1992 BMW 850i 6-Speed

The E31 8-Series is a classic in the making. It was an entirely new car at the time of its debut, quite unlike any other BMW that came before it, and it wasn't immediately followed up with a successor. It stood alone, isolated and practically unrivaled in the 1990s. In fact, the V12 6-speed iterations like this one, besides being extremely rare on an E31, are extremely unusual in any car except for a vintage Ferrari.

The styling by Klaus Kapitza working under Claus Luthe is nothing less than brilliant. It's the ultimate expression of 'the ultimate driving machine', encompassing the shark nose of their past with a bold look to the future. I particularly love the big rear lights that taper to the slim turn indicators up front, it's a cool flow. Laguna Green is a color that will no doubt be looked back upon the same way 70s pea green is - that stereotypical shade of an era, but it's certainly vibrant and looks okay in certain lightning.

The interior is one of BMW's best, and is a revelation today as their current design department throws nearly 50 years of functional, understated design out the window in favor of potpourri-esque over-design. The speedometer overlapping with the tach is a neat touch. Pixels sometimes fade in the digital readouts but it is fixable. Black or grey are preferred but the tan color scheme is fine. I would consider sourcing BMW's non-airbag three-spoke wheel in place of the bloated unit here, because if any BMW deserves that wheel it's this one.

For a while, buyers had just once engine choice in the E31: the M70B50 5.0-liter V12 that pumped out 295 horsepower to the rear wheels. Now that sounds decent on paper, but the problem is that it had to haul over 4,000 lbs. of vehicle, so it wasn't as quick as you'd think, and it was horribly fuel thirsty. On top of that, depending on which owner you asked, it was either an expensive engine to maintain, or an expensive nightmare of an engine to maintain. In 1993 it was supplemented by a V8, but even that had its own set of problems.

Still, if there's an E31 to own, the V12 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission is among the most desirable.

The key things to inquire about on all E31 are maintenance history and accident damage, both of which are pretty easy to find out about. The seller says this one has just 59k miles on the clock and is in excellent condition.

Only around 7,000 E31 ever made it to the US, and much less with the V12-6-speed combo. This one seems clean, but warrants further investigation.

Available here on craigslist for $24,950.

1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 5-Speed

The Mercedes-Benz 190 (chassis code W201) is one of my favorite cars of all time, and easily one of the best, if not the best sedan Mercedes-Benz has ever produced.

The W201 was launched as an all-new small class of car in 1982 (interestingly, the same year as BMW's similar E30). Some aspects were classic Mercedes-Benz: four doors, rear-wheel drive, radiator-grille, three-pointed star on the hood. Other aspects were totally new, including the compact size, sleek aerodynamic body, utilitarian unpainted bumpers, and a new range of efficient gas and diesel engines. It was a bold new statement for the decade.

It says a lot that the sharp, slab-sided styling is the designer Bruno Sacco's favorite work ever. I remember reading he especially loved the way the side lines meld into the rear tail trunk, likening it to the bevels of a diamond. You, Mr. Sacco, were truly a diamond of a designer yourself. He took all the styling cues previous Mercedes designers of the 60s and 70s had employed and cut, chiseled and refined them down into one definitive statement that summed up the whole brand. It's also an important stepping stone as it paved the way for the look of the 1986 W124.

Interestingly, the 'baby benz' never really took off. It was popular in Europe, but buyers in the US who could afford a Mercedes in the first place sprung for the larger W124 and W126. That's a shame, because the W201 offered remarkable thrift without any sacrifices.

As such, they aren't too many left but they do pop up. What you don't see anymore are low mileage survivors. Fortunately, these cars are from the golden era of Mercedes-Benz, when their products peaked in terms quality, durability and reliability, so high mileage that would be avoided on other used cars is normal and in some aspects even desirable. These cars are what the term "bank vault-like" was originally associated with.

This particular example has racked up 188,000, which isn't that high given the year. The seller is a dealer or collected and say they acquired it from the original owner. Everything seems to be original except an aftermarket radio, but even the original radio is included.

