325iX values?

[OttoBob]

Where are current values for the E30 325iX manual transmission 2 door cars these days? Up, down, seasonal? and where do the values seem to be going? I own a 1989 325ix two door manual, well sorted reliable driver, and I have an opportunity to buy a 1988 325iX two door manual that has nicer paint and decent mechanically, and I might pick that one up and sell mine. Just curious about every-ones thoughts, since I don't follow this site all that often. Your comments are most appreciated. Thanks!

[dubdub]

I'll be the first to add what I bet will get seconded frequently... not enough info here to make a comment. Really nice ix can still fetch money north of $5k, but the sales can take a long time and that may only be for exceptional vehicles. I think there have been some really high sales on ebay in the last year, but those were really, really top line cars - comparable to new.

As for where they are going, really we're talking about cars that are fully depreciated... the only thing that factors in now is condition and maintenance. It is not going to go lower simply because it is one year older. And please do not be one of the insane people who look at these cars as potential investments. They are not. You will lose out way more in upkeep on an ix than you ever would gain in increased value due to being "rare."

If your car is really well sorted, I'd rather put the money into getting your car painted than into a new car that you may be surprised by. That goes double on an ix where some of the parts can run a pretty penny. You may end up paying more for the car and THEN still need to fix things as they come up. That is what happened to me. I paid a premium for a 1990 ix with only 70k on it. Great... except it still meant it was a 20 year old car and still needed plenty of work to get it right... now that it is right, I wouldn't trade it for anything... especially another surprise.

[audiquattrot]

^ agreed. I'm at a point of no return w/ my iX. First yr or two, I would've profited if i sold right away....but factor in the cost of maintenance, upgrades, and my OCD-ness of having things perfect....and I've exceeded the value of the car on those items 3-4xs over.

I will say the last iX I had, I sold for about $5500-6000....which was in exceptional shape in 2009. If I sold that today, I'd like to think I would get in the neighborhood of $8-9K. Again this was a car w/ zero rust, mint interior, etc etc.

A fair condition one with minimal rust/issues and roughly 175-200K on the clock, I think is in the ballpark of $3500-4000.

The hardest part of selling off an iX, is that your audience is particularly limited to snowy areas, since it doesn't appear to be a highly-demand car regardless of its' rarity compared to a regular RWD E30. You'd have to find the right buyer to maximize your return......hence why although my car 'should' be a garage queen, i just drive the hell out of it since the appreciation value (much like the E30 M3 has become), in my opinion will never be there.

[OttoBob]

I appreciate your input. I pretty much have had the same thoughts all along. I own my iX for the sheer joy of driving it in the snow, and I know what I spend on maintenance and repairs is for me, and not likely to recoup if I sell. I figure I will get about what I paid for the car when and if I sell it, about $4,500. I was quoted $8,000 for a proper paint job, and I'm not likely going to do that. I really don't know how desirable these cars are from a "collector" standpoint. For example, I have a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera, and recently learned that the values are going up on it and expected to continue. Both the Carrera and the iX are cool cars from the same era, so I thought the iX might be going up in value somewhat. Thanks!

[flyboyx]

i think an ix in good condition is worth about 20% or so more than a rwd e30. if it is in really bad shape, i think it is worth the same or less than a comparable rwd car.

[dubdub]

It is funny, I get stopped all the time and asked if I'd sell mine... in fact happened yesterday. There is a part of me that wants to sell out of curiosity as to "what can I get" but then I realize I wouldn't have an IX any more.

If you're talking a mint IX, I really do think it comes down to what someone is willing to pay... I mean, there is no real limit. If someone offered me the perfect IX, I'd pay $20k easy.

[audiquattrot]

^ wanna buy my ix for $20k? I'd sell it in a heartbeat at that price lol.

[chuckdizzle]

^ agreed. I'm at a point of no return w/ my iX. First yr or two, I would've profited if i sold right away....but factor in the cost of maintenance, upgrades, and my OCD-ness of having things perfect....and I've exceeded the value of the car on those items 3-4xs over.

I will say the last iX I had, I sold for about $5500-6000....which was in exceptional shape in 2009. If I sold that today, I'd like to think I would get in the neighborhood of $8-9K. Again this was a car w/ zero rust, mint interior, etc etc.

A fair condition one with minimal rust/issues and roughly 175-200K on the clock, I think is in the ballpark of $3500-4000.

The hardest part of selling off an iX, is that your audience is particularly limited to snowy areas, since it doesn't appear to be a highly-demand car regardless of its' rarity compared to a regular RWD E30. You'd have to find the right buyer to maximize your return......hence why although my car 'should' be a garage queen, i just drive the hell out of it since the appreciation value (much like the E30 M3 has become), in my opinion will never be there.

In that case, I got the steal of the century with my last IX.

[audiquattrot]

In that case, I got the steal of the century with my last IX.

even rusty ones seem to sell around $2500-3000.

speaking of values, I just finally switched my iX to classic car insurance today. I've been rolling the dice with Geico, having only liability on there....roughly $400/yr. Never had full coverage since the KBB on it is like $1500 (if that).

I now have the E30 covered up to $13K (an agreed value) with American Collectors insurance, paying $260/yr.

[chuckdizzle]

even rusty ones seem to sell around $2500-3000.

speaking of values, I just finally switched my iX to classic car insurance today. I've been rolling the dice with Geico, having only liability on there....roughly $400/yr. Never had full coverage since the KBB on it is like $1500 (if that).

I now have the E30 covered up to $13K (an agreed value) with American Collectors insurance, paying $260/yr.

Do those collectors' insurance policies have restrictions, like yearly mileage limits?

[audiquattrot]

Do those collectors' insurance policies have restrictions, like yearly mileage limits?

they do, mine is set to 7500/annually, but i asked if they logged in the mileage at the end of the yr and she mentioned they do not ask for a mileage log.

You also need a 2nd vehicle + enclosed garage....those are the only restrictions for American Collectors.

[ModernclassicxF]

Quote:
Originally Posted by audiquattrot View Post
even rusty ones seem to sell around $2500-3000.

speaking of values, I just finally switched my iX to classic car insurance today. I've been rolling the dice with Geico, having only liability on there....roughly $400/yr. Never had full coverage since the KBB on it is like $1500 (if that).

I now have the E30 covered up to $13K (an agreed value) with American Collectors insurance, paying $260/yr.
Do those collectors' insurance policies have restrictions, like yearly mileage limits?

[Navarone]

I was just looking at sold auctions on eBay and it's really all over the place. The best I've seen though are one owner time capsules with under 100k and they didn't break $8k.

[95BMWIC]

recent ad..

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/4903120508.html

$8000 for a 1989 325IX 4 door in Omaha - 170K miles, no rust, red, tan interior (nice)..

[Navarone]

Nice car, wonder what he'll end up selling it for.