5years later... prices going UP on E38s!!

[Ghettobird52]

Well what a trip down memory lane this forum brings me... LOL!

I was on here for about 6 months 5 years ago! I was getting ready to buy a 01 740il but never ended up buying one... Some how i ended up with a e90. Well i had that for about 2 years and couldnt afford it the payment anymore so i sold it. 6months later i got cash together and bought a 99 323ci convertible (e36) 5 speed. Fun little car but it was my first stick and i hated Daily driving with a clutch ( yeah yeah make fun of me all you want!!!). I sold the e36 and bought a 01 330CI (e46) again convertible but auto this time. What a great car that was, well i totaled the car close to a year ago swerving off the road for a homeless man into a concrete wall... Car crushed but some how i walked away with minor bruising, worst part was glass in the eyes.

Finally got something (barely) from insurance and i was debating another e46. Then something caught my eye, a 01 740I sport. I totally forgot how in love i was with those sport contour seats and the e38 interior in whole. This got me really looking at some but im just astonished that the prices have not dropped at all and actually seem to be going back up!???

5 years ago i was going to buy a 01 740il loaded with 78K miles for $9500, and another one 01 740il with 82K for $9200. Now as i look at them the 01 740i sports with under 100k miles are going $9-11,000! A nice 01 740i sport in great condition with 121k sold for $7200!! The early e65's are actually CHEAPER than the late model e38s!

I really want a e38 but damn are they going back up in value or what!

Nice to see some of the same names still around 5 years later...!

[BillConn]

Looks the price has gone down from $9k to $7k from your comparison. Remember it's been 5yrs so that same 78k mile car has had 5yrs of mileage put on it.... which would be a 7500 mile/yr car up to about 120k, which is really low mileage for a 17-18yr old car. You are also comparing the more common 740il (5yrs ago) to a more rare 740i sport (5yrs later).
id say these car are just about rock bottom price wise. The only ones that command any premium are the 2001's and more specifically low mileage 2001 short wheelbase sports.
My 1998 740il 1-owner low mileage car was $2K. Now that is rock bottom.

[Jamos]

You're from before my time here, but welcome back to the allure! =D

There are deals from $1200 left right and center it seems, but I agree that the better-kept specimens are faring very well in the depreciation side of things.

[ChrisMelnyk]

From what I've seen on other BMW's (in Vancouver, BC), you're right.

I think it has to do the the scarcity of lower mileage cars when they get up there in age.

Even about two years ago, the post-face-lifted e39's were going for more money than early e60's (same mileage and condition)

I've seen the same thing with e38 and e65.

Personally, I consider the e38 and e39 to be genuinely good-looking cars with a strong following, whereas I just consider the e65 and e60 to look more modern, but are still objectively not good looking vehicles.

[Ghettobird52]

Looks the price has gone down from $9k to $7k from your comparison. Remember it's been 5yrs so that same 78k mile car has had 5yrs of mileage put on it.... which would be a 7500 mile/yr car up to about 120k, which is really low mileage for a 17-18yr old car. You are also comparing the more common 740il (5yrs ago) to a more rare 740i sport (5yrs later).
id say these car are just about rock bottom price wise. The only ones that command any premium are the 2001's and more specifically low mileage 2001 short wheelbase sports.
My 1998 740il 1-owner low mileage car was $2K. Now that is rock bottom.

Good point about them being iLs 5 years ago. Now im more in the market for a 740i sport!!!

You're from before my time here, but welcome back to the allure! =D

There are deals from $1200 left right and center it seems, but I agree that the better-kept specimens are faring very well in the depreciation side of things.

Yeah i know these m62tu's are prone to some disastrous failures so i know buying a little higher in mileage (120K) with reports of work being doen might be better than a low mileage one.

From what I've seen on other BMW's (in Vancouver, BC), you're right.

I think it has to do the the scarcity of lower mileage cars when they get up there in age.

Even about two years ago, the post-face-lifted e39's were going for more money than early e60's (same mileage and condition)

I've seen the same thing with e38 and e65.

Personally, I consider the e38 and e39 to be genuinely good-looking cars with a strong following, whereas I just consider the e65 and e60 to look more modern, but are still objectively not good looking vehicles.

Your very right im really having a hard time finding late model good condition e38s....

