Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[Vincenze]

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]

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

[2mAn]

1989 325i

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

1985 Baur 323i

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

1988 325i Convertible

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

[Javier h]

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]

3rd go 'round for this thing...

1991 325i

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

[2mAn]

1988 M3

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

[2mAn]

1989 325i Convertible

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

[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.

1989 325i

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

[2mAn]

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]

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

[Vincenze]

How could he pass smog in LA without a converter?

[e30sh]

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]

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]

1990 325i Sedan

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

[2mAn]

1991 318i Sedan

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