Whats a fair price to pay for an M3?

[5ickride]

Hello gents,

I have been dicking around with e30s for a while, throwing money all over the place to buy, fiix, mod, and anything else you can think of at regular E30s. I am sure that if i just saved all that money i spent i could have just bought myself this little unicorn which is the M3. This is ultimately what i want. So i want to know what is todays fair market value for a decent (no rust) M3 that is not in show room condition? Is it still about $20k? Please enlighten me.

Thank you

[markseven]

I would say $23K is the rule.

Probably one of the few cars that you can get for that price that will appreciate.

Enjoy the search!

[5ickride]

Thanks! Does it differ by region? I mean, e30s here in the northeast are usually demanding a higher price tag. I would not mind any travel.

[SKNKWRX]

So much price swing I see cars out there for under 20k and I wouldn't sell mine for less than 50k. but in the mid 20s for a rust free correct car that needs some attention.

[fronton]

If you plan on it as an 'investment' and will keep it stock, buy the very best example you can afford. I wouldn't expect to find a non money pit one for less than $18k. If you want to do an engine swap or weird crap to it, buy the cheapest one you can find, probably starting around $12k now for a s50 swapped and barely running bruiser.

[5ickride]

Thanks, that's sounds like pretty good advice. I would want to buy an original though and keep it that way, s14 engine and all. It makes no sense to me, no offense, to buy one and swap it, unless of course you bought a beat up one or a shell.

[reelizmpro]

Thanks, that's sounds like pretty good advice. I would want to buy an original though and keep it that way, s14 engine and all. It makes no sense to me, no offense, to buy one and swap it, unless of course you bought a beat up one or a shell.

Swappers most popular answer in 2003..."E30 M3 isn't rare, there's too many of them. You can always find them and pick them up for 10K all day long." That may have been true then but they failed to look at the bigger picture. Ironically, they have helped original E30 M3 values with their shenanigans.

Things have changed over the years and I think I am underestimating these cars now as I have seen cars that I didn't think were worth it and needed too much work...still sell for asking price! Supply has definitely dwindled since 2000 and demand is up because of all the hype surrounding the cars. The ship has sailed for a lot of people but if you are lucky and find a car in your budget, then it's worth giving serious thought because it seems people are buying these up often times sight unseen...even worse is some buyers are overseas and US cars are now being exported. Then of course owners are raising the bar as well and we can't blame them. It seems 20K is a good starting point for a nice car these days. Apparently, people are willing to overlook flaws if it's the right color car with clean title. Carfantiti's car was bidded up to around 28k on ebay but didn't meet his reserve. He probably could have gotten 30k with better advertising and pictures.

[M-technik-3]

With the hype and such from BRZ comparisons and so forth the marketis just plain nuts these days. I had mine outside about a month ago and had about 6 cars stop over the day and ask if they were for sale. All got the same answer No.

There have been about twenty cars that I have not seen before pop up on C-list,ebay,s14.net that have been for sale. Most are bringing 16k with ease unless total basket cases.

There is 4 on ebay right now and only one is list on the M-registry. Shame but it honestly appears that they are not that rare within reason if you have the cash to spend on one.

I am glad that I dropped the money on mine when I did. Regardless of how imperfect they are.

[5ickride]

Swappers most popular answer in 2003..."E30 M3 isn't rare, there's too many of them. You can always find them and pick them up for 10K all day long." That may have been true then but they failed to look at the bigger picture. Ironically, they have helped original E30 M3 values with their shenanigans.

Things have changed over the years and I think I am underestimating these cars now as I have seen cars that I didn't think were worth it and needed too much work...still sell for asking price! Supply has definitely dwindled since 2000 and demand is up because of all the hype surrounding the cars. The ship has sailed for a lot of people but if you are lucky and find a car in your budget, then it's worth giving serious thought because it seems people are buying these up often times sight unseen...even worse is some buyers are overseas and US cars are now being exported. It seems 20K is a good starting point for a nice car these days.

Thank you! I agree. Seems even more recently thant that, maybe last 5 years, that the market has changed and prices have been driven up. I almost pulled the trigger about a year and a half ago and in retrospect i should have done it.

With the hype and such from BRZ comparisons and so forth the marketis just plain nuts these days. I had mine outside about a month ago and had about 6 cars stop over the day and ask if they were for sale. All got the same answer No.

There have been about twenty cars that I have not seen before pop up on C-list,ebay,s14.net that have been for sale. Most are bringing 16k with ease unless total basket cases.

There is 4 on ebay right now and only one is list on the M-registry. Shame but it honestly appears that they are not that rare within reason if you have the cash to spend on one.

I am glad that I dropped the money on mine when I did. Regardless of how imperfect they are.

Money always talks and when cash is in hand it is the best bargaining tool you can have when negotiating with a seller. Someone could ask for $20k but if you have $17k ready to give I think some sellers would just take...but it also depends on the sellers situation. Anyways, want to sell me one Greg? Hahaha

[M-technik-3]

I'm not at this time. I want to paint my Zinno and have been budgeting money away for that. Won't happen till I add a second floor on the house, House at moment is first.

Best of luck. It's funny I even think E36 M3's are back on the increase these days. Seeing asking prices on them creeping higher even with mileage in the 170k range still asking for 9-12K but trying to recoup mod costs.

[Nats88M3]

I paid 15k for mine and it needs a bit of work! But trust me the people who have one won't budge on the price!

[5ickride]

I'm not at this time. I want to paint my Zinno and have been budgeting money away for that. Won't happen till I add a second floor on the house, House at moment is first.

Best of luck. It's funny I even think E36 M3's are back on the increase these days. Seeing asking prices on them creeping higher even with mileage in the 170k range still asking for 9-12K but trying to recoup mod costs.

I wouldn't be ready to buy just yet, but funds will start to get gathered and then we'll hopefully talk. Good luck on the house, they are a pain in the ass!

I paid 15k for mine and it needs a bit of work! But trust me the people who have one won't budge on the price!

Good deal. I wouldnt mind doing work so long as there is no rust. Everything else can be replaced.

[E30NJ]

There's one in nj that was for sale. the guy sold it for $22k. Had S52 swap. I think it had like 140,000 miles. nice car though

[Andrew325is]

Not long ago I saw a completely stock non-running garage queen on the local CL for $10k. Keep your eyes posted.

[Ray Smoodiver]

I didn't read the thread, but I'd pay 85K USD for a Sport Evo and expect to make money when I sold it.

I got offered a Sport Evo when I was 18 for 32K USD. Stiiilll kicking myself 11 years later.