WTB: Looking for another E31

[mojocoggo]

It's been a while since I've posted here but I'm looking for another E31. I've had 4 previous 850i cars and while I loved them all, other circumstances required me to sell them. I'd like to find a keeper this time and thought I'd turn to the forum instead of eBay/craigslist to find a quality car. I've looked at 7-10 of cars over the last month and haven't been able to find what I'm looking for.

My requirements are simple:

Nice original paint/no body damage (rock chips, etc from normal use are fine)
Perfect HVAC (non-negotiable, "AC just needs a charge" does not count as perfect. I'm looking at you, craigslist)
Interior must be excellent. No shrunken/stiff leather.
100% stock/original

Exceptions (other than HVAC) can be made for cool/unique/rare cars.
Prefer a local NorCal sale, but will travel nationwide for the right car.

I'm open to all color combinations, and not picky about auto or manual.

Budget is under $20k. I search eBay and craigslist (nationwide) daily and have exhausted those routes.

Let me know what you have!!

[72tpik5]

Good luck with your search. Cool website. An 8 would be very fortunate to find it's way into your stable.

[Fatandre]

Finally Mojo. I knew you would be back.
Have been following you on insta though so I know you are searching.
Really missed your cool photos

[TedBobo]

I know of a Silver, 60k mile '97 850 in SoCal but you may need to "up" your budget a bit. ��

[72tpik5]

Or this one. 140k $17,500.00 Blue over Silver.

http://www.globalautosports.com/car/275453/

[mojocoggo]

Or this one. 140k $17,500.00 Blue over Silver.

http://www.globalautosports.com/car/275453/

I would love to have this car, I found a FS thread from 2015 (link) but it doesn't say if it was sold. I sent a message in hopes of reaching the owner. Thanks for the link!

Edit - called the seller and he said it's been sold.

[72tpik5]

I would love to have this car, I found a FS thread from 2015 (link) but it doesn't say if it was sold. I sent a message in hopes of reaching the owner. Thanks for the link!

Edit - called the seller and he said it's been sold.

The facebook post is 18 hours old as for sale by owner. Hope it is current.

[mojocoggo]

The facebook post is 18 hours old as for sale by owner. Hope it is current.

I called the number on the listing, which matches the number in the threads I found from 2013 and 2015, and he confirmed that it was sold unfortunately. If anyone knows the current owner I would love to get in contact with them!

[72tpik5]

Sorry.

[mojocoggo]

Sorry.

No worries! I appreciate the link. It's a lovely car and I'm trying to track it down.

[72tpik5]

I know of a Silver, 60k mile '97 850 in SoCal but you may need to "up" your budget a bit. ��

Rumor has it that this one is definitely worth a look, if you haven't already. Of course, I am partial to the M73/5sp auto.

[TxGR8White]

Or this one. 140k $17,500.00 Blue over Silver.

http://www.globalautosports.com/car/275453/

this is an enthusiast owned car with each owner. Car is somewhat rare and has a very unique interior that you will not find on another 8. The wheels are also the cat's meow - 3 piece Schnitzers. Great price for the car.

[72tpik5]

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/c...287839548.html

- - - Updated - - -

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...327885223.html

- - - Updated - - -

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...317140148.html

[72tpik5]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...289774081.html

- - - Updated - - -

6 speed Red over Black

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/c...281244367.html

[slowlemur]

I'm in a similar position, though I'm on the opposite coast. What are other sites that would be good to monitor for vehicles for sale? I usually look at:

- Craigslist
- Ebay
- Bring A Trailer
- Autotrader

Just wondering if folks know of other sites that enthusiasts go to post their vehicles for sale that would be worth monitoring?

[mojocoggo]

Still looking if anyone has anything...

[Neil Malcolm]

There is this of course
https://classiccars.com/listings/vie...ontario-l2n4p8
Regards, Neil

[kiwiCSi]

Nice, apart from that rear wing.
May not be original paint either, as condition stated is 'fully restored'.

[rjbaren]

Bring a trailer usually has 1 e31 per month. I have seen a couple of pretty nice ones go through.

[smokinm6]

http://www.bemer.com/inventory?q=8+series

The 850i was owned by a friend of mine. It’s been at Bemer for a couple years in storage but before selling to Bemer he was going OCD on making it look new. Rear dash panel, FTP, seals and gaskets etc...I think it still has Wokke chips. It’s clean but not perfect.

He’s a Fiat nut so he had no more garage space for the 8 after getting a Lancia Delta Integrale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mojocoggo]

Welp, I got tired of looking and picked up an E34 540i/6. I've had 4 E31s already and don't really want to get another and spend $5k in parts fixing everything it inevitably needs. I'll just wait until I can get a CSi. That's what I really want anyways. Thanks for the help everyone.

[kiwiCSi]

The E34 is a great car, Dylan - especially the factory 6-speed ones.
In years gone by I've owned several V8's and sixes, tourings and sedans.
They're well built and still look stylish and undated (especially the Touring).

Good luck with the hunt for a CSi - you wouldn't want to leave it too long though, as prices for good examples of these are rapidly heading north.

[jeffcfp1]

In case anyone else is looking for something perfect as Dylan was. It's a gremlin free virtually completely restored 840. "Restored" meaning brand new BMW motor with less than 1,000 miles on her, new transmission and unbelievable paint/fit/finish. Put my heart and sole into this car over eight years (the irony...) but its time to move on as daughter will be off to school soon, the next one wants here own car (and it won't be this car) and I'd rather just have one extra car versus two.

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ct...414496340.html

[alex840]

WOW, this is a really good opportunity for someone out there. Did you Bring a Trailer this? This needs to go on there and it will most likely bring over your asking price.

Good Luck with the Sale.

In case anyone else is looking for something perfect as Dylan was. It's a gremlin free virtually completely restored 840. "Restored" meaning brand new BMW motor with less than 1,000 miles on her, new transmission and unbelievable paint/fit/finish. Put my heart and sole into this car over eight years (the irony...) but its time to move on as daughter will be off to school soon, the next one wants here own car (and it won't be this car) and I'd rather just have one extra car versus two.

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ct...414496340.html

[Alec Cartio]

Dylan buddy.
The best E31’s change hands between club guys. Usually unadvertised and most frequently at gatherings. Attending E31 events and befriending many of us in the clubs helps finding GEM cars which have never seen a publication ad in their lives yet had 3-4 owners. That’s how I found my CSi and helped others do so as well. Through club friends. I saw my CSi at the Russian River fest in 2008/9 and waited 7 years for it until Peter was ready to sell it. Most guys trust selling their beloved E31’s to likeminded club friends who won’t F* UP the cars after they buy it. I suggest you do that as well.
What usually happens is that we have a gathering and then suddenly a member says hey guys I’m selling my car, anyone interested?... boom. Next thing you know I call this and that person, he calls this and that person, you call this and that person and it’s gone... LOL. good times.
Same goes with finding a future wife. Hahaha.

Alec.