Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[AWDBOB]

What is the groups opinion on this car and the final price (reserve not met)?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-172/

-The paint is done poorly and cracking/lifting all over the car
-It's a midwest car so it's got rust that will get worse as you look and poke at it, or attempt repair
-Lack of simple documentation around motor
-Standalone ECU cars are a detractor for a high dollar auction on a drivers car (opinion), as many high bidders don't do their own work and see that as added, expensive complication/mystery
-General signs of lack of concern all over the car, like the hose clamp exhaust hanger, how quickly the valve cover paint baked off, etc etc. That kind of stuff represents overall care to some folks

For midwest rust, look at the previous auction photos that weren't included in current auction. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-133/

-Photos 83-84 show the passenger trunk area rusting- on a midwest car this means the entire passenger side wheel well will be problematic and is a bitch to repair. Where the evap cansiter and cover mounts will rust away in several different spots, same with fuel filler tube, etc. Those photos show that it's already through to the trunk

-Photo 98 shows a lack of exhaust heat shield, trans tunnel rust, and rear floor drain rust (the left rear floor drain i would put money could be pushed up with your hand judging by that photo). The trans tunnel rust sucks to repair, because towards the front of the trans tunnel stud cavity it holds moisture and rusts through the floor on the inside of the car.

-Photos 101-104 show inner rocker rust, which almost always involves more floor rust when you pull the carpet. Those sections also suck to repair and typically open a can of worms.

Basically, the car is missing a ton of fine detail work, it is rusty, and it needs the paint redone properly. Are these things problematic for a car you can jump in and enjoy driving? No.

Are these things going to stand in between that car and big money? Most definitely.

[2mAn]

1988 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-209/

[MrBurgundy]

What is the groups opinion on this car and the final price (reserve not met)?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-172/

I'm sure the reserve was very close to that bid. I'm guessing around 12k

The seller and high bidder are probably going to agree somewhere in between that.

[ehrawn]

What is the groups opinion on this car and the final price (reserve not met)?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-172/

There seem to be quite a few listings where seller expectations aren’t being met by the market.

https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e30-3-series/?result=unsold

Label me jaded, but it appears that there are two kinds of cars on BAT: high dollar collectibles being traded between players, and fun enthusiast cars that won’t ever sell.

[2mAn]

AWDBOB

[SpreadHead]

What is the groups opinion on this car and the final price (reserve not met)?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-172/

[2mAn]

1989 325i

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325is-94/

1988 Alpina B3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-alpina-b3/

1989 325i Convertible
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-325i-convertible-29/

[2mAn]

Thanks Kie , beat me to it

[Kie]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-bmw-323i-4/

[Kie]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-212/

[2mAn]

S14 Motor

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/bmw-s14-2/

325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-325i-35/

[calypso rot]

There's a difference between "sold" on BaT, and paid. I think the bidding history looks suspicious.

maybe so but it won't stop those listing 800 dollar torn sport seats to list their next set at 1200. And on and on she goes

[82eye]

I wonder what percentage of sales actually go through.

we keep seeing more and more of the same cars being churned through between the same buyers and sellers. BaT has become primarily a trading card site.

[McGyver]

I wonder what percentage of sales actually go through.

[roguetoaster]

Someone on BAT paid 7300 dollars for a cardinal red interior. Wonder if we're going to see people stashed sport interior pieces come out for sale. At optimistic prices no doubt

There's a difference between "sold" on BaT, and paid. I think the bidding history looks suspicious.