This Is Why The E30 BMW M3 Prices Are Skyrocketing

[Das Boots]

Saw this article of interest.....

This Is Why The E30 BMW M3 Prices Are Skyrocketing (msn.com)

[Steve88M3]

Remember when you could pick up a driver for under 10k?

[TheAutoCollection]

My first E30 M3 was a low mileage 1989 Salmon Silver car that I "overpayed" since it was certified at the BMW dealership in the early 90's for a whooping $21K. Other examples in the local papers were around $12-$15k. Good old days.

[Ron ///Man]

I bought two in one week the late '90's for right around $5K each both with about 60k miles, and, the first S14 core I bought was $400, and all it needed was a head gasket! How times have changed!

[mikem3cabrio]

I bought one with a bad engine for $1800

[mrsha007]

I bought two in one week the late '90's for right around $5K each both with about 60k miles, and, the first S14 core I bought was $400, and all it needed was a head gasket! How times have changed!

I bought mine in 2002 for under $5000 and it had 77k miles on the clock...

[Kyldare]

Mine was, I think, $8000 in the late summer of 2012. Had 230k on the odometer, no interior, and was essentially a track car. Would give anything to have it back in the state that I left it, but the new owner has had it on a rotisserie for the last seven years undergoing a complete restoration. Couldn't afford to buy even the shell back at this point.

[jimmy p.]

And sadly this passage although quite true, most of the people buying them now and for the past 10 years will never ever experience:

To get the best out of the E30 BMW M3 you really have to wring its neck. Once you're driving spiritedly, it all comes together. The rapid throttle response, the direct steering feel and the sublime balance. In the chaos of driving flat out, it all becomes calm as it dances through bends with ease and powers down the straights.

[mlytle]

And sadly this passage although quite true, most of the people buying them now and for the past 10 years will never ever experience:

so true and so sad. looking at it in a garage, cruising around on the street, or even "spirited" driving on the street will never get you the real feeling of these cars.

[MtlAlex]

What i find hard after owning one for the past 11years is that I never bought it for the money that it could possibly bring so when i consider selling it now its based on value and not actually the car anymore.
Having 2 kids under 5 makes me not drive it very often. Ive put 2000km on it in the past 3 years but if i sell theres no way i can get back in to one. I kinda wish the prices was how they were so i could sell and buy again in 10 years.

[Ironhead]

so true and so sad. looking at it in a garage, cruising around on the street, or even "spirited" driving on the street will never get you the real feeling of these cars.

Yeah. I never really understood what was special about them until I started tracking mine many years ago. In street driving they feel sluggish. You can buy a mini-van that feels faster.

It irritates me how many have fallen into the hands of collectors, but people do have a right to do what they want with their cars. I can't remember the last time I saw one at a track day.

[evommm]

Funny shit I bought mine on eBay for $3500 shipped from Cali 25 years ago it has been an awesome ride
I’ve also bought a few that were accident damaged for under $2k sold them for $3k thought I was a financial genius lol

[Narayan3]

I bought mine in Aug 1999 for $11600 with 8xK miles. I could have gotten one with 20K miles for just 5K more, but didn't see the point. I miss the days when no one knew what this was and I could drive it anywhere and park it anywhere without getting attention. I still make sure I hit redline every chance I get, but sadly no more errands or commutes, just weekend drives :(

[Narayan3]

In 2012 I got the urge to get a 2nd e30 m3. I test drove >2 dozen in the 15-20K range and was disappointed with the condition they were all in. I saw a Henna with 28K miles for 29K and passed as it was out of my budget. In 2020, I saw that car again and its new owner had just paid 120K for it in a private sale. It still only had 30K miles but needed an engine rebuild as it was burning oil badly. But otherwise looked showroom clean! I still see it every time I go to my independent shop as its new owner stores it there, collecting dust...

[mrsha007]

In 2012 I got the urge to get a 2nd e30 m3. I test drove >2 dozen in the 15-20K range and was disappointed with the condition they were all in. I saw a Henna with 28K miles for 29K and passed as it was out of my budget. In 2020, I saw that car again and its new owner had just paid 120K for it in a private sale. It still only had 30K miles but needed an engine rebuild as it was burning oil badly. But otherwise looked showroom clean! I still see it every time I go to my independent shop as its new owner stores it there, collecting dust...

I did the same thing, TWICE!

First time around I bought a 1998 M3-4 manual with low miles instead.

Second time I got a E92 instead. Prices haven't come back down to earth since.

Not sure I regret it but man it would be nice to have 2 or 3 M3s in different configurations right now.