E30 car values auto vs manual

[VAE30FTW]

I just recently picked up a 89' 325i auto.

Great running condition just needs minor suspension work that will get fixed. My goal is to get it to pass inspection and emissions in my state; VA.

Would I be able to sell the car quicker and at my asking price if I convert it to a manual?

[shiftbmw]

Yes, but you may not get any ROI depending on condition.

[VAE30FTW]

I'll post up some pics of the car to see what people think of it.

[TurboJake]

Depends on what your asking price is.

[VAE30FTW]

I'm thinking for a car that passes my states inspection and emmisions. with the suspension fixed up and not a single vibration when driving I was thinking $2000.00

Won't pass now due to bad Control Arms.

Car had some Intrax sway bars that were overkill with no reinforcements. So selling those and fitting some stock ones back in. Lowered on Eibach sport springs and Bilstein Sports

A leak out of the oil filter housing (o-ring)

Good compression transmission shifts great. and safe enough in it's current state to do this.





^Removing the sways

[Wschnitz]

10mpg at 140mph. Not bad.

[5Toes]

yes yes yes

I just sold my car, same as yours (black late model auto but on black vinyl) for $2500

[VAE30FTW]

yes yes yes

I just sold my car, same as yours (black late model auto but on black vinyl) for $2500

Nice! How many miles on yours?

[5Toes]

200k on chassis, 220k on engine.

I had done lots of maintenance though

[StereoInstaller1]

200k on chassis, 220k on engine.

I had done lots of damage trying to fix it though

[JasonC]

The general public isn't wanting a stick shift. So its going to be a toss up if you want to go through the trouble in doing the swap.

And LOL at 5toes maintenance!!!!!

[InuFaye]

[slammin.e28]

I prefer auto cars because they typically aren't as expensive as the enthusiast crowd wants 5 sp cars. I'll gladly swap a trans to get a clean car for cheap.

[bowtie2bimmer]

Down here there doesn't seem to be a price difference really. I bought a vert and 80% of those are auto anyway. To do a proper manual swap you are looking at about 800-1000 thats with new clutch, slave cyl, shifter bushings, etc. depends if its worth the investment for you

[Cletonius]

I prefer auto cars because they typically aren't as expensive as the enthusiast crowd wants 5 sp cars. I'll gladly swap a trans to get a clean car for cheap.

I'm with you but I can't bring myself to sign on for an auto to manual swap. Seems like a lot of work when for about the same money you can just get a manual trans car.