E30 M3 Dreams and Cars We've Missed

About this episode

The episode discusses nostalgic cars, automotive projects, and notable vehicles in a conversational format.

This week, Alex talks with Beck and Zac about a formative pair of BMWs in Zac's neighborhood growing up; a snowballed BMW project threatening to be come a full avalanche; a very quick turnaround; a curious Bay Area car-buying ploy; Alex's odd but steadfast list of cheap childhood cars he'd buy if only he could find them; (misplaced?) nostalgia for late-1980s Ford performance cars and keyless entry code buttons; and attainable transaxle Porsches. The team goes on to describe a brief history of the Toyota celebrity support race at the Long Beach Grand Prix; impressive feats from a 190E 2.3 16-valve; Gene Hackman's side gig; Tommy Kendall, an all-around decent guy; a good color change; an interesting museum collection sale; and current watchlist favorites punctuated with Porsche whale-tale nerdiness and shame. Mentioned in this episode: 1:30 S52-Powered 1988 BMW M3 6:25 Pristine 69k-Mile 1990 BMW M3 15:16 4,700-Mile 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 15:52 19k-Mile 1989 Ford Taurus SHO 17:42 37k-Mile 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde 17:56 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde 21:24 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Coupes on BaT 24:11 2000-2006 Toyota Celicas on BaT 30:57 Mini R53 Cooper S…

People in this episode

Host: Alex

Guests: Beck, Zac

Topics covered

• BMW history
• car nostalgia
• automotive projects
• celebrity car events
• Porsche discussion
• car buying strategies

Keywords

• E30 M3
• BMW
• Ford performance cars
• Porsche
• car buying
• Long Beach Grand Prix
• automotive history

Mentioned in this episode

Products: BMW M3, BMW, Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Ford Taurus SHO, Alfa Romeo Milano Verde, Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Coupes, Toyota Celicas, Chevrolet Corvette Challenge Race Car

Books & works: The Gilmore Car Museum Collection

More episodes of Bring a Trailer Podcast

• 172 Rob Fisher of the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance · June 11, 2026 · 1h 1m
• 171 Cunningham Tears, Heavy Breathing, and Box Flares · June 4, 2026 · 47 min
• An American at Monza, a Collection of Collections, and Wicked Snails · May 21, 2026 · 59 min
• 169 Genuine Certified Predetermined Collectibles, Theoretical Rallies · May 14, 2026 · 55 min
• Scramble! Cal Mille! Unlikely Chop Tops! · May 7, 2026 · 50 min
• "Is it Real?" · April 30, 2026 · 50 min