Classic BMW Cars for Sale
49 listings
Buy & Sell BMW Classics. New listings added daily.
BMW has been building the "Ultimate Driving Machine" since 1916. Classic BMWs — from the charming 2002 to the elegant E9 coupes — are known for their engaging driving dynamics and timeless design.
49
listings found
United States
1994 BMW 850CSI
$119,995
United States
1990 BMW 325i
$12,995
United States
1985 BMW 528e
$12,485
United States
1958 BMW Isetta
$27,900
$32,900
United States
1988 BMW 325i
$14,495
United States
1996 BMW Z3
$10,995
United States
1989 BMW 325i
$15,800
United States
1989 BMW 325i
$7,495
United States
1987 BMW 325i
$10,495
United States
1974 BMW 2002
$39,995
United States
1996 BMW 328ic
$13,995
United States
1987 BMW 325i
$5,495
United States
1988 BMW Alpina
$39,795
United States
1957 BMW Isetta
$29,995
United States
1991 BMW 3 Series
$21,995
$215,995
United States
1985 BMW 5 Series
$11,995
United States
1987 BMW 3 Series
$14,995
United States
1987 BMW 5 Series
$11,495
United States
1996 BMW Z3
$10,495
United States
1958 BMW Isetta
$33,895
United States
1991 BMW 3 Series
$15,495
United States
1995 BMW 3 Series
$10,595
Frequently Asked Questions about Classic BMW
BMW dates its founding to March 7, 1916, when the aircraft maker Bayerische Flugzeugwerke was established in Bavaria, Germany. The BMW name first appeared in 1917, when the aircraft engine builder Rapp Motorenwerke was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke. In 1922 that company transferred its name and engine business to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, which is why the older firm's date became the official one. The headquarters and main plant are in Munich.
BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, German for Bavarian Motor Works. The round badge dates from 1917 and kept the circular shape of the earlier Rapp Motorenwerke emblem, filled with the blue and white of Bavaria, the company's home state. The belief that it shows a spinning aircraft propeller came later, from a 1929 BMW advertisement that showed the emblem on the propeller of an airplane.
The first BMW car was the BMW 3/15, a small car based on the British Austin Seven and built under license. BMW entered car production in 1928 by taking over Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which had been selling the design as the Dixi 3/15. BMW-badged versions followed in 1929. BMW's first in-house design replaced the licensed model in 1932.
BMW is a publicly traded company whose largest shareholders are members of the Quandt family. On December 9, 1959, with BMW in financial trouble, small shareholders at the annual general meeting blocked a takeover by Daimler-Benz, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars. Herbert Quandt then increased his stake and the company recovered. His children Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten together hold roughly half of the stock.
The BMW Isetta was a single-cylinder microcar that BMW built from 1955 to 1962 under license from the Italian company Iso, which had introduced the original design in 1953. The whole front of the body was one door, and the steering wheel swung outward with it so the driver could step in. BMW built 161,728 of them.
BMW introduced the 3 Series in 1975 as the successor to the 02 Series, the line that included the 2002. BMW built the first generation, known by its internal code E21, only as a two-door sedan, and 1,364,039 were made through 1983. The second generation, the E30, arrived in 1982 and stayed in production until 1994. It added the first four-door 3 Series, a factory convertible, a wagon and the first M3.
The "e" in 325e and 528e stands for eta, the Greek letter used as the symbol for efficiency. These models used a 2.7-liter version of BMW's M20 inline-six that was tuned for fuel economy and strong torque at low engine speeds instead of high-rev power. The 528e was the North American name for the car sold in Europe as the 525e, and the same engine also went into the E30 325e.
It depends on the engine. Six-cylinder BMW E30 models such as the 325e and 325i use the M20 engine, whose camshaft is driven by a timing belt, while the older M10 four-cylinder uses a chain. Goodwood's buyer's guide advises looking for evidence of regular belt changes on the six, and Classic & Sports Car says it is best to replace the water pump at the same time.
The 49 BMW listings on Classic Cars Arena right now are priced from $5,495 to $119,995, with a median asking price of $15,495. These are the prices sellers are asking today, not sale prices, and the figures change as cars are listed and sold.
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Classic BMW: The Ultimate Driving Machine
Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), founded in 1916, evolved from an aircraft engine manufacturer into one of the world's premier automotive brands. Classic BMWs are celebrated for their balanced chassis, responsive engines, and driver-focused engineering philosophy.
Most Popular Classic BMW Models
The 2002 (and 2002tii turbo) is the car that launched BMW's sporty reputation in America. The E9 coupes (2800CS, 3.0CS, 3.0CSL) are strikingly beautiful grand tourers. The E30 3 Series and M3 defined the sport sedan segment, while the Isetta microcar offers quirky charm. The E24 6 Series and early E28 M5 represent BMW's commitment to performance luxury.