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United States market

BMW 318i (E30)

1982–1991

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  • 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

BMW 318i

Based on 9 verified auction results

HOLDAppreciatingmedium confidence

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%)
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)US$600
  • MaintenanceUS$1,210
  • StorageUS$3,220
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual costUS$5,030
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

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 9
  • US$15,250

    Bring a Trailer · 4 Aug 2026

  • US$20,750

    Bring a Trailer · 8 Jul 2026

  • US$9,200

    cars-and-bids · 26 May 2026

  • US$8,000

    Bring a Trailer · 21 May 2026

  • US$20,000

    cars-and-bids · 15 May 2026

  • US$8,700

    Bring a Trailer · 12 May 2026

  • US$37,500

    Bring a Trailer · 3 May 2026

  • US$24,759

    Bring a Trailer · 29 Apr 2026

  • US$10,500

    Bring a Trailer · 23 Apr 2026

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