1973 BMW Bavaria

4dr Sedan

6-cyl. 2985cc/170hp 2x2bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$19,900*

-7.4%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph01/2404/2407/24$5k$10k$15k$20kOct 2024
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1968-1977 BMW Bavaria stats
Highest sale
$290,000
Lowest sale
$1,501
Most recent sale
$19,687
Sales
100

Photos

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BMW Bavarin Sedan
insurance

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**Figure based on a stock 1973 BMW Bavaria valued at $19,900 with OH rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Actual costs vary depending on the coverage selected, vehicle condition, state and other factors. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance.

Model overview

Model description

The 1600 and 2002 were flying out of showrooms by 1968 and BMW set its sights on the upper end of the market. The source of inspiration came once again from von Falkenhausen, who added two more cylinders to the 2002’s SOHC four-cylinder engine for a silky smooth, twin carburetor six-cylinder.

The result was two models, the 170 bhp 2500, and the 192 bhp 2800. The engine was canted over 30 degrees to fit under the elegant sedan’s low hood, and both engines used a seven-main bearing crank. The two engines were notable for having trispherical turbulence bowl combustion chambers which were so efficient that they eliminated the need for air pumps or exhaust gas recirculators.

The 2500 and 2800 had McPherson struts up front, but angled back for a better ride and improved anti-dive capability. The rear featured the same trailing arm independent suspension as the 2002, again better angled for an improved ride. The sedans were sold in two levels of trim in Europe, with the 2500 as a base model and the 2800 loaded with options, including Boge Nivomat self-leveling suspension. Both models had dual circuit disc brakes all round and a nifty toolkit in the trunk lid.

Importer Max Hoffman decided that price was an important factor (he’d been right with the bare-bones Porsche Speedster in the 1950s) and so the Bavaria sedan was introduced in 1971. It was essentially the 2800 without a lot of its fancy features and a base price of $4,987. Not many people wanted a base car, however, and by the time most were out the door with air-conditioning, power steering, tinted glass and a nice Blaupunkt stero, the prices was over $6,000. The later 3-liter model got fuel injection and power rose to 200 bhp.

BMW had carved a sizeable niche out of the Mercedes-Benz market by 1977, with 222,001 examples of the 2500 and 2800 models delivered, and the model had also spun off the superb 2800CS and 3.0CS coupes, which remain classics. The Bavaria sedan evolved into the 3.0 sedan in 1975 and was replaced by the even bigger 733i in 1977.

Aside from being somewhat finicky mechanically, rust was the Bavaria’s biggest enemy and rear shock tower integrity is critical. Significant rust there can be terminal. A side note of some interest is that the “Bavaria” name was never used for the 2500 and 2800 sedans in Europe, but Germans were so proud of it that many US-model Bavaria badges were fitted to cars over there.

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Common Questions

The value of a 1973 BMW Bavaria can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $19,900 for a 1973 BMW Bavaria in good condition with average spec.

The highest selling price of a 1973 BMW Bavaria at auction over the last three years was $64,147. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.

The lowest selling price of a 1973 BMW Bavaria at auction over the last three years was $26,775. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.

In the last three years there have been 2 1973 BMW Bavarias sold at public auction.

The most recent auction sale of a 1973 BMW Bavaria was $26,775 on September 27, 2022 by Bring a Trailer.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. The Hagerty Price Guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial advice. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.com/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, ©2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc.

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