Time to sell my baby...need help with pricing

[bweier]

I would appreciate some feedback from the community on a reasonable "private party" value for my 1998 M3...not a stealership value

• 124,000 miles
• No rust...no damage...very few dings or chips
• 4 door automatic Black on Black
• Full leather, sun roof, power doors/seats/windows
• After market Alpine sound system with sub, 5 channel amp, and all new speakers ($1200)
• 2 sets tires in good condition - Continental Extreme Contact DW and Bridgestone Blizzak
• Mobile One 0w-40 every 6k...Pentosin ATF (tranny and power steering)...OEM coolant...ATE Super Blue Brakes

Recent (after 100,00 miles) work done

• NEW coils & plugs, VCG, rebuilt vanos, thermostat & housing, Stewart water pump, CCV, pulleys, tensioners, belts, O2 sensors, fuel filter, tranny mounts, engine mounts, lower ca bushings, tie rods, sway bar links, front struts & mounts, rear shocks & mounts, rear toe bushings, X brace, battery, hood struts, all filters, all fluids, front 1/2 exhaust (includes cats), r/l front calipers, front rotors, all pads (ceramic), floor mats, gas door hinge, 2 new lock actuators, rear map pockets, front right seat motor & air bag indicator...
• ALL parts OEM - Lemforder, Brembo, Akebono, Meyle, Bosch etc.
• Car is STOCK besides upgraded sound system

Not sure what to ask...especially this close to winter. Last year my M3 turned into a plow for some of the winter....can't do it again this year.

Thanks!!

[crqflier]

Great maint list. Definitely top 20% of upkeep. Think it totally depends on actual condition of the interior and exterior and the damage history if any. If everything is top notch, I'd put it at 8k+ even with the auto in SoCal. No clue about MI.

[rajicase]

^^ I disagree..

Unfortunately, despite it being in great condition, the automatic trans is a big hit to the value of these cars. Now that e36 m3s(higher priced well maintained ones) are predominantly being bought by enthusiasts who 95% of the time want a manual transmission).

Id say $7-8k could be attainable if OP is willing to wait A LONNNNG time for the right buyer...

I think $6k is more realistic... which still would take a while IMO.

[eternal24k]

I would say the $6,500 range

[poorhouse]

No rust after being winter driven in MI? You must be dedicated to washing the underside.

I flew to Ohio years ago to look at a rust free car. I belive the seller really thought it was rust free.

To my west coast eyes it was quite rusty. Different strokes.

[bweier]

I think I will start at $7500 and see if I get any bites...the interior and paint are really good. If not, I may drive it through winter again since my Blizzaks will hold another season, as this car will be easier to sell in the spring/summer (I think). Most of you feel the same as I do...the upkeep on the car while extensive unfortunately is unlikely to translate into a much higher resale value. I paid $9400 in 2009 when it had 72k on it...likely spent another $3-4k on it in upgrades. If I get $7000 out of it I got to drive a BMW M3 for 5 years for about $120 a month!! I'll take that deal alllll day long!

[RightYouAreKen]

$6500-7500 is what I'm thinking. Sounds like a nice car with the bummeromatic. Maybe a candidate for an ambitious 5 speed swapper?

If it was a manual trans car id say $10k with the described condition, mileage, maintenance and location. If it were a documented west coast car with no rust I could see it maybe even going for up to $12k to the right buyer.

[realjones]

If you aren't in a huge hurry to sell start it at $8500 or $8999 - you never know who will bite. You aren't going to scare off any potential buyers at $8.5K vs $7.5K.

I agree that $7K would be great for the car. Consider parting out the sound system if it's worth anything and going back to stock.

[EricP]

If you aren't in a huge hurry to sell start it at $8500 or $8999 - you never know who will bite. You aren't going to scare off any potential buyers at $8.5K vs $7.5K.

I agree that $7K would be great for the car. Consider parting out the sound system if it's worth anything and going back to stock.

