After years of sitting in the garage and with a new teen driver needing a car I think its time to move along the coupe. Trying to find a fair price for these cars has been rough. Going through numerous resources, the prices are all over the place. I realize without seeing the car in person it is hard, but any help would be appreciated. I've owned it for 19 years and it has been in a garage. 6 years ago it was worked on by a bmw repair shop in the east bay. The carbs were rebuilt but the could not get the timing right. Ended up shorting the wire on the points and the car just sat. Recently changed the points and condensor and fired it up only to find reverse slipping. Any suggestions for a non running good shape coupe?
Another "whats it worth?" thread
- Thread starter PRIME 1
- Start date
Looks nice in the pictures. I am guessing that if you do a 5 speed conversion you are in the 9-11k$ range. Non running it is hard to extract the value for the car.
I am guessing, no offer implied, see no rust hear no rust speak no rust.
I am guessing, no offer implied, see no rust hear no rust speak no rust.
looks to be in good shape. Get her running and reward yourself with a higher price..
From another angle, if you fix the transmission and give it to your child, you would be the coolest parent in the world!
I agree with others, at least get the transmission sorted and it should be worth at least $10K, more if there is little/no rust. I paid $11.5K for an auto with big bumpers a couple of years ago, but I was willing to go that high because I got it checked out at Carl Nelson's shop and they didn't find any rust.
Unfortunately, in non-op condition, I would think you could only get $3-$5K. In this economy, people are probably to less likely to take on a project.
I hope you get top dollar either way you decide to go!
Walter
I agree with others, at least get the transmission sorted and it should be worth at least $10K, more if there is little/no rust. I paid $11.5K for an auto with big bumpers a couple of years ago, but I was willing to go that high because I got it checked out at Carl Nelson's shop and they didn't find any rust.
Unfortunately, in non-op condition, I would think you could only get $3-$5K. In this economy, people are probably to less likely to take on a project.
I hope you get top dollar either way you decide to go!
Walter
jmackro
Well-Known Member
I agree with what the other posters have recommended: at a minimum get it running. The problem with the ignition can't be that big. (As an aside, I can't believe that a BMW repair shop couldn't get the timing right, and "shorted the wire on the points" - I'd ask this list to recommend a competent shop in your corner of the Bay Area).
Non-running cars just don't command much - basicly they fall into the "parts car" price range. A competent shop should be able to get your car running for a few hundred $$, which will increase the selling price by several thousand.
Doing a 5-speed conversion before selling the car isn't so cut and dried in my mind - that task might cost as much as the increase in selling price, especially if you pay a professional to source and install the parts. Assuming that your automatic works OK, it will suffice to demonstrate to prospective buyers that the car is drivable.
Non-running cars just don't command much - basicly they fall into the "parts car" price range. A competent shop should be able to get your car running for a few hundred $$, which will increase the selling price by several thousand.
Doing a 5-speed conversion before selling the car isn't so cut and dried in my mind - that task might cost as much as the increase in selling price, especially if you pay a professional to source and install the parts. Assuming that your automatic works OK, it will suffice to demonstrate to prospective buyers that the car is drivable.
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hello
first of all i will say that my intention is to help, and give you a little advice from the buyer´s side !
now you might suspect that i am going to say thinghs that maybe you won´t like to hear, (sorry if that is the case)
it happens that precisely this afternoon I have been helping a friend of mine (and e30 owner) to check a good looking (in the photographs previously received) coupe
the owner was telling us that the car was in good shape and perfect function, the price was 8.900 euro
the photos were nice, and it was a running car !
we met the car, and it was pathetic, all the rubbers, most of the chromes, and lamps, details, emblems,... were a shame !
the iddle was terrible, and the white-blue smoke in the exhaust was witness of a severe engine problem
was he a liar, or it is only subjective ? when you say good looking, or good shape, maybe is not the same level for others, so when they read "good" maybe they are thinking about "very good", or "perfect", this thinking will not help you,...
when we say no rust, maybe is because we see no evidence of rust, but we are not experts, and others might be so
we checked a list of things to change/do in the car to be converted into a "aceptable classic" for us, and the total was: 11.700 euro (so final cost is: 8.900 + 11.700 = 20.600 )
as a summary: follow the previous advice: get the car running, otherwise it will be considered a donor, or "parts car"
quote: "A competent shop should be able to get your car running for a few hundred $$, which will increase the selling price by several thousand" +1
wish you good luck !
