Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[McGyver]

Sold for $47k.

but seriously, what the fuck?!!?

[6A LDY]

but seriously, what the fuck?!!?

I dont even know what to say. You can get so much more car for 47K....

[amcp]

Apples to apples. Brand new built m20>used up s52 that's at least 23yr old - and more than likely 100k+ miles and most of them are sludged over, need VANOS rebuilds, sticky cam followers etc. Also, remember, he was paying a professional to do all the work. If you price out all the parts needed for an s52 swap and pay a shop to do it (around 30-40 man hours, top to bottom, wiring, exhaust, oil pan swap etc), an s52 swap suddenly doesn't look so great.

I dont wanna crap in this thread but a decent s52 can still be had for 2-3gs. All the gaskets can be replaced and swapped in by any home mechanic. You dont need to pay a shop to do it. You probably will need a shop to do a m20 head, dyno tune it, and maybe any motor work for increased displacement.

[ForcedFirebird]

I dont wanna crap in this thread but a decent s52 can still be had for 2-3gs. All the gaskets can be replaced and swapped in by any home mechanic. You dont need to pay a shop to do it. You probably will need a shop to do a m20 head, dyno tune it, and maybe any motor work for increased displacement.

Right on. Apples to apples. This client didn't "need" to have us do the labor/installation work, but if you can afford it, why not have a shop do it and have a warranty? If you did the work yourself and brought your m20 to a machine shop with parts pistons and crank you provide, $2-3k into your m20 will get you a long way. Simply putting new OE+.5mm pistons ($600), machine work ($6-800 pending location), cam ($350-550 pending brand) and an 84mm crank ($300-ish), putting that same $2-3k into your m20 can be produce similar results as a swap, when/if the car owner does a majority of the work themselves. I often squeak 200+ out of a stroked m20 with a stock manifold and good cam, so the ITB's aren't even needed to reach stock s52 power levels.

Yeah, this could go round and round all day lol. I still love my m20, but also cater to the 24v baby 6's at work, too.

[2mAn]

EuroS50 swapped M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-m3-55/

[2mAn]

1993 325i Touring

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-bmw-325i-18/

[twright]

Touring, 325, Air conditioning: Probably will bring some big money.

[DEV0 E30]

Guys don't talk about that one, I want it.

Ok, I don't have the money just yet, and it will likely go for far more than I'd feel comfortable paying but... it's local and I want it, bad.

[2mAn]

1988 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-137/

[2mAn]

1989 325is

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325is-67/

[Javier h]

Not to change the topic but did anyone catch that white 87 M3 for $13K?

[2mAn]

Not to change the topic but did anyone catch that white 87 M3 for $13K?

Where? Doesnt sound like this is the right spot for it

[DEV0 E30]

That touring that is local to me went for $25k. I think that's a win for both seller and buyer.

I read it's headed to the PNW (bidding comments), maybe it will be at the Picnic.

[2mAn]

1988 325iS

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-325is-53/

1990 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-m3-56/

[2mAn]

1990 325i Sedan

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-325i-90/