The BMW 3 Series story may not have started with this second-generation model, but the E30 years are some of the most celebrated when it comes to the iconic compact executive sedan. Available in a plethora of styles, with a varied choice of engines and trim lines, the E30 BMW is a most versatile modern classic that can tick a lot of boxes for a wide range of enthusiasts.
In this article, we break down the best E30 years and models for a varied number of applications, so whether you’re after a track-terrorizing toy, or something to take the dog for a walk in, the answer is lurking in the words below.
BMW 3 Series E30 Lineup (USA)
Model Years
1984 – 1991
Body Styles
Sedan, Two-Door Coupe, Two-Door Convertible
Models
318 (i & is), 325 (e, es, i, is & ix), M3
Engines
1.8L I4, 2.5L I6, 2.7L I6, 2.3L I4 (M3)
The E30 3 Series lineup includes other variants, such as a wagon, alternate gas-engines and a turbodiesel model, which were available in other select markets outside the USA.
Unless stated otherwise, all information is sourced from BMW’s media site and/or official press material. Pricing data is courtesy of Classic.com.
Best E30 For Daily Driving: 325e Sedan
One of the great joys about owning a BMW from this era is that they are still perfectly capable of dealing with 99% of folks’ daily duties. However, some trims are more capable than others, and it’s important to know your apples from your onions when selecting an E30 for everyday use.
The 325 family instantly stands out as the best starting point. These models are much cheaper than the revered M3 cars, and also more powerful than the inline-four-powered 318 cars, so they have that extra pep needed to keep up with modern traffic. From the 325 bunch, the 325e would be the specific model to choose over the 325i or 325is. This is because the e model is engineered to prioritize economy over performance, with a lower power rating and more restrictive head, but it still boasts a silky-smooth six-cylinder BMW E30 engine.
The sedan naturally makes sense, as it provides four doors over the coupe or convertible’s two, meaning loading it with family, friends, and salvaged spare car parts is as easy as possible.
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Best E30 Track Toy: M3
When hunting around for a track-ready BMW E30, horsepower is, of course, what you’ll be looking for. Naturally, the M3 plays host to a stable full of wild horses, plus it boasts uprated brakes, suspension, and unique body tweaks too – it’s a factory-built racer.
The E30 M3 was successful on the track throughout the 1980s, particularly in the German Touring Car Championship, or DTM Series as it’s known. Approximately 5,300 examples were produced for the North American market between the years 1987 and 1990, packing a potent four-cylinder engine under the hood. The 2.3-liter S14 lump is hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission, and produces a factory-rated 192 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Not much by today’s standards, but if it’s enough to dominate the DTM Series and build a globally-recognized reputation as one of the best driver’s cars ever developed, then it’s probably enough for your track build, too.
Best E30 Year For Reliability: 1988
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In order to establish what the most reliable E30 year is, we consulted hundreds of owner reviews that have been submitted on CarSurvey. The reviews cover a wide range of models, in varying conditions, and so this should provide us with a pretty clear picture of what ownership of an E30 is like, and which of the E30 years is most dependable. Overwhelmingly, the reviews are positive, but they do indicate that maintenance cannot be ignored. By a small margin, 1988 stands out as the most reliable year for an old BMW E30.
Why doesn’t BMW make them like this anymore?
CarSurvey documents the experiences of one owner, who covered more than 100,000 miles in their used 1988 325i. They simply ask why BMW doesn’t manufacture cars to these standards anymore, implying they’d love to ‘upgrade’ to a newer model, but they, like so many others, consider the older models built to a higher standard. They also comment that the fuel economy has been good over the years, even when towing a small sailboat around in the summers.
You can tell just by driving it that BMW made these cars to last.
One owner, who purchased a 325i with over 138,000 miles already on the clock, remarked that they can tell the car was built to last. They compare it to the RX-7 and ’80s Camaro they owned prior, and how easy it is to tell that the BMW is a premium product – even if it does have higher mileage by this point. This should reassure anyone else looking to acquire a Bimmer E30 as a modern classic.
Best E30 For Economy: 318i Sedan Manual
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Want to run one of the BMW E30 models on a daily basis, but don’t want to spend a fortune on fuel doing so? You’ll want something that returns at least semi-respectable gas mileage, then. None of the old BMW E30s are going to compete with a modern Prius or compact hatch, but the humble four-cylinder models are as close as you can get.
Equipped with a manual five-speed transmission, the 318i can return up to 27 mpg on the highway, a figure that applies to the 1984 model. EPA-rated figures also suggest 21 mpg in the city, which translates to a combined figure of 24 mpg for this particular variant and model year. So, for the penny-pinchers and eco-conscious retro-car lovers, keeping an eye out for the lesser-powered 318i with a manual transmission would be the wise thing to do.
