Alpine White over tan with Euro bumpers, an Alpina front valance, and 15-inch replica Alpina wheels is a coherent look rather than a parts-bin one. Bidding on Cars and Bids stands at $2,100 with six days left. The seller is representing the car for its owner, who bought it in March 2023.
Cars & Bids
What it’s worth right now
Auction history for swapped E30 coupes gives a usable band, with results including an S50-swapped 1989 325is at $14,200, an M52-swapped car at $10,900, and a clean unmodified 1990 at $17,350. Classic.com records a $55,000 high for a 1987 325is and a $2,626 low.
Better-known swaps have gone higher, with two hot-rod E30s bidding to $28,000 last year before one sold at $29,500. Fair value lands at $14,000 to $20,000, with $16,500 the most likely close.
Cars & Bids
Condition and details
The mileage is the crux and it cannot be resolved. A possible rollback logged in March 2010 means the 133,600 figure describes the odometer rather than the car, and 16 years have passed since. That matters less on a swapped E30 than on an original car, since the engine and gearbox came from elsewhere anyway, though the shell and everything untouched still carry unknown history.
Cars & Bids
The build reads as thoughtful. Reinforced subframes address the known weak point on a torquier E30, the suspension runs to E30 M3 aluminum control arms, adjustable Ireland Engineering and Condor pieces, and Powerflex bushings, and the differential came from a Z3 M Roadster. The BAR sticker and smog pass make a swap like this saleable in California.
Cars & Bids
Smaller items add up. Disclosed flaws cover a quarter panel scratch, a rocker ding, a sunroof panel that does not match the body, and a loose rear headliner, and the hood, fenders, and doors were repainted. One key comes with the car, and no service documentation is provided beyond glass work.
Cars & Bids
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | BMW |
| Model | 325is Coupe |
| Year | 1987 |
| Mileage | 133,600 miles shown, true mileage unknown |
| Engine | S50 3.0-liter inline-six from an E36 M3 |
| Power | 240 horsepower and 225 lb-ft in stock form, with no dyno sheet |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Alpine White |
| Interior color | Tan |
| Current bid | $2,100 |
Interested in this BMW 325is? View the listing here.
What makes the 325is unique
The 325is was positioned as the affordable alternative to the E30 M3, with the M20B25 inline-six, a sport suspension, sport seats, and a limited-slip differential in coupe form only. It sold in numbers the M3 never approached, which is why so many became the basis for something else.
Cars & Bids
Swapping in an S50 is the classic move. The E36 M3 engine makes far more power than the M20 while fitting a lighter chassis, and the conversion is thoroughly documented. Values follow execution rather than originality, and cars with supporting chassis work reach higher than engine-only conversions.
My take
Fair value sits at $14,000 to $20,000, with $16,500 the most likely result, and the crux is a mileage figure nobody can verify on a car whose value rests on build quality. The engineering is the good news, with subframe reinforcement, uprated arms and bushings, a Z3 M differential, and California emissions compliance sorted. Against that sit the rollback note, one key, no service records, and repainted panels. Get it inspected, and $16,500 is fair money.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog