Second-handed E30s from Japan, How Much Was It Sold For?
However, BMW owners in Japan tend to take good care of their cars, and there are many examples of old BMWs running overseas that were originally sold as new cars in Japan.
The “shaken” vehicle inspection system in Japan is often criticized, but it has these advantages. High inspection fees and its short span of time for the next inspection is often considered burdensome for most owners. But think it this way. By forcing owners to “keep cars in good condition” also for letting people who are careless about their cars, many second-handed cars still keep good conditions.
1998 BMW 325iX
The two E30 325iX and M3 which I would like to introduce here were both sold as new cars in Japan.
This 325iX was previously owned by two owners, with 98,000km on it. The head gaskets have recently been replaced and the body has been completely painted to let the Royal Blue paintwork regain its luster.
The interior has some signs of use, but nothing major, and the engine works completely fine. The roof lining is not peeling off, as is often the case with older European cars, and the taillights are not dimmed. It’s safe to say that this is a car that can be still used daily.
RM Sotheby’s held an online auction for this 325iX in late March, and it sold for £7,975 (about $11,000). Considering that the estimated price was £10,000-£15,000 (about $14,000-$20,900), we can say that this is a cheap price.
Even if it were available in Japan, ¥1.2 million (£7,975) would be a bargain. Usually, ¥1.5 million is the moderate price for a good condition E30, such as the 320i.
One of the reasons why the 325iX has been shunned is because it is BMW’s first 4WD car, which makes it surprisingly difficult to maintain.
1988 BMW M3
The M3, on the other hand, has yet to be sold. This car is also from Japan like the 325iX. The M3 had a regular shift pattern, not a dog-leg pattern which is often found in racing cars.
Seats, engine bay, and undercarriage are all clean. Mileage on the odometer records 94,000 km, but it should be safe to say this car is not busting miles judging by the condition.
This M3 moved to Italy in 2019, and is currently owned by an Italian. The paintwork was repainted there, but other parts such as the power window and air conditioning are in perfect, original condition.
The estimated price for this M3 was €80,000-€90,000 Euros (about $96,000-$108,000), but no bid was done. If it had been a dog-leg patterned shift, it would probably have been sold within the expected price.
However, even with the regular pattern, an M3 with a good feeling 2.3-liter engine could probably fetch around $83,000.
