The E21 might have been the first BMW badged as a 3 series, but it is one of those rare instances where its successor became wildly more popular than the original. But, given that E30 prices are on the move, perhaps the E21 will become the new affordable BMW classic. This particular 320 is an early one, as production commenced in 1975. The E21 wasn’t the most visible BMW in motorsport, but it did make appearances in both the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft (DTM) and Group 5 racing, where it would succeed the 3.0CSL. The E21 was also active in IMSA, and this particular 1975 320 was the first of its kind to win a race in that series.
Tag: BMW
When M3 prices first started to shoot up a few years ago, I thought maybe it could be another bubble. With values on the rise and other M cars basking in the glow of this, it seems the days of the affordable early M car may be over. They were never cheap cars to get into in terms of a maintenance scenario. Just ask E28 owner and GCFSB staffer, Nate. However, even initial purchase costs are putting them beyond the reach of some enthusiasts. Every time I turn around, it seems that prices continue to escalate and this 1988 M3 for sale in San Francisco is no exception. This car is nearing 100,000 miles and is priced well above $40,000. Is this the new norm, or are we seeing the market peak for now?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M3 on eBay
7 CommentsI’ve seen a host of E36 M3 sedans around this week, some great (businessmom in a technoviolet, one in byzanz), some medium (plain white with that spoiler I can’t stand), and some beat to hell (grey with broken everything). They’re always on my radar due to nostalgia and a belief that it would make an incredible daily driver. Today’s example, a creampuff doted upon by the owner’s late father, might not be suited for daily driver duty. At the same time, I’m not sure E36 values are going to really skyrocket, so if you want to drive the best/”newest” E36 around, this is probably it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 BMW M3 Sedan on eBay
4 CommentsIt seems that few M cars, save for a few later model examples, are escaping the collector craze that is driving prices up. The E30 M3 was the car that started the mayhem, and much like air-cooled 911s, everyone and their brother seem to be clamoring to get into one of these machines. One of my favorites of the early M genre is the E34 M5. While I love the original E28 M5 and the V8 brute that is the E39 M5, the E34 has a really reserved nature about it. It’s as if someone dressed an Olympic athlete up in a Savile Row sourced suit, especially when it comes to a black on black example like this stunning example for sale in Hawaii. The thought of taking a trip out to warmer climates and coming back with a souvenir like this is what I would consider a trip of a lifetime.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 BMW M5 on eBay
7 CommentsThe term “yuppie†didn’t exist in the 1960s, but if any car from the era could have been associated with that subculture, it could probably be the 2002. Years after this model ceased production in 1976, subsequent 3 series models would be the object of desire for upwardly mobile professionals. The 2002, however, was the car that really put BMW on the map in the post war years and went on to represent something for which to strive for German families seeking to rebuild their lives. The 2002 would last long into the 1970s and pass the baton over to the E21 3 series after the 1976 model year. This earlier model is a nice find, as many of these lesser 2002s have been restomodded or done up as tributes to the faster, more upmarket 2002tii and turbo models.