Thursday Twister: Almost New E30
What is the deal with the prices people want for ALMOST new classics. Are they worth it? Would you pay almost one hundred large for a 1985 BMW 323i found here on zee German ebay
bidding for $69,900 EUR ($82667 USD) with only 260 kms on the odometer? For that kinda coin you could get the nicely equipped BMW M4 –which would depreciate…but only if you drove it — which the same can be said for the ’85 E30 323i. Hmmm…this is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma interwoven with a quandary.
I’ve got to admit that I am strangely drawn in by the allure of this PRISTINE museum piece E30 323i..but what are you going to do? Trailer it to car shows and sit inside? You couldn’t exactly justify driving it, so now you’ve purchased an $82k piece of art that takes up a garage space that could be used by an old rust pickup truck or a 24 Hrs of LeMons E30…
Soooooooooooooooooo cleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan…
What do you guys think? Is this worth the 82 thousand smackeroos? Or would you rather a $820 E30 with 260k miles?
The latter, obviously.
The dealer sees themselves as the earliest adopter of the e30-as-investment-grade-car I'd imagine.
Why is it never the highest expression of the model that you see preserved like this? For example, this isn't a pristine M3 or even 325is….it's a 323i.
Find a Datsun 510 in this condition? It's a 4 door with an automatic.
Find a 1999 Porsche Boxster with 3000 miles? Guaranteed to be a non-S model with a tiptronic.
3rd gen Camaro with delivery miles and plastic wrap still on the seats? It's almost assuredly a 6 cylinder Berlinetta.
Time Capsule Fiero? Enjoy your 1985 2M4 with slushbox.
I still love looking at these, because they bring back some fantastic memories, and I'm glad they exist, but they're almost NEVER the version of the model I'd want to own.
FTB — the ugly slushbox base models didn't get driven because they were so terrible to drive…? Right?
I am glad somebody has preserved this, but I wouldn't want the responsibility of being its curator myself. I'd rather go visit it in somebody else's museum.
I have owned a few semi-nice cars in my day and never really liked the experience.
If it is low milage, I felt guilty for every mile.
Perfect paint job, every chip or scratch is tragic
Too nice or too expensive, always worried about it.
I much prefer fun low cost cars that can be worked on, modified and abused.
I do appreciated the people that can preserve cars for other to enjoy their history.