Warning!
We have 15 years of archives. Links older than a year may have been updated to point to similar cars available to bid on eBay.
Today’s Feature Listing is this well optioned, first generation BMW X5. Paul asked me specifically to write this one up because I currently have an e53 4.4i in my stable, and the seller’s quest in finding this example was very similar to mine. The e53 X5 was considered by many the best in class at it’s release — if not in the sense of outright off-road performance, but rather more than competent in handling the occasional foul weather detail and always feeling more than up to the task the rest of the time. In fair weather conditions it behaves like spacious 5 serious, which is what makes it such a great touring car coupled with a 400+ mileage range.
In the seller’s description he describes how he sought out the following packages for his ideal e53: Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, and Navigation. Trust me, this is the combination you’re looking for. Mine is too early for navigation and is also lacking the cold weather package; which means no heated seats and an omission my wife will never forgive me for. And yes, the sport seats are sweet upgrade in the cabin of a family oriented vehicle.
It was only a matter of time for 2.3-16 prices to follow E30 M3 values. To a lesser extent of course with the dominance of the M3 in almost every aspect; most importantly overall victories on the track. Nonetheless, the 2.3-16 homologation specials are still just that: special. Especially in this condition. In this case a picture (or dozens) really are worth a thousand words. This example is very cleanly preserved and prepared. Bidders are ready to buy with the current reserve met at $22k and climbing, with a very active 125+ bids thus far. If the auction proceeds to completion, we’ll witness a great bidding war considering the show doesn’t end until tomorrow night. Good luck to buyers and seller!
dc
Following on to the 1989 BMW 750iL we featured yesterday, here is possibly one of the lowest mileage V12 E32s in existence. We featured this car four years ago and its back up for sale with barely any more mileage tacked on.
The below post originally appeared on our site September 11, 2011:
Let’s start with the last line first: The C43 AMG is one of the best bargains on the market right now — if you can find a good one. There were less than 1,500 of these imported to the U.S. so there aren’t many to start with. Further, if you find one that needs TLC it should be deeply discounted as repairing this car properly can add up fast.
I still recall the first time I set eyes on an e36 M3 convertible in the flesh. We were headed to the movies on a summer evening just as it was starting to cool off. After we parked, there was a brand new one in Estoril Blue over Dove Gray. The top was down which gave us a nice chance to live vicariously from the outside looking in — dreaming of cruising home in the open air while sinking into a new leather interior and driving just a little faster than everyone else as the light went down.
It would take years before I got an e36 M3 of my own, but that connection early on certainly played a part in my eventual ownership. Mine was a coupe but a friend of mine who was a broker at the time had a 98 convertible for sale that I got to compare side by side. While the lack of a top is an obvious difference, the lack of B-pillars was also a strong visual character trait of the convertible. Unfortunately this translates into a lot more shaking in the cabin, especially at the windshield. Then again, you don’t purchase a convertible over the coupe because it makes more sense on the track. You get the ‘vert because it’s a fantastic excuse to go for spirited Sunday cruise when the weather is nice.
