E30 325i or e46 m3
Discussion
A trader mate of mine buys and sells older classics, and keeps telling me I need to buy one (probably meaning one of his). 
But if I spend over £10K on a car I want to be able to use it which pretty much rules out most classics, so in December I bought a BMW Z4M Coupe because I have fancied one for years and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Plus it's new enough to not break down (hopefully) and not rust away before my eyes.
If you want to drive it and have some fun get an M3 (E36 or E46) - I doubt an E30 325i would give you nearly as big a buzz.
But if I spend over £10K on a car I want to be able to use it which pretty much rules out most classics, so in December I bought a BMW Z4M Coupe because I have fancied one for years and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Plus it's new enough to not break down (hopefully) and not rust away before my eyes.
If you want to drive it and have some fun get an M3 (E36 or E46) - I doubt an E30 325i would give you nearly as big a buzz.
Mr Tidy said:
A trader mate of mine buys and sells older classics, and keeps telling me I need to buy one (probably meaning one of his).
But if I spend over £10K on a car I want to be able to use it which pretty much rules out most classics, so in December I bought a BMW Z4M Coupe because I have fancied one for years and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Plus it's new enough to not break down (hopefully) and not rust away before my eyes.
If you want to drive it and have some fun get an M3 (E36 or E46) - I doubt an E30 325i would give you nearly as big a buzz.
Something to think about! Thank you. But if I spend over £10K on a car I want to be able to use it which pretty much rules out most classics, so in December I bought a BMW Z4M Coupe because I have fancied one for years and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Plus it's new enough to not break down (hopefully) and not rust away before my eyes.
If you want to drive it and have some fun get an M3 (E36 or E46) - I doubt an E30 325i would give you nearly as big a buzz.
If I do go for a 2 seater I think it might have to be a tts. 0-60 in under 5 seconds
Outstandingg said:
Something to think about! Thank you.
If I do go for a 2 seater I think it might have to be a tts. 0-60 in under 5 seconds
But a TTS isn't going to be an investment, just quick in a straight line! If I do go for a 2 seater I think it might have to be a tts. 0-60 in under 5 seconds
BMW claimed a Z4M did 0-62 in 5 seconds, so under 5 seconds to 60 and an E46 M3 should do around the same.
For ultimate driving finesse get a Boxster or Cayman based entirely on what I have read.
An E30 325i might be a lovely cruiser but is never going to set your pants on fire! But it might be the best investment.
You just need to decide whether you want an investment, the quickest car in budget or the most lairy.
In my opinion the days of "investing" in cars were over well before covid arrived on the scene. This might change as EV's take over but that is a good few years away yet.
Having relatively recently bought and sold a Z3 M Coupe, I can tell you that you're unlikely to make money when you sell it, not least because the cost of running and maintaining "modern classics" to the standard required will outstrip most if not any profit you might see at resale.
Buy the one you want; my choice would be the E30. Drive it and enjoy it.
Immediately post-lockdown might be quite a good time to buy if you're to stand a chance of not losing money on the sale price, if you sell in maybe 5 or 10 years.
Having relatively recently bought and sold a Z3 M Coupe, I can tell you that you're unlikely to make money when you sell it, not least because the cost of running and maintaining "modern classics" to the standard required will outstrip most if not any profit you might see at resale.
Buy the one you want; my choice would be the E30. Drive it and enjoy it.
Immediately post-lockdown might be quite a good time to buy if you're to stand a chance of not losing money on the sale price, if you sell in maybe 5 or 10 years.
Edited by Stu-C123 on Tuesday 7th April 08:49
I wonder if the ship hasn't already sailed with the E30? They are already selling for 5+ times what I sold mine for a few years back and not being a proper M car not sure how high they will go.
I wouldn't recommend one for driving thrills either. If its standard (more valuable) Then the chassis is quite wayward, absolute liability in the rain. mine did put up with a good thrashing though on road and track and never properly let me down so could be useable everyday. Parts getting a bit rare though I remember one bit going on mine and there were only 2 of the parts left in the UK dealer inventory, cant imagine they are still there now.
Id also say if you are after speed / thrills its the wrong car. They are old cars now and not all that fast. When I had mine I had a drag with my mate in an original BMW 120D and it was a neck and neck race. The E30 is about 9 secs a lap slower round my local track than my friends standard E90m3 for reference.
I know I sound down on it but I did enjoy the E30 while I had it but I was young then and it was an upgrade from my first car.
I wouldn't recommend one for driving thrills either. If its standard (more valuable) Then the chassis is quite wayward, absolute liability in the rain. mine did put up with a good thrashing though on road and track and never properly let me down so could be useable everyday. Parts getting a bit rare though I remember one bit going on mine and there were only 2 of the parts left in the UK dealer inventory, cant imagine they are still there now.
Id also say if you are after speed / thrills its the wrong car. They are old cars now and not all that fast. When I had mine I had a drag with my mate in an original BMW 120D and it was a neck and neck race. The E30 is about 9 secs a lap slower round my local track than my friends standard E90m3 for reference.
I know I sound down on it but I did enjoy the E30 while I had it but I was young then and it was an upgrade from my first car.
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