Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

**Vincenze** · 09-17-2021, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by Tzantushka

I know - it's a good looking car.
Although the headlights.
- didn't you guys have smileys in 1992 in the U.S.?
They look like sealed beams..

Those European lights were illegal in the USA.

I don't know how they allowed orange turn signals.

**jgilber0** · 09-19-2021, 10:14 AM

My 92 has sealed beams too. I’m working on cleaning up a set of US Ellipsoids for it.

**2mAn** · 09-20-2021, 07:03 AM

1989 325i

1989 BMW 325is 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-118/

Bid for the chance to own a 1989 BMW 325is 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #55,894.

1985 Baur 323i

1985 BMW 323i Baur TC 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-bmw-323i-baur-tc2/

Bid for the chance to own a 1985 BMW 323i Baur TC 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #55,994.

1988 325i Convertible

No Reserve: 22-Years-Owned 1988 BMW 325i Convertible 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-325i-35/

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 22-Years-Owned 1988 BMW 325i Convertible 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,011.

**Javier h** · 09-20-2021, 09:00 AM

Speaking of e30 auctions, I saw Paul Walker's white E30 M3 cross the line at Barretts...sheesh (183k)....but the real surprise was the risky business car (1.8)....man I wonder how these guys make a living?

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...-M3-E30-249822

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...VIE-CAR-249506

**2mAn** · 09-22-2021, 09:10 AM

3rd go 'round for this thing...

1991 325i

1991 BMW 325i 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-325i-17/

Bid for the chance to own a 1991 BMW 325i 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,142.

**2mAn** · 09-23-2021, 07:19 AM

1988 M3

Euro 1988 BMW M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-146/

Bid for the chance to own a Euro 1988 BMW M3 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,194.

**2mAn** · 09-24-2021, 12:06 PM

1989 325i Convertible

No Reserve: 37k-Mile 1989 BMW 325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-122/

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 37k-Mile 1989 BMW 325i Convertible at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,312.

**Poorhouse** · 09-27-2021, 10:08 AM

This one had some interesting conversation re whether it is an "i" or "iS" model.
Initially presented as an "i", I don't recall seeing the seller claim is was an "iS". Commenters seem to think it was. BAT then amended the listing to "iS".
Car sold for $31k which is "iS" money.

IMO it is an '89 325i automatic that was swapped to 5 speed and had some "iS" parts put on it. About the same thing as my car.

Originally posted by 2mAn

1989 325i

1989 BMW 325is 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-118/

Bid for the chance to own a 1989 BMW 325is 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #55,894.

**2mAn** · 09-27-2021, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Poorhouse

This one had some interesting conversation re whether it is an "i" or "iS" model.
Initially presented as an "i", I don't recall seeing the seller claim is was an "iS". Commenters seem to think it was. BAT then amended the listing to "iS".
Car sold for $31k which is "iS" money.

IMO it is an '89 325i automatic that was swapped to 5 speed and had some "iS" parts put on it. About the same thing as my car.

At this point, there is only about a 10% difference in price between a genuine IS and a 'basic' I. I think this one would've sold well regardless of the fact that it was a manual swapped I or a genuine IS. Its a lovely, rare color with some good quality mods on it.

Its basically coming down to the presentation, the quality of the car/ paint/ interior/ etc and less on whether its a genuine IS or I because as you can see, thats a little harder to prove

**Poorhouse** · 09-27-2021, 02:23 PM

Agree, lovely color and it checked a lot of boxes regardless of original spec.

**Vincenze** · 09-27-2021, 02:44 PM

How could he pass smog in LA without a converter?

**e30sh** · 09-27-2021, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by 2mAn

At this point, there is only about a 10% difference in price between a genuine IS and a 'basic' I. I think this one would've sold well regardless of the fact that it was a manual swapped I or a genuine IS. Its a lovely, rare color with some good quality mods on it.

Its basically coming down to the presentation, the quality of the car/ paint/ interior/ etc and less on whether its a genuine IS or I because as you can see, thats a little harder to prove

Royal Blue was not listed as being an available color for an 89 "iS" in the USA. Just for the "i". All USA "iS" cars had power sunroofs so my guess is it's an i. Very nice car though.

**Il Duce** · 09-27-2021, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by Vincenze

How could he pass smog in LA without a converter?

The seller mentioned that if the car was to remain in CA, that was going to be a problem for the buyer IIRC.

Gorgeous car, regardless of i/iS though. Damn.

**2mAn** · 09-28-2021, 07:23 AM

1990 325i Sedan

Euro-Spec 1990 BMW 325i Sedan

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-325i-93/

Bid for the chance to own a Euro-Spec 1990 BMW 325i Sedan at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,543.

**2mAn** · 09-29-2021, 09:34 AM

1991 318i Sedan

No Reserve: 1991 BMW 318i 5-Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-318i-39/

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1991 BMW 318i 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #56,616.