Guys it's getting harder and harder to keep an e30 at these prices. I don't mean to diss the 318 but I think most of these folks buying them will be sorely disappointed the first time they mash the throttle. I can't figure out how the 318is is pulling such high numbers. For that money you could have a mint FD Rx7 or three 3000gt's....or a great looking 911. Just don't get it.
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Originally posted by rjmcdermott81 View PostGuys it's getting harder and harder to keep an e30 at these prices. I don't mean to diss the 318 but I think most of these folks buying them will be sorely disappointed the first time they mash the throttle. I can't figure out how the 318is is pulling such high numbers. For that money you could have a mint FD Rx7 or three 3000gt's....or a great looking 911. Just don't get it.
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Originally posted by twright View PostYou don't buy a 318 if you expect tire shredding automotive experience. However, if you expect a nice handling, connected driving experience, the 318 will be fine.
It's all about your expectations.
Don't get me wrong, I've been daily-ing an e30 for more than a decade, I love them and they're fun. I just don't see how a stock-ish mass produced midrange-for-the-time low-powered sports sedan is $25k+ of fun, and at 94k miles, it's not even low miles. It just doesn't make sense to me.sigpic
1987 - 325i Convertible Delphin Auto [SOLD], 325i Convertible Delphin Manual [SOLD]
1989 - 325i Convertible Bronzit m30b35 swapped [SCRAPPED], 325i Sedan Alpine Auto[DD]
1991 - 325i Coupe Laguna Manual [Project], 535i Sedan Alpine [SCRAPPED]
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Originally posted by McGyver View Post
Sure, the 318 will be "fine", but for the price this one's at, you could have an "excellent" car.
Don't get me wrong, I've been daily-ing an e30 for more than a decade, I love them and they're fun. I just don't see how a stock-ish mass produced midrange-for-the-time low-powered sports sedan is $25k+ of fun, and at 94k miles, it's not even low miles. It just doesn't make sense to me.
1. The 318is wasn't as mass produced as any of the other non-M models if you believe these sales figures
2. There's the "baby M3" reputation
3. A stock or close-to-stock E30 (with tastefully done mods) is usually going to command a higher price than a heavily modified one. When you're buying a modified car, you run the risk of dealing with a can of worms
4. These things are now 30+ years old and many of them have been through at least 4-5 owners and probably several hundred thousand miles (despite what the [usually broken] odometer says) in that time span. I consider 94k miles be low mileage for a 30 year old car; that means it was only driven about 3000 mi/yr on average, or about 1/5 what the typical car sees. Regardless of the mileage, that car is in superb condition which is just not the case for most E30s these days.1986 325e Schwarz (sold)
1989 325iX Alpineweiß (daily)
Greed is Good
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I'm with you guys, I just don't see the value on some of these cars. I'm all for it honestly, but it is very amusing reading through the banter in these auctions and its surprising to me how little these people know about e30's even though they're bidding them through the roof. But IMO, let the BAT crew pay a premium + 50% for bone stock cars and low mileage examples. People like us who are ok with mods/projects/etc can just deal in the less "special" non-iS cars, early models, swapped cars etc that the BAT crowd doesn't find interesting.
The lachs 325is on there currently is an interesting example. Very strange mismatched body kit, re-spray in places, etc... Hard to argue that anyone should be paying over $10k for that thing- '88 m54 coupe
<3
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Originally posted by roguetoaster View PostYou can always import your own, and if you don't like it, just change the v belts and oil, then flip it like that dealer. Even today you can still likely source one and have it shipped for about 7k.
IG @turbovarg
'91 318is, M20 turbo
[CoTM: 4-18]
'94 525iT slicktop, M50B30 + S362SX-E, 600WHP DD or bust - updated 3-17
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Originally posted by varg View Post
Is it worth the hassle? These days you'd probably wind up buying a car that is basically sight unseen (pictures don't count unless extremely thorough) and probably rusty if you don't manage to find someone you can trust on the forums who looks at it for you. Either way there is a good deal of risk that it will get damaged during the import process. I guess I just don't love E30s enough lol
Rust is certainly a thing, especially on the low end of the price spectrum, but I think 3/4 tourings I got were pretty decent.
As far as damage during import you can insure against it, or just roll the dice. Either way, I didn't hear any horror stories from anyone I know of who brought one in, and I didn't see any damage from transit in any of my purchases.
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Man...I so badly wanted to buy that M3 racecar - rip off the vinyl, cut out the cage, and stick a stock e30 interior in it. That car would have been awesome and such a deal at 30k. I think on BAT there is an inverse relationship between an e30s acceleration and it's value ;). But to the points made above, I shouldn't project my desire for overpowered tire-shredders on others. I get the rarity/specialness of a car in stock trim.
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Yea it was so low and quiet at the end that I thought, I HAVE to throw one bid in and see what happens... bring a trailer is totally blocking my comments though. I had a few comments after it was over and none got posted lolSimon
Current Cars:
-1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle
Make R3V Great Again -2020
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Originally posted by 2mAn View PostYea it was so low and quiet at the end that I thought, I HAVE to throw one bid in and see what happens... bring a trailer is totally blocking my comments though. I had a few comments after it was over and none got posted lol
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