We will see where this road leads me. Maybe i'll actually become a e38 owner???

[BillConn]

Yeah i know these m62tu's are prone to some disastrous failures so i know buying a little higher in mileage (120K) with reports of work being doen might be better than a low mileage one.

At this point maintence history is key. The low mileage cars can be time bombs. An e38 with 150k perhaps has already had many of the big issues resolved already. I picked up my 98 740il with 138k miles with all service records since new from the original owner. Many of the common issues had already been addressed: Radiator, expansion tank, valley pan, OSV, valve covers, suspension, etc, had all been replaced between 100-130K miles. A sub 100K mile car will likely have avoided all of these repairs, and leave the new owner to deal with them. I'd place maintenance history and overall condition far more important than low mileage.

[oatmealwithwate]

At this point maintence history is key. The low mileage cars can be time bombs. An e38 with 150k perhaps has already had many of the big issues resolved already. I picked up my 98 740il with 138k miles with all service records since new from the original owner. Many of the common issues had already been addressed: Radiator, expansion tank, valley pan, OSV, valve covers, suspension, etc, had all been replaced between 100-130K miles. A sub 100K mile car will likely have avoided all of these repairs, and leave the new owner to deal with them. I'd place maintenance history and overall condition far more important than low mileage.

This is very very true. I purchased a 90k car, and had to replace ALL of those things and more.

[Ghettobird52]

This is very very true. I purchased a 90k car, and had to replace ALL of those things and more.

Thanks for the info. I believe I’m gonna start my search for a 125k or so 01 740I sport

[Chamberlin]

I'm going to be selling my '00 740i sport and' 01 740i sport together as a package for $6k. We'll see if the local Craigslist people have any interest. Both are Sahara Beige metallic (only like 1385 E38s world wide in this color). I got the 137k mile '01 for my dad but he's almost 80 and not ready for the' classic BMW' maintenance and refreshing costs so he's asked me to pass it on. I bought the 180k mile '00 just as a parts car (had transmission fail, but I've been able to make it driveable via flush and fill/filter and reduced it to just occasional slipping TFS error), but it's actually a pretty nice E38 (Canadian market car, loaded with just about every option I know of). I also had a nice Titanium silver '00 sport a few months ago too (since traded off), but these are such great cars I can't stop toying with them! Went to look at a 110k mile Slate Green 740i Sport a few weeks ago, but was in really rough shape cosmetically, and no service records so even at $4k I decided to do the right thing and pass. There are a ton of these cars on local Craig's and most of the time, the sellers don't even know the difference between a sport and non sport. Special colors rule the day here, in addition to low mileage and 2001 model year desirability. There's a local '01 Imola red sport for almost $10k, and that's with a salvage title!

[Ghettobird52]

I'm going to be selling my '00 740i sport and' 01 740i sport together as a package for $6k. We'll see if the local Craigslist people have any interest. Both are Sahara Beige metallic (only like 1385 E38s world wide in this color). I got the 137k mile '01 for my dad but he's almost 80 and not ready for the' classic BMW' maintenance and refreshing costs so he's asked me to pass it on. I bought the 180k mile '00 just as a parts car (had transmission fail, but I've been able to make it driveable via flush and fill/filter and reduced it to just occasional slipping TFS error), but it's actually a pretty nice E38 (Canadian market car, loaded with just about every option I know of). I also had a nice Titanium silver '00 sport a few months ago too (since traded off), but these are such great cars I can't stop toying with them! Went to look at a 110k mile Slate Green 740i Sport a few weeks ago, but was in really rough shape cosmetically, and no service records so even at $4k I decided to do the right thing and pass. There are a ton of these cars on local Craig's and most of the time, the sellers don't even know the difference between a sport and non sport. Special colors rule the day here, in addition to low mileage and 2001 model year desirability. There's a local '01 Imola red sport for almost $10k, and that's with a salvage title!

Too bad your in arizona!

[Staszek]

I hear you I bought mine for like $8000 5 years ago, 01 Sport with $100k on it, it had a lot of maintenance done but not the really big stuff because it was too early. Car has 130k on it now and since then I have done the guides, tensioners, OSV, suspension, a bunch of sensors and a few other things. Car drives like a champ and is pretty perfect inside and out except minor wear and tear. I was looking at it in the garage today and I am still in love no matter what the price goes up to!

