What was your Bimmer worth new?

[skidz 196]

I have just acquired a series of Dealer's Guide books dating back to the 1980's. Interesting to look at what E30's cost new back then, and how rampant inflation (20% per year) was affecting them.

So, my 1983 320i manual coupe would have been $28,500 new, but by 1998, the same model was $63,821 ! In those days there was no such thing as losing money on cars, they were worth more second hand than they were new. So in 1988, the recommended retail for the 1983 320 was $34,000.

My 1985 Baur was $65,000 if sold new in NZ. My 1988 M325i was $86,390 new. A 325i convertible was $91,000.

A 1988 525e was $76,000 new, whilst a 525ee was $90,970.

A 1988 635i was $161,000 new, the M635 was $198,762

An E28 M535 was $126,000

By comparison, a 1988 Ford Telstar 2.0 GL was $28,270, A Holden Commodore Berlina (with 3.0 Nissan engine) was $31,000.

Cars were at their dearest in the late 1980's, which is when a) the sharemaket crashed, and Japanese imports began.

[QuickSilver 0]

wow thats insane!!! thast a nice bit of info

[cainchapman 0]

$180,000 new, well that was the list price anyway. Not, what was paid.

[QuickSilver 0]

of course, i cant imagine seeing one and going "wow" like i do now with a 300c.. maybe in 20 years ill own one of those for 3grand

[nath 130]

$180,000 new, well that was the list price anyway. Not, what was paid.

I certainly believe you, as there is nothing to be gained in lying, but waoh- they 540iS dropped to 160,000 in 1996!

EDIT: i see yours is an LE, what the hells that!

Edited April 17, 2007 by sylviaaa

[greenday-rulz21 4]

I certainly believe you, as there is nothing to be gained in lying, but waoh- they 540iS dropped to 160,000 in 1996!

EDIT: i see yours is an LE, what the hells that!

If i'm right it means Limited Edition, correct me if i'm wrong

[bravo 34]

A 1988 635i was $161,000 new, the M635 was $198,762

An E28 M535 was $126,000

That's alot of coin in 1988!!!!!!!!

[bimmer boy 21]

I have adealers guide also from 1989, states a 325i that was brand new in 1989 is listed at around $85,000

[jjs 60]

I have adealers guide also from 1989, states a 325i that was brand new in 1989 is listed at around $85,000

Look at 1994 / 1995 prices (if you can find an old magazine anywhere). Thats where they peaked. Cars are cheaper or the same price now, and taking inflation into account made them even more expensive then!

A Mercedes SL600 was $350+

[hybrid 1039]

01' e46 330i, full leather / blah blah $114,000 list -- I paid 45,000 for it in '04 thats quite a drop! got it from an importer friend however.

[joel 0]

That's alot of coin in 1988!!!!!!!!

dose anyone know how much that would b converted into todays money?

eg would it b similer to 07 cars of the same kind

[alex 0]

What would a 94 m3 be worth? leather and all the bits ?

[antony 0]

inflation calculator

[Guest Denny Crane]

Equivalent of 170K NZ right now.

[rxsumo 33]

back in '72 the list on my 3.0S was $11,100, although mine was brought in the UK, if you were splashing the dosh out back then, you wouldnt have been able to buy the car unless you had some overseas funds.

The money almost sounded reasonable, until you check other "luxury" cars like the 4.2 XJ6 at $9664, and the Jag got leather seats, was generally automatic, and had power windows, none of which were standard on the E3

The familt stables like the Morris Marina cost $3384 for the 1750 and the MK 3 Cortina GT cost S4069

[StylesM5 0]

That's alot of coin in 1988!!!!!!!!

It's a lot of coin today!!!!! Edited April 18, 2007 by StylesM5

[cainchapman 0]

The 540iLE is a high spec 540iS and the effective M5 replacement for 95 as it was not shipped to Australasia.

[M3 Cab 0]

what was an M325i new in 88 -89 ? My M3 Cab was was over $130k new in 1998 (included SMG) and i paid less then half that for it 5 years later with 26000 klms on the clock. Felt good at the time but no doubt i will take a similar hit on it. Depreciation is arse.

[Guest Denny Crane]

what was an M325i new in 88 -89 ? My M3 Cab was was over $130k new in 1998 (included SMG) and i paid less then half that for it 5 years later with 26000 klms on the clock. Felt good at the time but no doubt i will take a similar hit on it. Depreciation is arse.

Thats why you write it off, sell me the wheels and throw the S50 into the M325i.

[kiwi535 538]

1990 535is (up spec 535) was north of $125,000

[ThreeOneEight 0]

I have a sales reciept for a 1987 320iA/4 that my grandfather bought new... $70k... and it didn't even have electric windows! Saw it on trademe recently, with only 100k km on the clock, for $4000ono.