Deciding what to do with my 91 iX

[eagsalazar]

So until last week I had very good condition iX with 130k miles. Unfortunately the rear end is now smashed in. There is no damage to the frame or drivetrain. A guardrail impacted the trunk perfectly below the trunk lid and the bumper so the two rear quarter panels are squished in about 4 inches and the back body panel is pushed forward at the top which angled the bumper forward with it.

So I'm trying to decide what to do. The estimates I'm getting for fully restoring it are between $5k-$7k. That actually includes a full repaint and the removal of a small dent in the front quarter panel on the driver's side since I figure if I'm going to spend a bunch of money restoring it, I might as well go all the way.

Now, $7k wasn't part of my immediate plans so I'm deciding between a few options:

1) sell it now as is
2) fix it up and sell it
3) fix it up and keep it

The big thing I don't know is what is the car worth as is and what might it be worth restored?

I looked on ebay and autotrader for comparables and was shocked to see that on both sites, there are exactly *zero* iX available nation wide. I've also heard that the value of these cars has been going up so maybe it would be worth it to fix it up.

I do love my car (and have owned it almost 9 years now) but I probably just can't afford to keep it. I have the money to restore it but I'd need to recoup that investment by selling it and getting a cheaper car (lots of regular e30 in great shape for a few K).

What does everyone think? Thanks in advance for any info and advice.

- Steve in NC

[nando]

if you're going to fix it, it makes zero sense to sell it.

would be a shame to see it crushed, though, if it's fixable.

as a parts car it could be worth $1500-2000.

repaired it might be worth 5-7k, about what you'd spend on body work.

the only things that make sense are to sell it (hopefully to somebody who will restore it) or fix it and keep it.

[Bolestuff]

I just paid $5800 for a very nice 89 with 180k on it. But the car has had thousands thrown at it over the last year or so, with full service history (I mean full!!!)

[Bolestuff]

Here is a good place to start. http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...dan-4wd/Values It is dependent on your region remember.

[E30_Pare]

Lift it. Rally cross.

[Kershaw]

swap a rotary into it.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.

trollface.jpg

[eagsalazar]

Where to sell for parts?

if you're going to fix it, it makes zero sense to sell it.

would be a shame to see it crushed, though, if it's fixable.

as a parts car it could be worth $1500-2000.

repaired it might be worth 5-7k, about what you'd spend on body work.

the only things that make sense are to sell it (hopefully to somebody who will restore it) or fix it and keep it.

Any suggestions about where is the best place to sell for parts? Ebay? Local BWM junkyard? Elsewhere? I'd definitely want to just sell the entire thing and not part it out.

[325ixa]

Another One Bites the Dust. :(

[nrubenstein]

Post a picture of he car, for starters.

Edit: $5-7k including a repaint suggests that there really isn't *that* much damage.

[nando]

^ true

a good paint job could be $5k by itself.

bang it out good enough and drive it around until you can afford to fix it?

it's sad when clean ones bite the dust. out of 6k that came here you have to imagine at least half have been wrecked or parted due to rust and drivetrain issues, perhaps more..

[95BMWIC]

nando

if you're going to fix it, it makes zero sense to sell it.

would be a shame to see it crushed, though, if it's fixable.

as a parts car it could be worth $1500-2000.

repaired it might be worth 5-7k, about what you'd spend on body work.

+1

Actually - If it is only cosmetic - I would drive it as is until I saved up enough money to fix it AND keep it.

[88e30ix]

swap a rotary into it.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.

trollface.jpg

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/3060546690.html

[EyExR]

I would sell it or part it out. You could get around $2K I guess... add about $6K to that and buy a really nice one with most of the things you're looking for.