E30 vs E36 prices

[thornado327i]

So how is it in your countries?

Up to last year, BMWs prices followed older=cheaper rule (except rare models), but that has changed.

E30 in good shape is worth actually more than early-production E36!! Younger E36 still hold their price but mostly because of comfort features (climatronic etc.)

And a BUILT E30 is usually worth more than ANY E36 (except M3 and tourings for some reason).


Discuss

[theox69]

They're becoming classics, as most of them are reaching 20 yr old status.

[RobE30]

X2 on the classic part and they don't have as many stupid issues as the e36 (at least from my experiences)

[M-technik-3]

That's been the case here for last few years. E36 M3's are down to spare parts prices at this point it seems.

Bad time to own an E36 M that's for sale.

[SpecM]

so, what you're saying is...

e30 > e36

should that shock you?

[nando]

early E36's haven't been worth squat here for quite some time. if it's not a 96+, it's not worth more than $2k at the most. especially the 92-93 cars, yech.

which is funny because there was this early E36 318i 4 door with 200,000 miles for sale by my house and they wanted like $6k. yeah right!

[thornado327i]

early E36's haven't been worth squat here for quite some time. if it's not a 96+, it's not worth more than $2k at the most.

Which is funny, because from what I've heard from a devoted E36 owner (had 3 of them, his wife's got one too) pre 96 models were more reliable and seemed more carefully built.

Same guy sold E46 after 1,5 year for - guote: "being a total crap unworthy of carying a roundel"...

[SpecM]

Same guy sold E46 after 1,5 year for - guote: "being a total crap unworthy of carying a roundel"...

funny, because e46 are better put-together than e36s

[Aptyp]

I don't think it's the "classic" status that sells. These cars are becoming cult vehicles, and people who've bought these cars back when they were new, are hitting mid-life crisis. Why do you think so many e30 end up being spec-cars lately...


Anyway, this climb in price is a wonderful thing as it will help preserve e30 from scrap yards and crushers, who pay fifth of what enthusiast would pony up.

[Collin]

I've been looking for a late model e30 for a while now, and every one in good shape that I've found has been listed at least $1500 more than the early model e36's I've seen.

There was a very nice clean 1992 325i listed at $2500, and in the same town there was a 1991 325i in the same condition listed at $3500. Both prices seemed about average from craigslist browsing.

Looks like now is the time to get a nice e30.

[Tree18is]

X2 on the classic part and they don't have as many stupid issues as the e36 (at least from my experiences)

I haven't experienced it, but ive seen it in ratio of e36's in the shop for pretty major things for the average person.

[gearheadE30]

Where I am, e36s are mostly beat to hell and rusty, where a lot of the e30s are at least somewhat maintained. That alone alters the prices a lot, but a good early e36 is still seeing $4k whereas a late-model e30 in good condition is probably $3k or maybe a bit more. Then again, a truly good e30 is very tough to find in the midwest.

[Dave]

My e36 works great for me as a mileage whore daily driver. I log 100+ miles a day commuting, and its 30 mpg @ 80 mph is nice.

I would like to have a nice minty e30 street car - but I'd not want to rag on it like I do the e36.

When I was looking, I very quickly realized that pre-96 e36s were mostly beat - and those ones with the awful grey bumpers and rockers - YUK!!!!!!

[thornado327i]

Up to recently a typical fairly cheap E30 "for sale" ad read as follows:

Great running engine (usually beat up and leaking)
Great mpg (M40)
Lowered suspension (stock shocks, cut springs)
Sport exhaust system (eBay cheap-ass loud muffler)
Alloy wheels (bottlecaps)
Almost rust free (except for doors, rockers, hood, trunklid and fenders)
Sport intake system (ebay no-name cone filter w/o heatshield)
Caraudio (no-name head unit, no-name amp, no-name sub - all ebay crap)

Now, same rules apply to E36

[LowR3V'in]

Roadster (convertible)