how much should i offer dealer?

[e34john]

its a 5 speed 318is, dont remember the year i think he said 89 or something but it has to be a 90-91 right? it has 90K miles on it. paint is decent; shiny but some swirls in the clearcoat. the interior is nice, seats are perfect all doors and sunroof etc works but the obc looked like it was going crazy. i didnt start the car so i dont know if it will reset itself. trunk and engine looked really clean.

the bads
a dent on the side golfball sized that im not too worrried about, a broken foglight but the headlights were non pitted and clear. dented hood but it sitll opens fine and theres some zip ties holding the grill right under the hit on the hood. missing the lip just like every other sport model but the spoiler looks good and clips are still there so maybe it wasnt hit and just came off on a curb.

i really wanted an inline 6 but this car is clean, and i was reading the grassroots racing mag and the little 4 seems to be promising especially after seeing how clean this one is. i didnt test drive it so i cant bee sure the engine runs as good as it looks. being my first manual transmission car i bet it will still be fun enough. my other vehicles is an 04 f150 4x4 and a 92 525ia so driving the e30 should be pretty peppy. what do you guys think? dude wants $3900 or so. i was going to try and talk him down to somewhere around 3.

[Jarvis]

318is was '91 only here. And you call it "clean" but it sounds pretty rough. Definitely not worth $3900. Without pictures it's hard to say, but I would not pay more than $3K for it based on your brief description.

[PeaveyBassist]

318is has to be 1991. 6 button OBC's always go crazy. I dunno about 13 buttons though. Around $2.5k is reasonable. I wouldnt personally pay $3900 for a 318is with some dents in it.

Will

[motorprestige]

LOL I wouldn't give him 2500. If you think it's gonna feel peppy, you're in for a surprise. Your 525i automatic will eat it alive, shit, your f150 may even be capable of that. If your coming from a straight six, stick with a straight six. Sounds better (IMO+ about every non m42 whores oppinion), goes a LOT better, better driveability, actual tourque etc... I could go on about this subject forever, and many have, and died in the process of this holy debate, but givin the two vehicles you listed above, I think i can accurately say that you will enjoy a 325i or "is" much more.

[2002maniac]

Your 525i automatic will eat it alive

You crack me up.

[Matt86es]

0-60 1/4
1991 BMW 318is 10.0 17.3
1992 BMW 525i 9.6 17.5


Numbers from http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

[Hick]

Comming from someone with an ES. Drive a 318is round and youll know better.

Honestly, 3900 is not far off book. When some schmuck hit my 91 318is with 118k and horrid clear coat issues thats exactly how much i got from insurance. If the interior nice, if it drives nice, and if it checks out on carfax your looking at atleast 2300 to take it home. Personally, i wouldnt pay it, but dealers can sit on the cars and send them from place to place until they sell. Lowballing them may get you somewhere if they have had it for a long time, but otherwise, pass it up or pay up.

[Matt86es]

I got about $3,200 from my insurance company for my 86 325es w/ >200K on it.

[e34john]

i will see if i can get pictures but i really think its in nice shape compared to the ones i see for $1500 or so that has peeling paint etc. its just the inside of this car is perfect. i figure the hood and everything wouldn't matter too much if im going to swap that out for something like the IE hood.

i know 4 cylinders suck but im having a hell of a time finding a 6 around here that is nice and i can afford and i have no time to travel or feel like getting it shipped. i guess i will wait and if it sits on his lot for a little longer imma go lowball him. it actually hasnt been there long i saw a flatbed headed in the dealers direction this morning and i told myself i wanted that car and i just went to check it out right now.

my e34 is pretty slow i think if i get this car it will be second fastest and the 4x4 tank will beat them both in the quarter mile; she should kill them if i run it on premium tune. i want something that can handle.

[1991 318is]

The main thing.

It's only got 90,000 on it. It'll be a good car for another 5-6 years except for rubber and soft parts.
I paid $3600 for one with 120,000 on it three years ago. Good interior, no dents, good paint, and all original. Needed a catback. I'd say $2500 too.

[bmwmike]

i think its funny how ppl selling e30s always try to add the s. I see it on so many ads when obviously its not.

[2002maniac]

Get us some pics. From the sound of it I would offer no more than $2750