Sad to make this thread - What is a fair price for my car?

iggy · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 04:29:14 AM

Well, I hate to say it but I need to sell my car.

I've only had it for 10 months, but the realities of daily driving a 120+k mile 11 year old performance car on a close to 80 mile commute are quickly catching up to me. Also, my road trips out of town on the weekend aren't helping things any.

I got the car last October as a b-day gift to myself with 109k miles. I had it checked out by the BMW dealer and they didn't report any issues. The tech said I'm getting a great car. So with that, I bought it and didn't look back.

I've done quite a bit of maintenance within the last year, but apparently I haven't done enough. The clutch master cylinder blew on me this past weekend and left me stranded out of town. I didn't have any tools (although Bobby did generously offer me his help since I was in the area), had to miss a day of work and paid a decent amount of money to get the car back on the road.

I just drive too much and need a car that I won't have to worry about its ability to make it through the trip and get me home ok.

When all the receipts are added up, I've put about $3k into maintenance and winter wheels/tires.

Here are some specs on the car:
99 Estoril Blue M3 Coupe
Dove Interior with Power/Heated Vaders
127k Miles

Here is a list of maintenance done within the past 10 months. All parts were replaced with new, OE components unless otherwise noted and are more or less listed in order they were done:

UUC Clutch Arm Bushing
Clutch Pedal
Complete cooling system refresh (Behr radiator, Bosch WP, Thermostat, aluminum thermostat housing, fan clutch, fan, expansion tank, all hoses and belts)
E46 M3 RSM
Z3 Reinformcement Plates
Metal Shock Towers (to replace the ones that were previously torn)
Front Oxygen Sensors
Guibo
E21 Transmission Mounts
Shifter Bushings
Short Shift kit with Z3 lever
UUC Oval Carrier Bushing
All Exhaust Hangers
Main Drive Belt Idler Pulley
Main Drive Belt Tensioner Pulley
Engine Mounts
OE Sachs Shocks and Struts
Drivers Side Swaybar Endlink
AC Belt Tensioner Pulley
80amp Bosch Alternator
Clutch Master Cylinder

Modifications/Other not included in the maintenance list:

inpro angel eye headlights (installed by previous owner)
16" Mille Miglia Wheels with 205 width Dunlop Winter Sport 3D Winter tires
X-brace (will most likely be removed before sale)
ZHP Knob (will most likely be removed before sale)
BSW Replacement Mid-Range Speakers
Alpine ida-x200 Headunit (will be removed before sale)

The interior is in good shape. The seats show a little wear, but there are no tears anywhere in the leather.

I don't have any pictures of the seats or updated shots of the car now, but can take some this weekend once I've cleaned up the car.

Now that all of that has been said, how much do you think is a fair price for the car?

BleedsBlue · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 04:38:18 AM

I'd list for $12k if you can be patient (gives you bargaining room, downwards)

Roland H · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 05:15:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggy

I don't have any seats now, but can take some this weekend once I've cleaned up the car.

You driving around on milk crates right now or what?

It's only worth what you're willing to let it go for man. Post up a high price, and if you don't get any nibbles, work your way down slowly and be willing to entertain (read: not accept) lower offers.

iggy · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 05:20:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland H

You driving around on milk crates right now or what?

Ummm....I'm doing it for the weight savings?? (edits original post)

Quote:

It's only worth what you're willing to let it go for man. Post up a high price, and if you don't get any nibbles, work your way down slowly and be willing to entertain (read: not accept) lower offers.

That what my general plan is. Just trying to figure out what a good starting point is.

12v · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 06:14:27 AM

Dang man.. I still remember when you made the thread about your new M3 on bimmerforums..sucks to see you having to sell it.

BleedsBlue · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 06:15:47 AM

I thought you've had this for years

salty · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 09:32:13 AM

Your good list of maintenence items will help with the sale. Sell the winters seperately. They will go quickly with the first snow. Maybe the car is just about over the hump. Sure you can't daily it?
What Japanese car will replace it?

Cawhite78 · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 01:07:00 PM

Good Luck Alex. Hope it all works out.

iggy · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 01:28:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty

Your good list of maintenence items will help with the sale. Sell the winters seperately. They will go quickly with the first snow. Maybe the car is just about over the hump. Sure you can't daily it?
What Japanese car will replace it?

It might be over the hump, however I'm not sure I can take that risk financially. Between payments, maintenance and money I've put towards paying off the car early I have dumped $7k into the car in 10 months and there is no way I can keep things going at this rate.

I've done all the work on the car myself to keep the cost down, with the help of some friends who are techs at various places, but it just wants more and more. Maybe I'm bitter that it left me stranded out of town this past weekend but I don't think it's the right car for me right now.

