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Some of you may remember a "cheap" 540iS popping up on Marketplace in circa 2021. It was this car, with awful paint fade. Listing: https://www.facebook.com/share/14bXNXGGjh/ Everyone was after this car, including me, so I know it sold for a fair bit more than the asking price. This guy bought it and had it repainted along with the wheels being refurbed. I'm not sure how much mechanical work was done. I have seen the car in person and met the owner. From memory (don't quote me on this though) he told me the paint job was to the tune of about $20K. It is a nice, professional job overall, but I noted small amounts of overspray on door handles gaskets etc, and there was some orange peel as well (which made me think it either cost less, or he got ripped off). The paint is definitely far better than the paint on the majority of NZ's E34 fleet - this is just me being extremely picky because I was told it cost so much. The car does (on the exterior at least) present very well. In terms of price, it's a nice car but its certainly a ridiculous figure. The Avus blue one had no takers at $26K, and there was a 420G manual converted auto 540i with sports seats, LSD and throwing stars on trademe for $12K with no takers. They are good cars but $45K is deep into proper M Car territory.... Could be the lighting, but orange peel next to license plate and above tail light?

definitely has trouble with spelling. that plate is supposed to spell ANUS.

Got a toot, wave and a 👌 from a Jaguar driver who pulled alongside me on the motorway when I was taking the Alpina for breakfast today, feel good moment!

I feel like the demand for them has fallen off a little and they have narrowed more to a niche market for those who like the BMW classics. They're too pricey and old now. All the younger kids are jumping onto the E8X and E9X chassis. Even some long time E30 owners I've noticed have decided to sell on and move on to something else. Probably the difference between those of us who grew up with E30's on the roads and you could pick one up for a dime, play around and learn some mechanical skills because they are a great car to learn on. That's somewhat moved on a little now as they've become expensive and there are more modern options flooding the market with high HP and a modern chassis, with a small element of tinkering to them (Bolt ons, wheels etc).

Definitely consider the CANTCU route if you're intending to use the vehicle as a road car / daily.

Agree! But not $45k nice lol

Should probably learn how to spell losers (loosers?) if they're gonna call people that.

Well put. I’ve sort of popped out the other end of my first e30 in 2004 at 18, and ended up owning various great examples. They were old fashioned but neat in 2004 and largely haven’t changed image all that much. I’ve been looking for a really good example for a while, and find that the ownership is still pretty young and often unrealistic about condition. I’m happy to pay for the right car(where is that Alpina-engined tech2?) but only at fair market as opposed to the “put a price up and see where it lands” examples with race seats, strut braces and aftermarket steering wheels. The e36 is a great drive but just missing that basic, chrome look and feel.

I agree in theory. Lot of people don't seem to follow that logic though...

Malachite E30 (sadly an auto)

Stopped looking at e30's - people are crazy 🤣