What can I sell an m3 with a blown HG for?

[LagWagon]

I can't afford to fix the headgasket and I don't have the spare time to do it either, so I am thinking of selling my m3.

It's a '95 m3 with 150k~ on the chassis
'97 S52 OBD1 motor with 138,000 miles
5 speed, 20k on the clutch
Mugello Rot red
Borla cat back
M5 throwing star wheels
9/10 interior, black heated vaders

http://i.imgur.com/CkuT3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5w7J6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6SosV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nq4hW.jpg


Feel like shit right now, gotta get rid of my dream car because someone sold me a car with headgasket problems. Just looking for a ballpark price you think I could sell it for

[doubleu8]

The real question is... How will you be exacting revenge on the person who sold you the car?:devillook

[AgentHubcap]

I'll give you $2k for it

[doubleu8]

I'll give you $2k for it


Was thinking along the same lines.

[buckley]

I'll give you 2500 for it...

[bourneagain]

OP, I bought my 95 M3 with 116k on the clock and a blown HG for $5000. Looking at prices of other cars on here that might be a bit steep, but it had wheels/suspension/a shitload of other bolt-ons that I planned on doing anyway, so I jumped on it. Hope this helps.

[cgrphotos]

IMO, the best thing to do would be fix the gasket. Why take a loss on a nice car.

[RRSperry]

Less than if you fixed it.

[arabsensation10]

The drivetrain and suspension alone is worth $2k. Come on guys, you know that...

OP, fix the head gasket. If it's your dream car, it's worth the time and expense. You have a very nice car, and with that mileage and HG blown you will not get what it's worth. Better off fixing it and enjoying your car! Just my 2c.

[graphite9]

$4,500 the way it sits probably. I paid $4,500 for my 98 w/160k with bent valves. BUT its super clean and stock..Fix it. You could do it for under $600

[SouthBeachM3]

Is it really only $600 to fix a blown head gasket? (I'm sure that's if you DIY)

Btw how DO you know if the car has a blown HG if they don't tell you?

And is that something that you could do with decent experience, a bentley manual, and the tools needed?

Cuz Ive been thinking about picking a sedan up from a friend to make my coupe a track rat and dd the sedan....?

OP I'm leaning with fixing it bro... it takes a lottttt of patience to find the right e36 M3

[E36BMW3series]

Fix the stupid thing yourself. It really isn't expensive if all you fix is the HG.

It's the "lets fix this and that while I'm in here" that makes it expensive. Did the car over heat, or is it just a head gasket.

[MPRESV]

You could do it for under $600

Hardly. You won't do it for just that. When the head is off you'll need to have it decked and cleaned. You'll want them to check it for cracks too, otherwise the time is pointless. I did all of this DIY and yes I added this and that. But my machine shop is cheap and they would be $150 just to check it for cracks, clean it, and deck it. Then you need all the various gaskets for the top end. It is pointless to not do them. Nuts, bolts, gaskets, and machining on the basic low end, you're looking at $350 in parts. Then this is if you have the tools too. Do you have all of the tools to do this? Yes, I went overboard (Ferrea valves, Supertech springs, ARP studs, Stewart pump, and tons ove other stuff) and I was in it for somewhere around $2,500 DIY by the time it was all said and done. Granted I now have a car that has run 20k miles with zero issues. So just depends on if you want to take the chance with a bunch of time and realistically somewhere over $600. If you don't change your own oil, don't even think about trying to do this.

[shaeff]

Caveat Emptor?

[Albertan]

Easter of 2010, I bought a 97 M3 sedan auto with "overheating" problems for $1800. The body was perfect and no rust, was a Texas car. However, it needed complete suspension replacement, and upholstery work. I pulled the engine and completely rebuilt it. The head was cracked in 3 places. So now I have a really good 97.
I am currently looking for another with a wrecked engine. My big thing is no rust. I will pay up to $2500 for an M3 but less for a regular E36. (Was just looking at an overheating 95 E36 sedan for $2000 but I think it would have had rust so I passed)
Hard to sell a car with a blown engine since most people want to turn the key and drive it!
As most people have already said, you are better off fixing it yourself. If you can't DIY, then just unload it and move on.

