Back to Basics: 1988 BMW 325i E30

I love featuring random crazy kit cars and super well preserved malaise era boats as much as the next guy, but there are times when you've got to get back to basics when it comes to finding your "daily turismo".  Let's rewind the clock to July 17th, 2012 when this little website was first launched, and some dude (me) wrote that cars on DT would be; Fun (which was loosely defined as: 1) Manual transmission 2) Rear wheel drive 3) Fast) and Cheap.  That's it.  So here is something that gets back to basics. Find this 1988 BMW 325i E30 offered for $3300 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Der Camino: 1986 BMW 325i

The E30 generation BMW 3-series was available with a number of different body styles, including a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, a 4-door station wagon, a 2-door convertible, and a 2-door pickup El Camino version...whoa....wait, what?  I only wish that this was a BMW built thing, because the world needs more Utes. Find this 1986 BMW 325i offered for $8900 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

All The Wheels: 1989 BMW 325ix E30

BMW built an astonishing 2.5 million E30s in coupe, sedan, estate & convertible trim from 1982 through 1994. The ursprünglicher gangster BMW 3-series was a successful yuppy-mobile when new and has generated a significant cult following as a cheap, fun & reliable sports sedan...but don't expect the prices of the sporty all-wheel-drive 325ix version with a manual gearbox to stay low for much longer. Find this 1989 BMW 325ix here on eBay bidding for $4,050 reserve-not-met with 6 days to go, located in Encino, CA.

What Is That Pedal For? 1989 BMW 325i E30

Unless you've been hiding under an old BMW for the past few weeks, you probably have read something about the new 2019 BMW 3-series, and you may have caught that it launches without a manual gearbox option!?!?  That's it, I've had it -- I'm never buying a new BMW again...oh...wait...I've never purchased a new BMW and probably wouldn't if I had Bill Gates' money because used BMWs are so delectably cheap and available with manual gearboxes and non-hideous styling.  Like this 1989 BMW 325i offered for $3,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.

Nice Bumpers: 1985 BMW 325e Euro

Not too many years ago, you could pick up a clean BMW E30 for reasonable money.  It is a completely different market for these cars in 2018.  Nice condition plastic bumper cars are very difficult to find under ten grand.  Today's feature is a interesting euro import that could be a really nice car with a little handiwork and ingenuity.  It is equipped with the low revving diesel-esque 2.7 "eta" inline 6 engine.  All is not lost because the hot-rod solution is to fit an "i" engine cylinder head onto the "eta" block to create a 2.7 stroker.  The "i" cylinder heads are plentiful and not overly pricey.  Without proof of it being done, you should change out the timing belt and water pump on on these engines right away so this would not be a ton more extra work.  Find this 1985 BMW 325e for sale in West Haven, CT for $4,000 via craigslist.

Nice Shoes: 1987 BMW 325e

The E30 generation BMW 3-series sold in large numbers (2.5 million according to the interweb) from 1982 through 1994 in coupe, sedan, estate, & convertible trim...but you don't often find "showroom condition" examples of the 325 for any price.  Find this 1987 BMW 325e offered for $5900 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Thursday Twister: $1k Solid Gold

Today for the Thursday Twister, I'd like to ask you people what you think is the best car for around 1000 smackeroos.  I will kick things off with two cars from tipper Sean.

Thursday Twister: Almost New E30

What is the deal with the prices people want for ALMOST new classics.  Are they worth it?  Would you pay almost one hundred large for a 1985 BMW 323i found here on zee German ebay bidding for $69,900 EUR ($82667 USD) with only 260 kms on the odometer?  For that kinda coin you could get the nicely equipped BMW M4 --which would depreciate...but only if you drove it -- which the same can be said for the '85 E30 323i.  Hmmm...this is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma interwoven with a quandary.

V8 Swapped! 1987 BMW 325i LT1

The E30 generation Chevrolet 325i was built only for the 1987 model year with an LT1 powerplant and German styling.  Wait...that isn't right.  Except, it is right...allllll right.  Find this 1987 BMW 325i LT1 offered for $3,000 in Woodland, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Built Turbo: 1987 BMW 325i E30

Words and tip from DT regular Jeff G: So, one day, you're minding your own business and driving down the highway in your late model supercharged CTS-V or turbo Porsche or whatever, only to be taunted by a primer grey, 30-ish year old Beemer.... 3 series at that. Because he at least took the time to polish his wheels, you decide to give the young padawan a clinic on power and speed.  Find this 1987 BMW 325i offered for $10,000 in Tulsa, OK via craigslist.

E36 M3 Swap: 1989 BMW 325i E30

If you are confused when BMdubheads get into their nomenclature, you are not alone.  And you don't need to know the difference between an E36 and an E37 to understand the appeal of a rear-drive manual-transmission sport sedan from Germany. Find this 1989 BMW 325i E30 offered for $12,500 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.

German Refugee: 1986 BMW 324d E30

The E30 generation 3-series was the gold standard for a compact luxury ride for the yuppies of the 80s/90s but is driven by a totally different demographic these days.  Those yuppies have aged and moved on to Lexus/Mercedes/Tesla suvs and now those old 3-series are driven by their kids...hopefully not into the ground.  Today's E30 isn't just another 318/320/325, but has a strange badge and stinky exhaust.  Find 1986 BMW 324d E30 here on eBay offered for $4,500 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Salisbury, CT.

5-Speed Mint Condition: 1986 BMW 325e E30

The E30 generation BMW 3-series have all but disappeared from modern traffic, you will see the occasional beater or fan boy stanced version cruising around.  Few and far between are the original condition E30s with a manual gearbox that look as good as this next one.  Find this 1986 BMW 325e E30 offered for $9,000 near Boston, MA via craigslist.  Tip from Carter.

Bone Stock 5-Speed: 1990 BMW 325is

The original BMW 3-series might have been the E21 generation sold in North America (1977 through 1982) but the one that put the BMW 3-series on the map was the E30 built from 1982 through 1993.  Power came from a variety of overhead cam inline-4 and inline-6 engines, and suspension was MacPherson struts up from and semi-trailing arm out back.  Find this 1990 BMW 325is offered for $6,500 in Richmond, CA via craigslist.

I Love Craigslist: 1989 BMW 325is E30

The E30 generation BMW 3-series offers one of the better combinations of decent power, fun chassis, manual gearbox, and style for very basic money.  BMW built 2.3 million of the compact executive sedans over the years, so supply should outlast demand for a few more decades.  If you want my opinion, the one to get (aside from the murderously expensive M3) is the post facelift (1987+) 325is two-door which is what you are looking at here...but things aren't always as they seem.  Find this 1989 BMW 325is E30 offered for $6,000 in Anchorage, AK. Tip from Zach Z.

S52 Powered: 1990 BMW 325i

The E30 generation BMW 3-series offers one of the better cost to fun ratios for a compact sport sedan -- but modern cars are so bloody fast that you'll find your classic 5-speed 80s sedan getting schooled at the stop lights by an EV Spark. Obviously the answer is to hot rod it...or buy the other guy's hard work for pennies on the dollar.  Find this 1990 BMW 325i offered for $9000 in Flagstaff, AZ via craigslist.

Seller Submission: 1989 BMW 325ix E30

The E30 generation BMW 3-series  is zippy, reliable, simple to maintain, and cheap to buy -- which is why it has become the winter beater of choice for many folks, particularly the all-wheel-drive 325ix model sold in North America from 1988-1991.  Find this 1989 BMW 325ix E30 offered for $3200 in Canandaigua, NY via craigslist.  Seller submission from Zain.