am i wrong to think my 97 328i is worth 5k?

[golfyellowrob]

Trying to sell my wifes auto 328I with 160000 miles and I had a guy tell me it blue books at 2500...kbb can be good and bad in ways,

Assume the interior and exterior is 9 out of 10 in my wifes car, runs excelent new brakes/oil/alternator.

Is 5000 really waaay too much as one guy from craigslist stated?

Thanks for ALL opinions.

Rob

[Harland]

I sold my 96 328is for $4,000 3 years ago with 166,000... but the body was kinda rough, interior was really nice. I wouldn't say you are that far off. There are lots of people that will always offer you half of what you are asking on Craigslist. (just to see if you will bite) i was offered 2,000 the day before i sold it.

[89e30]

I saw the car on craigs earlier today. Looks nice! Id say that guy just wanted to score on a nice car.

[golfyellowrob]

Oh great, I'm glad. Its my first sale on a "newer" bmw so I wasn't sure if I was gonna loose money on it.

Yeah, the car is beautiful except for a drivers seat tear.

Thanks!

[eastsidebimmer]

I think 5K will be a stretch in most markets, I previously sold this 96 328i 5 speed with lots of upgrade bits (Contour Reps, Borla, H&R, Billy Sports, Dinan Software) at 84K miles for the whopping sum of $9,500 and this was 2005 money. I'd like to have this one back.

[SteveJ]

Unfortunately, I think that may be a bit high.

I am going to sell off our E46. It's a '99, newer body style, but 180k on the clock. Very clean, leather and paint. I believe the retail book on our car works out to $4k to $6k.

I know, it seems unreal when these cars that sold new for $30k start selling used for under $5k...and they are clean. Unless it's a special model, that's what the market is. Just another reason to keep and restore the 2002 and the E30M3.

[RayC911]

Regardless of how clean it is, people are always going to see 160k first and everything else last, I know I do. e36s are way cheap, even the M3s. If someone offers you anything close to $4k, I'd take it with a smile. Anything less and maybe keep it for a DD if you can. GLWS

[TobyB]

Try the NADA valuation instead.

That said, an E36 with 160k and an autobox is not an appreciating asset...

2002 content- I'd say it was worth a decent running '75 with solid but

oxidizing paint!

heh

t

[golfyellowrob]

Haha, maybe 2002 are just cheap in oregon, I scored a nice one for 2k and it only needed tires, I just decided to repaint it.

See my project blog for its condition the day I brought it home.

I want to sell it and find an older 4 runner for my wife this winter and try to buy a parts 02...

[89e30]

Nice, i scored my fairly rust free 68 for $1300! Bend must be a good place for the cheap 02s!

[Chris514]

I usually use a combination of edmunds and kbb to appraise a car. Edmunds has your car listed at $2,358 for private party (although I would agree that is low). I think your asking price is a good starting point, but personally would take anything over $3,500. Looks like a nice car though! GLWTS!

[c.d.iesel]

folks generally ask DOUBLE what the true value is,

also to leave room for lower offerings, and a

seller's thinking is it's always worth more than it really is.

E36's never had good interiors.

Materials were K R A P

and a tear in the seat marks it down $500 - 1000

A E30 or E46 is a far better quality car

all E36's (except M3) are disposable cheap cars

166K is a car due for restoration

unless you have papers showing EVERY oil/fluid

change back to day one?, one owner?, highway miles?,

166K to any smart buyer is a gamble as to how much money

they will be facing in near future maintainance.

The car is used up. The buyer buys it understanding

it is now their turn to restore and maintain a geriatric car.

in this economy, take the first cash offer that walks up your driveway.

[fxtbass]

I bought my 95 318ti for $700.00. I look at C list often in the Sea area. E36's seem to be around the 3 to 4 range up here.