1990 735i resale value?

[dawedler2]

I am thinking about selling my 1990 735i. Looking for help on what a fair asking price would be?
It has 129,000 miles. The interior is quite nice. No tears in the leather. The exterior is also very good, no rust (Florida car), good paint. I have repaired/replaced many of the common issues (drive shaft, camshaft and head, heater core, struts, brakes, rotors, and drums, fuel pump, lots of electrical parts, engine rubber parts, etc.) It really is a beautiful automobile. But, it does have a transmission issue that needs to be resolved.

Any advice on what would be a good price (US dollars) for a nice 1990 735i with a transmission issue?

Thanks!

[Cactuar]

That's a very nice E32. Over here in Canada I would estimate the value to be at around 3,000 USD. The value depends on the kind of transmission issue. What does it need?

Personally I would keep it as it's not worth much, but I understand how someone would want to move on after fixing so much on a car.

[dawedler2]

The value depends on the kind of transmission issue. What does it need?

Thanks for the reply.

The transmission was having issues with reverse. I pulled it out and sent it to a place in New Jersey to have it rebuilt. They also put in a rebuilt torque converter, pump body, and rebuilt valve body. I installed it and it was still having issues with 3rd gear and reverse. Like it was burning up a clutch plate or something. So, I don't know if it needs another transmission or if there is something that can be done to this one to make it work.

I bought it from the original owner in 2009. He had all the leather covered with towels and tee shirts to protect them. I thought about keeping it because it really is a nice car, but I have decided to part with it. I just don't have the expertise or time to figure out the transmission issues and I could use the space in my garage.

[CamE32]

brakes, rotors, and drums,

I wasn't aware any 7'ers came with drums


I'd guesstimate around 2500-3500 depending on the buyer. The transmission issue will scare away a lot of casual get-in-the-car-and-go types. But an enthusiast like us on this forum would recognize the value of the work you put in AND the fact that it only has 129k miles (on the low end for these cars when they get sold)

Beautiful car btw!


One note about the tranny: have you verified the fluid level is definitely correct? It must be tested when the tranny is at full operating temp (like after a 10 mile highway drive), with the car running and in park or neutral on a level surface. It's incredibly nit-picky to get it right. I discovered I had accidentally overfilled my 735i's transmission by just a few ounces and it caused some very noticeable problems. Admittedly the issues I experienced weren't really to do with 3rd and reverse specifically though.

[Zieg]

I live pretty close to you in Eustis. I have a 87 Euro 730i 5 speed. My suggestion would be for you to explore a little further the tranny issues as it will make a hugh difference in the value of the car if it is operational. I would also price out correct replacement tranny so you can take that into consideration when pricing the listing price.

It does look like a really nice car. If I can be of help let me know.

[CroughtonE32]

If you're at all interested in keeping the car, there's a company in Nebraska that has about a hundred shops across the country. They have three shops in northern Florida. Lakeland, Jacksonville and one other place. They might even ship to your home. You keep fixing this same transmission, maybe it's time for a completely rebuilt one. Mine gave me trouble at about 135000 miles and I was able to get a rebuilt off the shelf at Vista BMW for about 2700 with labor. You should call these people and give them your vin number, just so you know. They give a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Click here and scroll down to the video on the left. You might be impressed. Good luck
Jeff https://www.certifiedtransmission.co...tured/ZF4HP22/

[m60power]

I might be interested in buying it. I'm over in Melbourne FL. Could I meet up with you next weekend to take a look at the car?

[dawedler2]

Thanks for all the input. And yep, CamE32, you are correct, the rears are rotors. (I guess I was mixing it up with my other car.) But I did replace them.

I will look into replacement transmission cost. I'll also double check my fluid levels, but I was pretty sure they were correct when I did the work.

Odd thing is, my wife keeps telling me to keep the car. I'm just not sure I want to crawl under it again to pull and reinstall another transmission.

[shogun]

Better find a shop which has one of the diagnosis tools which work on our E32 and can also diagnose the transmission fault codes. Sometimes in is not the transmission itself, but the transmission control unit and the wire loom from TCU to ytansmission.
Here an example https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...mission-Issues

[dawedler2]

m60power,
I sent you a private message with contact information. Give me a call if you're interested.