The BMW E30 3 Series captured millions of hearts and dreams around the globe in the 1980s, becoming not only the most iconic silhouette in BMW history, but also the foundation for a successful motorsport pedigree. An icon that still defines desire.
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11-28-2025LAST POST
325is
I don't have the window sticker for mine, I bought it from my best friend back in '97, he had purchased it from a Lexus dealer in '93 so it's a three owner car. I only drive it on special occasions but it puts a smile on my face every time. Lots of memories in that car.
Neuner wroteStarting with BMW New Class in the 1960, BMW has emphasized an evolutionary approach to it's products. The notion of going back too far dismisses the amazing engineering achievements came before the E38 / E46 era. Without that important engineering progression in the '60s, '70s, and 80s, there would be no E46.BMW went back too far for their reboot. Should have split the timeline at the end of the E38 / E46 era and restarted from there.
The two amazing cars you list in your garage are amazing because of the vision and execution of the New Class project.
If you haven't done so already, please find a way to get behind the wheel of one of the '60, '70s or 80's BMWs. Although clearly out performed by today's cars, these cars are foundation all the great BMWs that followed. Driving one of these classic BMWs provides a reference point to better appreciate the modern BMW products we enjoy today.
Check out this link for a bit of history on BMWs vision.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_New_Classhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_New_Class
BMWGirlFL wroteI am also an original purchaser of a 1989 325i (my wife actually), which we kept for 18 years and 256,000 miles until I bought my E90 in 2006. I know the E30 quite well.
Escalating the 1989 E30 MSRP of $28,950 to 2025 dollars racks it up to $75,830! Man, how BMW was living high off the Hog of the 1980's Yuppie'ism to charge such an astronomical price for what was basically their European (spartan) economy car (and taxicab/Polizei car) fitted with the phenomenal M20B25 I6 as standard equipment for the North American market by 1989.
That is nearly M3 money these days and right in the bullseye for a well-equipped M2. How lucky we are.
Efthreeoh wroteAdjusted MSRP also more or less Z4 M40i money now. Still less than unadjusted MY96 SL500 MSRP my E30 was traded for.I am also an original purchaser of a 1989 325i (my wife actually), which we kept for 18 years and 256,000 miles until I bought my E90 in 2006. I know the E30 quite well.
Escalating the 1989 E30 MSRP of $28,950 to 2025 dollars racks it up to $75,830! Man, how BMW was living high off the Hog of the 1980's Yuppie'ism to charge such an astronomical price for what was basically their European (spartan) economy car (and taxicab/Polizei car) fitted with the phenomenal M20B25 I6 as standard equipment for the North American market by 1989.
That is nearly M3 money these days and right in the bullseye for a well-equipped M2. How lucky we are.
