Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[2mAn]

1991 325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-325i-convertible-36/

[2mAn]

My 1987 325is is now live! Please check it out! Thanks

How do you feel about the result jabroke

[2mAn]

2.5L 1988 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-243/

[82eye]

First time on C&B buyer flaked at 38,750. Then it ran again and brought 33k, buyer flaked again.

I was shocked at how much it brought both times, considering nicer driver examples are down into the 40s.

I suspect the BAT crowd may scrutinize the car harder than the heavily moderated C&B comment section, leading to a lower sale price.

I don't wish ill will on the guy at all, as we all think our shitboxes are worth the most, I just can't imagine who the person is buying a mid 30k car that needs a full resto vs a mid 40s car that doesn't.

yeah it's gonna take the cost of a good m3 to get that m3 into decent shape and it simply is not worth the investment at this time.

[AWDBOB]

Comments are saying this went for $39k on Cars and Bids. With the visible rot on it, that seems steep still. Would love to spring for a drivers (read: beat up) M3 but not for that price. I think getting a cleaner example for $50-60k would make way more sense.

Editing for more questions: Why do the rear wheels look so off on this? Non M3 set with a different offset? The lead photo makes that rear wheel look way too sunk in.

First time on C&B buyer flaked at 38,750. Then it ran again and brought 33k, buyer flaked again.

I was shocked at how much it brought both times, considering nicer driver examples are down into the 40s.

I suspect the BAT crowd may scrutinize the car harder than the heavily moderated C&B comment section, leading to a lower sale price.

I don't wish ill will on the guy at all, as we all think our shitboxes are worth the most, I just can't imagine who the person is buying a mid 30k car that needs a full resto vs a mid 40s car that doesn't.

[2mAn]

1989 325i

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-195/

[Reichart12]

1991 M3
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-m3-51/

Comments are saying this went for $39k on Cars and Bids. With the visible rot on it, that seems steep still. Would love to spring for a drivers (read: beat up) M3 but not for that price. I think getting a cleaner example for $50-60k would make way more sense.

Editing for more questions: Why do the rear wheels look so off on this? Non M3 set with a different offset? The lead photo makes that rear wheel look way too sunk in.

[2mAn]

My 1987 325is is now live! Please check it out! Thanks

I was just about to post it. Looks great, good luck!


1991 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-m3-51/

[jabroke]

My 1987 325is is now live! Please check it out! Thanks

[2mAn]

1989 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-m3-103/

[2mAn]

1991 325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-325i-convertible-35/

[JasonWilson48]

Seller on the S52 e30 commented they put 500 miles on since 2021. Probably did do no work but probably also wasn't needed. My preference as someone with no money to buy, I wouldn't buy someone else's swapped car, mainly as if something needed replacing, I wouldn't know the direct part number.

Yeah, it's fine line to walk when buying someone else's project car. Basically 95% of E30s have been someone's project car now, and it always makes it interesting finding those weird fixes people do to avoid the correct repairs (typically due to expense). Everyone on here who is buying one knows this though, and take on the risk based on initial inspections and records POs have of the car. Swaps makeit all the more difficult, by as you said, not knowing all the direct parts they used... unless they have a full list of everything swapped (which rarely happens, and only the original builder typically ever has that if they are detail oriented enough). Build sheets and maintenance records get lost after that one certain type of owner in my personal experience checking out cars on craiglist/marketplace.

[Reichart12]

Seller on the S52 e30 commented they put 500 miles on since 2021. Probably did do no work but probably also wasn't needed. My preference as someone with no money to buy, I wouldn't buy someone else's swapped car, mainly as if something needed replacing, I wouldn't know the direct part number.

[2mAn]

When I see cars like the S52 swap sell after a couple of years, I immediately think the current owner did no maintenance and is dumping it all off onto the next person. Especially when the this car basically did this twice on BaT. So now it is twice removed from the original builder, and looks the same. Alas, I'm a pessimist and don't trust people.

I hear ya, but the S52 usually are relatively troublefree. At the very least it would’ve needed oil changes but depending on what was done during the swap in 2020 it might not need much.

[JasonWilson48]

1987 325iS

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-bmw-325is-143/

S52 swapped 325e
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-bmw-325-2/

When I see cars like the S52 swap sell after a couple of years, I immediately think the current owner did no maintenance and is dumping it all off onto the next person. Especially when the this car basically did this twice on BaT. So now it is twice removed from the original builder, and looks the same. Alas, I'm a pessimist and don't trust people.