Time to sell our 3.0 CS

[Hussar13]

As one who very rarely buys and sells cars, I would greatly appreciate input from Forum members as to your thoughts on our 1973 3.0 CS, your thoughts on its value, and how best to post it for sale. I have gotten great insights and help from E9coupe.com over the last years and I have great respect for the insights and expertise of so many knowledgeable owners and E-9 lovers.

1973 BMW 3.0 CS Color: Polaris; Marine Blue Interior VIN: 2250586

We purchased our 3.0 CS in October 1983; we tend to buy and keep our vehicles for many years while steadily maintaining them. We are only now selling this beauty as it no longer serves our needs.
It was driven daily for many years around Napa Valley and North Bay. We have parked it in our carport (two sides) for the last thirty five years to keep it out of the weather.
Serviced for all 43 years at Alpina Car Center, Napa, CA by Gabriel Pastrama and team.
The car was imported from Europe by a prior owner; odometer and speedometer in kilometers.
The car was a daily driver until the engine was rebuilt and other improvements made in 2016 and thereafter. Since then, the car has been insured for $80,000 by State Farm as a “classic car” with associated limits on annual driving of 1,000 to 1,500 miles/year).

The original 2.8-liter inline-six was totally rebuilt by Alpina in 2016 along with the original four speed transmission. We’ve only added 4,000 to 5,000 miles since then.

• Engine block re-bored; new cylinder head; new clutch disc, pressure plate, T/O bearing; new slave cylinder and rebuilt clutch master cylinder
• New Weber carburetors; rebuilt alternator; Petronix electronic pointless ignition system
• Differential support mount
• New fuel pump; new battery.
• Front and rear brake pads; new front rotors; re-machined rear rotors; brake calipers rebuilt; new wheel bearings; new brake master cylinder; rebuilt front suspension and bushings.
• Michelin “Defender” Tires.
• Fuel gauge and speedometer repairs; odometer isn’t always accurate

Interior improvements:

• Teeters & Schacht, Novato: New leather bucket seat covers and headrest covers; new leather rear seat covers
• New headliner and sunroof shade, new sun visors and pivots; lower door leather replacements
• Windshield / rear window seals
• New Bluetooth-capable stereo linked to modern speakers; new retractable antenna
• Original steering wheel
• New heater motor
• New sunroof cables and seals; power windows lubed and tracks cleaned

Hood and Trunk

• Replaced tool kit tray in trunk
• Firewall rubber seals; trunk seal; door seals; hood insulation pads

Exterior:

• New emblems, wheel covers, front side grilles

Body and Undercarriage:

There is some rust much like many similar models. The rear shock towers and the passenger floor panel were replaced / repaired many years ago and I no longer have those receipts. We had two mild rear-enders and one mild sideswipe over the forty three years with attendant repairs by Advanced Autobody in Napa. Otherwise, this BMW retains its original Polaris finish.

Photos: I am attaching several photos to illustrate the car's condition including some from underneath. i have quite a few more but I don't want to overburden your site. I am not a professional photographer and I hope my iPhone has done this lovely car justice.

Thank you all for your consideration and thoughts.

 

[ablank135]

I'll let other current owners chime in (my experience is that BaT continues to be the best venue for sellers, with the caveat that E9 values are in general not what they used to be), but mostly I'm curious if that was you parked across from Sam's in St. Helena a week or so ago?

 

[Hussar13]

Thanks for your note. No, it wasn't me. There is another 3.0 CS in the Valley that is almost identical. I've seen it at Alpina Motors in the past; it was owned by a famous Bay Area rock star. Their interior was done at the same shop that redid ours.

 

[teahead]

2.8L?

price?

 

[Ohmess]

Looks like a very nice car. GLWS.

 

[Hussar13]

2.8L?

price?

I haven't established a price and hoped I might get some coaching from those more attuned to current values. I do look often at BAT and will probably need to go that route.

 

[Hussar13]

Looks like a very nice car. GLWS.

Thank you. We have greatly enjoyed owning and driving it. We get many thumbs up as I am sure many owners of these gorgeous cars receive.

 

[ccr2002]

Does AC work?

 

[Hussar13]

Does AC work?

No. Unfortunately, it never worked very well and it was removed when the engine was rebuilt. The A/C radiator had also been damaged.

 

[jmackro]

I haven't established a price and hoped I might get some coaching from those more attuned to current values. I do look often at BAT and will probably need to go that route.

BaT has a wealth of information on the sales history for various models of car. Looking at recent e9 sales for cars in similar condition to yours will give you some guidance.

The other tip I will offer is that the price you ultimately receive (whether by auction or by a simple ad with an asking price) is directly related to the effort that you put into the sales process. Lots of photos (consider hiring a pro), a detailed description (like your first post), responding to all inquiries, etc. go a long way. Some friends have had good experiences with hiring a service who handles the whole BaT selling process, including taking the photos, editing the description, setting the reserve, dealing with BaT, and replying to the inquiries.

 

[Hussar13]

BaT has a wealth of information on the sales history for various models of car. Looking at recent e9 sales for cars in similar condition to yours will give you some guidance.

The other tip I will offer is that the price you ultimately receive (whether by auction or by a simple ad with an asking price) is directly related to the effort that you put into the sales process. Lots of photos (consider hiring a pro), a detailed description (like your first post), responding to all inquiries, etc. go a long way. Some friends have had good experiences with hiring a service who handles the whole BaT selling process, including taking the photos, editing the description, setting the reserve, dealing with BaT, and replying to the inquiries.

Thank you for your thoughtful thoughts and counsel. I agree with your tip about time and effort. I want this beauty to end up in a good home with folks who enjoy it as much as we have. I like the idea of arranging BAT to handle photos, etc, as they outline on their site.
You also referred to services that friends have worked with to have the service handle all of the BAT effort. I'd appreciate any recommendations for such services.
Thanks for your time.

 

[sfdon]

I'll let other current owners chime in (my experience is that BaT continues to be the best venue for sellers, with the caveat that E9 values are in general not what they used to be), but mostly I'm curious if that was you parked across from Sam's in St. Helena a week or so ago?

There’s lots of us Polaris coupes in St. Helena on a regular basis and one client that lives there. We just had the BCR rally starting in St. Helena…

Here is my Polaris on the rally..

 

[Hussar13]

There’s lots of us Polaris coupes in St. Helena on a regular basis and one client that lives there. We just had the BCR rally starting in St. Helena…

Here is my Polaris on the rally..




View attachment 228835

Beautiful!!