Value of my 325is

[Cabriolet]

$8k seems fair. the dash is the only drawback

[bimmerteck]

Looking for some help in valuing my car - I think it's time to part with this special example as I'm relegating my M Coupe for every day driving instead. To say this car is clean is an understatement.

- 1990 325is
- Alpine White II / Tan
- No rust, FL car
- 5 speed
- 145k
- Every single record fully documented since the day it was bought new, including receipts. (suspension, clutch, head gasket, valve adjustments, alternator, timing belt, hoses, services, etc. it's all there)
- All original VINs, straight and glossy with no accidents. It's extremely clean.
- New IS lip, new IS skirts, new euro trim, M-tech spoiler
- 370mm M-tech steering wheel, Lighted M Coupe knob
- Clean sport interior, no stains, no tears, two spots with cracks in dash
- ANSA exhaust
- Ground Control coilovers powdercoated gold
- 15x7 et25 BBS RMs with newer Yoko S Drives
- BMA chip
- Stainless skid plate

It's also in Chicago, so I figure that commands a premium.

What do you think?

Photos soon, I can't upload any from work.

After looking back at your "Chicago: 1990" thread I do think you could beat the average e30 value by a good bit, but the interior and engine need to look the part as the outside seems to currently.(couldn't really find any pics of the engine bay nor the interior)

[hexagone]

Yup, some photos of the car here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=290070

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=282984

This is before BBS RMs, before coilovers, before sideskirts.

The downside is the cracked dash, which is really unfortunate because I bought it with a mint dash.

Considering I have over $3500 in wheels and suspension alone, it seems like I should remove those and return the billy sports and basketweaves on the car.

[hexagone]

Just going by actual closed sales I've seen lately both locally and on ebay. Sure there are listings that are much higher and the occasional exception to the market that really stands out above the crowd but those are exceptions not the rule. OP has no photos or anything from the description given that makes this example sound "exceptional".


All below are M20 powered examples.

• Ebay ID 300955453977 Sold for $9.6k Example of an exception- had less than 50k miles and was an exceptionally clean 'vert
• Ebay ID 200956604982 White 1990 325is sold for $5k most similar to the OPs thus far.
• Ebay ID 200957625923 White 1987 325is Cali super clean cardinal interior car didn't sell at $6k
• Ebay ID 121171002750 White 1991 MT2 'vert sold for $6.1k 101k miles (in Cook County, IL)

Pros for the OP's car are that is relatively tastefully modded and well maintained, which is why I didn't give it a $1.5-$2k value.

I appreciate one talking with data, and the ebay auctions are a telling story. But I'm not sure where you get $1.5-2k, as that's clapped out, 10 owner rust bucket territory on CL.

And the reason I consider this one a special example is that it has been preserved through caring ownership since day 1. You would be lucky to even find even an owner's manual in most e30s, compared to the 2" folder of documents that come with this one. It's OEM ++.

I think there should be a distinction made for pricing of well put together cars (with swaps, paint, mods) and those that have remained true to their factory spec (all original).

[matthugie]

Pros for the OP's car are that is relatively tastefully modded and well maintained, which is why I didn't give it a $1.5-$2k value.

I appreciate one talking with data, and the ebay auctions are a telling story. But I'm not sure where you get $1.5-2k, as that's clapped out, 10 owner rust bucket territory on CL.

This might help you figure it out. Reading comprehension FTW!

[hexagone]

This might help you figure it out. Reading comprehension FTW!

Right, but the description provided was far from any 2k car that has ever existed, anywhere.

In any case - I looked up each one of those auctions, and while the white wisconsin car was close, it had 40k more miles and none of the desirable mods on it. Essentially it was a blank canvas for someone to interpret it as they wish and make it into an even greater car.

