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United Kingdom market

BMW 318i (E30)

1982–1991

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  • Lowest price

    £3,258

    Since 2020

  • Median price

    £12,375

    Since 2020 · n=8

  • Highest price

    £32,500

    Since 2020

  • Sold cars

    8

    All time

  • Sell-through

    100%

    Of 8 lots

BMW 318i

Based on 8 verified auction results

HOLDAppreciatingmedium confidence

£13,625

Market value · recent verified sales

+11.2%

12-month change

Hold or Wait

Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.

Median sold price up 11.2% over the last 12 months. Hold if owned; chasing the trend at peak carries risk.

MSRP

—

Collectibility

5/10

Collectible

3-Year Forecast

£17,467

+28%

5-Year Forecast

£18,944

+39%

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Market scores

36

Desirability

Thin

30

Liquidity

Good

70

Resale Outlook

How many remain

See how many BMW 318i remain on UK roads · 2025 Q4.

Licensed

176

Cars

SORN

754

Cars

Sourced from DVLA registration data via howmanyleft.co.uk. SORN = Statutory Off-Road Notification (registered but off-road).

Option premiums

What every option is worth.

  • Limited-slip diff

    +£4,463+36%

    3 with · 21 without · low confidence

Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Sales are pooled across markets on a relative-price basis, so exchange rates and market levels can't skew the split. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.

Marque analyst note

The BMW 318i E30 sits at a median of £13,625 in the UK market, having gained 11.2 percent over the past year—a modest but steady appreciation signal in a segment often prone to volatility. The HOLD recommendation reflects a car still accumulating value, though without the urgency of stronger performers.

Liquidity remains thin, with only four sales tracked over the past twelve months and eight total on record. This scarcity of transaction data means both buyers and sellers should expect extended search times and wider pricing variance; the current absence of active listings underscores the challenge in sourcing these cars at any given moment.

The E30 318i occupies the stable modern classic category, carrying a collectibility score of 5 and classified as collectible, yet desirability registers as low. This paradox reflects the car's solid restoration potential and period significance, offset by the model's high production volume and modest performance credentials that limit appeal to serious enthusiasts.

Average mileage on transacted examples sits at 33,400 miles, suggesting most surviving cars remain relatively well-preserved or are being actively maintained—a positive indicator for condition consistency across the market.

Base projections indicate a climb to £17,467 within three years and £18,944 by year five, representing appreciation of 28.2 and 39.0 percent respectively. These gains assume continued market recognition of the E30's role in BMW history and steady demand from restorers and period-car purists, though the thin liquidity means upside will come gradually rather than through sharp jumps.

Depreciation Benchmark

  • Current avg value£13,625
  • Annual appr. rate+11.2%/yr

UK Park (DVLA)

  • Still licensed176
  • SORN'd (off-road)754
  • Total in DVLA records930
  • All BMW 318is1,206
DVLA quarterly data, last updated 2025 Q4. Licensed = currently taxed and on the road. SORN = registered as off-road (storage, restoration).

Vehicle History Signals

  • Auction lots tracked29
  • Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
  • No damage declared29 (100.0%)
No damage or salvage declarations found in the titles and descriptions of the auction lots we track for this model. That's a good sign, not a guarantee — always commission a professional inspection and history check before buying.

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)£450
  • Maintenance£900
  • Storage£2,400
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual cost£3,750
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

For sale now · 1 live

All live deals

Market Liquidity

  • Active Listings0
  • Sales Last 12 Months4
  • Sell-Through50%

Market Snapshot

  • Active Listings0
  • Avg Sale Price£15,064
  • Avg Mileage at Sale33,400 mi
  • Recent Price Range£3,258 – £32,500
  • Total Sales Tracked8

Recent sales

Showing latest 8
  • £32,500

    Collecting Cars · 9 Aug 2026

  • £8,000

    Collecting Cars · 13 Mar 2026

  • £14,750

    Collecting Cars · 19 Nov 2025

  • £12,500

    Collecting Cars · 26 Oct 2025

  • £27,750

    Collecting Cars · 3 Oct 2025

  • £9,500

    Collecting Cars · 19 Jun 2025

  • £12,250

    Collecting Cars · 28 Mar 2025

  • £3,258

    Collecting Cars · 22 Sept 2024

Common questions

What is a BMW 318i (E30) worth in 2026?

The current United Kingdom market median is £13,625, based on 4 verified auction sales. Recent sales ranged from £3,258 to £32,500.

Is the BMW 318i (E30) going up in value?

Over the last 12 months its United Kingdom median moved +11.2%. Past movement is not a guarantee of future value.

How many BMW 318i (E30)s are for sale right now?

We track 1 live auction listing for this model right now — each priced against the market median on this page.

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.