Is This Where The E30 Market Is Now..?

[MD13 508]

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

[e30ftw 418]

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). 

 

Edited January 7 by e30ftw

[gjm 3275]

21 hours ago, e30ftw said:

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.

Many E36s - very ordinary ones - are now in the "you want how much for this?" category.

[nath 145]

On 1/7/2025 at 1:19 PM, e30ftw said:

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). 

 

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.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2970]

The whole car market has taken a massive dive over the last 18 months, from new cars, through used and into classics and week-end toys. 
Combination of economy being in the shitter and the bloodbath of electric cars, can’t beat supply v demand!

[balancerider 797]

It certainly has for new EV’s. 26k off brand new pre-reg IX1 is pretty attractive, just gotta persuade ‘the boss’ that it’s better than an XC40 Ev

[MD13 508]

Meanwhile...

[Palazzo 485]

“Rare E30 bottle cap wheels in great condition”

No tyres, $500. 
Hopefully the link works.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18UyZGQRST/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2970]

22 hours ago, Palazzo said:

“Rare E30 bottle cap wheels in great condition”

No tyres, $500. 

With great pictures of the balancing weights on the inside of the rims, but not the faces 🤔

[deedub 57]

This one just popped up today.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/325i/listing/5151467948

Recognised it from here.

https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/68330-1989-m325i-e30-coupe/

[MD13 508]

Yeah it popped up on facepalm the other week. Andrew T confirmed it was a re-shell and then it disappeared.

Seller just joined trademe...

Edited February 2 by MD13

[APT 195]

24 minutes ago, MD13 said:

Yeah it popped up on facepalm the other week. Andrew T confirmed it was a re-shell and then it disappeared.

Seller just joined trademe...

Yeah then he blocked me, I actually PM'd him first but he was really shady about it all.. 

[MD13 508]

^ Dude playing dumb on trademe...

Saw this pop up. I get it - low k's perhaps single owner but also auto 318? Not a lot of desire from me.

[deedub 57]

4 minutes ago, MD13 said:

Saw this pop up. I get it - low k's perhaps single owner but also auto 318? Not a lot of desire from me.

Yea same. Looks mint. But 318i/auto - not at 25k.

[gjm 3275]

20 hours ago, MD13 said:

Saw this pop up. I get it - low k's perhaps single owner but also auto 318? Not a lot of desire from me.

Only thing it is missing is a full service history.

Very low mileage, allegedly superb condition... Maybe a few equivalent examples in NZ, but it'll be a very few.

Not really a collectible spec and that's kinda where the price is at.

[turboray82 2]

59 minutes ago, gjm said:

Only thing it is missing is a full service history.

Very low mileage, allegedly superb condition... Maybe a few equivalent examples in NZ, but it'll be a very few.

Not really a collectible spec and that's kinda where the price is at.

Hmmm, a s54 swap, manual conversion, keep it look oem.. 🙂

[elias 281]

Having been looking for an e39 for a few weeks now I can also say that almost everything seems pretty overpriced. How an auto 318i is meant to be worth over 10k is beyond me. trying to find a tidy rolling body is proving to be more difficult that i thought. 

[Vass 925]

Didn't want to say it but I did think you were a bit optimistic with your budget of $7-8k was it? Although to be fair there's not much in terms of fundamentals behind today's asking prices, mostly just hype so you might actually be the realistic one. Just that everyone else's price expectations are floating in space. 

[elias 281]

Yeah I mean the plan has definitely changed. Was initially just looking for a manual e30 for 8k. 
 

now have gone further down the slippery slope and am looking for a tidy coupe rolling body and happy to pay 7k for a rolling body with good paint and no rust. I thought that should be fairly realistic but even that seems difficult to find. Crazy how much money people are asking. 

[e30ftw 418]

You won't find a rolling coupe body that easily unless someone is abandoning a project. And if you expect to find one without rust, you're dreaming. They all have rust now. Only exception are mint examples that have been garaged their entire life. If anyone tells you it's rust free it's either been repaired (and you never know how good) or they don't know where to look. 

Your best bet would be just look out for a 316i/318i coupe and go from there. In the last couple years they have been going for around 7-10k. But definitely expect rust, it's just how much you are willing to deal with.

 

[deedub 57]

E30 prices are unrealistic at the moment. A lot of the examples on TM have been sitting around for ages.

There is always gonna be some rust somewhere. You just want it to be minimal.

Good luck with the search.

 

[elias 281]

5 minutes ago, deedub said:

E30 prices are unrealistic at the moment. A lot of the examples on TM have been sitting around for ages.

There is always gonna be some rust somewhere. You just want it to be minimal.

Good luck with the search.

 

Yeah for sure, a lot for sale that haven’t had any interest. I have been offered a coupe to buy, fully stripped to the bare shell and has been rust repaired and painted. Could be a good option as far as rust free goes. 

[turboray82 2]

On 1/7/2025 at 1:19 PM, e30ftw said:

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). 

 

That's very accurate.