I'm thinking about replacing it with an 05-06 Mini Cooper S.

hencini · Thu, Aug-19-2010, 03:00:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggy

It might be over the hump, however I'm not sure I can take that risk financially. Between payments, maintenance and money I've put towards paying off the car early I have dumped $7k into the car in 10 months and there is no way I can keep things going at this rate.

I've done all the work on the car myself to keep the cost down, with the help of some friends who are techs at various places, but it just wants more and more. Maybe I'm bitter that it left me stranded out of town this past weekend but I don't think it's the right car for me right now.

I'm thinking about replacing it with an 05-06 Mini Cooper S.

Man, that's a tough call, but I tend to agree with the idea that you might be getting over the hump. In some respects, this could be the worst time to sell, in that you've already done a lot of the hard stuff... And you're looking at picking up another used car-- granted, one with a little better reliability. But being FWD, that Mini is going to be a bit harder to work on, not to mention it's probably going to be an unknown quantity-- you won't necessarily know what's been done to it, what it needs, etc.

But you gotta do what you gotta do. If you go, I'll always remember you fondly as that little black kid that loved coloring...

Thu, Aug-19-2010, 04:29:14 AM	#1
iggy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 28 Posts: 1,358 Reputation: 0 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Sad to make this thread - What is a fair price for my car? Well, I hate to say it but I need to sell my car. I've only had it for 10 months, but the realities of daily driving a 120+k mile 11 year old performance car on a close to 80 mile commute are quickly catching up to me. Also, my road trips out of town on the weekend aren't helping things any. I got the car last October as a b-day gift to myself with 109k miles. I had it checked out by the BMW dealer and they didn't report any issues. The tech said I'm getting a great car. So with that, I bought it and didn't look back. I've done quite a bit of maintenance within the last year, but apparently I haven't done enough. The clutch master cylinder blew on me this past weekend and left me stranded out of town. I didn't have any tools (although Bobby did generously offer me his help since I was in the area), had to miss a day of work and paid a decent amount of money to get the car back on the road. I just drive too much and need a car that I won't have to worry about its ability to make it through the trip and get me home ok. When all the receipts are added up, I've put about $3k into maintenance and winter wheels/tires. Here are some specs on the car: 99 Estoril Blue M3 Coupe Dove Interior with Power/Heated Vaders 127k Miles Here is a list of maintenance done within the past 10 months. All parts were replaced with new, OE components unless otherwise noted and are more or less listed in order they were done: UUC Clutch Arm Bushing Clutch Pedal Complete cooling system refresh (Behr radiator, Bosch WP, Thermostat, aluminum thermostat housing, fan clutch, fan, expansion tank, all hoses and belts) E46 M3 RSM Z3 Reinformcement Plates Metal Shock Towers (to replace the ones that were previously torn) Front Oxygen Sensors Guibo E21 Transmission Mounts Shifter Bushings Short Shift kit with Z3 lever UUC Oval Carrier Bushing All Exhaust Hangers Main Drive Belt Idler Pulley Main Drive Belt Tensioner Pulley Engine Mounts OE Sachs Shocks and Struts Drivers Side Swaybar Endlink AC Belt Tensioner Pulley 80amp Bosch Alternator Clutch Master Cylinder Modifications/Other not included in the maintenance list: inpro angel eye headlights (installed by previous owner) 16" Mille Miglia Wheels with 205 width Dunlop Winter Sport 3D Winter tires X-brace (will most likely be removed before sale) ZHP Knob (will most likely be removed before sale) BSW Replacement Mid-Range Speakers Alpine ida-x200 Headunit (will be removed before sale) The interior is in good shape. The seats show a little wear, but there are no tears anywhere in the leather. I don't have any pictures of the seats or updated shots of the car now, but can take some this weekend once I've cleaned up the car. Now that all of that has been said, how much do you think is a fair price for the car? __________________ Alex Last edited by iggy; Thu, Aug-19-2010 at 05:21:24 AM.

Thu, Aug-19-2010, 09:32:13 AM	#7
salty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,319 Reputation: 0 Location: Toronto,Ontario	Your good list of maintenence items will help with the sale. Sell the winters seperately. They will go quickly with the first snow. Maybe the car is just about over the hump. Sure you can't daily it? What Japanese car will replace it? __________________ Bob S 98 M3/4/5 Cosmos, 2003 325 IT, 1999 10AE Miata, 1971, 2800 CS (In the Garage getting refreshed) 1966 Corvair 500/140, 1972 BMW 2002 Malaga.

Thu, Aug-19-2010, 01:07:00 PM	#8
Cawhite78 TFM Join Date: Oct 2009 Age: 34 Posts: 340 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 '96 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: NYC	Good Luck Alex. Hope it all works out. __________________ Casey

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Thu, Aug-19-2010, 06:14:27 AM	#5
12v Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,316 Reputation: 0 Location: Western United States	Dang man.. I still remember when you made the thread about your new M3 on bimmerforums..sucks to see you having to sell it.