People who got dirt cheap E30s, how did you do it?

[Jon325i]

having a driver's license in 2001 helped me get a cheap e30

So. Much. This.

I think it was early 2002 when I bought my first E30 and the prices for really clean examples were quite reasonable. When it came to finding the E30s I've owned (3 in total), in two cases it was good timing in responding to local Craigslist ads and having cash in-hand. The other was by word of mouth.....one of those friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friends'-roommate things.

You know you've been in the E30 scene a long time if you're spending mid-teens for a really nice, tastefully modded example of a standard E30 when back in the day the E30 M3 had the $15,000 rule.

Times have definitely changed.



Jon

[101]

As was said above, it's primarily the "right time, right place" thing. All of mine were bought off Craigslist.

That said, I'll add that two of mine came into my life as non-running vehicles on a trailer. If you have solid mechanical skills that's certainly one way of getting into the E30 game. Most of the E30 mechanical items are fairly straightforward to address. Rust and body work are not, so I usually focus on the condition of the body and go from there.

You have to be willing to cast your net pretty far if you live in the rustbelt or in a low population area.

And if you have a BMWCCA chapter or a good specialist nearby, they always "know of a guy" ...

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Next year all E30s should be eligible for import to the US, even the very most late model examples as importation is all about actual date of manufacture, not model year.



Then the E36 M3s/tourings will be close on their heels.



It's also worth mentioning that 3.8L E34 M5s are currently eligible for import, not that they're much better than US models or really worth the import premium (from overseas) as actual cars to drive.

Execpt who doesn't want a 3.8L s38... 340hp stock is good amount especially if you put it in an e30.

[roguetoaster]

geez, now you started a new E30 gold rush up North! With the 30% exchange rate it's an even cheaper option for US buyers up here. just not sure about exporting/importing rules to the states.

Next year all E30s should be eligible for import to the US, even the very most late model examples as importation is all about actual date of manufacture, not model year.

Then the E36 M3s/tourings will be close on their heels.

It's also worth mentioning that 3.8L E34 M5s are currently eligible for import, not that they're much better than US models or really worth the import premium (from overseas) as actual cars to drive.

[pondhopper]

Here on the west coast, there's still a few decent, clean and OEM e30's kicking around.

Prices haven't went that crazy as they did in the US, so if you want something clean and well maintained, consider going North of the border.

geez, now you started a new E30 gold rush up North! With the 30% exchange rate it's an even cheaper option for US buyers up here. just not sure about exporting/importing rules to the states.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Here on the west coast, there's still a few decent, clean and OEM e30's kicking around.

Prices haven't went that crazy as they did in the US, so if you want something clean and well maintained, consider going North of the border.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I bought my slick top for 1200 bucks last July. It sat on CL for ever not sure why I think because while it was clean on outside it in no way shape or form was safe for the road and the owners were very attached to it and would only let it go to a BMW enthusiast that they liked. The ball joints were 100% gone not sure how i drove it home and the steering rack was shot too. This is also why i think it didnt sell but if you have the tools i was able to replace the ball joints/ tie rods and rebuild the rack for under 250 bucks.

[E30_Evan]

Right place, right time. I have a friend from high school that bought his first e30, an '88 325is for $1900 that was very clean, then he bought a 2.8 M20 ix for close to the same, and then bought a track prepped '86 eta for $1100, I honestly have no idea how he did it. I've been trying to figure it out for a few years now.

[Julien]

having a driver's license in 2001 helped me get a cheap e30

[tuckerware]

This is more from the perspective of wanting a driver than a track/project car:

I'd be a lot less concerned with price than value. When a "perfect" E30 was only worth a few thousand there would be very little logical reason to keep it going. Porsche 944s and 914s were in a similar spot. All of these are now appreciating enough to justify caring for these cars.

There is a balance between stupid BaT money for ~ $15K and $1K basketcases. Rust free examples at $4K - $5K that have not been overly modded/neglected/abused are tough to find but those are likely where the best value is. You still have to be persistent to find clean E30s but quality 318s/325s are still attainable unlike M3s.

Also, BRZO people.

[jllphan]

Yep, just a matter of timing and a bit of luck. I bought my 87is Alpine / black manual coupe from a Mexican gentleman that didn't know what he had. Found on Craig's. $1100 later, I drove it home with only a parking brake to stop and $8k later have one of my favorite toys. If your impatient, come to TN, I still see them fairly often around the $2k mark.

Today's CL offerings in my vacinity:

https://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/6063965684.html

https://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/6035353934.html

https://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/6038237267.html

https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/6062769428.html

[varg]

Key when the market is inflated right now is to find one that needs ton of mechanical work but has fairly good body and minimal rust.

That's what many of us hope for, but it is quite rare. When I was searching for an E30 I was hoping for a nice body with a toasted engine since it was going to be a project from day one, but every E30 I found with a toasted engine had a really rough or just abused body. Most neglected engines are in neglected bodies, and with engines and drivetrains as durable as the M10 and M20 it's always going to be easier to find something that runs great and has a rusted body than a perfect body and bad engine. Even more rare is getting something where the issue is fuel pump or ECU.

[czkb]

found mine when i went to drink @ a friend house,
her neighbor had a e30 in her driveway he gave up fixing it & accepted my 300€ offer,
some gaskets later she was drive-able.

so yep as others pointed out,
luck.


bought another one 250€ another guy who gave up on fixing it,
electrical problems...
infact it was the plastic end of the ignition barrel being rounded,
you can turn ignition on but could not make the starter turn. easy fix.

[MrBurgundy]

go there with 900 cash and I bet he'd go for it.

[MrBurgundy]

There's an '87 325is 5MT an hour or so away from me that has a "rough idle" and "needs O2 sensor", for $1200. I should probably already be driving up to get that one...

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yeah, you're talking about not finding a good deal and you're talking about one right now. lol