The F30's hidden value

[evandael]

It comes across more as a feeble attempt at re-living past glory than anything else. It's like all of the modern muscle cars... Charger, Camaro, Challenger, Dart, whatever. It's just companies trying to generate sales based on old guys remembering how cool those cars were when they were in high school...

Nobody buying a new 328i is going to know that it is chassis-code F30, nor will BMW market the engine as an N20B20. Add this to the fact that nobody buying a new 328i is familiar with E30's or M20's means you're just the proverbial cloud-cursing grumpy old man.

[samurai pizza cats]

The f30 is 4 inches shorter, 2 inches wider, and roughly a half inch taller than an e34. The 328i weighs 11 lbs more than an e34. Basically what you are talking about here is a modern 520i, which by all accounts are relative to icebergs in their mobility.

chad did not read your post. but i agree with your avatar very much.

[ELVA164]

And turbo 4 Cylinders can make ALOT of power.

Exhibit A:

[TimKninja]

They look good for a sedan, the coupe looks amazing tho. But I wound't touch a 4 cylinder turbo car with a 10 foot pole. You shouldn't want for any things that's detuned anyway. Its literally a lesser version of the worst 3 series. That car is for posers, who want the world to think they've made it so they buy the cheapest BMW they could find. Yeah that's not me. Buy the best that you can so you can stand behind it and instead of justifying something worst by saying its the same as the 328 but a lot cheaper. Much rather have a e92 335is

Wow that was retarded.

So i guess everyone who bought a 318is by that logic back in 1991 was a Poser. There are people who enjoy driving BMW's, not everyone sees them as a status symbol. And turbo 4 Cylinders can make ALOT of power, ever drive a newer GTI with a good tune?

I'd still rather buy an older car anyday unless these turn out to be fairly reliable.

[bmwstephen]

rather buy an fr-s and save $15k which is a whole hell lot closer to an e30 in specs.

[Eric]

wish the base model came with a cool cloth interior. I do like that it a moonroof is a stand alone option, and it comes in a manual if optioned.

A 1 series hatch over here would be amazing.

[craiggroves91]

Searched this thread because my mom is looking into a f30. Not sure if she wants a 320i or 328i or if she wants to lease or buy yet.

You guys seem to look at these cars as if everyone out there is 30 years old or less and wants the most power per dollar.

The 320i is really affordable and is at a really comparable price point to cars from Hyundai, Ford, Toyota, etc.

My mom doesn't need lots of power, just a safe and decent looking car with enough power. The 320i does those things.

Newer BMW reliability does scare me, so thats why I'm thinking she should lease.

/rant haha

[defaultName]

spirit of the E30.

The grand total of this car would be around $37k.

I'd rather spend $37k on an E30 then on a car like an E30.

[mulletman]

Now consider this... I've read that in 1987, the MSRP of my 325e was around $25k. Adjusted for inflation, that cost comes to be as near as makes no difference $50k. Imagine that.... Now you consider, which is the better value...

Coincidentally, one could consider this specifically spec'd 320i to be very similar to the 318is of yore (4 cylinder, sport suspension, etc...). In 1991 the 318is cost $21,500. Adjusting for inflation that comes to be right at $35k, curiously close to the price of the sporty 320i.

Rev's thoughts?

Corrections for inflation as a measure of value are not entirely accurate, due to the fact that wages have not been adjusted according to inflation.

Also, does anyone think the numerical coincidence between the E30 having the M20 engine and the F30 having the N20 engine is a little odd or a grand design?

It comes across more as a feeble attempt at re-living past glory than anything else. It's like all of the modern muscle cars... Charger, Camaro, Challenger, Dart, whatever. It's just companies trying to generate sales based on old guys remembering how cool those cars were when they were in high school...

[EtaSax]

My thoughts are that because the 320i is at this price point and that its relative lack of power could probably be very easily rectified through relatively inexpensive software upgades/chips and other tuning options, this 320i has the potential to become a tuner's dream. I honestly think that one could buy a 320i and through aftermarket parts/software bring the horsepower back up to (or beyond) 328i levels for much less than the 328i price. Pretty neat...

3 has become 5, and 1 is the new 3.

I have thought about this in the past but failed to consider this aspect. Still though, the N20 turbo 4 (before any modifications) produces one less horsepower than the M30B34 E28 535is did. I think that is still very comparable and keep in mind that the 535is would cost quite a bit more than the 325e I originally specified, making the F30 "value" that much better.

Also, does anyone think the numerical coincidence between the E30 having the M20 engine and the F30 having the N20 engine is a little odd or a grand design?

[CrusherCurtis]

All of your posts just make me feel bad for you.

WTF are you talking about?

[nickflic3]

I'm all for it but...


I have random ocd/pet peaves whatever you wanna call them...

Why the single exhaust if it's the same-frikin-engine

I don't exactly buy a BMW to showcase how frugal I am

"Yeah I'll take the slower version, and put one exhaust tip on it just to show everyone how cheap I'm being. Even if it means making a whole different bumper plz"




But then again it don't really matter... Just an annoying obstacle for someone planning to start with a base edition to start upgrading.

[pacmanE30]

eh, it looks ok, kinda stocky...

[Roysneon]

They look good for a sedan, the coupe looks amazing tho. But I wound't touch a 4 cylinder turbo car with a 10 foot pole. You shouldn't want for any things that's detuned anyway. Its literally a lesser version of the worst 3 series. That car is for posers, who want the world to think they've made it so they buy the cheapest BMW they could find. Yeah that's not me. Buy the best that you can so you can stand behind it and instead of justifying something worst by saying its the same as the 328 but a lot cheaper. Much rather have a e92 335is

All of your posts just make me feel bad for you.

I think the F30 looks really good, just don't think they're built to last like all new cars these days.

[CrusherCurtis]

They look good for a sedan, the coupe looks amazing tho. But I wound't touch a 4 cylinder turbo car with a 10 foot pole. You shouldn't want for any things that's detuned anyway. Its literally a lesser version of the worst 3 series. That car is for posers, who want the world to think they've made it so they buy the cheapest BMW they could find. Yeah that's not me. Buy the best that you can so you can stand behind it and instead of justifying something worst by saying its the same as the 328 but a lot cheaper. Much rather have a e92 335is