[WRXEATR]

Dude....just put a HG in it. It seriously sounds more intimidating than it really is. Its easy, plus you will learn something in the process!

[LagWagon]

Guys, I know I can fix it myself, its a matter of time however.
My situation is quite complicated, I work 40 minutes away, and I don't have a car to borrow - I'm not old enough to rent one.

That being said, I decided I'm going to try and fix it as fast as possible, while I'm doing that I'm going to replace the starter, get the head machined, new valve guides and all of that other nonsense.

I have the gasket kit, I got it cheap.

Also, for those of you saying $2000, blow me. I could get half of that for the seats alone for the condition they are in.

[graphite9]

What is a head gasket kit...$250? plus bolts, and head being checked/milled if necessary. IF you plan on keeping the car you need to have the head checked, and a valve/guide job. That ran me $500. and thats with replacing all the guides and all the EX valves. So, you should be into your head for under $350, as long as it wasn't extremely overheated. Honestly, there are guys on here renting the cam tool/flywheel lock and vanos tool. You could have it done in a weekend. Granted the head doesn't need a ton of work. Don't take the loss, work with it. You'll be glad you did

[alanilil]

You gotta assume the worst. Likely a cooling system issue that caused it to overheat in the first place.

Likely a cracked head as well if it overheated badly or repeatedly.

[AgentHubcap]

Guys, I know I can fix it myself, its a matter of time however.
My situation is quite complicated, I work 40 minutes away, and I don't have a car to borrow - I'm not old enough to rent one.

That being said, I decided I'm going to try and fix it as fast as possible, while I'm doing that I'm going to replace the starter, get the head machined, new valve guides and all of that other nonsense.

I have the gasket kit, I got it cheap.
Also, for those of you saying $2000, blow me. I could get half of that for the seats alone for the condition they are in.

If you don't have the cash to fix a head gasket, then I would have to assume there are other neglected items in the car.

Head gaskets don't magically blow, either. Something caused it, and that'll have to be fixed, too. Worst case scenario, a new engine would be needed.

I picked up my 97 for $5k without a blown head gasket, so sight unseen for your car in non-running condition, $2k is about right for me. You would be better off parting it out.

[Tongboy]

a car for sale with a known major failure is a car with lots of other unaddressed maintenance items, no matter how much the seller says otherwise.

[GaTech]

You'll be out less money if you fix it yourself.

[pbonsalb]

Typically, you have to discount by much more than the estimated cost of the repair by a professional shop. That cost is roughly $2000. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Stuff needs to be replaced in the course of the work, there is significant labor, and the head needs to go to a machine shop for testing and resurfacing. Then you have to add in the risk factor. Sure, the seller says it simply overheated, but did not tell you he had also just mechanically overrevved it and damaged valves or overheated the head so badly it cracked. I would pay $3000 under market value at most.

These are great cars for DIYers. They can be frustrating for others, because they buy a $10,000 car and then find out it needs the same maintenance as the $40,000 car that it once was. And often much of that maintenance is deferred to the 2nd or 3rd or 4th owner.

Learn to DIY. You can practically watch a video of any repair job these days.

[graphite9]

If you don't have the cash to fix a head gasket, then I would have to assume there are other neglected items in the car.

Head gaskets don't magically blow, either. Something caused it, and that'll have to be fixed, too. Worst case scenario, a new engine would be needed.

It would be extremely unlikely you would need a new engine. Extremely. Most likely head work, cooling system, gaskets, done.

[MasterKwan]

Also, for those of you saying $2000, blow me. I could get half of that for the seats alone for the condition they are in.

It's all a question of whether you can find a sucker to take it off your hands. I wouldn't give you much for it but, I know alot about cars.

