I am looking at a 1987 325i convertible, it has ZERO rot/rust on the body and/or under carriage, the engine has 130k mile, seats were just reupholstered (grey/red), soft top is in very good condition, body needs some body work and paint (multiple small dings/dents)....what would be a reasonable price to pay for such a vehicle? the owner wants $8,000, please advise
impossible to gauge without pics. strikes me as a bit high with the mileage, but these things get prices all over the map depending on condition, location etc. they are all going up in value, the verts generally lag behind the hardtops tho.
Thanks, I was thinking about offering 6k
you have to check craigslist to see what they are going for around your area. here, they are 2500ish up to 5k
No e30s again.
Chmbo,
You are not asking the right questions and the VERY FIRST question I would ask is when did that M20 Engine get it's last Timing Belt / Water Pump change?
I believe in my opinion that price is pretty excessive. If it had say 70,000 - 80,000 okay but over 100,000 miles it certainly needs a TIMING BELT if the owner didn't mention it.
How about the Brakes?
Is the Odometer WORKING?????
How about the Coolant Flush and Refill Maintenance? If they have not done the Coolant then, rest assured the Water Pump will start leaking and then, you would need to do an AUTOMATIC TIMING BELT job with it.
Here's mine down here in Central Florida and it's lacking a New Top and install AC compressor.
Last week I was asking $2,650 OBO and these Nub Skulls kelp LOW BALLING me. I have taken it OFF the market!
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Last edited by guapoman2000; 10-19-2017 at 02:07 PM.
Up here zero-rust cars can bring a premium, but that still seems pretty steep (again, no pictures makes it tough). Timing belt/water pump situation is important, odometer is important, records of any other maintenance work (bushings, brakes, fluids, etc.) is important. If any of those are unknown, the price is way too high. Even $6k would be debatable without that information.
If you can post pictures, that would help.
Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one?
Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!
Elva Courier build thread here!
Zero rust is super attractive and could make it worth the premium price. Reupholster job sounds non-stock which imo lowers value, but to each their own. Timing belt sticker under hood should say date & mileage of last replacement - I think all shops put this on, but DIY jobs ymmv. You can ask a shop doing PPI to provide a service/repair list with prices for each thing they find needing work; this gives you an idea how much the car should cost you over its first year or two. Carfax can also provide some enlightening service records, if the PO doesn't have a thick folder of 'em.
Keep in mind your purchase price will be a diminishing portion of TCO over time. If you really like it, and it's a really fun drive, over the years you'll spend more keeping it up and initial purchase price will be less and less of a big deal.
I picked one up yesterday for $1,750. Same year, no rust, a little more miles, 146k, interior is pretty trashed in addition to it needing an exterior paint. But this was Denver.
Proud new owner of a 1987 325i Cabrio
Picked my '91 up for $600. How much work does it need? Well, a lot but it's mostly cosmetic/interior. Body is straight and rust-free minus a few spots starting on the rockers. Not bad for a car that lived in NW Ohio and Wisconsin and was winter driven.
chmbo,
I purchased a 87 325i from the original owner in July. 205000km (128000 miles) zero rust, beautiful leather interior, almost spotless. No smokers, no kids and no pets !! It included a hardtop that looks like new, brand new tires, battery, exhaust, and a maintenance history from day one. I paid $7500.00 Cdn. Approx. $5500. USD. I had it appraised by Haggertty Ins. and it came in at $15500-$18000. This was 3 weeks after I purchased it , and had shown it at the BMW Annual car show where it came in 2nd. place.
car show. Based on that I would offer $5500-6000.00. USD. You can always come up in $$$$ if you really like the car.
Rod
nice /\
No e30s again.
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