The E21 generation BMW 3-series is sort of the forgotten little brother of the big cheese E30. Perhaps it is because the E21 never had a hyper-popular fanboy-drool-inducing M version, or Turbo graphic covered version like the 2002...but I dig the overbite fenders and sharp looking Hofmeister kink, and love the sport package front apron. Find this 1982 BMW 320iS E21 offered for $8000 in Redondo Beach, CA via craigslist.
This next car is a celebration of Bracq Friday -- a festival of the best stuff from French born automotive legend Paul Bracq. I know the days of getting a running/driving car for $500 are long behind us...and $500 will barely get you the parts to do your own brake job on a late model car...but I still hold hope for the occasional used pile of junk car that is cheap not because it is rusted out, but because only a few crazy people (myself included) would want it...and I think I found a good one today...although you will need to source a few key parts before getting it back on the road. Find this 1979 BMW 320i E21 offered for $500 in Richmond, CA via craigslist.
The E21 generation BMW 3-series is sort of the forgotten big brother of the big cheese E30. Perhaps it is because the E21 never had a hyper-popular fanboy-drool-inducing M version, or Turbo graphic covered version like the 2002, but the market for an E21 is affordable and they are simple machines...and that is a good thing. Find this 1979 BMW 320i offered for $4400 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
Global sales of BMW's first 3-series started in the 1975 model year and by the time they switched factory operations to build the E30 version in 1983, over a million examples of the E21 had left the shipping dock. The E21 was not a cheap car when released, but the magic of depreciation made it an affordable classic for decades...and the uptick of collector nostalgia hasn't yet made them unaffordable. Find this 1978 BMW 320i offered for $2950 in Bethesda, MD via craigslist.
The E21 3-series is the middle child stuck between two BMW icons: 2002 and E30. The 320i was not a fast car when new and could be considered painfully slow by 2018 standards. The good news is that there are still sane asking prices out there for these unlike the newer E30. In addition, the 320i's have unmistakable vintage BMW styling that is arguably more handsome than a E30. A BWM 320i certainly will not be confused with being anything other than a BMW. Find this 1983 BMW 320i for sale in Bel Air, MD for $2,300 via craigslist.
Global sales of BMW's first 3-series started in 1975 and by the time they switched body stamping operations to build the E30 version in 1983, over a million examples of the E21 had left the factory. The significance of those production numbers were not lost on BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln, Pontiac, Cadillac, or anybody else who wanted to sell premium luxury sport sedans in the early 80s. But today, the E21 is a forgotten classic and prices for nice examples aren't that bad. Find this 1981 BMW 320i offered for $8,000 near Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.
I could be biased, but nobody does stuff better than the Italians. While the rest of the world was living in animal-skin huts the Italians built the worlds oldest still functioning building (the Pantheon) out of stone. A few centuries later the Italians created what is certainly the most beautiful fine art ever conceived with marble, oil, and canvas. In the 20th century, there was this little company called Ferrari -- I'll just let you make your own conclusions -- but even today the Italians continue to hit them out of the park. Like this 1979 BMW 335 ElCsi offered for 18,500 € ($19,575 USD at this time). Tip from James.
The E21 Baur Targa was the closest the Germans ever came to building a mechanical mullet (Monday morning in the front, Friday night out back), and featured a
folding soft top in the back and a targa-style soft roof above the
driver/passenger. The result is convertible fun in the sun while
retaining chassis rigidity and safety by keeping an intact B-pillar roll
hoop. The Baur Targa cars came from a time when BMW didn't offer the 3
Series in drop top and the modifications were done by Karosserie Baur
when new, maintaining a factory BMW warranty. Find this 1983 BMW 320 E21 Baur Targa offered for $3,999 in Lithonia, GA. Tip from Boomer.
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH started turning BMW's 3-series into their own hot-rod corner-carver back in the 1970s with the E21. Technically, the Alpina conversions generate their own VIN number (similar to US based Saleen) and Alpina is considered an auto manufacturer, but they use a basic high volume donor car to create something special...consider them a less shady version of your common tuner. Find this 1982 Alpina C1 2.3 found here on eBay
current bidding for $7,100 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Yokohama, Japan.
The E21 generation BMW 3-series is sort of the forgotten little brother of the big cheese E30. Perhaps it is because the E21 never had a hyper-popular fanboy-drool-inducing M version, or Turbo graphic covered version like the 2002, but the market for an E21 is very affordable...and that is a good thing. Find this 1977 BMW 320i E21 offered for $1800 in Fraser, MI via craigslist.
This next feature could be a good deal for someone looking for a project, or it could be a total waste of time from a seller who thinks he has some kind of rare artifacts for sale. The problem is that the seller doesn't list a price, but the collection of cars certainly look cool - lets play spot the cool stuff. Find this scruffy trio, a BMW E30 Baur Targa, E21 Baur Targa and 2002 offered for an undisclosed price somewhere in the San Fernando Valley, CA. Tip from Einhander.
The E21 generation BMW 3-series is a great way to get into a clean classic without breaking the bank. The best low mile and stock examples are starting to demand premium money but it is still a great time to get into the market before it takes off and leaves you behind. Find this 1978 BMW 320i with 21k miles on the odometer for sale in Woodstock, GA for $9,000 via craigslist.
The E21 generation is one of the better deals available on the market for BMWs that fall into the "depreciated modern classic" bucket. While we prefer a clean and original version for our daily driving needs, a hot rod E21 certainly would tick off a few boxes on the bucket list. Find this 1979 BMW 320i V8 for sale in Plymouth, PA for $2,000 via craigslist. Tip from the Hack Mechanic.
The E21 generation BMW 3 Series is one of the better generations of BMWs to pick up clean examples for next to nothing for a number of reasons. First, the E21 doesn't have the cachet that the E30 has and as such the market isn't flooded with stanced E21s or buoyed by fanboy dreams of the ultimate driving experience. Sometimes being in the minority is a good thing...certainly for your pocket book if you pay attention. Find this 1980 BMW 323i Euro Import for sale in Portland, OR for $7,500 via bimmerforums.com
From 1978-1982 Karosserie Baur modified roughly 4500 versions of BMW's E21 3-series into a semi-topless fauxvertible. Some describe the transformation as making the E21 resemble the villain Bane from the latest Batman movie, while others are more critical of the aesthetics. Find this 1982 BMW 320is Baur Targa for sale in Sacramento, CA for $11,000 via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
The E21 generation BMW 3-series was a logical evolution of the BMW Neue Klasse (2002/1600) and started to cement BMW's reputation for building sporty luxury sedans. The E21 wasn't about straight line performance, eschewing displacement for its sweet sounding inline 6 engines...unless some country boys have swapped in a Ford 5.0 V8. Find this 1977 BMW E21 