Found a 1989 325is!! Opinions please

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epj3

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Its a 1989 325is with 152,000 miles. He said the interior is in good condition and the car overall is clean. No rust, and drives great. He just bought an '88 325ix, so he wants to see if he can get rid of this one before he changes his mind and keeps it.

He's asking $3400 OBO. Would $3200 be a fair price if I talked him down to that and gave him the rear deck he asked about (with the speakers and tail light). Insurance put my 1988 325is with 182,000 miles at $3100 before the deductable and all that stuff.

He didn't say anything about what he did for maintainence, but he said it was well taken care of. I'm going to look at it saturday. My main concern is how hard or expensive would it be to fix the front valence?

TIA.
 
jrt67ss350

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Looks nice, Eric!

I'd say go for it if your insurance gave you that much money for yours. You'll probably still be ahead after parting yours out (or at least be able to break even on the deal).

It looks like it's been well taken care of - from the pictures it looks like it's all there and straight (except for the front valence). I don't think that front valence would be hard to fix at all. It doesn't look like the paint is broken and the metal isn't creased. Those valences are pretty flimsy - you could probably even work at it slowly by hand and make it look better.

It's low miles, and I like the color, too.
 
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epj3

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Someone pointed out that the front passenger fender (last picture) doesnt match the rest of the car... I think it might be the reflection but I'm waiting for the guy to respond to my email. Looks like there might be a white house reflecting on the fender.
 
selavia

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I don't think it's a house; it looks like the finish is different, not necessarily the color. Notice how the door and quarter panel have a bright sheen where as the front fender is almost dingy looking?

I think it looks pretty good. I do not like the color though.

Also the seats look like the bolsters are worn. One last comment, the rear part under the bumper (on the last picture) looks like it's not on properly. it could just be the picture, but I assume you want everyone to be over critical.

Sean
 
selavia

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Blue book is $2750!?! How can that be right? Go to kbb.com that's what it says for area code 21212.



And here is Edmunds:





MAYBE you do have some bargaining power?

This is Private Party Values for both and OUTSTANDING / EXCELLENT CONDITION.
 
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epj3

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selavia said:
I don't think it's a house; it looks like the finish is different, not necessarily the color. Notice how the door and quarter panel have a bright sheen where as the front fender is almost dingy looking?

I think it looks pretty good. I do not like the color though.

Also the seats look like the bolsters are worn. One last comment, the rear part under the bumper (on the last picture) looks like it's not on properly. it could just be the picture, but I assume you want everyone to be over critical.

Sean
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These cars NEVER EVER sell for KBB or lower. E36's do go for around blue book - but nice E30's go for a good about of money - Again, I got $3100 for my 88 325is with 182,000 miles, and I could have gotten more. KBB is $2750 or something like that.

By the way, I DO think its the house. Look at the house's reflection in the WINDOW.. its a yellow house, and that fender looks a little yellow as a whole. Hmm
 
jrt67ss350

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I'm not convinced that there is something wrong with the paint. I think it's just the lighting - the pictures are too small to really be able to tell. Then again, anything can look good in pictures - my BMW looks really nice in pictures, but in reality, the paint job is a total crap Macco job or something. I would definitely go check this car out. I think you probably have a winner.
 
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epj3

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jrt67ss350 said:
I'm not convinced that there is something wrong with the paint. I think it's just the lighting - the pictures are too small to really be able to tell. Then again, anything can look good in pictures - my BMW looks really nice in pictures, but in reality, the paint job is a total crap Macco job or something. I would definitely go check this car out. I think you probably have a winner.
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Just got an email from him, it DID have the fender replaced before he first owned it, and he said the paint simply isn't fading like the original paint.

Its not too bad but for $3400 its not worth it. Especially with 152k miles which isnt a lot for an E30, but it IS a lot for a car with body damage.
 
Chesty Bonds

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Yeah I would definitely steer clear of a car with any, and i mean any signs of damage - especially since it's a BMW. It's definitely worth waiting for just the right car IMO. It took me about 6 months before I found my baby.
 
Chesty Bonds

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Haha yeah I like to think that my E30 318is emits the same barking soundtrack as the CSL. The reality is depressingly different... [rofl]

The E46, E38, and the Landie are my parent's cars. I drive the E46 a LOT and I absolutely love it. It's like a mini-M3 and the engine note is just superb. The Landie I use a fair bit too: especially for towing the Bayliner (our boat with the Mercury 302 V8!). And the E38 is just phenomenal on the freeway. Heaps of power, serene ride and a beefy soundtrack to boot! Basically, I just love driving anything!

Did I mention we have a tractor too? [hihi] Now THAT is fun to drive. 16 gears...mmmm
 
Chesty Bonds

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///M SPEED said:
Chesty out of all you vehicles, which one do you drive the most? Just wondering. Look like a nice array of cars/SUV....
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LOL I just realised I didn't even answer your question properly! Yeah I drive my car the most. That's the E30, and I love it to bits. [headbang]
 
mjbst111

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it looks real good as far as pictures go. He definitely agve it a good shine for the pics... though our cars always look better in pics. You'll have to go see it in person like oyu said. I like the color and the projector headlights. Obviously can't beat an IS.

no airbag on the 89?
 
selavia

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epj3 said:
These cars NEVER EVER sell for KBB or lower. E36's do go for around blue book - but nice E30's go for a good about of money - Again, I got $3100 for my 88 325is with 182,000 miles, and I could have gotten more. KBB is $2750 or something like that.
Click to expand...

Just curious, why? Most other cars that were mass produced seem to go for Blue book; why is FMV (and by Fair Market Value I mean the true economics definition: where supplier meets consumer) higher than blue book on these cars?
 
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epj3

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selavia said:
Just curious, why? Most other cars that were mass produced seem to go for Blue book; why is FMV (and by Fair Market Value I mean the true economics definition: where supplier meets consumer) higher than blue book on these cars?
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Because these cars are EXTREMELY hard to find in "excellent condition". They are some of the best BMW's ever built (..it made the 3 series popular, and they still run and hold up well - in fact a lot of people STILL track them)

People WILL pay more for a good condition E30 if they can find one.
 
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