BMW 318i (E30)
1982–1991
Lowest price
US$8,000
Since 2020
Median price
US$15,250
Since 2020 · n=9
Highest price
US$37,500
Since 2020
Sold cars
9
All time
Sell-through
100%
Of 9 lots

Based on 9 verified auction results
US$15,250
Market value · recent verified sales
+20.1%
12-month change
Hold or Wait
Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.
Median sold price up 20.1% over the last 12 months. Hold if owned; chasing the trend at peak carries risk.
MSRP
—
Collectibility
5/10
Collectible
3-Year Forecast
US$15,250
+0%
5-Year Forecast
US$15,250
+0%
Market scores
43
Desirability
Thin
30
Liquidity
Excellent
85
Resale Outlook
Option premiums
What every option is worth.
Limited-slip diff
+US$5,500+36%3 with · 17 without · low confidence
Built ≤ 1990
−US$1,914-13%9 with · 9 without · high 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 has appreciated 20 percent year-over-year to a median of $15,250, a meaningful gain for a car classified as a stable modern classic. The signal remains HOLD, reflecting consolidation after recent appreciation rather than momentum toward further near-term gains.
Transaction volume is thin, with nine total sales tracked and eight sales in the trailing twelve months. This limited sample size constrains confidence in trend extrapolation and suggests that individual deals can influence the median more than would be typical for liquid segments. Buyers and sellers should expect variability in market conditions across different regions and timing.
The typical 318i E30 transacting today carries approximately 91,100 miles, positioning most examples in the middle years of their service life. Condition variance is material at this mileage range, and maintenance history carries outsized weight in valuation.
Base projections for both the three- and five-year horizon hold the current median flat, indicating the market sees limited tailwinds or headwinds from present levels. The model occupies a modest but genuine collectible tier, driven by its role as an accessible entry point into classic BMW ownership and continued enthusiasm for E30-generation engineering and design.
Depreciation Benchmark
- Current avg valueUS$15,250
- Annual appr. rate+20.1%/yr
Vehicle History Signals
- Auction lots tracked20
- Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
- No damage declared20 (100.0%)
Est. Annual Ownership Costs
- Insurance (agreed value)US$600
- MaintenanceUS$1,210
- StorageUS$3,220
- Depreciation— (appreciating)
- Total annual costUS$5,030
Market Liquidity
- Active Listings0
- Sales Last 12 Months9
- Sell-Through100%
Market Snapshot
- Active Listings0
- Avg Sale PriceUS$17,184
- Avg Mileage at Sale91,100 mi
- Recent Price RangeUS$8,000 – US$37,500
- Total Sales Tracked9
Recent sales
Showing latest 9US$15,250
Bring a Trailer · 4 Aug 2026
5-speed manual
US$20,750
Bring a Trailer · 8 Jul 2026
Alpine White · manual
US$9,200
cars-and-bids · 26 May 2026
107,100 mi
Manual
US$8,000
Bring a Trailer · 21 May 2026
Laguna Green · manual
US$20,000
cars-and-bids · 15 May 2026
131,200 mi
Granite Silver Metallic · manual
US$8,700
Bring a Trailer · 12 May 2026
Alpine White · manual
US$37,500
Bring a Trailer · 3 May 2026
35,000 mi
Manual
US$24,759
Bring a Trailer · 29 Apr 2026
5-speed manual
US$10,500
Bring a Trailer · 23 Apr 2026
Cashmere Beige Metallic · manual
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.