It's the 2.3 version, so it has a 4-cylinder engine. Lucky for enthusiasts, it's mated to a rare 5-speed transmission. This should transform the car from a capable cruiser into a fun little sports sedan, while just sipping gas (what looks like the original window sticker shows a respectable 23 mpg rating). The economy-enjoyment levels aren't easily found in today's entry level sedan market and definitely not under $20k.

The seller says the oil and filter were changed along with the air cleaner and rear shocks. It seems ready to go. The only other areas of concern would be the clutch, electronics, and body rust. I'd also ask for maintenance records, which, if it was just one previous owner who took care of it, should be available.

If it all checks out, this is a sweet commuter car. Since the mileage isn't anywhere near low, this thing deserves to be driven until it dies. Which might be a long time.

Available here on craigslist for $3,500.

COTC Exclusive: 1981 BMW 733i Manual

This beautiful copper BMW is coming out of storage for the first time in months and offered for sale by the original owner. Now it's your chance to treat yourself.

Imagine just landing your first big job. What do you do to celebrate?

The seller of this vehicle bought it for himself at Mid County BMW in Tenafly, New Jersey to mark an exciting new chapter in his career back in 1981. The fact that he chose a BMW and has kept it this long says a lot about the superior quality and charm of this modern classic.

The E23 chassis was produced from 1977 to 1987. It is notable for being the first generation of BMW 7-series, and was their flagship vehicle. Powered by a range of 6-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive, these were as sporty as they were luxurious and comfortable.

The styling is courtesy of a Frenchman named Paul Bracq and is nothing short of iconic. Although he only designed a couple of vehicles for BMW, his vision both built on the past and looked boldly to the future for the brand. The E23 7-series is riveting. The forward-leaning "shark" nose is instantly menacing, and the combination of quad-round headlights and narrow twin slot BMW grille give the front a a semi-human, semi-robot look, mimicking eyes and nostrils that are perceptually flared and alert. The whole shape of the car is easy on the eyes. In person it's actually smaller than you'd think, about the size of today's 5-series, and with careful use of sheet-metal it gives off a lean, frugal look. In fact, early 7-series didn't even come with passenger side mirrors. The seller added a mirror from a later model car for better visibility.

Only the 733i, 735i and L7 were offered in North America during the model's lifespan. The 733i featured a 3.2-litre inline 6-cylinder engine.

The E23 had numerous advanced features and conveniences for the time, like a light panel that monitored all vital systems and could be "tested" with the push of a button to check for any faults, along with a service interval indicator, on-board computer and climate control. These things can still be appreciated by today's driver.

This '81 733i survivor is blessed with a clean and straight body. The most striking aspect of the exterior is the condition of the paint, a raspberry-orange color that just pops out in sunlight. The seller repainted the car in its original color in 1997. It's still deep, glossy and nearly flawless. There is no visible rust on the exterior, and only some bubbling on the bottom of the passenger side rear pillar.

All panels line up seamlessly. There are no dings, dents or even any major scratches on the paint. The car seems to have never been in an accident.

The seller rebuilt the engine in 1995. The odometer currently reads 185,097. This car was driven regularly all its life before being put into storage 5 months ago.

Mechanically, it starts, runs, shifts and drives fine. The engine doesn't put out a lot of horsepower by today's standards but has a lot of low end gusto. What really makes the driving experience special is the rare manual transmission this car has. Since American drivers preferred automatic transmissions, especially on larger sedans, most 7-series were shipped with automatics. The combination of torquey engine, stick shift and rear-wheel drive can still make this vehicle a sprightly performer.

The interior is in remarkably good condition considering the age and miles. The seller replaced the driver's seat with the original leather. There is usual wear from normal usage, but the build quality and craftsmanship still shines through. BMW interiors of the '70s and '80s were some of the best out there and have stood the test of time. They were specifically designed to be as functional as possible. Not surprisingly, usefulness also led to good aesthetics. Every switch, dial and button is perfectly sculpted to be pleasing to the touch, work well and look good. The large steering wheel has a funky ellipsoid center. The instrument cluster houses three crystal clear analogue gauges of white numerals over black dials. The center console is angled towards the driver for ease of reach and vision. The wood is real wood. It's these kinds of things that make you realize why this brand commands so much respect. Sitting inside it is like being a member of a club. The interior actually has this wonderful musky scent of vintage leather and plastics.

