I just put a deposit...

[Todd Black 88]

All 318is were manual.

[Stanley Rockafella]

lol.

+1

[Shock(/\)ave]

You're paying well above market pricing for that car, but you already know that. You could buy the same car for about $15,000, but it might take you two or three years to find one in similar condition to buy. You'll be driving yours that entire time with a huge smile on your face, and that's probably worth the 'depreciation' to you. :)

I just sold an original 31,000 mile 1988 325is to a member of this forum for $9,500. It was in outstanding condition and fully optioned (heated seats, limited slip differential, full computer, map lights, ski bag, and so on), but bronzit with a beige sport cloth interior and automatic transmission, the combination of which significantly affect the value of the car. I wanted to price it aggressively enough to entice an American buyer due to the very favourable exchange rate, and it effectively sold in 40 minutes. That worked out to just over $11,000 for me, which is what exactly I wanted to get out of the car. With a manual transmission swap I think the car will easily be worth north of $15,000.

I've owned two very nice low mileage 1991 318ises in the past, and I can tell you from experience you will like the car every bit as much as you're hoping to. They aren't fast off the line, but they're a lot of fun even in traffic, and you just never get tired of driving them. I only sold my first 318is to fund the purchase of my M3; the second was totaled and the insurance payout partially funded my M5. I'm on the hunt for another one now. ;)

Welcome to the club! ;D

[ak-]

You know what you're doing and as long as you're happy I wish you the best.
Car looks excellent - almost too excellent.

[phreshkid]

I'm with you OP.

I have mad respect for the 318iS. I don't care for the 325s, but I will always have an intimate relationship with the 318iS.

[tak7]

The future is crazy for our cars…
I love my 318iS as well

[george graves]

You know what you're doing and as long as you're happy I wish you the best.

Well said. Now if you had no clue what you had paid for and started asking us what mod you need to go drifting...this would have been a very different thread. (thanks goodness it's not)

[rlich8]

lol.

Did you get that?? ;-)

[e30luvchild]

Why not? Because a 38k mile original mint condition E30 M3 is going to run well over $60k in today's market.

If I could afford a 23k 318 I would save another year or so and buy an m3..


But if you're happy than good for you OP! That's all that matters, Enjoy.

[Red_liner740]

....and now comes the dilemma. You paid an eye watering price for that e30 due to its good condition and mileage. So do you now drive it and depreciate it or sit at it and stare at it?

Id be pissed because every time i get in it and drive id be hearing in the back of my head $$$ bills being thrown in fire. It'd take all the fun out of it.

[e30luvchild]

....and now comes the dilemma. You paid an eye watering price for that e30 due to its good condition and mileage. So do you now drive it and depreciate it or sit at it and stare at it?

Id be pissed because every time i get in it and drive id be hearing in the back of my head $$$ bills being thrown in fire. It'd take all the fun out of it.

Just be a man and say F#*@ IT, throw a turbo s62 in it lol Obviously hes got the money for it.

[rlich8]

....and now comes the dilemma. You paid an eye watering price for that e30 due to its good condition and mileage. So do you now drive it and depreciate it or sit at it and stare at it?

Id be pissed because every time i get in it and drive id be hearing in the back of my head $$$ bills being thrown in fire. It'd take all the fun out of it.

I buy things to enjoy them. I've managed to put 2000 miles on my Jag in 5 years and 1000 on my S2000 in a year and a half. Both have 58k and 38.5k respectively. They both make me really happy.

I like nice things. I keep them nice. That said, it is a car, and I do intend to drive my new 318 a bit. No salt, no snow, no city parking, but I do intend to enjoy it.

Life is too short to let investments sit in the garage and never drive them. It'll stay nice.

edit: oh, and I have use of a POS Ford Ranger for winter/city/pothole driving, lol.

[Mr. Burns]

incredibly clean car!

you know what you wanted, and know you paid top dollar for a pristine example.
Welcome and enjoy your 1st E30, preserve her!

FYI, I do have a non-faded, un-yellowed basketweave cap for the drivers side front wheel in mint condition.

$920+shipping.

[rlich8]

^^^ LOL - early morning chuckle. I can see the light hazing has begun. Okay. :-)

[BobombETA]

Clean car! Welcome to the forum.