid car but for whatever reasons I preferred my old E21 323i ( 5-sp, LSD, Recaros, BBS wheels and spoilers )
Tried an E30 M3 ages ago when I had my 325 Sport but it didn’t seem like it was worth the extra money even when that was only a few grand
helix402 said:
What’s a 325is?.......
I'm surprised you don't know this one!: It's a US market BMW 325i Sport - Literally badged on the rear as: 325ishttps://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/113/articles/the...
I suspect though, that the OP is referring to the UK spec E30 325i Sport, that was simply badged: 325i (Often with M/// badge fitted front and rear, from the factory).
As for "Is an E30 M3 worth £40K more than a 325i Sport?": The market seems to think so.
The 325i sport a mildly modified production car, that differs from the standard 325i by very little (10mm lower suspension, slightly stiffer shocks, closer ratio gearbox, M-tech body-kit, Recaro front seats, LSD and that's pretty much it). Performance-wise and handling wise, the 325i Sport and standard 325i aren't night and day different.
An E30 M3 is an extensively modified, re-engineered car, with wider track front and rear, more extensively modified suspension and brakes, a unique, race bred 4 cylinder engine, a dog-leg gearbox, unique body panels, and a race-car pedigree. Performance-wise, in a straight line, it's not massively faster than a 325i Sport, but handling-wise, it's a far better balanced car (the 325i understeers more due to the heavier engine in the nose), and would leave a 325i Sport behind comfortably on a twisty b-road.
Some may think the M3 is not worth £40K more than a 325i Sport, but plenty of others must do, because that's what they sell for.
helix402 said:
What’s a 325is? A good 325i is faster acceleration wise than an M3 but slower round corners. It depends what you want.
An E30 with a good M30 (or M52 these days) and decent suspension is ideal.
A 325is badged E30 that looks like a Tech 2 325i Sport could also be a South African 325iS Evo 1 that had a 195-ish bhp 2.7litre Alpina fettled 6 with some E30 M3 suspension/5-stud hubs etc, Alloy body panels etc An E30 with a good M30 (or M52 these days) and decent suspension is ideal.
They also did an Evo2 version with a lumpier cam, 210bhp and slightly lower springs
4rephill said:
I'm surprised you don't know this one!: It's a US market BMW 325i Sport - Literally badged on the rear as: 325is
https://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/113/articles/the...
I suspect though, that the OP is referring to the UK spec E30 325i Sport, that was simply badged: 325i (Often with M/// badge fitted front and rear, from the factory).
As for "Is an E30 M3 worth £40K more than a 325i Sport?": The market seems to think so.
The 325i sport a mildly modified production car, that differs from the standard 325i by very little (10mm lower suspension, slightly stiffer shocks, closer ratio gearbox, M-tech body-kit, Recaro front seats, LSD and that's pretty much it). Performance-wise and handling wise, the 325i Sport and standard 325i aren't night and day different.
An E30 M3 is an extensively modified, re-engineered car, with wider track front and rear, more extensively modified suspension and brakes, a unique, race bred 4 cylinder engine, a dog-leg gearbox, unique body panels, and a race-car pedigree. Performance-wise, in a straight line, it's not massively faster than a 325i Sport, but handling-wise, it's a far better balanced car (the 325i understeers more due to the heavier engine in the nose), and would leave a 325i Sport behind comfortably on a twisty b-road.
Some may think the M3 is not worth £40K more than a 325i Sport, but plenty of others must do, because that's what they sell for.
Nail on the head in my opinion! https://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/113/articles/the...
I suspect though, that the OP is referring to the UK spec E30 325i Sport, that was simply badged: 325i (Often with M/// badge fitted front and rear, from the factory).
As for "Is an E30 M3 worth £40K more than a 325i Sport?": The market seems to think so.
The 325i sport a mildly modified production car, that differs from the standard 325i by very little (10mm lower suspension, slightly stiffer shocks, closer ratio gearbox, M-tech body-kit, Recaro front seats, LSD and that's pretty much it). Performance-wise and handling wise, the 325i Sport and standard 325i aren't night and day different.
An E30 M3 is an extensively modified, re-engineered car, with wider track front and rear, more extensively modified suspension and brakes, a unique, race bred 4 cylinder engine, a dog-leg gearbox, unique body panels, and a race-car pedigree. Performance-wise, in a straight line, it's not massively faster than a 325i Sport, but handling-wise, it's a far better balanced car (the 325i understeers more due to the heavier engine in the nose), and would leave a 325i Sport behind comfortably on a twisty b-road.
