Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[2mAn]

Another 325i is up... looks bronzit to me

[Rusty.Piranha]

e30 M3 for only 28.5k

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-26/

[2mAn]

e30 M3 for only 28.5k

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-26/

You do realize all of this is on the first post, right?

[2mAn]

Swapped E30 sold for a bit less than I thought... I wonder what kept the price so low. $10k+ still isnt bad, but not as high as I had hoped

[MR E30 325is]

Swapped E30 sold for a bit less than I thought... I wonder what kept the price so low. $10k+ still isnt bad, but not as high as I had hoped

For some reason I just never see those sell as high. I am not sure what it is either though.

[Jb325is]

The swapped car market hasn't really changed much over the years. Best bang for the buck IMO, you guys can keep your $20k M42 cars and $50k S14 cars

[2mAn]

Yea, his car fell right in the middle of the previous non-M3 swapped cars. I was hoping there was a bit of a rise in the price

[JimmyP]

For some reason I just never see those sell as high. I am not sure what it is either though.

They are a niche car. I don't understand the surprise that a 24v swapped E30 didn't do more than 10k-ish.

the money is in stock or near stock E30s.
The 24v swap cars are yes fast, yes stronger, yes "better", yes quicker but too small of a market comprised mainly of people who don't have or don't want to spend any actual money.

Take a nicely cared for, bone stock E30 325iS,,, it would crush that number.
I just don't understand the surprise here on this board other than pure "hope" that the 24v swapped E30 is the next car to get "discovered" and spring upward in value...

As an E30 M3 owner, be careful what you wish for.
Current E30 M3 values are like a pestilence to me.
I wish they were still where they were back in the 15K full days and I own several of them.

[2mAn]

My shock wasnt that they hadnt gone up in price, but that a properly sorted one with a good 5 lug setup didnt hit 12k.

[Poorhouse]

They are a niche car. I don't understand the surprise that a 24v swapped E30 didn't do more than 10k-ish.

the money is in stock or near stock E30s.
The 24v swap cars are yes fast, yes stronger, yes "better", yes quicker but too small of a market comprised mainly of people who don't have or don't want to spend any actual money.

Take a nicely cared for, bone stock E30 325iS,,, it would crush that number.
I just don't understand the surprise here on this board other than pure "hope" that the 24v swapped E30 is the next car to get "discovered" and spring upward in value...

I agree with all your points.


I wonder if someday there will be more interest in swapped E30s.


There is a strong market for hotrod/outlaw 911s. The E30 is a similar, versatile platform. I could see the market for well done hotrods trend upwards as the stockers climb.

[Zeemz]

I agree with all your points.


I wonder if someday there will be more interest in swapped E30s.


There is a strong market for hotrod/outlaw 911s. The E30 is a similar, versatile platform. I could see the market for well done hotrods trend upwards as the stockers climb.

I think one of the issues with swapped cars is there is a larger level of risk for the buyer than with a stock car. Whenever I see a swapped car FS add 90% of them I wouldn't even consider, DIY or some no name shop did the swap. I'm sure this is the same issue when it is advertised to the masses on BAT.


Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of DIY guys and smaller unknown shops who have done great swaps, but unless you are well known amongst the community and have done several well documented swaps it is not worth the risk nor will it command a premium.

[Cptcarisma]

Jimmy,
I see you only have 44 posts, but have an impressive/interesting list of cars owned.
Can you please post up some pics so we can oogle, oohhh & ahhhhh?!

CAPP ��

[MR E30 325is]

They are a niche car. I don't understand the surprise that a 24v swapped E30 didn't do more than 10k-ish.

the money is in stock or near stock E30s.
The 24v swap cars are yes fast, yes stronger, yes "better", yes quicker but too small of a market comprised mainly of people who don't have or don't want to spend any actual money.

Take a nicely cared for, bone stock E30 325iS,,, it would crush that number.
I just don't understand the surprise here on this board other than pure "hope" that the 24v swapped E30 is the next car to get "discovered" and spring upward in value...

As an E30 M3 owner, be careful what you wish for.
Current E30 M3 values are like a pestilence to me.
I wish they were still where they were back in the 15K full days and I own several of them.

Definitely not surprised (unless that comment was not addressed at me), as I personally sold a very modified S52 E30 about a year ago and I got pennies on the dollar for it (far far far less than 10k) relative to what it had into it.

I was merely trying to understand why this occurs. I am well aware that stock low mileage E30's eat those numbers for a light breakfast.

[JimmyP]

I think one of the issues with swapped cars is there is a larger level of risk for the buyer than with a stock car. Whenever I see a swapped car FS add 90% of them I wouldn't even consider, DIY or some no name shop did the swap. I'm sure this is the same issue when it is advertised to the masses on BAT.


Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of DIY guys and smaller unknown shops who have done great swaps, but unless you are well known amongst the community and have done several well documented swaps it is not worth the risk nor will it command a premium.

Nail / Head

[JimmyP]

Jimmy,
I see you only have 44 posts, but have an impressive/interesting list of cars owned.
Can you please post up some pics so we can oogle, oohhh & ahhhhh?!

CAPP ��

LOL, yeah I mostly hang out at S14.net, but do read a lot here, especially when doing research for my '92 MTech Appearance Cabrio.
This site houses loads of great information. I try to give back when I can.

I've posted a few pics, I'll gather some up and upload. I'm not a huge picture poster (old guy).