[RUFFLZ]

In any case - I looked up each one of those auctions, and while the white wisconsin car was close, it had 40k more miles and none of the desirable mods on it. Essentially it was a blank canvas for someone to interpret it as they wish and make it into an even greater car.

it was also missing a 3rd pedal..OP ask for 9ish w/o bbs & suspension

[blunttech]

I have a potential buyer for you pending price ... If you contact me Ill get you his info. hes an older guy who wants a nice E30 in Minnesota here
Sales@blunttech.com

[ZM Blue Devil]

8-10k easy

[goldenbb]

I think the mistake we make is that we pile money into 20+ year old cars and think that it adds value to them but it really does not. The market just doesn't work that way. I can get a much newer 3-series than the one I bought, with potentially fewer issues, for just a wee bit more than I paid for my E30. Not everyone wants an E30, they just want a "BMW" that runs and doesn't need high dollar repairs that they cannot provide. I've seen several E46s for like $3K that have no rust but need engine work--typically a new head due to an overheat caused by failed cooling system.

BTW, that Alpine is sweet looking! It's sorted to where I'm trying to get mine! I have a long road ahead of me and I already started off by paying about $1K too much.

I checked CL this morning--I see at least 15 E30s for sale in and around where in live in MN. I don't know if that is normal or not, I suspect not. Most of them need a ton of work, a few are real bargains, in my opinion. I haven't gone to look at any of them because I have no more room for extra cars at the moment. Some of these people are practically just giving these cars away out of desperation, it seems to me. Buyers market...

[Sirotto]

$5-6,000

You all should listen to this guy. He has been around for awhile.

I agree with him I would start at 6500 and see what happens.

[getouth]

Car looks clean well sorted and cared for 7-8k for sure.

[butters]

I think the mistake we make is that we pile money into 20+ year old cars and think that it adds value to them but it really does not. The market just doesn't work that way.

In general I would agree, but I do think that maintenance dollars can be value added to a clean car, E30 or otherwise. Doing every suspension bushing and mount is a fair bit of work, and cost, that can be avoided if you know they have already been done recently enough. Same goes for just about every wear item, and there are many.

Personally I find myself always saying that miles don't matter, especially on cars past 10 years old.

- Every single record fully documented since the day it was bought new, including receipts. (suspension, clutch, head gasket, valve adjustments, alternator, timing belt, hoses, services, etc. it's all there)
- All original VINs, straight and glossy with no accidents. It's extremely clean.

In my opinion, imagining myself as an interested party, the value depends mainly on these items. Those records would be important in knowing what the car will need and what it won't. I'd say that an awesome shell, wheels and interior with <180k miles puts it at a start point of $5-6k or maybe a bit more since it is a white 2-door 325is 5-speed. From there an upward adjustment could be justified based on the details of its maintenance history.

[hexagone]

You all should listen to this guy. He has been around for awhile.

I agree with him I would start at 6500 and see what happens.

So you're saying with $1800 in suspension, $1800 in wheels, a $400 MT steering wheel, and I should start it at 6500 and hope to get a good offer?

I don't see how any of these things don't add to the value of the car, which by the logic above makes this $2-3k car to begin with.

[butters]

So you're saying with $1800 in suspension, $1800 in wheels, a $400 MT steering wheel, and I should start it at 6500 and hope to get a good offer?

I don't see how any of these things don't add to the value of the car, which by the logic above makes this $2-3k car to begin with.

The argument is that not everyone wants them, so you might be outpricing the market with such additions. If you want to get the most value, itemize them like you just did and give details of the GC setup. For example I personally don't know that the wheels go for that much, and my $5-6k number would be the same with weaves.

Perhaps offer the car with and without the wheels and MT2 wheel, since those are easily swapped out and sold separately. I would venture to say that parting out big ticket items, even the coilovers, will usually net more value. Looking at an even bigger picture, many suggest that modifications (though I personally would say yours are tasteful) de-value the car because of the idea that the owner was the modding/racing type and the car is no longer "original" in those aspects. If you don't want to do the part-out work, be clear on what/when/how much.