1988 BMW M3 - Houston, TX - 260k miles

[apm]

I was actually the last Previous owner of that car. I sold it to a lady in Houston.

I know the previous owner of it as well. It was really good runner when I had it. No issues at all everything works. It can redline pretty good and was used on track here and there.

The current owners presents the ad really well and seems very straight shooter. They belong to the BMWCCA Houston community.

I know the guy who rebuild the engine on this M3 back in Vancouver, WA. He race cars in Laguna Seca too, so he knows his stuff.

If I could I will buy it back in a heartbeat. I was actually offering to buy it back 3 yrs ago from the owner, but they were not willing to sell it back then.

But dang it, the price of M3 has gone crazy these last years. I sold it for under $10k not too long ago.

[dannyg]

I was actually the last Previous owner of that car. I sold it to a lady in Houston.

I know the previous owner of it as well. It was really good runner when I had it. No issues at all everything works. It can redline pretty good and was used on track here and there.

But dang it, the price of M3 has gone crazy these last years. I sold it for under $10k not too long ago.

[M-technik-3]

Hmm gives me hope for my high mileage one. But I really don't care I enjoy driving it. Doesn't bring me any joy when it's tucked away not being used.

[Javier h]

The car market is a interesting thing. I have followed a few other examples (non bmws) for decades and on some cars, they go up ridiculously and then they come crashing down.

From 16k when hot (and that reflected an almost sticker price even though the cars were well over a decade old) to about 4k when the trend goes down.

Yeah, he'll get in the vicinity of 15k for it but 7-9 years from now that car might sell for like 7-9k. It's a seller's market for e30 M3 but I wouldn't expect linear appreciation on anything. Time will tell.

[Eric]

Javier, what other car markets have you watched? With the low production numbers of the E30 M3 (5,000 us, 15,000 total) I have a hard time believing that the market will tank. The fact that overseas buyers are targeting US M3's, especially the rust free ones, really makes me think that these will become even more rare here in the US in the next 10 years.

I don't think the market will climb a huge amount from where it's at right now, but I don't think there will be a day of $5k E30 M3's like in 1997.

[reelizmpro]

In addition to what Eric said, more people are buying these cars sight unseen below 15K, just like Zinnoberot who bought his on ebay for $13k without even an actual picture of the car! Some of these buyers are overseas too. Mind you, if really nice ones are 30-40K, this will pull up the beater/salvaged cars as well to at least half that. There are also cars that are listed above $40k too so a $15k one now sounds like a bargain to someone who has the means. There's a buying frenzy going on and people don't want to be completely priced out. Furthermore, if a buyer decided to buy and keep this car forever, that's another M3 that will never be on the market. Will the car's plummet back to sub 10K? No way. Too unique and symbolic of a car to be forgotten and brushed aside. The M3 is one of the most iconic sports cars and the first one will always be revered for it's accomplishments and what it stood for.

[Javier h]

Funny

These were the exact same statements made by the cars that ended up depreciating! I didn't see it coming either even in my wildest imagination.

Seriously, if we all had a crystal ball, we'd be rich. Buy these cars to enjoy them. I think we can all agree on that.

As far as collectability and appreciation, if one buys a 40k e30 m3, all I am saying is that don't be surprise if that car depreciates someday. My 9k statement was in reference to the high mileage M3.

I am just going by what I have seen in some other cars (imports). Those cars went 25k (new) to $3500 to 15k back down $2500 (now) in the span for almost 2 decades. The M3 is a wild child of BMWs history. It will always remain a unique car but future pricing is debatable. It is about supply and demand but also about general interest.

[spdracrm3]

seeing these prices is seriously making me rethink my $2500 E30M3 racecar build purchased 10yrs ago as not worth rebuilding to a street car as it was a theft recovery with missing interior and blown motor(already rebuilt to a 2.5L now) . plan was to turn it into a cheap racecar but these prices make the thing much more valuable each day, its crazy...... im right at the point of no return as i have the cage to put in it and once that is done no going back me thinks

[Bmwdayz]

I don't think the prices are gonna come down at all. They will fluctuate like any other collector car but no way will they plummet. Look at 69 camaro's 60's mustangs. They all continue to rise and so will the m3 because it's a classic with a huge following. Especially since there are way less M3's than the camaros or mustangs.

[M-technik-3]

They will drop, look at 50's cars at some point the next generation will have no interest in them and prices as such will drop. I bought my first one for giggle money so I don't get worked up about and I enjoy driving it. The other one is worth slightly more but both will never bring crazy money so....enjoy one if you have one.

They are not meant to get locked away they are no fun that way.

[///M42 sport]

ad deleted :(

[Bmwdayz]

$$$

They will drop, look at 50's cars at some point the next generation will have no interest in them and prices as such will drop. I bought my first one for giggle money so I don't get worked up about and I enjoy driving it. The other one is worth slightly more but both will never bring crazy money so....enjoy one if you have one.

They are not meant to get locked away they are no fun that way.

How much is giggle money? haha

[el bimmer]

I think people are abusing the system. Get on auto trader and see the horrendous prices 50K to 80k. This is ridiculous! I bought one in New Jersey for 5k not too long ago yes it was a deal and it does need work, but realistic. While e30 m3 are beautiful cars, I don't see this market continuing to increase. Just because a couple of individuals continue to ask crazy prices, doesn't mean that they will drive up the market. I'm no expert, but have seen them go up and down. This is just my opinion.


TBimmer Bitch!

[el bimmer]

The add is deleted but it doesn't mean it sold, he did not have wiggle in his price. He probably just took it down. Do you guys remember the 14k one that was black and it had a few cosmetic issues?, that one sold in about 45 minutes once posted and while it had a few obvious issues, it was better than the one posted here.


TBimmer Bitch!

[reelizmpro]

These were the exact same statements made by the cars that ended up depreciating! I didn't see it coming either even in my wildest imagination.

Seriously, if we all had a crystal ball, we'd be rich. Buy these cars to enjoy them. I think we can all agree on that.

As far as collectability and appreciation, if one buys a 40k e30 m3, all I am saying is that don't be surprise if that car depreciates someday. My 9k statement was in reference to the high mileage M3.

I am just going by what I have seen in some other cars (imports). Those cars went 25k (new) to $3500 to 15k back down $2500 (now) in the span for almost 2 decades. The M3 is a wild child of BMWs history. It will always remain a unique car but future pricing is debatable. It is about supply and demand but also about general interest.

Exactly what other cars are you referring to? As far as general interest goes...the e30 m3 has made front page on several mags and continues to do so. They rarely mention M cars without talking about the e30. Even young kids know what the e30 m3 is. I get asked if mine is real all the time. I highly doubt people will.become disinterested. Disinterested in paying $40k sure but then you only to find one buyer willing to pay and apparently they are out there.