convertible market pricing

[danix]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-325i-4/

Thanks to everyone here who has provided advice and guidance over the years. I'll still be around.

[bradnic]

What would you say is fair market value for the following:

• 1988 325i convertible
• automatic
• 97k miles
• 3 documented owners, full history known
• Extremely well maintained (by me). Recent timing belt, full Bilstein TC suspension, bushings, etc, a/c conversion.
• Good tan leather interior (with some flaws)
• Good paint (but it's Bronzit)
• New Vredstein tires on stock bottle caps
• Original glass everywhere
• New brown top ($1500)
• No dash cracks
• Working dash and trip computer
• Driven once a month to cars & coffee and once to Bimmerfest in LA. Like 3k miles in the last 5 years.

Needs:

• front subframe replaced
• guibo/driveshaft
• PS is leaking (hose most likely)
• engine oil leak (pan gasket most likely)

I'm only considering selling it because I was dumb enough to buy an Alfa Romeo that needs my attention...
If it were't for the subframe issue I would have driven it to E30picnic.

Is it an $8k car? $5k car? It's really hard to read the market. From what I'm seeing, if it was blue or black and a stick, it would probably fetch $10k or more on BaT.

The big selling points (for me) are that it's a clean unmolested example.
Yes, I'll add pictures when I can and no this is not an ad, it's just a discussion.

Without pics it’s tough to tell, and any pending maintenance is a big drag on value. If it’s mechanically solid with a nice idle, working everything that’s a big plus. Interior needing repair is a big drag in value. Auto drags value as well, as do the bottle caps. If you’ve altered the car that is hit and miss as well. Some folks don’t like billies on verts.

Plus side would be mileage, new top (if installed properly). Color has an impact too.

From what you’ve said it sounds like a $6k car so far. Putting $2k into it could potentially make it a $8-9k car. May not be worth the effort to you though.

[cory58]

Two E30 cabrios on BAT this week could provide some guidance.

Cory

[danix]

Mine just sold for $8k. I figured it would fall somewhere in the 7-10k range.
The white one has low miles but there's a few warnings signs there for me, I would expect it to end up lower than mine but who knows.