Help with a Buying Decision - The Sequel!

[EVLE30]

I've been searching around for E30's ranging from "beater" to "good" condition. Some of you may have even read my threads detailing this journey I have embarked upon up here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada......

Yesterday I ended up viewing, test driving, and really falling in love with a 1992 325iC (manual tranny) with only 120,000 km on it (about 75,000 miles for you folks south of the border). It's white, with a dark blue leather sports interior and a matching dark blue convertible top. The car is immaculate. Not a spot of rust anywhere. The leather is still soft and supple. Everything works, including the power top that had just had it's motors replaced with new OEM ones, and the timing belt was replaced about 5,000 km ago. Aside from 2 or 3 small dents (that I wouldn't even have noticed if the seller hadn't pointed them out to me) and a slightly skewed front bumper (looks like a previous owner may have had a small bump/impact and the bumper piston didn't return to it's original position), everything else on the car is spotless and beautiful. It drove like a dream and is really the best looking and driving E30 I have seen in person over the past 6 months of my searching, and I've seen and driven about a dozen so far. The seller is staying firm at $8,300 (CDN), which includes a second set of OEM basket weave rims with brand new tires on them, and a few other minor stock parts kicking around.

I know it's tough to comment on a car that you've never seen, but are there any words of wisdom anyone can pass my way? I've seen asking prices on this forum, on Kijiji, on Craigslist, on Autotrader, etc and prices always seem to be all over the place and for cars of varying condition. Which makes it very hard for me to figure out what a fair market price is for a car like this.

[mkcman17]

Again, don't worry so much about mileage, it's all in the test drive and visual inspection! Good luck.

[EVLE30]

Again, don't worry so much about mileage, it's all in the test drive and visual inspection! Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback.

But in this case, the mileage is super low/great, the test drive was great, and based on a visual inspection, the car is incredible.

I'm just trying to get a handle of what's a fair market value for a car like this.... if there is even such a thing when it comes to these cars.

[mkcman17]

In terms of western US, a very clean stock car can be had in the 3-5k range.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I'm just trying to get a handle of what's a fair market value for a car like this.... if there is even such a thing when it comes to these cars.

Canuk land is full of overpriced cars. That's the appeal of this place, is everything including the used cars, are at a premium. And good luck finding another e30 to compare it to in the local area...cause there isn't one

[carfantiti]

I would not spend 8k on that car.Are prices double up there?In socal e30 verts are 1,500-3k depending how minty you want it.The verts that get in the 7-9 k are either full m-tech or s52 swapped.The description you gave 3k would be tops I would spend on it but just say for shits gigles $4,500.
Is it costly to pick one up in USA?

[EVLE30]

In terms of western US, a very clean stock car can be had in the 3-5k range.

I guess that's the tricky thing..... fair market value is very much dependant on which market you're actually in. I've seen lots of mediocre E30's in Calgary being sold for $3,000 to $4,000 range.

Canuk land is full of overpriced cars. That's the appeal of this place, is everything including the used cars, are at a premium. And good luck finding another e30 to compare it to in the local area...cause there isn't one

Are you saying that, from what I described, this is likely the best car there is in this market and therefore I shouldn't expect to be able to find an equal car for the purpose of comparing asking price?

I would not spend 8k on that car.Are prices double up there?In socal e30 verts are 1,500-3k depending how minty you want it.The verts that get in the 7-9 k are either full m-tech or s52 swapped.The description you gave 3k would be tops I would spend on it but just say for shits gigles $4,500.
Is it costly to pick one up in USA?

I've never bought an used car from the USA before, but from the little I know here is how I see it. To use an example, I've taken a quick look at Autotrader and found 1987 to 1992 manual tranny verts that appear to be in very good condition, ranging in price from around $6,000 to around $8,000.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=90210&endYear=1992&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BMW&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&transmissionCode=MAN&sellerTypes=b&numRecords=25&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=CONVERT&showcaseOwnerId=94837&captureSearch=true&Log=0