Some may think the M3 is not worth £40K more than a 325i Sport, but plenty of others must do, because that's what they sell for.
I am lucky enough to own both a tech 2 325i Sport and an E30 M3 (early non cat 200bhp version) both the same lightly modified suspension of Eibach springs, Bilstein B8 shocks and eibach roll bars.
The M3 makes factory power of 200bhp and the 325i slightly more than factory at approx 180bhp due to a BTB six branch, BBR star chip and Bigger throttle body, both dyno proven.
I have owned both for some time, and they are night and day in how they drive and feel. The M3 is quicker but you have to stretch it to get there where as the 325i requires less effort to get moving along nicely.
Where the stark contrast lies is the in the chassis. Simply put the M3 will walk away from a 325i on track and twisty roads party due to the lack of weight up front on the M3 and partly due to the M3's revised geometry and front ARB drop link mount location.
There a places on the ring where i can take the M3 at speeds where the 325i would fall off.
Are E30 M3's worth 2 to 3 times as much as a good 325i sport? Well the M3 is more than just being a mid 80's performance car, its one of the most iconic homologation specials that just happens to be the most successful production saloon race car so those to factors have driven prices up massively.
The 325i Sport (or any E30 325i) is a great collectable car (that did see some competition use in the ETCC early on and in SA in the group N with the 325iS) and values will continue to rise over time if thats a motivation for buying one.
The M3 makes factory power of 200bhp and the 325i slightly more than factory at approx 180bhp due to a BTB six branch, BBR star chip and Bigger throttle body, both dyno proven.
I have owned both for some time, and they are night and day in how they drive and feel. The M3 is quicker but you have to stretch it to get there where as the 325i requires less effort to get moving along nicely.
Where the stark contrast lies is the in the chassis. Simply put the M3 will walk away from a 325i on track and twisty roads party due to the lack of weight up front on the M3 and partly due to the M3's revised geometry and front ARB drop link mount location.
There a places on the ring where i can take the M3 at speeds where the 325i would fall off.
Are E30 M3's worth 2 to 3 times as much as a good 325i sport? Well the M3 is more than just being a mid 80's performance car, its one of the most iconic homologation specials that just happens to be the most successful production saloon race car so those to factors have driven prices up massively.
The 325i Sport (or any E30 325i) is a great collectable car (that did see some competition use in the ETCC early on and in SA in the group N with the 325iS) and values will continue to rise over time if thats a motivation for buying one.
BSSBMW said:
Are E30 M3's worth 2 to 3 times as much as a good 325i sport? Well the M3 is more than just being a mid 80's performance car, its one of the most iconic homologation specials that just happens to be the most successful production saloon race car so those to factors have driven prices up massively.
Exactly.The 'values' of pretty much every classic/collectable car have absolutely zero correlation to their driving dynamics or any other 'real' factor compared to any other car.......its about market demand/desire of ownership and ability to supply that desire/demand.
Is it worth 40k more? I suppose it depends on how much you have in your pocket. As a driving experience the M3 feels light, crisp and incredibly willing. Yes you have to rev it but that is an absolute delight.
When I had my car (215bhp) my younger brother had a 325i Touring with LSD on slightly lowered suspension and the difference between the two cars was as different as if they came from two different companies. The 325i was not a slow or bad handling car but it felt ponderous both in engine and chassis feel by comparison. The M3 was an absolute delight in every way.
It sounds a bit hyperbole but IMO the easiest way to look at it is the 325i is a very good car but the M3 is a great car.
When I had my car (215bhp) my younger brother had a 325i Touring with LSD on slightly lowered suspension and the difference between the two cars was as different as if they came from two different companies. The 325i was not a slow or bad handling car but it felt ponderous both in engine and chassis feel by comparison. The M3 was an absolute delight in every way.
It sounds a bit hyperbole but IMO the easiest way to look at it is the 325i is a very good car but the M3 is a great car.
The 325i was nice, but the M3 was completely different. I had a Sport Evo 20 years ago, and plenty of 325i's.
They're so different that you can't compare them. If I couldn't stretch to an M3, I'd be looking something like a low mileage 1/2 owner R26 Megane - a pretty serious weapon in its day and far more of an E30 M3 type car.
They're so different that you can't compare them. If I couldn't stretch to an M3, I'd be looking something like a low mileage 1/2 owner R26 Megane - a pretty serious weapon in its day and far more of an E30 M3 type car.
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