remark: not a bad idea: quote " From another angle, if you fix the transmission and give it to your child, you would be the coolest parent in the world! ":-D
first of all i will say that my intention is to help, and give you a little advice from the buyer´s side !
now you might suspect that i am going to say thinghs that maybe you won´t like to hear, (sorry if that is the case)
it happens that precisely this afternoon I have been helping a friend of mine (and e30 owner) to check a good looking (in the photographs previously received) coupe
the owner was telling us that the car was in good shape and perfect function, the price was 8.900 euro
the photos were nice, and it was a running car !
we met the car, and it was pathetic, all the rubbers, most of the chromes, and lamps, details, emblems,... were a shame !
the iddle was terrible, and the white-blue smoke in the exhaust was witness of a severe engine problem
was he a liar, or it is only subjective ? when you say good looking, or good shape, maybe is not the same level for others, so when they read "good" maybe they are thinking about "very good", or "perfect", this thinking will not help you,...
when we say no rust, maybe is because we see no evidence of rust, but we are not experts, and others might be so
we checked a list of things to change/do in the car to be converted into a "aceptable classic" for us, and the total was: 11.700 euro (so final cost is: 8.900 + 11.700 = 20.600 )
as a summary: follow the previous advice: get the car running, otherwise it will be considered a donor, or "parts car"
quote: "A competent shop should be able to get your car running for a few hundred $$, which will increase the selling price by several thousand" +1
wish you good luck !
remark: not a bad idea: quote " From another angle, if you fix the transmission and give it to your child, you would be the coolest parent in the world! ":-D
Is it "not running" because of the transmission only?
If it is just the transmission, drop in a 5 speed and you could get $15,000 if it is as solid as it looks
If it is just the transmission, drop in a 5 speed and you could get $15,000 if it is as solid as it looks
I have a shop around the corner from you- [Oakland]
Out of town right now but you can pm me to set up a time for me to look at it.
Typically, injectors and valve bodies tend to get "Rot Lot" from sitting too long. Once the lacquer sets up things don't move as well. In your case you might want to dump a few qts of ATF and re-fill to see if that makes the valve body start working again.
Selling a car with engine AND tranny problems is difficult at best.
Pm me- I will drop by and take a look and report back here if it is a screaming buy....
And no charge ....
Out of town right now but you can pm me to set up a time for me to look at it.
Typically, injectors and valve bodies tend to get "Rot Lot" from sitting too long. Once the lacquer sets up things don't move as well. In your case you might want to dump a few qts of ATF and re-fill to see if that makes the valve body start working again.
Selling a car with engine AND tranny problems is difficult at best.
Pm me- I will drop by and take a look and report back here if it is a screaming buy....
And no charge ....
Prime 1, that is a very kind offer to help, sfdon has created quite a good reputation for himself. perhaps you should seek his expertise and the re-evaluate your situation. I am sure most members here would agree AND take him up on the same offer.
Best of luck,
Mike
hmmmm- whats the weather like in Bilbao????
SFDON thankyou for a generous offer. I would love to take you up on it. I'm just through the tunnel in Danville. Thank everyone for all the replies. I'm in no way offended by any doubt in the condition, and really appreciate all the response. I dont want to imply the car is in great shape because I know the photos look better than reality. It is a great car that has been sitting to long and has its issues. Point well taken that if its not running, its priced as a parts car. Away from the computer all day,I'll try to answer pm's tonight.
Thanks again Richard
Thanks again Richard
ha, ha, today wonderful weather, 23ºC, sunny, and clear skies, surprising weather for november (anyway it will start raining soon, and it will remain like that for 4 months)
generally speaking continental weather, not very hot and not very cold also (seldom below zero ºC), only a little snow in winter (not more that 3 times a year)
beautiful and rough coastside surrounded by mountains
you will like it
regards
If someone came over to your house, checked out the car and made you an offer, what's the lowest price you'd be comfortable with? I ask this way because selling prices are figured by what you'd be willing to take for the car and not look back (be happy), and a price that's based on research and market value (if possible). And of course, research would need to be done BEFORE coming up with a comfortable price, not after. :mrgreen:
Dan
Dan
echappe
Well-Known Member
Bibao
De Quincey,
Are you close to the famous surf spot of Mundaka? If so I would be available to come do menial labor ,cut grass wash your coupe etc. for a chance to surf one of Europes most famous surfing locales!!!
De Quincey,
Are you close to the famous surf spot of Mundaka? If so I would be available to come do menial labor ,cut grass wash your coupe etc. for a chance to surf one of Europes most famous surfing locales!!!