what's it worth- '88 325is

[tanvan01]

I'm thinking about selling, but haven't the slightest what it's worth. I've owned it a couple years and have done a ton of maintenance and some performance mods.

Car has a 5 speed manual, limited slip diff, sport cardinal red leather interior, all the good 'is' stuff. The mileage is currently at 180,800. Runs great, never a question about reliability. I've gone through most of the engine and a lot of the suspension as you can see from the list of items replaced below.

The bad:
-Pass window doesnt roll down
-a/c doesnt work
-A few dings/scratches (worst is a slight wave in drivers rear quarter)
-some small surface rust on left door bottom
-dash is cracked
-leaking oil pan gasket (have part but haven't installed)

Items replaced with brand new parts since I bought it (the good):

180000 miles:
Fuel filter
Plugs
Fuel pump relay
Shocks
Struts
Air cleaner
Water pump
Windshield (used but not cracked)

178000 miles:
Lowering springs- Eibach pro kit
Drop hats
Wheels- 15x8
Tires- 205 falken azenis (super sticky)
Valve seals
Cap
Rotor
Ambient temp sensor
Bump stops
Shift bushings
Valve adjustment
Intake gaskets
Exhaust gaskets
Valve seals
Head gasket
Timing belt/tensioner
Water pump gasket
Crankshaft seal
Camshaft seal
Pinion bearings
Rear wheel bearings
Subframe bushings
Diff fluid
Valve cover gasket
Fuel check valve
Fuel pressure regulator
Front rotors
Rear pads
Drive shaft
Center bearing
Guibo
Accessory belts







Crap photos, but they should give you an idea.

[idanity]

take what you paid for it.

add the cost of all maintenence, and don't sell it for less than that sum.
providing you didn't damage the car in reducing its resale value...now you have a ballpark.


next, visit your city craigslist, and compare to other e30's...
i saw one recently in seattle for 7k, and it was basic maintenence...daily driver...im a little shocked but thats what he asked for it..




to add.


in H.S., a friends house had a pink driveway (yes, it was pink..) and his father really kept everything as clean as possible...so when us poor idiot friends came over with our jalopies, leaking oil he would place cardboard under the cars to keep them from dibbling on the nice cement...(he like me, b/c i had a 79 corolla, and it didn't leak..(probably b/c it didn't have any oil left to leak)...)...


well, one day (in summer), the firetruck was heard screaming through the neighborhood, and rushed to his house...in which to put out a car fire...

now, his father not only had to buy another car, but also had a huge ass black spot in the driveway, visible from space....only thing left was the caption i never added inside it (kicking self now)..


moral of the story...fix your leaks, or just live with the mess..o, and don't put flamable material under hot cars...

[alB5]

I'd give anywhere from 3k-4.5k, but if you were over here (tri-state) it would go for more. Don't know the market in minneapolis, good luck.

[phenobarb1]

$3500-$4000. Looks like a pretty decent E30. While it's nice that you replaced so many of the seals, I have to wonder if something went wrong with the head or if it was just time to replace them. I'm used to people being lazier about that stuff.

[mkcman17]

arent rust-free versions worth a ton in the central states?

[kingston]

Yeah, I'd expect to see more like $5K in the Kansas City area for that car. Why are you thinking about selling?

[TurboJake]

5k? damn! Not in this area.
Simply will never happen. People here struggle to sell them at 2k. Even if it's as clean as that.

[ZekeTheSneak]

I want your wabbit!

[ak-]

If the interior wasn't red, people would be shooting you down to 2k.
If it was my car, I'd wait for ~3k - 4k.
If I was buying and started to negotiate with you as a seller, I'd try to not let you get me over 3k.

But hey, that's how it works. Just be patient if you want to sell.

[ill4noreason]

I would think 2500.00 because of oil pan, rust and dash. Those are three pain in the ass jobs. Otherwise 3500.00 all day with those three fixed. Glws.

[tanvan01]

Yeah, I'd expect to see more like $5K in the Kansas City area for that car. Why are you thinking about selling?

I'm not set on selling, I'd be happy driving it for a long time to come. I saw a WTB- E30 craigslist ad and it got me thinking about what the next project car could be. I blame it on the A.D.D.

Thanks for all the insight everyone; very helpful!

[Analucata]

Looks like a pretty decent E30. While it's nice that you replaced so many of the seals

[325ix]

I would think 2500.00 because of oil pan, rust and dash. Those are three pain in the ass jobs. Otherwise 3500.00 all day with those three fixed. Glws.

Oil pan is a pita, but he has the part. Nearly all E30's have a cracked dash.

I would say 3-3.5k is a good price for it.