Every time I see one, the original M Coupe strikes me as one car I would even entertain moving on from my E28 for. I’ve always loved the shape and the weirdness, and while it would certainly be nice to land an ever-appreciating S54 model, my experiences with the S52 have all been pleasurable. Today’s shining red example is of the latter, slower variety, but is practically brand new after covering less than 3,000 miles per year. The interior would make me a little nauseous every time I got in it, but maybe I could lose a few lbs to help this lithe shooting brake hustle.
Tag: BMW
It may sound crazy, but there was actually a point in time when items like “automatic” and “fuel injection” were enough of a headline grabber to mount badges to the outside of your car. It was a sign that you had arrived, that you were driving a luxury automobile. Yet take a look at this BMW; most of the accoutrements we’re used to seeing in the cars from Bavaria are notably absent. Automatic seats? Not likely here. Automatic mirrors? No, you’ll need to adjust before you leave – especially on a cool day. Speaking of those cool days, take a look at the doors – notice anything odd? How about manual crank windows! As an enthusiast and having owned older cars, I find these things particularly exciting, if for no other reason than there’s less to go wrong. Check out this excellent condition E12:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1976 BMW 530i on eBay
7 CommentsOne of the great unsung heros of the E36 lineup was the compact three-door hatchback, sold in the U.S. as the 318ti. Journalists decried the E30-based rear suspension and oversteering tendency of the 318. Enthusiasts were grumpy that it only came here with the 4-cylinder. And practical folks were happy to pass up the rear-drive amusement for a cheaper and better equipped Golf. But in my mind, the proportions of the 318ti were just right – like a rear drive Corrado, this car screamed of the potential for fun and practicality in one little package. The best looking of the bunch were the M-Sport models – though the changes were only cosmetic, they made the hot hatch look great!
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1996 BMW 318Ti M-Sport on eBay
2 Comments(megaphone blares)
“German car enthusiasts, please stay behind the barriers until the horn has been sounded…
Yes, we realize that clean, moderately-miled E30s are few and far between these days, and yes, we realize that they were plentiful when you started searching and now all of sudden fanboys and LeMons racers have taken them all.
Ok, ok, ok… you may enter the BiddingDome. The reserve is on, but we are confident you will clear that first hurdle with aplomb. Soak in the low miles, and imagine yourself bathing in almost 25 years of records. Imagine the clean, leathery smell of the reupholstered seats, and feeling the balance of inline-6, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive sedan under your butt.
Sure, the last one you saw this clean went for $8k, and it has a cracked dash, so maybe you can just be patient. But at that rate, it’ll appreciate, so you might as well just pull the trigger now. Not buying this car is losing you money…”
(just at 10% the rate it’s costing you money)
Hop on the E30 bidding train, folks. It’s an express route.