E3's for Sale in the USA (edited title 20250917)

I'm a little prejudiced but it is a shame that US E3s are not treated as the milestone cars they are. They put BMW on the map in the US...at least as far as sport sedans go. It's a different story in Europe (especially in Germany) where they are loved. Unfortunately E3s here are treated much like this car. There are no redeeming qualities to this "restoration". The market is the market, however. Perhaps there just weren't enough of them imported for enough "car guys" to remember them as something special?
 
Chris: I thought your comments were polite, given the situation. However, the seller's replies were of the "oh yea, no big deal" nature.

I like this comment from BaT participant brucerudin: "Who paints a car like that? Reminds me of a $159 Earl Scheib paint job. That might have been an appealing car before it was painted. Really did the car a disservice."

The car's description also does the auction a disservice. Statements like: "The 3.0-liter M30B30 inline-six .... features dual Zenith carburetors", when the photo clearly shows a single carburetor, indicate that the seller knows little about the car.
 
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Dick, I am in full bore agreement with you about our unappreciated E3s. When I took my first Bavaria, for my first drive in 1983 on some challenging twistes I thought I was in a two seater sports car. Nimble, quick, and so much fun in the turns. The most beautiful sedan BMW would ever build. The source of the E3s lack of popularity may lie in the most beautiful sports coupe ever built, the E9. All of us on this board and thousands and thousands of others have desired, no lusted for a coupe since the first time we saw one. At least that is my history. And so the E3 takes a back seat(with a full sized one) to the E9.

But I must say, once again, the Bavaria is a Coupe in all respects except for the two extra doors and brilliant design. The Bavaria weighs no more than 140 pounds than a Coupe. It has the same engine, transmission, suspension as a Coupe. Actually, later Bavarias had a more sophisticated rear suspension. And it doubles nicely as a family sedan in disguise. And for those of us who must have a modern air conditioning system the Bavaria has outboard ducts, something the Coupes lack. The only thing the Bavaria lacks is the wonderful wing windows found in so many other period BMWs.
 
Steve, all e3 have the same rear suspension. The only difference was sway bars. They could 16, 18 or 20. And some only had a front bar.

Owning both an e3 and e9 both with 14” wheels and Bilsteins I can say the e9 feels more planted probably because you sit lower.

Concerning weight everyone says the e3 weighs slightly less but it is hard to compare, do they have PS, A/C, manual or auto trans, big bumpers, did the road test have a full tank of gas, did it include driver? I think they are within 75 pounds of each other. And of course I love both!
 
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Thanks for the clarification Chris. My '72 bavaria is at the top of the scale. PS, A/C, automatic transmission, and a large American driver usually with a full tank, the car not the driver. And the 1992 B35 motor might add a few pounds.
 
I will always remember an article that appeared in the The Roundel magazine in the late 80s or early 90’s called:
“Too Bad it’s a Bav”. To the best of my recollection, the gist of the article was a Roundel contributor had found a really nice inexpensive Bavaria in California that as be began to drive it, it started to have issues that were basically deferred maintenance that was neglected by previous ownership. It ended up costing him a lot more than he paid for the car and that his money would have better spent on something more valuable like an e9 because there was little interest in e3s at the time. Thus the lament: “Too Bad it’s a Bav.”

I’ve searched the inter webs but have not been able to find the article. I did see it on the old Seniorsix.org website but that website is no more. E3s are great cars and really nice ones can be had for half of what a comparable coupe costs. I’ve owned 3 e3s and enjoyed them all, but I still prefer the looks and feel of an e9.

Regarding the Bav on BaT, 71 comments (and counting) and only 2 bids in 2 days. I give the seller credit for being responsive and courteous but his answers do not instill confidence. He should not have painted the car and listed it as project. I’d like to think it would get a better result. Then again it’s shiny so someone will over bid, they already have.
 
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rblongboarder said:
Ah, the internet time machine... Here's your article:
Click to expand...
There seems to have been more to that article, but I couldn't find it. I did dig up what I think is a follow up to it.


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Screenshot 2026-01-11 at 7.10.50 AM.png
 
jmackro said:
Chris: I thought your comments were polite, given the situation. However, the seller's replies were of the "oh yea, no big deal" nature.

I like this comment from BaT participant brucerudin: "Who paints a car like that? Reminds me of a $159 Earl Scheib paint job. That might have been an appealing car before it was painted. Really did the car a disservice."

The car's description also does the auction a disservice. Statements like: "The 3.0-liter M30B30 inline-six .... features dual Zenith carburetors", when the photo clearly shows a single carburetor, indicate that the seller knows little about the car.
Click to expand...
I think this was probably the result of a BaT copywriter who knew (because research) that they came with dual Zemiths, but did not know enough about the cars to notice that this one didn’t have one. And the seller didn’t know enough to correct them.

Anyway, a 2800 just appeared there, too:

bringatrailer.com

No Reserve: 1970 BMW 2800

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1970 BMW 2800 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #226,948.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com

Also with an incorrect carb description!
 
JMinPDX said:
All of sudden the Manila/Sahara car appears to be the lesser of two BaT evils.
Click to expand...
I do feel sorry for this seller. He has put a ton of money into the car at full retail ($90 spark plugs?). Adding insult to injury, the videos show the oil pressure light is full on with the engine running, and it is blowing lots more steam out the exhaust than just some condensation in the exhaust system. I would guess he just wants out at this point. I would too.
 
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