Tyler, The Creator has a thing for boxy shapes. It shows in his clothes, his furniture, and most definitely in his driveway. While other rappers were busy leasing the newest Aventador just to look the part, Tyler was out there hunting for a specific kind of vintage soul. That soul usually comes with a Roundel badge and a chassis code known as the E30.
The Tyler the Creator BMW E30 isn’t just a car he happened to buy; it's a centerpiece of his aesthetic. Most people know him for the pastel Golf Wang world, but if you look at the "Bimmer" music video or catch him at a random LA meet, you’ll see that his love for 80s German engineering is deep. It’s not about the flex. It’s about how the car feels when you’re actually driving it.
The Famous Cream M3
If you’ve seen a weirdly attractive, pale yellow-ish BMW circulating on Instagram, that’s probably his E30 M3. It didn't start that way. Originally, the car was Alpine White, which is the classic, safe choice for a 1980s M3. But safe isn't really Tyler’s vibe. He had the whole thing resprayed in a custom cream color that some fans call "Pina Colada" or just "Pastel Cream."
It stands out because it shouldn’t work. He paired that soft paint with white wheels—specifically AC Schnitzer Type 1s—and the result is something that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film but sounds like a DTM race car.
- Engine: The legendary S14 inline-four.
- Vibe: Stripped back, mechanical, and loud.
- The Interior: Custom blue upholstery that peeks through the glass.
Honestly, he catches a lot of flak from the "keep it original" crowd. Those guys hate that he changed the paint. They hate the wheels. Tyler basically told them he doesn't care. In a 2022 interview, he mentioned that keeping a car original just so the next owner can enjoy it is a waste of a life. You bought it. You should paint it whatever color makes you happy before you die.
Why the E30 Matters to the GOLF Brand
The E30 is the definitive "cool kid" car of the 2010s and 2020s, and Tyler (along with Frank Ocean) is largely responsible for that. Before "Nostalgia, Ultra" and the "Bimmer" track, E30s were just old BMWs that your uncle might have in his shed. Now? You’re looking at $20,000 for a decent 325is and nearly six figures for a clean M3.
There’s a specific line in "Bimmer" where he says, "You remind me of my bimmer... a lot of trunk space, the perfect two-seater." Technically, the E30 is a five-seater, but let’s be real: nobody is sitting in the back of a coupe comfortably. He gets the spirit of the car right. It’s about the drive.
He didn't stop at just one, either. At one point, he had a 1990 325is that he actually gave away to a fan. He’s also been spotted with an E30 wagon (touring) and a few other variations. It’s a genuine obsession. He likes the way the dash tilts toward the driver. He likes the thin pillars that let you actually see the world around you.
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It's Not Just a Show Car
A lot of celebrity cars just sit in climate-controlled bubbles. Not this one. If you follow LA car spotters, you’ll see the Tyler the Creator BMW E30 at places like the Petersen Automotive Museum or just parked outside a Fatburger.
You can tell he actually drives it because the front lip is usually a bit scuffed and there’s actual brake dust on those white wheels. That’s the mark of a real enthusiast. He isn't worried about the resale value. He's worried about whether the AC works (which, according to him, it usually doesn't, and he hates it).
How to Get the Look (Without the Celebrity Budget)
You probably can't afford a real E30 M3 right now. They’ve gone into the stratosphere. But you can still capture that same energy with a standard 3-Series from that era.
- Find a late-model 325is. These have the plastic bumpers that look a bit more modern and the "iS" lip that gives it a meaner stance.
- Focus on the stance. You don't need to slam it. Just a nice set of lowering springs and some period-correct wheels—think BBS RS or those AC Schnitzers if you can find them—goes a long way.
- Go weird with the color. Tyler’s cream paint works because it’s unexpected. Don’t just go for black or silver. Look at vintage Porsche or BMW "Individual" colors from the 70s.
- Keep the interior clean. These cars have notoriously fragile dashboards. If yours isn't cracked, you’ve basically won the lottery.
The E30 is a mechanical connection to a time when cars were simpler. No screens. No lane-assist. Just a steering wheel, a manual gearbox, and enough power to get you in trouble but not enough to kill you instantly. That’s why Tyler keeps coming back to it.
If you’re looking to start your own project, start by checking for rust in the battery tray and the floorboards. Everything else can be fixed, but rust is the silent killer of these classic chassis. Once you've got a solid frame, the rest is just paint and personality.
Go find a local BMW meet. Look for the boxy cars in the corner. You'll realize pretty quickly that the hype isn't just because a famous rapper drives one—it's because they are genuinely some of the best-handling cars ever made.
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Check the classifieds on Bring a Trailer or R3VLimited. Be patient. The right one always shows up when you aren't looking for it. Just make sure you actually drive the thing once you get it. Keeping it in a garage is exactly what Tyler told you not to do.