Mid Week Match-Up: Find An E30 For Dominic
It is the Wednesday, so that means it’s time for another edition of Daily
Turismo’s weekly game of duck, duck, turkey also
known as Mid Week Match-Up! The last two MWMU features have focused on specific requests from our readers, so we continue with a request from Dominic who is looking for an E30 generation BMW 3-series M3 in any condition under $10k. Personally, I think he will need to settle for a 325i since the M3 version has skyrocketed in price in the past two years. A project went from sub $10k to about $15-20k; check out this graph from Hagerty.
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| YIKES! |
More info from Dominic:
There are some specifications though. It would have to be a 1991, US
coupe model with the sunroof not the convertible top, and glacier blue
(metallic light blue) with not much work done. I’m looking for
definitely a lower price, under 10k, even if it needs a little work, and
within 300 miles of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, $10k E30 M3s listed for sale are almost all scams using other folks’ pictures (stay away from oodle, that place is littered with con artists).
In a quick search of E30 3-series on eBay, the best I could find was this 5-speed black/black 1990 (later plastic bumper) 325i, currently bidding for $3,161 reserve-not-met, located in Manassas, VA.
Can you find something better for Dominic? Comments below.
The Hagerty valuation tool is like crack for some of us. Could waste a whole week looking at those graphs.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one
I'm thinking if he wants an M3, with his budget he's going to have to look at e36's, unless he wants something like the carcass that went for 5K on Bring a Trust fund the other week.
I know it has the small engine, but this 318i looks pretty good if you can knock them down a bit on the price, given the body damage. It's prolly good for another 100k miles…
Bring a Trust fund – classic!!
Always like the Trustafarian term as well.
Hey, while you're taking requests on the impossible, I'd like a solid twin-engine turboprop for under $20k and a 2500 sq ft house in Malibu for $150k or less—must be move-in ready. Thanks!
Hi-I was watching Wheeler Dealer last night and decided that's the life for me, but I need help finding flip-worthy vehicles. I only want to spend $10K but would like to make at least $5k on the flip. I'm not picky about brand/model/color, just looking for something to take my garden hose to for fun and profit. Whatchagot?
So you're saying you've decided to find a 6'6" mechanical and electrical savant to become your indentured servant and perform all labor for free in your garage space that has no rent/lease cost to then spend weeks performing dodgy repairs on cars for an average $600 profit all the while using words like "cheeky" and "chuffed"? Sign me up too man, sign me up too.
(SRS reply—$5k profit is probably aiming a bit too high for someone new to the game….aim a little lower, have fun, and source off Craigslist or the like when possible.)
Yup- where making a solid $200 profit after only 3 week's of Ed's time/shop/materials is enough to keep the business intact. That and being successful selling at every car show that you drive to, selling to the club president who is willing to overpay. I would love to just borrow Ed for a month though!
I love the M3 and have always thought that BMW made some wonderful, boxy shapes, but the prices for these things have just gone too far. I know it makes a lot of sense in Europe and on Top Gear if you're used to winding roads. They're spectacular cars overall, but I've been on seven road trips across this country in my young life, with 3 in my freshman year alone aside from two being in different cars each time and not including intra-Florida trips.
The one spent in the E30 was the absolute worst. It was a nightmare, uncomfortable every moment and an exercise in claustrophobia. It was amazing to have in areas that required dexterity, but those were rare and did nothing to make up for it's lack of comfort. If you only drive to work, the grocery store and home, it's pretty good. Anything else, and you're probably going to be thankful that you went American.
I drove briefly with a friend to the Everglades and some keys in a 73 Lincoln IV that was barely running but still the absolute best. I know I'm a weird one for preferring odd engine swaps, plush interiors, and driving low and slow for days on end. Generally kids these days are crazy about but if you live in America you do owe yourself at least one great road trip in a car you really love and I've been hoping to see another decent IV ever since.
I owned a modified E30 M3 and it was my daily driver for a few year. My favorite car that I ever owned. That being said I would never spend the kind of money they fetch now.
I find myself looking at e30s on r3vlimited classifieds all the time but the reality is that I am basically middle aged with two kids. Bummer. Also, I look silly in a flat bill hat and can't drive a car with crazy camber.
The good news is that the e34 M5 is still flying under the radar. I am currently putting together a deal for a 91 for under 10k. I think this will fulfill the e30 bug and then some. I also think that it is the next BMW to gain rapid value. Maybe this time I won't sell before the tipping point.
Anyone else feel the perceived "Value" of the e30 M3s has been grossly increased due to Enthusiast Auto groups buying all of them up and reselling them absurdly inflated due to their expertise in these cars? Lets face it, the 4 banger is cute and all but not exactly the best motor ever built by BMW.
The e30 M3 is a great car and the only wide body production BMW but the build numbers don't make them a sure win or even the most desirable M car out there in my book.
Feels like 80s 911 insanity to me.
Agree completely. Despite being an unabashed capitalist, at least once every couple weeks I look skyward and shake my fist while cursing EAG. It's great that they have a business model based on finding the proverbial sucker born every minute, but it sucks that those outlier sales seem to influence the value of these cars for the rest of us.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this guy is just looking for any e30, not specifically an M3 because everyone knows that you can't even test drive an M3 for $10k. So just find him a 325xi that he can swap an s52 into. Or something like that…
"…so we continue with a request from Dominic who is looking for an E30 generation BMW 3-series M3 in any condition under $10k."
Brian,
The original request from Dominic was for a glacial blue 1991 BMW M3 for less than $10k. I told him he'd have better luck finding a free unicorn steak at a vegetarian restaurant but that I would post the request anyway. I think for that budget he needs to settle for an E30 325i or consider an entirely different chassis.
I sent him an email, so hopefully he'll chime in the comments soon.
-Vince
you do realize there's no such thing as a glacial blue E30 M3, right? It's a quixotic request based on budget alone, but the fact that he's asking for a car BMW never produced makes it outright laughable.
Yes, it would be nice if he would drop into his post…
Seems like for his budget he should adjust his expectations to either a non-M3 e30 or if he really wants an M badge, to go for an e36 like this one .
I guess I was wrong. *reading fail
And I have been corrected.
And there is no way you can find any kind of e30 M3 for less than 10k. Maybe a matchbox car, but even those have become collectable now that poor people like me have to drive them around on the dinner table and pretend…
No worries, I meant Dominic should drop in with his thinking, not you Brian.
For what its worth, I missed the part about wanting an e30 M3 in glacier blue…
If he only has 10k to spend, I would change gears and find a Merc 190e 16v. You can buy ten times more car than any e30 at this point!
Sorry I haven't commented or checked in! A 325xi would probably work too Brian, great idea. I had no idea that the prices were that crazy.