- It's 16 years old and the '95's are probably the most trouble prone of all M3's.
- It's got a blown HG and who knows what else.
- I can buy a running one, for between $5 and 10K depending on how nice I want it to be.

So basically your price span is probably $2-5K Only an idiot would give you 5K for a broken car when a running one isn't much more.

What do YOU think it's worth?

[cgrphotos]

It's all a question of whether you can find a sucker to take it off your hands. I wouldn't give you much for it but, I know alot about cars.

- It's 16 years old and the '95's are probably the most trouble prone of all M3's.
- It's got a blown HG and who knows what else.
- I can buy a running one, for between $5 and 10K depending on how nice I want it to be.

So basically your price span is probably $2-5K Only an idiot would give you 5K for a broken car when a running one isn't much more.

What do YOU think it's worth?

This.

[MPRESV]

Be sure you have the tools if you're going to do this and plan ahead. For those who say it's easy, I agree but we don't know his skill level and speed. As for speed, how quick is your machine shop? The good one around here I use does all the machining for the local BMW dealer. They are usually a week out at best on jobs. So figure your time. You won't have this done in one weekend if you are going to have the head cleaned, checked, and decked. Being your first time, it'll take you 3 hours to pull the head at best and then you have to take it a machine shop and let them hold on it for at least a few days. So then at best you're back at it the next weekend putting it back together. And this is assuming you have every single part and tool you need on hand and didn't forget anything.

[MPRESV]

Be sure you have the tools if you're going to do this and plan ahead. For those who say it's easy, I agree but we don't know his skill level and speed. As for speed, how quick is your machine shop? The good one around here I use does all the machining for the local BMW dealer. They are usually a week out at best on jobs. So figure your time. You won't have this done in one weekend if you are going to have the head cleaned, checked, and decked. Being your first time, it'll take you 3 hours to pull the head at best and then you have to take it a machine shop and let them hold on it for at least a few days. So then at best you're back at it the next weekend putting it back together. And this is assuming you have every single part and tool you need on hand and didn't forget anything.

[MasterKwan]

those who say it's easy...

are liars....

[spetsnaz55]

Also planning on doing a head gasket soon. some concerns I have, my engine was overheated so any possibility of the oil rings being toasted so compression permanently at a loss?? What are the special tools that required for this job??

[CMG]

Guys, I know I can fix it myself, its a matter of time however.
My situation is quite complicated, I work 40 minutes away, and I don't have a car to borrow - I'm not old enough to rent one.

That being said, I decided I'm going to try and fix it as fast as possible, while I'm doing that I'm going to replace the starter, get the head machined, new valve guides and all of that other nonsense.

I have the gasket kit, I got it cheap.

Also, for those of you saying $2000, blow me. I could get half of that for the seats alone for the condition they are in.

Haha, Op asks how much we think it's worth then gets upset when people give him realistic answers. If you think you know how much it's worth then why did you bother asking in the first place. We are well aware you are not old enough to rent a car, it shows.

[GREENMOBSTER]

Did on the front bumper

[GREENMOBSTER]

dibs*

[MPRESV]

are liars....

Hahaha! For this guy that statement I would guess is correct. If you have to ask, it's not going to be easy.

[MPRESV]

Also planning on doing a head gasket soon. some concerns I have, my engine was overheated so any possibility of the oil rings being toasted so compression permanently at a loss?? What are the special tools that required for this job??

All depends. You won't know how bad things are until it's torn down. This is one of those deals where people think shops are screwing them when there is major work needed. It's just a situation where you don't know how bad it is until you pull it apart. And the tools needed depend on what you're going. Not just a simple answer for this. That's why I say you have to expect this is going to take some time because unless you have every tool needed on standby, ordering and waiting for it adds two days. There are some good DIYs on BFc, and one specifically on HG jobs. I think it's a sticky in the DIY thread.

[AgentHubcap]

It would be extremely unlikely you would need a new engine. Extremely. Most likely head work, cooling system, gaskets, done.

I don't disagree. It would be extremely unlikely. That's why it is the worst case scenario.

