Holy Trinity? Market-setting E28 M5, E24 M6 and E30 M3

There aren’t many new laurels that can be thrown on the BMW M cars from the 1980s. They are regarded as the source of the modern sports sedan and sports coupe; the blueprints, the originators. Those in the know bought these cars a few years ago when they hit their respective lows; since then, the M1, M3, M5 and M6 have all been increasing in value steadily. Call it a run on the markets, but as speculation and values have increased more and more “survivors” and “barn finds” keep popping up to keep the fervor frothy. Just the other day, Nate wrote up a trio of M5s that were attempting to set the market for higher mile cars in the high teens. If those owners were aiming for the sky, today’s seller is shooting for Jupiter; today on Ebay are the “Holy Trinity” of E30 M3 Evo, E24 M6 and E28 M5. Collective miles? 34,803. Collective asking price? $475,500. Now that I have your attention, let’s look at the pristine M5:

Year: 1988
Model: M5
Engine: 3.5 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 6,376 mi
Price: $158,500 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M5 on eBay

1988 BMW M5
ORIGINAL with just 6,376 MILES

FINEST AVAILABLE!!!

INCREDIBLY WELL-PRESERVED PRISTINE ORIGINAL CONDITION 1988 BMW M5 WHICH HAS COVERED ONLY A SCANT 6.376 MILES!!!

COMPLETELY STOCK (COMES WITH ORIGINAL WHEELS NOT PICTURED).

NO ACCIDENTS / NO PAINTWORK.

INTACT & INCLUDED:
Original Keys, Books & Service Records.

Original Tools & Pouch.

Original Jack and Spare.
WILL ASSIST INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.

Message &/or call with any questions (858) 454 – 9898 (9am-9pm PST).
PAYMENT TERMS:
ALL SALES FINAL. FOR SALE/SOLD “AS IS” “WHERE IS.” THERE IS NO WARRANTY NOR GUARANTEE STATED OR IMPLIED. NON-REFUNDABLE $2,000 DEPOSIT VIA PAYPAL DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF “BUY IT NOW” &/OR AUCTION END. BALANCE VIA BANK WIRE DUE WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Details are few, but the European market bumpers and headlights really set the look of the E28 apart and make the U.S. version look a bit clunky, in my opinion. There just does not appear to be any wear on this car at all; I’ve never seen the Natur seats in any M5 look like that, and the paint looks amazing. Talk about showroom fresh! 4 doors a bit too much for you? Well, how about this equally pristine M6:

Year: 1988
Model: M6
Engine: 3.5 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 5,950 mi
Price: $158,500 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M6 on eBay

1988 BMW M6
ORIGINAL with just 5,950 MILES

FINEST AVAILABLE!!!

INCREDIBLY WELL-PRESERVED PRISTINE ORIGINAL CONDITION 1988 BMW M6 WHICH HAS COVERED ONLY A SCANT 5.950 MILES!!!

COMPLETELY STOCK (COMES WITH ORIGINAL WHEELS NOT PICTURED).

NO ACCIDENTS / NO PAINTWORK.

INTACT & INCLUDED:
Original Keys, Books & Service Records.

Original Tools & Pouch.

Original Jack and Spare.
WILL ASSIST INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.

Message &/or call with any questions (858) 454 – 9898 (9am-9pm PST).
PAYMENT TERMS:
ALL SALES FINAL. FOR SALE/SOLD “AS IS” “WHERE IS.” THERE IS NO WARRANTY NOR GUARANTEE STATED OR IMPLIED. NON-REFUNDABLE $2,000 DEPOSIT VIA PAYPAL DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF “BUY IT NOW” &/OR AUCTION END. BALANCE VIA BANK WIRE DUE WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Low miles? Yep. Lower than the M5, too. At 400 miles a year, this car has been barely driven. The interior also looks amazing, and while I’m not a huge fan of the wheels the originals come with the sale. This particular M6 is one of the half year cars with the updated bumper covers and ellipsoid lights. I love the grey leather in this car, and like the M5 it looks new inside. Not a fan of the sharks? How about this Evo-spec E30 M3 then:

Year: 1991
Model: M3 Evo
Engine: 2.5 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 22,478 mi
Price: $158,500 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 BMW M3 on eBay

1988 BMW M3
GENUINE BMW FACTORY EVO UPGRADES
SCANT 22,478 MILES

FINEST AVAILABLE!!!

INCREDIBLY WELL-PRESERVED PRISTINE CONDITION 1991 BMW M3 with GENUINE BMW FACTORY EVO UPGRADES WHICH HAS COVERED ONLY A SCANT 22.478 MILES!!!

COMES WITH ORIGINAL WHEELS NOT PICTURED.

NO ACCIDENTS / NO PAINTWORK.

INTACT & INCLUDED:
Original Keys, Books & Service Records.

Original Tools & Pouch.

Original Jack and Spare.
WILL ASSIST INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.

Message &/or call with any questions (858) 454 – 9898 (9am-9pm PST).
PAYMENT TERMS:
ALL SALES FINAL. FOR SALE/SOLD “AS IS” “WHERE IS.” THERE IS NO WARRANTY NOR GUARANTEE STATED OR IMPLIED. NON-REFUNDABLE $2,000 DEPOSIT VIA PAYPAL DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF “BUY IT NOW” &/OR AUCTION END. BALANCE VIA BANK WIRE DUE WITHIN 3 CALENDAR DAYS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Wow. Like the M6, I’m not a fan of the wheels but the originals are included. This car shows slightly more wear than the M6 and M5 duo, but only slightly. There are a few creases in the leather, but that’s about it. Of the three, this one would typically draw the most money but as it has quadruple the miles of the other two, it’s hard to say if that will be the case this time around.

Value? Go ahead, take your guess. Are they worth $160,000 each? Probably not. Do you want them anyway? Yes, you do. I guess to peg a value on these would require some work; as many have said before, sometimes not having miles on these types of cars is as much a detriment as high miles, but in each case these cars seem to be well cared for. What would a full factory recondition cost to get a higher-mile example up to this standard? Probably not too much less than the asking price. Would it be worth it is entirely up to you; personally, I’d rather have a slightly less pristine example that I could drive, and I bet most of you would too – but like so many other cars we feature, it sure is neat to see such a time capsule grouping.

Which would you choose?

Hat tip to our reader Patrick who sent these along to us!

-Carter