The 1990s were a watershed decade for BMW. So many great cars emerged from Munich during this period, among them the last of the E30 M3s, the brutish V12 powered 850CSi and, towards the end of the decade, the beautifully unique M Coupe. Of course, there are so many others models that passed us by during this decade. One of which was the car we see here for sale in Minnesota, the E34 540i M-Sport. The E34 M5 would bow out of the US market in 1993, leaving a hole in the lineup for a fast 5. Enter the 540i M-Sport, which was similar in spec to the European market M5, but with a 4.0 liter V8 under the hood mated to either a 6-speed manual as we see here, or a 5-speed automatic. Only 200 of these special E34s would be sold, leaving a car like this, with under 50,000 miles in desirable Alpine White over black leather, a rare treat indeed.
We (along with every BMW enthusiast site) go through so many iterations of E30s, but if you could finally go out and get one, how would you want yours? The answers are as diverse as coffee preferences. Sure, the starting point is energetic and standard, but there are a million ways to take it.
Personally, with the E30 M3 boat sailed, I think I’d want to get a little crazy with an engine-swapped example. While the E28 M5’s S38 is a dream, the E36’s S52 is among the most popular choices and readily available (as well as significantly cheaper to maintain). Today’s 325i has some issues that will make it continue to be a project, but the heavy lifting has been done to make it a true hoonmobile. A PPI has been done, which is more than many of the passed-on projects we see here can offer. Once the to-dos get sorted, it’s a good-looking E30 that is ready to be made great.
Sometimes automakers will and save the best for last. While many consider the M3 the ultimate E30, the 318is was, in its own right, a 3 series to admire. Much like how Mercedes-Benz slotted their new V8 into the aging W111 coupe and convertible in the early 1970s, BMW took it’s new 1.8 liter, twin cam M42 four cylinder engine and inserted it into the two-door E30 for one last shout before the 3 series baton was handed off to the E36 in 1992. This new motor breathed new life into an old favorite, with some praising the added balance the smaller engine provided. The interior was classic E30, which was basic in comparison to modern day BMWs. However, as BMW was reaching a bit downmarket with the one year only 318is, the mantra “everything you need, nothing you don’t†was abided by. This 318is for sale in Ontario, Canada has covered only 68,000 miles and in silver over black, has aged rather well with a decidedly vintage flair.
The 1988 BMW M6 I wrote up a few weeks ago is back up for sale, this time with a $17,500 “Buy It Now” price tag. Compared to what that amount buys you in the E30 world, this sure seems like a solid value even if it’s not 100% original. The E24 and E28 market have slowly been heading upwards too – perhaps picking this car up and returning it towards original specification would be a worthwhile enterprise. Or, drive it like it is and enjoy one of the best layouts BMW ever made – which would it be for you?
The below post originally appeared on our site December 14, 2014:
The 318i Convertible may not be the quintessential E30 choice for the power hungry out there. In Brilliantrot and equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox such as we see here with this 1991 example for sale in Florida, I can suddenly see myself enjoying miles of carefree motoring along a coastline somewhere. By 1991, the E30 Convertible would be on its last legs, but not before it had made itself an icon of the upwardly mobile of the 1980s. Looking over the pictures of this car with a mere 55,000 miles on the clock, it reminds me of what made me fall for the E30 3 series in the first place, many years ago.
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