E30 325i covertible price reasonable or high??

[howhigh857]

Hey guys.
There's one for sale by a private party here in. He's asking $8000 for it with original 40,000 miles. It looks real clean, both engine bay and interior look good, but I haven't called them yet to ask for for information.
Seems a little high fter doing a quick search for other similar vehicles but I have no idea.
Suggestions, ideas?

https://imgur.com/a/sfDAJ

[firstRWD]

Seems high to me, but I've seen others asking similar prices sometimes. No idea if they actually sell at those prices or not. I'd low-ball the shit out of them. Offer $5,000. I would say, at least to me personally, I'd have to have a Lot of money before I'd ever spend $8,000 on an e30. I can get a decent one for $3,000 and have it running and driving perfectly with new sport shocks, engine sorted, etc. for another $1,500. Not worth it to spend $8,000 just because it has low original miles. At 25+yrs old, original items like shocks are gonna wear out quickly regardless of mileage if you drive it regularly, just due to age.

[richardodn]

Pretty much agree. $8000 would be fine if all the rubber suspension bits and other wear items have been replaced. Check top and window seals too.

[John Adkins]

A 40,000 mile E30 that has been well maintained both mechanically and cosmetically is worth $8k, IMO, if it is a model that you want. Owners of such cars sometimes take offense being low-balled by someone who hasn't even seen the car in person. That being the case, the owner might not negotiate at all with the low-baller.

[aaverhulst]

I agree with John on pricing. Good E30's are getting harder and harder to find. The E30 convertible, IMO, is one of the best looking and most desirable cars to own, ie if you want a convertible. If it's been well maintained, check to see when timing belt has been changed Also it should not have any oil leaks. To me the biggest maintenance pain on E30's are the stinking warning sensors such as low beam out, low oil level, low coolant etc. Not biggies just nuisances.

[bobdavisnpf]

Not many cars get badly beat up in their first 40K miles. If it hasn't been in an accident, stolen/recovered, or in a flood/fire/etc then it could be a gem body and frame wise.

I've had 3 cars I kept an extra few weeks or months to avoid negotiating with a low-baller. One where he came back a month later and offered almost full asking price. I sold it for less to another guy, just figuring if the first guy thought he'd overpaid, he'd be a hassle post-sale.

[fishinrod]

$8000. for an "original one owner" with an honest 40000 miles does not seem too far out. I purchased a one owner 325I last summer with 105000 miles, all service records, with zero rust and impeccable interior. Came with a really clean hardtop. All I have done to date is replace all shocks, and struts and driven and shown car in several local BMW shows. Many compliments.

[sienayr]

Of course make sure the odometer is working, or hasn't stopped working for some period of time in the past. Will have to rely on the seller's word there unless you can use Carfax to get some mileage checkpoints.

[325e '87]

I just got my dream e30 car last month. It’s a 325i four door, 5 speed with 200k on it. I bought it from it’s original owner, he bought it new in ‘89 and maintained it properly. I paid $4800 and have put at least a grand into it to bring it up to daily driver condition. Needs another grand to freshen up the suspension.

$8k is pretty high but for the right condition it’s not anything to get offended by. Values go up as the years go by, because nobody makes good cars anymore.

[howhigh857]

Love seeing all your responses guys!
So an update, I finally got around to seeing it in person today!
I arrived after dark so did not get to examine fully. Upon entering the lot, first thing I noticed was the amount of dust on the car!! I mean I understand people clean up for selling but here it looked nothing like the picture lol. layer of dust looked like it didn't belong there. (PERHAPS HE WENT OFF ROADING OR AN ATTEMPT TO COVER UP PAINT/COSMETICS) ��*♂️.
All the electronics were working I. E. locks windows, ODO cluster. The radio was asking for code, interior kept well no tears/creases in seats. Engine bay and trunk cleaned.I inquired how to open the top and he did not know.

I took her for a spin and right away acceleration was heavy or slow through the first couple gears. (my 95 540i has 200k+ and it drives likes this) Anyone know why bc remember car barely has 45k on it...? I pushed it, sped up to see how it handles yet same slow start then picks up but the check engine light started flashing.

Three of us had initially called to negotiate a price. NO. Oddly enough we were all given different reasons for sale and who the owner was.

Getting home doing research, I Noticed on Marketplace he originally had it listed for $12k and now was around $10.
He's got several other listings as well up atm, so I am assuming he's merely doing it for personal commission.

What major VISUAL should I check for.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[95BMWIC]

Is the color "Bronzit" ?

If so I couldn't pay $8K for Bronzit..