Unrealistic E30 Prices - United Bimmer Community

**theSMELSINATOR** · 02-08-2007, 08:35 PM

I am pretty much sure that I want a 1989-1991 e30 (preferably a 325i, is, or ix MANUAL) and I have been looking for several months but I've ran into some problems.

1) People are asking too much. You'll find this with any car, but I'm really having a problem with is here. Beat-up e30s that should be going for about $1200 are selling for over $2000. Nice ones that should be selling for $2500 are selling for $4500.

2) Uneducated people think that bimmers are cool (and they are right) but when they find one for $2500 (even if it should be priced under $2000) they impulse buy.

So those who are selling are pricing high, and those who are uneducated are buying.

So my question is: where can you find a well maintained e30 that has been priced correctly? Do you just have to sit and wait for the right one to come? Where did you find your e30?

witeshark · 02-08-2007, 08:41 PM

Where are you looking?

**celsdogg** · 02-08-2007, 08:50 PM

yup, you just have to wait. its like that with any older car. i was lucky enough to find a great one quite fast tho. that happened twice.

**theSMELSINATOR** · 02-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witeshark

Where are you looking?

Mostly Autotrader, Cars.com, and Ebay. Autotrader is my preference.

witeshark · 02-08-2007, 09:44 PM

Where are you willing to travel to pick up a car? Well I mean what kind of region are the cars you find in. Like winter, no winter with salted roads etc... (/edit)

**theSMELSINATOR** · 02-08-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witeshark

Where are you willing to travel to pick up a car?

Depends on how nice the car is and how right the price is. I'm in Indy and would prefer to stay around Chicago, Louisville, Cinci, etc. but would be willing to go farther away (i found a 1995 318it California Touring Edition for a great price and was willing to go to GA for it until i found out it was a lying 18 yr old who wrote the ad). As far south as FL and as far west as the West Coast is too far away. Other than that it doesn't really matter.

EDIT: oh, well i'd like to stay away from places like Wisconsin because of the salted roads and likely rust. But I'm finding them from all over; I don't usually use a max distance search restriction.

**theSMELSINATOR** · 02-08-2007, 10:31 PM

Oh, did i mention it had to be a manual? An automatic simply won't do. I'll add that to the first post on the thread.

nick_318is · 02-08-2007, 11:17 PM

dude the prices are going up because there are fewer nice ones around I would want at least 7k to part with my 318is. The e30 really is a great car and now that there aren't so many nice ones the prices are going up. Just buy one for 2k and put some cash into it to make sure it keeps running.

**celsdogg** · 02-08-2007, 11:20 PM

i think autotrader is going to have more people who overprice cars too.

i periodically check craigslist in my area and on occasion i have seen a few decent ones.

my current e30 i found on ebay. before that, i would recommend staying away from it, but as long as your careful, you will be able to find a great one there.

im gonna go look now. . .

**c1apton** · 02-08-2007, 11:56 PM

Another factor in pricing - BMWs' current sales are increasing based on appeal & quality then add the longevity factor of the model age you're looking at - it's going to be tough for you to find exactly what you want. (a little luck also)

**theSMELSINATOR** · 02-09-2007, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celsdogg

i periodically check craigslist in my area and on occasion i have seen a few decent ones.

Oh yeah, craigslist is pretty good. I haven't been religiously searching there like i have other places, though.

**Akuma** · 02-09-2007, 08:55 AM

here in the UK, its becoming more difficult to find a nice example as well. Lot of them are rusty cars with issues, so few good examples and when they do turn up particularly sports and cabriolets they command high figures.

**Numark318i** · 02-09-2007, 11:45 AM

CA ftw.

still almost a dime a dozen in Nor Cal.

GL searchign for your car, itll be worth every penny.

just change ur fuel pump, thermostat and water pump right off the bat and ur good.

**celsdogg** · 02-09-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numark318i

just change ur fuel pump, thermostat and water pump right off the bat and ur good.

id also watch out for timing belt on an M20.

only three 325i manuals on ebay. thats quite low.

**dinan540** · 02-09-2007, 04:01 PM

craigslist, ebay and some luck. They are around. Check out the local bmw car club webpages. There are bound to be some nice e30s. Good luck.