Is This Where The E30 Market Is Now..?

[MD13 501]

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

[e30ftw 412]

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 yesterday at 12:19 AM by e30ftw

[gjm 3262]

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 135]

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.