325i to 325is conversion

[SickFinga]

Really? There are tons similar age of cars that are worth nothing. Is a 1988 toyota tercel worth anything? A 1990 taurus? Anything late 80’s chrysler?

Surely, just being old isnt enough to drive value..

Yes, a clean, original Tercel will cost substantially more than most Tercels. You are also comparing a car that cost less than half of the E30 and built in greater numbers. So naturally, it will not cost as much as an E30. Yes, E30 has a bigger following than a Tercel, but you won't see 325is in a museum, Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams or RM Auctions any time soon.

[nando]

Really? There are tons similar age of cars that are worth nothing. Is a 1988 toyota tercel worth anything? A 1990 taurus? Anything late 80’s chrysler?

Surely, just being old isnt enough to drive value..

[nando]

Really? There are tons similar age of cars that are worth nothing. Is a 1988 toyota tercel worth anything? A 1990 taurus? Anything late 80’s chrysler?

Surely, just being old isnt enough to drive value..

[SickFinga]

So what's your specific definition of "collectible?" These cars are getting wrecked, parted and flat-bill cap'd every day, and their value only continues to rise.

Well, I really don't have a specific definition, because technically everything can be collectible. Rising prices of old cars don't really mean anything since prices for all cars pretty much follow the same formula. Bottom out after 15-20 and then start rising for good condition cars. That doesn't mean that every car is a collectible. But that's just my opinion.

[agent]

325is will not be a collectible car. Sure a clean E30 will be very desirable and 325is will be the most desirable non-M version, but this can be said about any other car with more time passing.

So what's your specific definition of "collectible?" These cars are getting wrecked, parted and flat-bill cap'd every day, and their value only continues to rise.

[ahrensNW]

why does South Africa always get the cool shit...

[IceWhite]

The only iS I'd even consider rare and a little below the M3 collectibility would be the 320iS.

I will leave this here:
The South African spec 325iS. Evo I and Evo II.

[SickFinga]

Good info! And it supports my case even more :nice:

I agree with you on the collectible factor. 325is will not be a collectible car. Sure a clean E30 will be very desirable and 325is will be the most desirable non-M version, but this can be said about any other car with more time passing.

[ELVA164]

Good info! And it supports my case even more :nice:

[SickFinga]

Interesting, mia culpa then. Didn't Europe have a 325i sport?

Germany did not have a 325i Sport. However, UK's BMW importer would market their own trim levels. For example, 325i was available in 3 trim levels. 325i, 325i SE and 325i Sport. All three cars were the same model with just a different standard equipment. 325i was the basic trim. SE had luxuries like power windows, power sunroof, alloy wheels and more. 325i Sport had larger alloy wheels, M Tech II body kit, M Technic sport suspension, LSD.

[ELVA164]

Interesting, mia culpa then. Didn't Europe have a 325i sport?

[SickFinga]

I don't know how legit those decoder things are but whenever you register the car it will always be registered as a 325i, not an is.

DMV has a no way of knowing if a car is 325i or 325iS.

The iS has a different VIN code, but it's just a trim package anyway. To be frank, the things are never going to be "collector cars" insomuch as the difference in the VIN is going to make a significant difference in resale. Just upgrade the car, call it an iS, and you're as close as BMW was.

This is wrong. 325i and 325iS are the same model sharing the same VIN sequence. E30 325iS is not even a trim, it's just a package. It's a creation of the BMW of North America marketing department. For BMW AG, 325iS is 325i with more standard equipment.

[ELVA164]

how do you know? There are only so many M3s, and continued interest in the E30 platform is bound to draw people who want an M3 but can no longer afford one. a 325is is the next best thing.

the 325is may have just been a trim package, but the fact is original ones are still uncommon. I haven't seen an original 325is in years.

I don't know, but it doesn't seem realistic or justifiable to me, though I'm sure it will to the market someday. I mean, you're right insomuch as anything old with four wheels is somehow worth a million dollars these days (which is beyond ridiculous, but retirees with fond memories of crappy British sports cars can have that effect on things...). I guess there's that "collector" subset who would care more about the VIN than the actual car. The way I see it, there's nothing substantial to be gained for what would assumedly be a price premium. You get some speakers and a spoiler or two, and a limited slip diff. There isn't anything on the cars you couldn't order from the factory on a regular one (with the exception of the '87 front spoiler, although you could just buy one and install it). It's not like an Alfa GTV vs. a GTA, or even a 2002 vs. a 2002ti or tii. I get I'm not part of the target demographic for it, but the E30iS is one of the most "all show no go" sports packages on an enthusiast car I can think of, relatively speaking.

Edit: I just realized I used the word "insomuch" in two consecutive posts. Maybe this is why I wasn't popular in high school...

[rcsoundn1]

Get the car you want, unless your friends is really clean and you dont mind making it a fake IS.

[nando]

The iS has a different VIN code, but it's just a trim package anyway. To be frank, the things are never going to be "collector cars" insomuch as the difference in the VIN is going to make a significant difference in resale. Just upgrade the car, call it an iS, and you're as close as BMW was.

how do you know? There are only so many M3s, and continued interest in the E30 platform is bound to draw people who want an M3 but can no longer afford one. a 325is is the next best thing.

the 325is may have just been a trim package, but the fact is original ones are still uncommon. I haven't seen an original 325is in years.