BMW built over 280,000 E23 7-series, but a good number have succumbed to rust and been junked. You rarely seem them on the roads anymore. Examples that are still driven have usually have had multiple owners and dubious history. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a one-owner 733i in very good condition and with a rare manual transmission. This car was one of the best cars money could buy in its day. Times may have changed, but it's still a good car for what will be a fraction of the original sticker price. Just as the car was originally bought in celebration, it's waiting to be enjoyed by the next owner in the same way.

The vehicle has been stored at and is currently located in Seekonk, Massachusettes at Seekonk Car Storage.

The seller is asking $5,400 and is open to offers.

Click here to submit an email inquiry if you are interested in purchasing this vehicle.

60 Miles Per Gallon: 1999 Volkswagen Polo Wagon SDI

This car has a lot going for it.

It was never sold in the U.S., has relatively low miles and gets terrific gas mileage according to the seller.

It's a '99 Volkswagen Polo Wagon SDI.

SDI stood for Suction Diesel Injection (versus today's TDI - Turbocharged Direct Injection) and was Volkswagen's trademark range of diesel engines. They are legendary, revered and admired by consumers for their durability, frugality and longevity.

The Polo nameplate was never sold here in the U.S. Like a lot of European automakers, Volkswagen made dozens of cars that were never offered in the U.S., including the Polo. It was to our detriment. The Polo was a subcompact and supermini range of vehicles that were just as good as the Golf and Jetta we got here.

This is a Mark III Polo, which was produced from 1994 to 1999. It features Volkswagen's typical conservative and simplistic styling, which has aged very well and is now refreshing and almost classic given how awry car design has gone today.

How did this get in the United States then?

The seller explains it was owned by the U.S. government for use at an Air Force base in Greenland, and was then imported here. It was then purchased by the previous owner at a U.S. Surplus auction. It is now in the hands of a dealer. The dealer/seller says it is fully legal and has all EPA and DOT documents. They say it came with an Ohio title, which is a good sign, because an established title should be transferable to any state.

A similar vehicle and story was also on ebay a month or two ago. It was a Opel diesel wagon that the government used in Greenland that eventually made its way here and was acquired at a surplus sale. One of my favorite car blogs, Just A Car Geek, spotlighted the vehicle here.

This is also the same seller that advertised a Volvo I spotlighted back here. They are based in Staten Island, New York and seem have unusual and low mileage European cars. I like their listings too because they give a lot of information and have a ton of high-resolution photos. If only every seller could be as thorough.

However this car came to be here, it's a pretty cool item. Since the U.S. government exempts itself from its own laws and can apparently import cars newer than 25 years old (resident citizens can only import cars 25 years and older), this could very well be 1 of 1 in the U.S., increasing the novelty factor and overall value.

On top of that, you are treated to extreme frugality and practicality, assets in a vehicle anytime, but especially in a chaotic era like now. The seller says the 1.9-litre SDI engine will get you at least 60mpg, which is a pretty big claim. Combined with the 5-speed manual transmission and bare-bones package, I believe it. The car has manual windows, manual door locks, cloth seats and a tape player. It's a small metal and plastic bucket. In your face, Prius! It's truly remarkable how many of yesterday's cars already solved the fuel-efficiency problem, without being pretentious, overpriced and counter-intuitive.

With only 32,742 on the odometer, this thing is just getting broken in, especially for a diesel engine, which typically see 300,000-400,000 miles before a rebuild. 

Find it here on ebay with a buy it now price of $11,400. Not a bargain, but not outrageous either, and perhaps it's negotiable. Let me put it this way: there are no other new diesel wagons for sale at that price. The closest vehicle would be a 2012 Jetta Sportwagen TDI which starts at $25,540. For less than half that price, you get an arguably better car that gets better gas mileage.