88' e30 M3 with 27k orig miles! what's it worth?

[chameleonleather]

you guys keep talking about all these cars on s14 or autotrader selling for 20k, 25k or higher. people are asking those pre-economic collapse prices, but how many of them are selling at that price? we seldom find out what the actual selling price is because people don't post that info. sellers on s14 keep bumping the same ads for month expecting to get top dollar when people aren't paying top dollar.

Agreed.

[hugh jass]

you guys keep talking about all these cars on s14 or autotrader selling for 20k, 25k or higher. people are asking those pre-economic collapse prices, but how many of them are selling at that price? we seldom find out what the actual selling price is because people don't post that info. sellers on s14 keep bumping the same ads for month expecting to get top dollar when people aren't paying top dollar.
op, if the seller doesn't know the true market value of the e30 m3, offer them the minimum you think you can get away with and see what happens. if the car needs to be resprayed, you're looking at 5k minimum to do it properly. the mechanicals are a huge unknown and low mileage on a 20 year old car is not necessarily a good thing. use these points to your advantage negotiating and good luck.

[reelizmpro]

How am I a fool? Why the need to be so rude? I simply went with the most logical thing I have ever heard to do if you are completely clueless to a price. I don't buy and sell cars for a living so I'm not an expert on it. I apologize, but that is simply what I would have done. Again, no need to be rude about it. Enlighten me with better ideas and ways such as smonkbmw did rather than being a complete ass.

No one wants to explain why you are a fool so I'll just tell you. E30 M3's are collectable's and getting harder to find. KBB does not reflect this at all. So the KBB price is unrealistic and has been for a very very long time. It may surprise you but clean low mileage examples are selling as high as $30 even 40K. A far cry from KBB value. I'm sure the original poster has some idea of it's worth but is asking the forums to get a better idea.

[Tbolt]

That's amazing! KBB.com it. That website will tell you how much it's worth exactly. Once you get that amount, deduct the cheapest paint cost (only fair) as well as the mechanic expenses (parts mostly). I'd say just go to KBB and put ok condition with 27,000 and there's your price

This is the most comedy I have read in a while.

[atomic]

Not many people are in the market for a 20+ year old car that costs what the market use to demand on the e30M3 a year ago because of the poor economy we are in right now either. People with the disposable income looking to buy some vanity car like this WILL BE looking for a deal right now. I would not pay over $17-18K for this car at this time and maybe less depending on what the engine tested at. If it needs rebuilt maybe $14-15k tops...

[Reign]

You are a fool sir.

How am I a fool? Why the need to be so rude? I simply went with the most logical thing I have ever heard to do if you are completely clueless to a price. I don't buy and sell cars for a living so I'm not an expert on it. I apologize, but that is simply what I would have done. Again, no need to be rude about it. Enlighten me with better ideas and ways such as smonkbmw did rather than being a complete ass.

[shiftbmw]

That's amazing! KBB.com it. That website will tell you how much it's worth exactly. Once you get that amount, deduct the cheapest paint cost (only fair) as well as the mechanic expenses (parts mostly). I'd say just go to KBB and put ok condition with 27,000 and there's your price

You are a fool sir.

[e34john]

The $15K rule is going to be 20 really soon. That really sucks I remember in highschool they would be sitting in lots with the same price as Del Sols.

[smonkbmw]

That's amazing! KBB.com it. That website will tell you how much it's worth exactly. Once you get that amount, deduct the cheapest paint cost (only fair) as well as the mechanic expenses (parts mostly). I'd say just go to KBB and put ok condition with 27,000 and there's your price

I've never tried it for e30's but I wouldn't expect it to be innacurate. It has been very accurate for me in the past with other vehicles. Although, I could see how it could be so innacurate with this vehicle considering it's 19 years old with only 27k.

Also, if it's been sitting for awhile without any care at all, I'd deduct from the price because it's probably going to have some issues with it.

really? you apparently do not understand what youre speaking of. its best that you stop now.

the e30m3s street value is far different than any regulated "book" is going to tell you. even a standard 1989 325is with 150k is in the $1500 range, when was the last time you saw one for that cheap? a 1988 m3 with the same mileage will say around $6500. if you look on autotrader nation wide for a e30m3 you will notice that even 200k examples sell in upwards of $12k. salvage titled SHELLS sell for close to what your blue book will say a running, clean titled in "excellent" condition is worth.

id want to see documentation and proof of the mileage stated. if that checks out id want to see a extensive compression test and PPI done. if it all checks out this cars street value is probably worth around $18-$25k. if the seller is dumb enough to fall for "Reigns" idea of low balling and determining vehicle worth than you have a car that you just made out like a bandit on.

im going to assume the car is red or diamond schwarz as these are the only two colors that tend to have paint issues. if so the others are correct, a cut and buff may bring back alot of shine, color.

edit: since KBB stops at 1989 thats the only value i can get. shows vehicle worth at $8800 in "poor" condition since the paint is trashed. i guarantee you can get a minimum of $15k for it with proof of mileage. there was a 47k "bubble car" on autotrader for close to $40k not to long ago. you have the makings of the same deal right here.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=

enthusiast auto is a poor example as much of their cars are massively overpriced. but heres a car that has more mods than needed and has probably had a rough life thus far. none the less has low mileage:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=242701701&dealer_id=100015904&car_year=1990&rdm=1235788765594&model=M3&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98682&advanced=&end_year=1991&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=1972&standard=false

kbb is out the window here:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=258891064&dealer_id=63842113&car_year=1988&rdm=1235788765594&model=M3&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98682&advanced=&end_year=1991&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=570&standard=false

[Reign]

srsly? KBB is inaccurate for our e30s , let alone a 27k M3(probably values it at least 50% less than the true market). Unless the seller is completely clueless, that's not going to work.

I'd expect to pay at least 20 grand from an educated seller.

I've never tried it for e30's but I wouldn't expect it to be innacurate. It has been very accurate for me in the past with other vehicles. Although, I could see how it could be so innacurate with this vehicle considering it's 19 years old with only 27k.

Also, if it's been sitting for awhile without any care at all, I'd deduct from the price because it's probably going to have some issues with it.

[brandondan1]

That's amazing! KBB.com it. That website will tell you how much it's worth exactly. Once you get that amount, deduct the cheapest paint cost (only fair) as well as the mechanic expenses (parts mostly). I'd say just go to KBB and put ok condition with 27,000 and there's your price

srsly? KBB is inaccurate for our e30s , let alone a 27k M3(probably values it at least 50% less than the true market). Unless the seller is completely clueless, that's not going to work.

I'd expect to pay at least 20 grand from an educated seller.

[VAPORBLADE]

Does the seller understand it's value?

[Reign]

That's amazing! KBB.com it. That website will tell you how much it's worth exactly. Once you get that amount, deduct the cheapest paint cost (only fair) as well as the mechanic expenses (parts mostly). I'd say just go to KBB and put ok condition with 27,000 and there's your price

[S14pwrdE30]

How bad is the paint? Sometimes a really good buffing/polishing/detailing can make it really shine despite how it might look now. It might surprise you what you can do with it without a respray.

[Massive Lee]

M635Dude

A 27K miles with faded paint? Do you have any documention supporting the low mileage.