It is also extremely unlikely that ONLY a head gasket will be needed.

[weaksauce]

i buy blown hg m3's for $1500-$2500 depending on the condition of the balance of the car.

[Albertan]

I guess me paying $1800 was right on the money. And whom ever said if a head gasket is gone there are probably lots of other things needing doing was very accurate as well. I have 4 E36 cars on the road right now. All of them needed complete new suspensions at the very least and then I went from there.
To the OP, go slow, document and take pictures, label every nut and bolt and every electrical connection. As you do something write it down. That way you won't be wondering if you tightened something or not. Be careful putting the vanos back on, get it right and you won't have to do the whole job over again.
Good luck.

[Volf]

Make sure the head isn't cracked and then sell it as a turbo project.


dibs*

You know there is an edit button right?

[dano670]

It is probably not a head gasket, but a cracked head. I replaced mine once and had to do the job again because the machinist didn't notice the crack in the #4 intake valve. You can use an M50/M52/S50/S52 head on the car. Just change over your valves and springs.

The car is very nice, and I wish you were local, as I would help you fix it.

[Volf]

It is probably not a head gasket, but a cracked head. I replaced mine once and had to do the job again because the machinist didn't notice the crack in the #4 intake valve. You can use an M50/M52/S50/S52 head on the car. Just change over your valves and springs.

The car is very nice, and I wish you were local, as I would help you fix it.

Also a good point ^

You can get a used head for about $300-$400

[LagWagon]

I have everything I need lined up.. a complete top end gasket kit, a used m50 head, an account with a machine shop, and all the tools I need.

I completed a vanos rebuild job in under book time (beisan style, not DR VANOS) so I have been down this road partially before, I think the rest is just taking stuff apart. I have someone helping me too, so I'm not totally afraid.

Though I can say one thing.... I really miss my rusty 328 right now! It was so beautiful, and black :( and had 257,000 miles on the stock everything (except clutch)

[scoobiedoo2029]

yeah grab a wrench an fix it its really not hard just intimidating

throw rings and bearings and valve guides head gasket and cooling system and drive it till it rusts out.

[dano670]

Just be careful when installing the camshafts back in. They are fragile. Also, I used an engine hoist to install the head back on the car. It is probably 75 lbs with cams installed and there are valves hanging down.

[MasterKwan]

I think it's great that he's fixing it but

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1670850

Shows you it's not always that simple.

[pbonsalb]

DIY is the way to go with these old cars.

Spend the money to have whatever head you use pressure tested and decked.

If you can remove and reinstall the vanos, you can do the HG job. Drain coolant first from block drain. Be patient with the cam removal and reinstallation. I go 1/4 turn at a time on each nut, up and down the row. Takes a few extra minutes but I have never broken one.

Remember to put the shield back on the intake. Have a clean area to store the trays and lifters and try not to mix any of them up. Note orientation of caps. Cellphone pics work.

Don't drop the chain down the hole.

Label everything under the intake manifold.

Buy new exhaust studs and nuts and gaskets. If a stock exhaust, you may break a header to midpipe stud, so have parts for that connection available or be prepared buy them. A broken stud can be dremeled off or pounded out and replaced with a bolt.

When reinstalling, triple check timing. Rotate through a few times and test by placing the cam blocks on the back of the cams. If they do not fit perfectly, you did not get it right.

Engage first tooth of vanos plunger or your travel may be off.

I like the Dr. Vanos stage II install instructions, available in PDF, over the Pelican instructions, because they use the arrow on the exhaust sprocke as a "get started" reference.
Good luck and have fun.

[dano670]

If a stock exhaust, you may break a header to midpipe stud, so have parts for that connection available or be prepared buy them. A broken stud can be dremeled off or pounded out and replaced with a bolt.


Yeah, I broke 4 of the 6. I use bolts now on all 6.

Also, when I pulled my head with the hoist, I pulled it with the headers still connected. It is much easier then removing 24 nuts in a small area. I also installed it that way.