Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[Echo30V]

True, but its a cool e30 Vert:)

[varg]

Solid meh. I'd rather have any other E30 variant than a convertible. Even an 84 318i, at least it's light.

[Poorhouse]

Varg, some people prefer convertibles and the E30 convertible is a cool platform.

Or do you think they are paying $20 + k because they can't find a nice coupe?

[JimmyP]

I'll agree, the E30 Cabrio as mushy flexible and portly as it is, is a great looking cabrio.
Iconic 80s look.

I had never really thought about until I bought mine, now I don't know how I lived without it.
The car on BAT has nice low miles and its not been raped by someone "Stancing it".
I think it may bring good money.
Cant be too many more unmolested 50K mile E30s out there

[Powling]

E30 M3 from Toronto just got posted. Pretty nice example as well.

No link cause I'm lazy today.

[JimmyP]

E30 M3 from Toronto just got posted. Pretty nice example as well.

No link cause I'm lazy today.

Thats a very nice car.
Thumbs up to whoever kept it in such nice shap

[Poorhouse]

I'll agree, the E30 Cabrio as mushy flexible and portly as it is, is a great looking cabrio.
Iconic 80s look.

I had never really thought about until I bought mine, now I don't know how I lived without it.
The car on BAT has nice low miles and its not been raped by someone "Stancing it".
I think it may bring good money.
Cant be too many more unmolested 50K mile E30s out there

Especially small bumper cars.

I wasn't a convertible guy, my cabrio changed that. It is a lot of fun if you enjoy it for what it is. My wife took it over this summer, she loves it.

[Echo30V]

Truth, top down in the fall on the right day, nothing in the world, except maybe the 911, is quite like it. Just a great looking whip.

[bradnic]

Agreed, but an M42 in a vert..
Save it for a318is or a 2002

Also the 318i vert came with vinyl interior and manual top. Most folks prefer the manual top of course, but all well equipped late model 91-93 verts were electric top

My point is the collectability of a 318i vert just isn’t the same regardless of condition. Same car as a 325i vert? +40% or more. Is a 318i vet a great restomod candidate though? Absolutely but at a lower price

[Poorhouse]

I figured mine would need a swap. The M42 has grown on me, it does fine in the cabriolet. IIRC the cabrio only weighs about 100lb more than the coupe

[Echo30V]

Poor, are you running an XBrace? If so which one?

[varg]

I question the optimistic estimates of collectible value because 1. the convertibles don't sell for what the coupes sell for and 2. it's an M42 car, which regardless of your personal opinion of the M42* is a less collectible car.

My personal taste is that E30 convertibles are pretty awful. I've worked some of them and driven them, one of them turbocharged, which I tuned. You can tell in normal driving that it's a sloppy and flexy car compared to a coupe or sedan. It's also noisy with the top up. It's a fine car for cruising and better looking than most convertibles, but other than the appearance and interior it lacks the things that make E30s most desirable.

I figured mine would need a swap. The M42 has grown on me, it does fine in the cabriolet. IIRC the cabrio only weighs about 100lb more than the coupe

No, the difference is upwards of 200lbs. http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical...ications2.html

*Objectively; it's a mixed bag. The engine is fairly decent for a 1.8 4 cylinder stock and pretty durable for tuning but has flaws that can easily affect longevity.

[JimmyP]

If someone buys an E30 cabrio for its performance (straight line or handling) they bought the wrong car.
E30 Cabrios are cruisers.
Top down, sunny day, cruiser.
Its like comparing a Harley chopper to a crotch rocket. Two different tools for two different jobs.

Want to go fast with no top, buy a Z3 M Roadster

[2mAn]

Can someone tell me why that M3 sold for $42k??

[reelizmpro]

Despite the high mileage and racecar persona, it's super clean, has all the right E30 M3 parts and itemized receipts for everything help as well. The car was well cared for and it looks like a couple of guys really wanted it which boosted the price into the 40's. Who owned it and built it also makes a big difference.