Best E30 For Practicality: Touring
Unfortunately, the E30 Touring was never officially sold in America when new. However, there are more than just a few wagon fans among us, and so a considerable number of these cool cars have been imported over the years. To demonstrate the availability of them, at the time of writing, 109 examples have been offered and sold on Bring A Trailer in the last decade. So, if family trips, piling the trunk up with project car parts and taking the dogs for days out is your thing, then finding a Touring on American shores shouldn’t prove too difficult.
Most Capable E30: 325iX
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If you’re already scouring the classifieds for a capable Touring model, then this next model should also be right up your street. While the Touring was available with a range of engines, and in a range of trims, it is specifically the 325iX that will be capturing the attention of more adventurous BMW enthusiasts. Of course, the 325iX shouldn’t be confused with BMW’s modern iX model, which is fully electric and the polar opposite of the retro 325iX.
The X stands for all-wheel drive, just as it does with current BMW’s, although more modern models use the xDrive moniker. So, if adding an E30 to your collection is an absolute must, but you live in an area with harsh winters, or just love traveling off of the beaten path, then keep an eye out for the 325iX.
Best E30 For Sunny Regions: E30 Convertible
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It goes without saying that, if you want to soak in the sunshine and enjoy cruising on summer nights, then a convertible E30 is just what you need. After all, what is an E30 all about, if not for occasionally show-boating? Fortunately, they were incredibly successful and sold in their thousands – you also have the choice of four-cylinder 318 and six-cylinder 325 models.
Most will sport a black roof, but some boast colored tops to match the selected interior trim. Leather seats may look great and be a touch more luxurious, but just remember to park in the shade to avoid burning the back of your legs. If dropping the top isn’t your style, then the next most visually appealing E30 surely has to be the two-door coupe, with sleeker lines than the four-door sedan.
Best E30 On A Budget: 325
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Surprisingly, the sales data taken from Classic.com suggests that the six-cylinder 325 is slightly more affordable than the lesser-powered 318. Possibly, this is due to the higher number of 325 models sold, in comparison to 318 models. As there are more out there, it’s possible that a high concentration of cheap and well-used examples are dragging used values down slightly. Still, it’s clear to see that the E30 BMW 325, with it’s straight-six E30 engine, is easily accessible for many enthusiasts.
Across the last five years, the average sale price for an E30 325 has been just north of $12,000. The lowest sales price has been slightly less than half of this amount, while the top price paid for such a car has been almost exactly double the average. Uniquely specified cars with low owners and respectable mileage, in original condition, will be the examples that command the highest figures. Projects and modified examples are always likely to be at the bottom-end of the pricing ladder.
BMW E30 325 Pricing Data
Pricing Details
Average Sale Price
$12,091
Lowest Price
$5,877
Top Price Achieved
$24,000
Best E30 Models America Never Got: Baur Convertible And M3 Sport Evo
Despite being offered a plethora of cool coupes and capable sedans, the North American market was still denied some really desirable E30 trims. Here, we take a quick look at two of the models never offered for American shores.
1985 BMW 323i Baur Convertible
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The Baur convertible boasts some BMW E30 specs that won’t be familiar to American fans of the model. A unique hard-soft-top design, offering wind-in-the-hair motoring while still retaining a solid frame surrounding the windows, it looks notably different from anything else in the E30 family.
Furthermore, the 2.3-liter M20 engine was never offered in North America, presumably due to concerns regarding emissions, which was often the case for omitted engines in the era. Total Baur production was in the region of 15,000 units, split between Europe and South Africa.
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution
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Those with an inherent need for speed may turn green with envy when perusing through the specs of the Europe-only E30, as the M3 Sport Evolution was the cream of the crop. Packing a 235-horsepower engine, the Sport Evo boasted a more than 20% power increase over the 192 horsepower North American M3, and it didn’t stop there either.
A modified front bumper, adjustable front splitter, adjustable rear wing and a plethora of brakes and suspension tweaks meant the Sport Evo was much more capable on track. Only 600 examples were developed, with the sole purpose of homologating the model for use in Group A motorsport.
E30 3 Series: Which Model Or Year Is Best?
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution
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There really can only be one answer for the objectively ‘best’ E30 model, and it has to be the track-tweaked and power-packed M3 Sport Evolution. After all, the main reason collectors clamber after the E30 is because the M3 was such a force in motorsport, and this, the Sport Evo, is the ultimate iteration.
However, ‘best’ is subjective. If the best car for you means a reliable family-hauler, then a six-cylinder Touring model takes the crown. Equally, if daily driving without having to worry about stone chips and door dings is your main priority, then a humble four-door sedan will be better than even the most immaculate M3. Regardless of your unique needs and desires, there is an E30 out there for everyone.