1990 E30 BMW 318is Coupe – Classified of the Week

We’ve spoken about depreciation curves before. By which we mean the rocky journey almost every car (with the exception of high-end exotica) has to endure before the values start to climb again. Though it should be noted, that climb isn’t a universal truth. Some cars don’t have a depreciation curve, they have a depreciation cliff off which they fall. Then you have the cars in the middle, that seem to lose all value, only to rise like a glossy, wheeled phoenix from the wreckage that is the used car market. Cars like the BMW 3 Series. 

There are so many generations of the 3, that it’s easy to see what happens. Look at the E90, for example. You can buy one of those for about £20. The slightly older E46? About £50. The E36 before that, well, good ones are getting thin on ground, so they’re actually more expensive than some modern versions. Then you have the E30, the car we have here. No longer is it the preserve of the bargain pages. No, this is a fast-appreciating classic, one that people are desperate to own. It seems that thanks to the pressures of the first depreciation hit, the Max Power generation and of course, rust, good examples are increasingly hard to find. And as such, they command a premium. And rightly so. They’re excellent cars. 

But if prices are on the rise, why should you buy this stunning 318is? Well, the E30 isn’t the last word in 3 Series history. There is the E21, the daddy of the 3 Series line. Look for one of these and you’ll soon see cars north of £20k. Using that as a benchmark, the E30 still has some climbing to do. 

The market is hot for ‘80s and ‘80s cars right now. The E30 is one of the most searched for cars on Car & Classic, and to put that in context, we have around 4million unique visitors per month generating some 16million page impressions. For the E30 to rank high is a solid indicator of demand. 

Then, taking all the data and interest out of the equation, there is the simple fact that this 1990 E30 is a simply lovely machine. It’s been owned by a passionate enthusiast who has lavished unending care and attention upon it. Belts, timing chain, suspension tyres, fuel tank, chassis work, cooling system overhaul, fluids, filters, constant indoor dry storage when not in use, it’s the perfect storm. 

This is arguably one of the more desirable models, too, as it was a ‘final run’ model, built before the E36 came into production. Finished in Brilliant Red with immaculate and incredibly rare Nature Cloth interior trim, it’s a feast for the eyes. And thanks to what is still an outstanding chassis paired up with the legendary M42 engine, it’s also an utter joy to drive. Buy it. There can’t be many out there that have been as well looked after as this. Plus, you’ll be buying one of the most desirable, quickest appreciating classics out there. It’s better than money in the bank, mainly because money in the bank isn’t an E30 BMW. 

Is this glossy wheeled phoenix is for you, here’s where you can find a BMW E30 318i for sale.