[Jamos]

There are so many awesome angles to see our car in person, but pictures just never seem to do it justice! The only way is to be so far away and optically zoom in to it, but my cellphone just. . . doesn't. So many times I've turned back to look at'r and saw a perfect shot, take the picture, THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL! RVA's recent pictures on his thread REALLY show off the beauty of these cars though.

[Ghettobird52]

The E38 is indeed one of the most gorgeous cars ever in production.

[Aitch]

A lot of cars are like that - the wide angle lens on your cellphone doesn't capture the view you see with your eyes. Need a camera with a more "zoomed in" lens.

[Chamberlin]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2017-11-04

[IJustDrive]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2017-11-04

WOW, That's a beautiful car!!!

[IJustDrive]

Too bad your in arizona!

I have said 2000 sport. PM if interested!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Chamberlin]

I really want a e38 but damn are they going back up in value or what!

BaT auction closed at $27,500 for the Stahlblau.

My buddy happened to be at our local indy shop yesterday where another low mile (<42k) Stahlblau sport shorty was in for some routine maintenance... I told him to find out if they wanted to sell it! I wonder if he showed them the auction as there's supposed to be another Stahlblau coming up on BaT soon... Lol

[Richard454]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2017-11-04

I saw that...what is really interesting is that a '99 M-roadster with only 21K miles on it went for $10 grand less???



https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-bmw-m-roadster-14/

[Chamberlin]

I saw that...what is really interesting is that a '99 M-roadster with only 21K miles on it went for $10 grand less???

I think there's a lot more low mileage Z3M Roadsters out there than low mileage sport shorties. I also think that the E36/7/8 market is down a bit right now too. I sold my super clean 2000 M Roadster a couple of weeks ago for only $12,500, and that took a few months to sell. It had 74k miles but still expected to get a bit more out of it.

[Trasportador]

There was an E34 M5 Touring wagon that went for $120k on BAT a couple of months ago. Set the E34 net on fire. lol. I'd not say E38's are going up in value, more like the ones viewed as most desirable are holding their price point better than the others.

[BillConn]

There was an E34 M5 Touring wagon that went for $120k on BAT a couple of months ago. Set the E34 net on fire. lol. I'd not say E38's are going up in value, more like the ones viewed as most desirable are holding their price point better than the others.

Well the e34 M5 Touring in question was also an Elekta which makes it that much more rare. $120K is still BIG money for an e34...
as for the E38, I think what you've said is exactly the case.

[Chamberlin]

Well the e34 M5 Touring in question was also an Elekta which makes it that much more rare. $120K is still BIG money for an e34...
as for the E38, I think what you've said is exactly the case.

...to add, there were only 20 Elektas built for the European market (Italian dealership) and there are probably only about 30 E34 Tourings total in the USA as it is.

To the E38 situation, I have to disagree. I think these cars have bottomed out some time ago, and values are on the rise. Thanks to the 'internet vortex' and auction sites like BaT, the trend for low mileage and rare color combination examples to fetch higher and higher dollars is becoming more common. There's a 'rising tide lifts all boats' mentality in there too, although I agree that the effect will be minimal for the E38 just due to the sheer quantity of high mileage drivers out there that can be had for $3000 on Craigslist Anytown USA. So maybe you're saying the same thing I am just in different terms, but I do feel that outstanding examples will become more and more rare, as 'cult' desire increases due to internet amplification, which can only cause hammer prices on these fine specimens to increase. Closed loop economics.

[shanecarmaster1]

I'd not say E38's are going up in value, more like the ones viewed as most desirable are holding their price point better than the others.

There's the thesis. I'm inclined to believe that high dollar examples never dipped in the first place, rather they're staying level.

[BRRV]

I just picked up a '00 Orient Blau 740i Sport in Colorado for less than four bills (4K). It had excellent maintenance records and is in virtually pristine condition. I simply couldn't find a reason not to buy it. I wouldn't necessarily turn down a car with "higher" mileage, if this is an example: an 18 year old car with 200,000 miles on it averages about 11,000 a year, and that's less than what many people put on a car in a year., on average. Condition and maintenance records are everything.