To Sell or Not To Sell

[MarkV325iC]

Hey there fellow e30 lovers. I want to get your thoughts on what to do with my Lula, a 1988 325iC with almost 78k on the clock. AlpinII with blue top/interior. Auto with heated seats. I purchased her on ebay in Sept of last year from some d-bag who misrepped the car. Paid $2550 for it (knowing it needed a little work, but thinking it was a steal) and have since put approx $6000 into it. Most of that was to just get it legal enough to pass Maryland State inspection. Clearly I have all the receipts of work done by a highly rated BMW shop. If you know anything about Maryland State inspections, you know this car is mechanically legit now. There are a few annoying things that still need to be done, but they are on the cosmetic end of it. Needs new leather/some interior work. Needs a little bit of work done to the top (front seal was not properly installed prior to my ownership, and one of the rear sides has started coming loose). Also needs 4 dent removals (all small). The good is it has a CRACK FREE DASH and the tires were new when I bought it. I could get more detail oriented with what it needs cosmetically, but thoughts on me trying to list it online for $8000? I wanted to keep it forever, but my daily driver needs some major repairs. I don't have any pics of her right now, but I can take and post some if that would help with advising me on what I could get for it. Thanks!

[Nick_S]

Sell daily driver, repair E30.

[MarkV325iC]

Thought about that. Can't sell the daily. I still owe more on it than it is worth, esp with the issues that just came up.

[jlevie]

If the car needs new leather and other cosmetic work you aren't going to get anything close to what you have in it in a sale. A pristine example, perfect paint, perfect trim, perfect interior, completely rebuilt suspension, new cooling system, new top, new tires, all electronics working, etc., might bring $8k. It sounds like what you have might bring $4k.

[jhaurimn]

Going to agree with Jim on this one.

[GillesBigCowboy]

I can relate! I paid too much to get my first e30 through MD inspection, but driving it is the ROI. Your car is now worth way more kept than sold, and ready to provide years of driving enjoyment to you or whoever gets it. BTW, my first e30 is now a parts car (rusted out brake lines and everything else underneath).

[ArtClassShank]

Why no historic tags? No inspection, no emission.

[TC Baur MD]

Why no historic tags? No inspection, no emission.

All my E30's have historic tags. Like ArtClass says, no inspection, no emissions, and cheaper insurance for me with very little oversite.:p

[MarkV325iC]

Thanks for responding guys. I figured keeping it at this point makes sense. Just curious on what you seasoned owners thought. The historic tags was an oversight on my part. And the Maryland DMV didn't even offer that option when I was trying to get her road legal. Hindsight being what it is, if I ever buy another used car on ebay (or anywhere) I'm getting a full check done. Even if the price seems to good to be true. Live and learn, eh?

[brbahner]

Wow this same thing happened to me for the same exact price. Bought it for 2500 put a grand in to pass smog still didnt pass (impossible here in CA) said screw it and went 24v. Keep the car man, its well worth the hassle. Plus it sounds like its DD quality now so why not fix the seals for cheap and save cash for your actual DD. seems the most logical. You can do interior and all slowly too.

[mr2peak]

Thought about that. Can't sell the daily. I still owe more on it than it is worth, esp with the issues that just came up.

Paid $2550 for it (knowing it needed a little work, but thinking it was a steal) and have since put approx $6000 into it

Sounds like both cars are in the same situation… Both are a loss, so keep the one you like.

It really does sound like a $4k car. A nice one, but few people are willing to pay a premium for a well sorted car mechanically. Sad, but true

[MarkV325iC]

Sounds like both cars are in the same situation… Both are a loss, so keep the one you like.

It really does sound like a $4k car. A nice one, but few people are willing to pay a premium for a well sorted car mechanically. Sad, but true

Thanks Peak. My daily is a Land Rover which all of a sudden needs air suspension work (no warranty left) which is what sparked my thread/question about my little Lula. Figured asking the $8k I have in her would be unrealistic, but $4k would be a kick in the nutzz. Gonna suck it up and fix my truck. Her facelift and other beauty treatments are gonna have to wait for a while.

[adjmcloon]

Yeah with that much in it, the only way you get the money back out is to keep it for a long time and drive the shit out of it. But hey, that's a bonus if you think about it! :D

[E30_Pare]

Oh you have a rover? Lol. So do I. Save yourself years of misery and ditch the air ride for springs.


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