jjs

Thanks both. Yes the market does seem to be tough for classics. Luckily I don't need to sell, but would pass on to the right enthusiast who will enjoy it rather than it sitting idle in my garage.

Not meaning to hijack thread, but I have a very nice 840ci I would sell and am realistic on price (i.e. less than the Dakar one). Sadly not an exciting colour, but is extremely tidy and has the right wheels on it! Was listed earlier in the year on Collecting Cars and didn't meet reserve https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1996-bmw-e31-840-ci-3 I then "sold" it to someone else who mucked me around. I then decided to keep it as I love looking at in the garage and would struggle to find another, but with kids and 2x other old cars this E31 hardly gets driven. PM me if you want any more info or are keen to have a look.

None of those cars are simple propositions - either have questionable histories or high mileage. The blue ones have been on and off the market since COVID.

My 840ci is for sale and thought I'd give Collecting Cars a go... https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1996-bmw-e31-840-ci-3 I purchased this car out of long term storage and it needed some TLC. I've undertaken a light restoration - respray, wheel refurbishment, interior tidy up plus replaced all tyres, brakes, plugs, fluids, filters etc. It drives really well and its hard to fault. I love looking at it in my garage but use it so infrequently. Feel free to PM me if you want more info

Yes - I looked at the car when it was being sold by the prior owner back in 2021. I should have bought it as he was indicating around $90k. It just didn't wow me. It was a good honest car that he had owned for a very long time, but you could tell he wasn't a car enthusiast - wheels were curbed, paint was scuffed and dented and what really put me off was the lack of any real service history over the last 10+ years. I'd love to see the car in its restored condition, but I don't think its a $200k car - the market for this stuff has softened considerably, and the fact its been converted to RHD will put off some of the purists.

Seems about right. Heaps of overpriced E30s on Trade Me that aren’t selling

No sunroof is a plus in my books - it’s not uncommon for these to rust and leak

Surprised this hasn’t sold? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/318is/listing/4044799741 Seems like good value compared to the overpriced auto import 318i and 320i that is all over trade me. Does anyone know this car?

I’ve lost count of the number of E30s I’ve owned in my time but the best I got was a manual NZ new 325i FL sedan, paid $5k for it if I recall. At the time M325i’s were out of my reach at $15k. E30’s appealed to me as they were a cheap car that with a manual box and rear wheel drive were fun to drive (I certainly learned how to deal with oversteer!). Parts were readily available and aside from cooling issues were pretty reliable. I would have bought a WRX or something quicker if I had more cash! They were also a good money maker if you kept an eye on the trade and exchange - then drive for a while, detail and present properly on this new fandangled website called Trade Me! They ignited the BMW passion and I eventually upgraded to E36 325 and 328s and then a E46 330i - they all progressively felt like better cars. Im still a big BMW fan these days, daily a X3 M40i and have a E31 840ci I am doing a light restoration on. I can see the nostalgia appeal with E30s. I’d always lusted over a E30 M3 but after driving one a couple of years back I was very disappointed, I think the M325i feels more like how I expect a BMW to do so, plus it would annoy me driving LHD. If the right low mileage nz new M325i came up I would probably pony up and buy it, but as mentioned above there are probably 5 or so in nz and owners are holding onto them. I’m probably in the camp of people who mucked around with these cars in their youth now having the means to buy a good one and keep it as a weekend classic. What I can’t understand is people paying $10k+ for rough auto 4 cylinder E30s. What boring uninspired cars! Kids these days can get much better bang for buck elsewhere. But maybe the problem is that the world has moved on? When I was in my teens and early 20s I wanted performance and fun. Has car culture evaporated and people that pay too much for crap run of the mill E30s just wanting nothing more than what they think is retro style?

Thanks but I should also add I’m after an original car. NZ new also. Would rather have an unmolested standard car than one dressed up to look like a M Sport.

I’m a sucker for a low mileage car - I love a mint original interior. A 300km interior will never look as new. I get even more excited with full history and all the receipts that show the story since new

Yeah I’m thinking $30k. I’ve owned 8 E30’s but haven’t had one in 12 years (yikes!) Am after a 325i - must be manual. Can’t see they value in paying $60k for a MTec

I have a potential lead on a 86 325i sedan manual - nz new and only two owners, just ticked over 100kms. Standard car, not MTec. What is this worth?

Hi all - anyone aware of an E31 being wrecked here in NZ? Need a few parts for my recently acquired 840ci

I agree with the 2 series Active Tourer - looks much more like a Renault or Peugeot product... Other contender is E36 Compact - horrid car on every level