E30 m3 (test drive memories...)

[1750jb]

Remember the times when these were affordable (sub £15k? Sub £10k??) and we'd go check out and drive local ones for sale, only to walk away from what was basically a dog, cos there was such a HUGE variation in condition and how well a given example would drive. Just wondering if they've all been restored by now or is it still the same lottery, even though they're all 30 grand now?

[nct001]

I have one... do you want one for £15k?

[s m]

Thread title put me in mind of an old article

,, .,

I remember them going as low as 4k and going to see a fair few - I was a bit picky and wanted a black/grey one with aircon and a sunroof with the Birds rhd conversion. Ian Godney did a better rack and manifold for his rally one so that was my plan as I knew the ideal car existed. Nigel Moseley, down the road, was full of tips and advice but other cars got my attention so never got one whilst they were at the cheapest

[B17NNS]

Brewer picked one up in Europe for Wheeler Dealers as he couldn't find a good/reasonable priced one here if I remember right.

[s m]

B17NNS said:

Brewer picked one up in Europe for Wheeler Dealers as he couldn't find a good/reasonable priced one here if I remember right.

It's interesting how cheap they were even 15 years ago though ( although E36 M3s have got down to even less, no doubt as there were many more made and the looks don't separate them from rest of range as well )

[Rich_W]

2004 - Bought 8,400 (72K miles FSH) Private sale
2011 - Sold 12,995 (110K miles FSH) Private sale

Saw the same car 2012 sold 16,000 (114K - dunno on history) Dealer in St Albans
Then last year it was up for sale 22,500 (same mileage maybe a few hundred more) at a dealer in Herts. No longer on the site so assume it's ben sold again, but whether it made what he wanted not sure.

Had a personal plate on it last I saw "E3 OTC" spaced as "E30 TC" If anyone's seen it. Might be back on it's H4** DFG plate now. A good friend of mine has a real minter IIRC 40K FSH. I remember he was offered £20K sometime in the mid to late 00s and I thought "How much!" Same car today in 2014 is probably worth 35-40!

Great cars, but I'm loathe to say they are really worth that these days. I've seen the Sport Evo 2.5s advertised at over £80K and I'd NEVER pay that for one. That puts you in a low miles GT3. Which IMO is a far better car
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[iva cosworth]

Spotted last Monday in Sundsvall

[1750jb]

I know, some of the examples I've driven have been very nicely balanced, responsive and plenty quick enough for having fun, and I get that the best one's are now worth big $$... I just wonder if some the now very expensive examples are the same tired old 'loose' cars that we have all tested back in the day, and walked away from 'cos well, they (shock) didn't drive well enough...?

[Rich_W]

1750jb said:

I know, some of the examples I've driven have been very nicely balanced, responsive and plenty quick enough for having fun, and I get that the best one's are now worth big $$... I just wonder if some the now very expensive examples are the same tired old 'loose' cars that we have all tested back in the day, and walked away from 'cos well, they (shock) didn't drive well enough...?

Not really kept a close eye on it. But there's a hill of chancers out there. Cars with no history, for big money and "low" miles. (re haircut)

When I was selling mine there was one in worse condtion, older less desirable spec and higher mileage (like 60 thousand MILES more) and he wanted £10K more than mine he put in the advert the old "reluctant sale" "won't give it away" nonsense. It was up for MONTHS and eventually disappeared. Dunno what happened to it.

[stevesingo]

I know of a red H9**DFG

[Pentoman]

1750jb said:

I know, some of the examples I've driven have been very nicely balanced, responsive and plenty quick enough for having fun, and I get that the best one's are now worth big $$... I just wonder if some the now very expensive examples are the same tired old 'loose' cars that we have all tested back in the day, and walked away from 'cos well, they (shock) didn't drive well enough...?

They have to be. Although I would love to see proof. Prices have got so high, even a raggy heavily used old banger is worth tidying up, making it look like a beautifully cared for example, and advertising it as such. Although I suppose there's nothing new in there.

It's not the end of the world, happens everywhere. Effectively many of these will have been restored.

[kpb]

I was tempted when they were around the £5k mark but never got around to it. I then remember seeing a tidy one about 2 years later at a local classic car place for £8995 and laughing that it was hugely over-priced. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.