Gauging interest - might be selling my car

[pig4bill]

My car has front end damage from a collision. It would be a good project for someone very handy to fix, or to part out. I hate the idea of selling it to a boneyard because just a couple things on it are worth big bucks, and I'd rather an M3 owner benefit than a boneyard.

For example, it has 5 forged lighweights on it (apparently ordered as an option when new, or it would have only 4 of them), a cd changer (although I guess everyone ipods now), etc.

98 4-door, 260,000 miles. What might it be worth?

[ThreeD]

Not much with 260k miles, maybe 2-3k. Maybe you should just part it out if you have the time

[Volf]

Post pics so we can see how smashed up it is.

[Butler]

That ^

[bay707]

i think they all came with full size spares (a thinner version of the oem wheel)

[pig4bill]

I live in an apartment, so I can't part it out. I would certainly be money ahead if I could.

It's at the body shop so I can't take any pics. The front is pushed in pretty good, it will require radiator, fan, water pump, etc, although all of that stuff still works at the moment and doesn't leak. But you wouldn't want to leave it in there if you wanted to fix it. The hood is trashed and one front fender may be tweaked at the front - it's hard to tell.

As far as I know, the spare wheel is probably the same size as a front wheel. It uses an ordinary tire.

[MasterKwan]

I'd say it's worth very little if the collision damaged the motor, you might have $1000 in parts (not including wheels which I can't gauge). M3 parts are dirt cheap these days except for the motor, which is both old and apparently damaged on your car. Check Ebay for parts prices. As it sits, I'd have a hard time even offering $1000. The combination of really high miles and 1000's in damage means you might just want to dump it.

If the body was in decent shape and it had a blown head gasket, then it would be worth $2000-3000.

My spare was the same as one of the fronts.

[GG Allin]

What color is it? Which fender has damage?

[pig4bill]

It's silver, and the possibly damaged fender is the driver's side.

I don't know if the motor is damaged or not. I drove the car about 15 miles to the body shop. I kept a close watch on the temp, and it never went above normal.

[MasterKwan]

I misread your post sorry. I though I read "needed cooling system". I must have conflated it with another topic.

[KnudsonsM3]

Post pics so we can see how smashed up it is.

My thoughts exactly

[pig4bill]

I misread your post sorry. I though I read "needed cooling system". I must have conflated it with another topic.

It will need a cooling to system to do the repair right. The radiator was pushed back into the fan. Although it wasn't leaking, the chances of disassembling everything and re-installing it without cracking a radiator neck is pretty slim. The fans were trashed as well. I could drive it in January without any fans and not overheat, but I imagine July would be a different story.

[Moron95M3]

let's see some pics! Could just fix it up?

[cgrphotos]

i think they all came with full size spares (a thinner version of the oem wheel)

The spare wheels are the same as a front wheel in the staggered setups.

[pig4bill]

Sorry it took so long to get pics. I had camera issues.

It looks a lot worse than it really was, because the body shop removed the bumper and unbolted some stuff so they could thoroughly inspect for damage. It also looks filthy because the shop had an unpaved lot they kept it in and it sprinkled rain a bit. I included a closeup of the front fender. It may be that the hood is the only external panel that got bent.

[JCooper]

part out,

[MasterKwan]

I'd put it on craigs list for $2000, be ready to drop it to $1000 and if that doesn't work, have someone haul it off as scrap and move on.

[E36forever]

With such high mileage I wouldn't even bother parting it out.

[Moron95M3]

With such high mileage I wouldn't even bother parting it out.

dumb post.

yea, throw out some M mirrors that are worth $75 cause they have a lot of miles

[Jrrrrrrr]

Post more pics (rest of body, interior, engine bay) and you'll get a better answer.

What part of CA are you in?

[coslz1]

Am I the only one that see's how bent the frame is.....part out seats, tranny, dash etc or scrap it

[MasterKwan]

yea, throw out some M mirrors that are worth $75 cause they have a lot of miles

For some of us, $75 isn't worth getting out of our computer chairs. If I can't get at least $150 for a part, it goes into the dumpster. OP has already said he doesn't have room for a part out and the hassle of parting out a car is often not worth the money you get out of it. I've done it twice. The time I wasted with tire kickers and no-shows made it not worth doing. I only sell major parts now.

[mrbarnum]

If those LTWs are in good condition and you clean them up, they can be worth a bit in the classified.
A lot of people need random interior bits
Rips out what you feel you can sell, then it off to the junk yard, take your seats, intererior panels, rugs, anything in good condition.

[Moron95M3]

For some of us, $75 isn't worth getting out of our computer chairs. If I can't get at least $150 for a part, it goes into the dumpster. OP has already said he doesn't have room for a part out and the hassle of parting out a car is often not worth the money you get out of it. I've done it twice. The time I wasted with tire kickers and no-shows made it not worth doing. I only sell major parts now.

Wow. Guess I'm just part of the 99%. Can I get the address of your dumpster?


Seems like an arrogant waste of money. (and yes, I do okay myself - but I'm still frugal).


To follow up my example, 6 small bolts = 10 mins, with $75 profit. I think $450/hr is decent...

[GG Allin]

Wow. Guess I'm just part of the 99%. Can I get the address of your dumpster?

I'll sit out there like a Vulture with you.