Let's say I negotiate one of the cheaper ones down to $5,000. Factor in the cost of me flying to somewhere like Los Angeles ($500), plus the fuel and lodging and food for driving the car 1,500 miles back to Calgary, Alberta, Canada ($500) and the importation costs and inspection requirements (not sure, but assuming a modest $300, could be more) and the time off from work required to make this happen over the course of 3-4 days depending on hassles at the US-Canada border, potential breakdowns and associated costs with that, and the risk of flying to somewhere in the USA to only find out that the car is not what I expected and I end up coming home empty-handed. (I've had this already happen to me after a 3-hour bus ride to a neighbouring city, expecting to be driving home in my first E30, only end up taking the bus back home again because the car was misrepresented)

Anyways, $5000 + $500 + $500 + $300 = $6,300 (not including the "cost" of time off from work and any potential cost risks)

Yeah, that's just one scenario, and it could end up being a cheaper overall purchase than that, but it could also get more expensive than that if something goes wrong.

Anyways, the above may be me overthinking of the whole thing, but I see those as the potential costs (and savings) of going to the USA for a car. Yes, there is a definite premium for a very clean and minty E30 in Calgary. And maybe my original question of "Is this a fair market price?" is a question that can't really be answered by someone in a market that's very different from the market that I'm in? I think Mr. Stanley Rockafella was alluding to that....

[carfantiti]

Well look in washington right now there's two.one 3,500 obo the other a full m- tech even the interior that's 8k asking

[EVLE30]

Well look in washington right now there's two.one 3,500 obo the other a full m- tech even the interior that's 8k asking

Got any links for these? Thanks!

[CrusherCurtis]

A mint rust free vert is like $5k. With those miles I would say $6k. Because of where your at you might have to pay that $8k. The bright side is it you had to sell it in a pinch, it probably wouldn't be too much less than that and over time you'll be fine. I will say this though F*** miles, the only thing that matters is that its rust free, and not a salvage/rebuilt car. Once you get it, you'll probably want to ditch the stock suspension, wheels and engine eventually. Ask anybody.

[EVLE30]

A mint rust free vert is like $5k. With those miles I would say $6k. Because of where your at you might have to pay that $8k. The bright side is it you had to sell it in a pinch, it probably wouldn't be too much less than that and over time you'll be fine. I will say this though F*** miles, the only thing that matters is that its rust free, and not a salvage/rebuilt car. Once you get it, you'll probably want to ditch the stock suspension, wheels and engine eventually. Ask anybody.

Thanks for the advice. I agree, rust-free is the top priority. And this car is definitely that.

Man, I really hate the "Canuck Price Premium" that comes with E30's.... and most cars in Canada. Oh well. It is what it is. At least I have free health care. :D

[GillesBigCowboy]

My rust free vert was $450, but it was far and away the greatest deal of my life, even in crap condition.
If I had only one e30, it would definitely be a hardtop.

[Todd Black 88]

Up here, due to the minimal number of cars, you will pay more. Remember, Canada has what......35 million people, the US has ? 400 million? Way more sold in the states, so there are more to choose from. This makes prices lower.

Supply and demand.

I have what sounds like a very similar car for sale, except mine is an mtech II Appearence pack car, in DS. It's for sale asking 10k

[carfantiti]

just go to criagslist do search WAyou will see them .If its only $300-500 to get it in canada its worth it i would buy that m-tech offer 7k put in 1k have a tits car!!! or pick up the other for 3k and drop 3k in it have a mint restored car:)
ow bullshit here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/cta?zoomToPosting=&query=bmw+e30&srchType=T&minAsk=&maxAsk=

[EVLE30]

My rust free vert was $450, but it was far and away the greatest deal of my life, even in crap condition.
If I had only one e30, it would definitely be a hardtop.

Why a hardtop and not a vert?

Up here, due to the minimal number of cars, you will pay more. Remember, Canada has what......35 million people, the US has ? 400 million? Way more sold in the states, so there are more to choose from. This makes prices lower.

Supply and demand.

Yup, I understand that. But it's still tough to figure out what's a fair price for a mint car here in Canada. Prices are all over the place. But oh well. In my case, the price is what it is. I just need to decide if it's the right price (and the right car) for me.

I have what sounds like a very similar car for sale, except mine is an mtech II Appearence pack car, in DS. It's for sale asking 10k

Got some pics and more info? I'm intrigued.....