If it's anything like mine, the stock sound system was completely worthless and a mess of useless wiring and blown speakers.. I usually know going into an install that I will never remove the aftermarket system from the car because of the huge amount of work it would take to simply get the stock system working again. You won't get your money back, but screw removing it

$7500-8500 asking price sounds fine to me.

[dohcdoh]

Can I start the bidding at tree fiddy?

[Alpine 318is]

The auto is killing. I hate to say it but I really think its a $6,000 car.

[KnudsonsM3]

The auto is killing. I hate to say it but I really think its a $6,000 car.

His car is not a 6k car. I've been looking around for my dad and I'd say he could ask $8500 - $9000 and take $7-$8000.

[CMG]

His car is not a 6k car. I've been looking around for my dad and I'd say he could ask $8500 - $9000 and take $7-$8000.

Maybe if it also had a new radiator, headgasket and 5 speed.

[rajicase]

His car is not a 6k car. I've been looking around for my dad and I'd say he could ask $8500 - $9000 and take $7-$8000.

Gotta disagree..

Its unfortunate but that automatic really does kill the value, despite the car being in great condition....

I think $6k is a reasonable expectation, and I believe at that price it will still take quite a while to sell simply because people looking to buy an e36 m3 don't want an automatic transmission.

[eternal24k]

+1,
After having recently been in the market and spending 3+ months monitoring and pursuing every M3 on craigslist within 200 miles, the Auto M3s were the only cars that still for sale over that 3 month span (especially the convertibles). The aftermarket sub is a huge turnoff for many as well. I recently picked up a 1999 M3 5spd convertible, bone stock, no rust, service records and the big ticket PMCS done with hardtop and extra set of wheels and tires for $7500 and to be honest I could have probably gotten it for less. But when I log back into craigslist most of the Autos are still for sale.

Gotta disagree..

Its unfortunate but that automatic really does kill the value, despite the car being in great condition....

I think $6k is a reasonable expectation, and I believe at that price it will still take quite a while to sell simply because people looking to buy an e36 m3 don't want an automatic transmission.

[AsifLicious]

Your car is definitely a 7,000+ dollar car, don't listen to anyone that says otherwise. Especially considering the low miles and how well maintained it is

[emccallum]

+1,
After having recently been in the market and spending 3+ months monitoring and pursuing every M3 on craigslist within 200 miles, the Auto M3s were the only cars that still for sale over that 3 month span (especially the convertibles). The aftermarket sub is a huge turnoff for many as well. I recently picked up a 1999 M3 5spd convertible, bone stock, no rust, service records and the big ticket PMCS done with hardtop and extra set of wheels and tires for $7500 and to be honest I could have probably gotten it for less. But when I log back into craigslist most of the Autos are still for sale.

PMCS? What are the details of the 99 you got? Condition, miles, etc? I have a 99 vert 5spd with 65K miles in VG condition.

[eternal24k]

PMCS? What are the details of the 99 you got? Condition, miles, etc? I have a 99 vert 5spd with 65K miles in VG condition.

Preventative maintenance checks & services. It had 102k, garaged, no rust, all major service done. After I sold the hardtop and extra wheels it put me in it at $5800.

[hide1]

If paint and interior is pristine I would say he could get $7500. A lot of maintenance was done which says a lot, but the cooling system was missed. I like that you went with the Stewart pump, which is 4x the cost of a oe metal impeller pump so def didn't cheap out. You did vanos and ccv, which means its likely going to be a good place to pick up for the next owner. But the sound system means very little unfortunately. It almost takes away value. Front suspension is still original? Idk black/ black is one of the least liked color combos. If paint and interior are just eh $5500-$6600 max condition depending.

[M_3_X]

Don't sweat it too much, just list it at a reasonable price, the market will speak for itself. Depending on your urgency to sell, you can get more/less money for it.

[eternal24k]

So what did it sell for?