People who got dirt cheap E30s, how did you do it?

[E30_Evan]

Right place, right time. I have a friend from high school that bought his first e30, an '88 325is for $1900 that was very clean, then he bought a 2.8 M20 ix for close to the same, and then bought a track prepped '86 eta for $1100, I honestly have no idea how he did it. I've been trying to figure it out for a few years now.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I bought my slick top for 1200 bucks last July. It sat on CL for ever not sure why I think because while it was clean on outside it in no way shape or form was safe for the road and the owners were very attached to it and would only let it go to a BMW enthusiast that they liked. The ball joints were 100% gone not sure how i drove it home and the steering rack was shot too. This is also why i think it didnt sell but if you have the tools i was able to replace the ball joints/ tie rods and rebuild the rack for under 250 bucks.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Here on the west coast, there's still a few decent, clean and OEM e30's kicking around.

Prices haven't went that crazy as they did in the US, so if you want something clean and well maintained, consider going North of the border.

[pondhopper]

Here on the west coast, there's still a few decent, clean and OEM e30's kicking around.

Prices haven't went that crazy as they did in the US, so if you want something clean and well maintained, consider going North of the border.

geez, now you started a new E30 gold rush up North! With the 30% exchange rate it's an even cheaper option for US buyers up here. just not sure about exporting/importing rules to the states.

[roguetoaster]

geez, now you started a new E30 gold rush up North! With the 30% exchange rate it's an even cheaper option for US buyers up here. just not sure about exporting/importing rules to the states.

Next year all E30s should be eligible for import to the US, even the very most late model examples as importation is all about actual date of manufacture, not model year.

Then the E36 M3s/tourings will be close on their heels.

It's also worth mentioning that 3.8L E34 M5s are currently eligible for import, not that they're much better than US models or really worth the import premium (from overseas) as actual cars to drive.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Next year all E30s should be eligible for import to the US, even the very most late model examples as importation is all about actual date of manufacture, not model year.



Then the E36 M3s/tourings will be close on their heels.



It's also worth mentioning that 3.8L E34 M5s are currently eligible for import, not that they're much better than US models or really worth the import premium (from overseas) as actual cars to drive.

Execpt who doesn't want a 3.8L s38... 340hp stock is good amount especially if you put it in an e30.

[101]

As was said above, it's primarily the "right time, right place" thing. All of mine were bought off Craigslist.

That said, I'll add that two of mine came into my life as non-running vehicles on a trailer. If you have solid mechanical skills that's certainly one way of getting into the E30 game. Most of the E30 mechanical items are fairly straightforward to address. Rust and body work are not, so I usually focus on the condition of the body and go from there.

You have to be willing to cast your net pretty far if you live in the rustbelt or in a low population area.

And if you have a BMWCCA chapter or a good specialist nearby, they always "know of a guy" ...

[Jon325i]

having a driver's license in 2001 helped me get a cheap e30

So. Much. This.

I think it was early 2002 when I bought my first E30 and the prices for really clean examples were quite reasonable. When it came to finding the E30s I've owned (3 in total), in two cases it was good timing in responding to local Craigslist ads and having cash in-hand. The other was by word of mouth.....one of those friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friends'-roommate things.

You know you've been in the E30 scene a long time if you're spending mid-teens for a really nice, tastefully modded example of a standard E30 when back in the day the E30 M3 had the $15,000 rule.

Times have definitely changed.



Jon

[E30 Wagen]

Now that I think about it I've gotten a few e30s for less than $1000, but they were absolute basket cases.

$700 318is slicktop. Rusted bad, not a single good panel except for the trunk lid, but ran and drove. Needed new diff and brake line so i parted it. Wishing now i had just fixed it and used it for a winter beater.
$350 318i m42. Extremely rusted, not a single good panel except for driver fender
$300 318i m10, first e30 back in 2001ish. Body and engine toast. Terrible 1st e30 experience as a 14 year old.
'87 and '88 325is automatic, both for $1000, both complete basket cases, ended up selling or using parts off them and scrapping the shells.
$750 89 325i, my parents minty car that i bought from them after it was totalled this fall :(

All these e30s were complete wastes of time and money, except I did learn a lot while working on them. The last e30 I drove regularly was a rusted out '86 325es that i got for $1400. Living in michigan is the worst if you like cars from the '80s

[haaken675]

So. Much. This.

I think it was early 2002 when I bought my first E30 and the prices for really clean examples were quite reasonable. When it came to finding the E30s I've owned (3 in total), in two cases it was good timing in responding to local Craigslist ads and having cash in-hand. The other was by word of mouth.....one of those friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friends'-roommate things.

You know you've been in the E30 scene a long time if you're spending mid-teens for a really nice, tastefully modded example of a standard E30 when back in the day the E30 M3 had the $15,000 rule.

Times have definitely changed.

I bought my first e30 that was cleaner then the one I am building up currently for $200...That same car now would easily sell for $3k+...Wishing now I had bought an m3 several years ago when it would have still been a possibility...

Jon

[TobyB]

You have to have a trailer, and be able to go pick it up the first time you look at it.

That works.

I have purchased 3 E30s so far. Total cost- $1250. One even had an engine in it...

t

[haaken675]

You have to have a trailer, and be able to go pick it up the first time you look at it.

That works.

I have purchased 3 E30s so far. Total cost- $1250. One even had an engine in it...

t

I second that one...I have passed on a few good deals simply because I couldn't get a trailer in time.

[tiger_e30]

I second that one...I have passed on a few good deals simply because I couldn't get a trailer in time.

110 k $1200 in Georgia looks like a clean running car.

https://nwga.craigslist.org/cto/6066581255.html

[Klug]

I got lucky and acted quick on my two e30's. Found my vert in the back of an old MB shop that I pass off daily. Take the back roads, look in the back yards....you'll get lucky eventually

[Stanley Rockafella]

110 k $1200 in Georgia looks like a clean running car.

https://nwga.craigslist.org/cto/6066581255.html

seems like an eta, not an i.