Limited ed. or not, 4,996 units imported IS rare.. (archive)

Out of those 4,996 units imported from 88-91 how many do you think are still in existence? Out of that number, how many do you think have been totaled, converted to race-only cars, riced out (or otherwise disgraced), or are complete rats? I would put a rough estimate of pristine examples at around maybe 1,000 in the whole country. I would even go further to guesstimate that no more 200 or so E30 M3s are even for sale at a given time. Do you still maintain that these cars aren't "rare"?

When you discuss demand for the E30 M3, you have to consider a few facts. First, that in the late 80's and early 90's the US was coming out of a recession and demand for sports cars was relatively low across the board. On top of that, the Baby Boomers were squeezing out pups at an alarming rate and were concerned more with station wagons, minivans and what would become SUVs than tiny, loud and uncomfortable (to the masses) sports cars. Second, that the E30 M3 wasn't intended or marketed to the masses the way the other E30 3-series were. Hell, BMW didn't even make a profit on the E30 M3. It was a racing venture only and as the cars won more races, the publicity virtually paid for the M3's design and production. Third, as you pointed out, the car was a car with little in the way of creature comforts and a lot in the way of the pleasure of a raw driving experience.

People who have well cared for examples with extensive documentation can generally command their own asking prices and have a sale within weeks if not days with little or no public advertising. From an economics standpoint, this is first day stuff. The E30 M3 in good condition is in short supply, thus there is high demand. Demand and price level are directly proportional - as demand for the cars increases so do the asking prices. If I could do it here, I'd even graph the curves for you ;^)

Later.
~B

...will decide what anything is worth. It`s worth what someone is willing to pay, period.
These cars were $35K in 1988.
A new 2001 M3 is $50K.
$35K in 1988 dollars is about equal to $50K in 2001 dollars (look it up).
I would forget the business about rarity, though. Rarity in a non limited production item means that they didn`t sell very well to start with.
In our case, it is due to the fact that there was a perception then that M3`s were overpriced when compared to the 325is (at $7K less). Also, the M3 was (and is) too rough for a majority of the public.
So you are dealing with a very limited potential market to sell to.
I would LOVE to have a nice low mileage example like yours to compliment my 155K daily driver.
I need to get a garage first. Priorities.
Good luck!

So I posted my car for sale at a high price (I know, I am a heretic, a non-believer, but I have my reasons for selling the M eventually but I am not in a rush) and I keep getting helpful e-mail messages from people saying "your car is priced too high"

Well all I have to say is fu*k off to people who are trying to lowball values on our cars, based on KBB/Edmunds, etc. The fact is that E30 M3's are rare (like more rare than the Porsche 930 turbo for example) and condition/maintenance/history play a MAJOR part in the value of a collector car like an M3.

If people want to pay book, value for a used M3, then they sould go find one at a used car auction or on a dealer lot.

Rant off.

Bill

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