What’s it worth? 97 840

[MikeD97840]

Greetings all, after many years it may be time to part with the 840 since I’m traveling more and will be driving less than I already do now. Going to miss it but it need to go to someone to enjoy it. Sooo whats it worth and best way of selling, auction or set price?

Here’s the skinny. 97 840ci, steptronic, 65,000 miles, I acquired the 840 in February of 2006 with 50,000 miles and am the second owner. Original California car delivered to ,Port Hueneme August of 1996. I have owned it for 17 years and have added less than a 1k miles a year. Exterior Schwartz 2 black with Silbergrau light grey interior, CD delete, always covered in garage on a battery tender.


Excellent condition everything works as it should except alarm doesn’t chirp when set and flashlight in glove box doesn’t work. Interior is a 9 out of 10, original 8 series floor mats in very good shape, cd 43, alcantara headliner, blacked out center console (looks better with interior color and more contemporary.) Exterior very good, shiny black. Chrome m-pars in perfect condition with Michelin pilots. Car drives fantastic, handles nice without being overly stiff, steering is tight. Original paint.


Under the hood is very clean, valve covers powder coated, everything that should be there is there. Under car also very nice and clean, never been in any snow. No leaks.


Love the car, just not driving enough.


Since I’ve Owned it.


Both Headlight buckets replaced by dealer at 54k mikes
BMW M-Tec springs
BMW CSI sway bars
BMW CSI rear shocks
Koni adjustable front shocks
Rear shock tower reinforcement plates
Strong strut brace
M Euro Sport throttle linkage
Alcantara headliner & pillars
Front seats reconditioned, rear are perfect ( who can get back there?)
CD 43
Michelins Pilot Sport @ 61k
New Batteries
Oxygen sensors replaced
Lower Control arms replaced
Drive shaft center bearing & universal joint replaced @ 58k
Valve cover seals replaced, Valve covers Powder Coated @60k
Main rear seal replaced @ 58k
Oil pan gaskets replaced @ 52k


Lots of receipts, I enjoy wrenching.


Oil changed annually with Mobile 1 synthetic (driven less than 1k a year since I owned it.)


Prior to my ownership 840 was a corporate lease with maintenance and repairs performed by BMW dealer as documented by carfax.




Now the bad


Sunroof has two very small bubbles at edge. Have been there since I purchased car.
Alarm doesn’t chirp when set and non working glove box flash light as listed above.


I am an 8 enthusiast and anything the car needed, it got, with the exception of the couple of items listed above.


Two car covers included.

Will be posting pictures in a day or so.

Thank you for your advice for opinions and all the help given by this site throughout the years.

Mike D

- - - Updated - - -

Intended to say, thank you in advance for your opinions and all the help given by this site throughout the years.

Mike D

[dragon850]

I would say 1997 with 64k miles in good condition is probably worth 35 to 45k

[TexaZ3]

I would say 1997 with 64k miles in good condition is probably worth 35 to 45k

Lots of assumptions here.

OP, go to BaT and search for sold cars in your spec/mileage/condition - that would give you the best current market value.
I'd say $25-30k is a more realistic estimate, but hard to say without seeing the pictures, etc.

[m6bigdog]

Bring-A-Trailer has the best sales history.
https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e31-8-series/

Hagerty has a good valuation page also:
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-to...I000000DEIrSAO

Be patient and wait for a buyer that sees your 840 as the best they've seen.
Otherwise you will be at the whim of the market forces $20-25K
However, while mileage is important, the condition is everything.
A excellent E31 is worth the extra money $10-15K but the car must warrant it

Much of what you've done helps.
M-Sport Springs, Koni shocks, CSi sway-bars is the best.
Replacing the Alarm Siren would bring back the lock/unlock chirps and make the car whole again.

all the best

[MikeD97840]

Bring-A-Trailer has the best sales history.
https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e31-8-series/

Hagerty has a good valuation page also:
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-to...I000000DEIrSAO

Be patient and wait for a buyer that sees your 840 as the best they've seen.
Otherwise you will be at the whim is the market forces $20-25K
However, while mileage is important, the condition is everything.
A good E31 is worth the extra money $10-15K but the car must warrant it

Much of what you've done helps.
M-Sport Springs, Koni shocks, CSi sway-bars is the best.
Replacing the Alarm Siren would bring back the lock/unlock chirps and make the car whole again.

all the best

Thank you all for the advice, these cars are all over the board price wise. I know I have a good on based on what has sold on BT. ItÂ’s a low mileage, 2 owner, California garage queen for the past 17 years. The interior and under the hood are as about as good as you get without being a perfect concourse vehicle. The reason I havenÂ’t had it painted is the original paint is so damn nice, IÂ’m afraid I would get it back not as good as it is now with a bunch of orange peel. It has been highly polished and you donÂ’t notice the few imperfections that are there. I use deionized water and blow it dry with an Adams Polish Master Blaster. Never a towel. I know thereÂ’s a word for that. Thanks again for all the advice. I think IÂ’ll put together a few pictures and list it for 35k obo and see what happens, I donÂ’t need to sell it.

I will replace the alarm siren.

Mike