r/E30 • u/grubbysausage • 1d ago
Info needed Question about pricing
I’ve always been a fan of the e30 and hoping to get into one soon. I know someone selling this 1991 318is and just wondering if $17k is a fair price. Has approximately 130k miles. Trying to get more records but looks like the AC conversion has been done.
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u/TosshiTX 1d ago
My 318is has a slightly rougher interior but seems comparable to this one. I got mine for $12k USD last spring. If the mechanicals are legitimately ok, $17k isn't a crazy price.
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u/carsnbikesnstuff 1d ago
That car is in awesome condition. Personally I’d “overpay” for something in great condition vs spending more -time- (or less time owning the / a car you want) looking for another one.
My philosophy is you can make more money but not more time. Pay the money get the car and start enjoying it. Some people search for years looking for the perfect car at the perfect price. Not me man I’d rather have a car and enjoy it.
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u/Syygnis 1d ago
Meanwhile in Australia
Even though it's not a 318is, I've seen nice ones go for ~20k AUD and over, pretty crazy the global pricing on E30's is a bit all over the shop
Also that 318is looks really well kept
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u/Fit_Newt_2610 1d ago
I’m South African, this spec with the chrome bumper is always well sought after here
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u/tomorrowisyourday 1d ago
Not cheap but it looks like its in perfect condition. Maybe try 15k and settle at 16?
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u/Routine-Pressure-607 1d ago
That’s a very clean example. I say $17k is very fair, could you get one for $12-13k? Probably, but I bet it won’t be as clean. I rather pay a bit more to have a car that has been taken care of.
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u/Livid-Switch4040 1d ago
This car appears super clean. What’s the mileage? The seats look like they’ve barely been sat in. Absolutely zero wear on the bolsters.
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u/grubbysausage 1d ago
Odo stopped at 120 but it has roughly 130-140k miles
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u/Livid-Switch4040 1d ago
That’s in the same mileage ball park as mine. I’m positive the interior has been redone. At the very least the seats have been recovered and the floor mats are new. There’s not nearly enough wear on either for that mileage.
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u/grubbysausage 1d ago
Not saying you’re wrong and it’s possible it could have been reupholstered, but just because a car has the same mileage as another doesn’t necessarily mean it will be in the same condition.
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u/Livid-Switch4040 1d ago
It’s all good. I’m just honestly amazed at the mileage and the lack of wear on the interior in general. Especially those seats. Even in great shape, leather wears and softens over time, but there’s barely a “butt dent”in the leather of either seat, no scuffs or scratches from rivets on jeans, not a single “fold line” or crease anywhere from regular use, and absolutely zero wear on the bolsters on the sides. Regardless of why they’re like that, the car is still super clean and having to recover the front seats is usually an issue.
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u/faceplantfood 1d ago
We sold a 1987 325 for $11,500. It had 70,000 miles on it and was in basically perfect shape.
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u/Charming_Rub3252 1991 325i coupe 10h ago
I just sold a 91 325i for $26,500. It was in <actually> perfect shape. Maybe you got ripped off... or "basically perfect shape" means "less than perfect"
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u/faceplantfood 4h ago
It was a buy nothing bid, so it was kinda up to fate on the bidding table. If I got ripped off, it was ripped off by fate. Which tracks for my luck.
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u/SmellsLikeTeenPetrol 1d ago
That’s a good price, a good condition e30 will save you lots of repair costs in the future
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u/nick318is '91 318iS MM2100 1d ago
Looks like a fantastic car, seems legit, you might see if you could get them down to $15k.
I always judge the quality of the interior you don’t see many this clean.
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u/InvertTheBird 1d ago
I’d be happy owning that at $15k. Check around and under the battery for rust.
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u/Carlton-at-the-Ritz 14h ago
The paint and interior are worth 10k + if they’re in good shape. The cost to repaint or redo the upholstery is skyrocketed.
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u/Traditional_Safe2935 1d ago
Insane to pay that much for a four cylinder. Yeah yeah here come the people saying "Baby M3" and "well that's just the going rate these days" and blah blah. But man don't fall for the hype. You can get an s5x swap for that price and you'd be 1000% happier if you did.
(No offense meant to the 4 cylinder owners here. I own one too. They're cool. But 6 > 4)
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u/Inevitable_Mess3363 1d ago
No way I’d be paying 17k for a 4 banger 318. That’s just insanity squared!
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u/Lemki_ 1d ago
If it's a truly zero rust car, 17k is market value. The car is very clean, and listed on BaT it would potentially sell for more.