320IS - Whats it worth?

[jonny320is]

I'm hating saying this as I thought it would never happen but I'm looking at selling my 320is as I hardly ever use it these days and the way my job is going I dont think I never will

I haven't got a clue at what its really worth as they rarely come up for sale and when they do prices vary wildly.

Its an '88 car with about 130k miles on the clock.
It had a full respray a couple of years back so is still really good but has picked up the usual stone chips now on the front bumper.
There is no rust as the respary was a full strip job and was also wax oiled at the same time.

The car is running on Alpha-N Fuel management system with the Carbon Fibre airbox and pelum, Innovate LC1/LM1 Lambda control and digital guage with a stainless steel back box and M3 center section and was rolling road tuned last year.

Its got full leather inside with M3 rear seats and Recaro Speed front seats.

It rides on 16" Alpina's 7x16 front, 8 x 16 rear with uprated front discs and pads, standrad rear. The suspension was refurbed with eibach springs and Bilstein shocks before I had it.

The car is in pretty excellent condition, the only down side being that I have zero history of it before I bought It. Got it off Wayne from German Cars in Norwich so I'm the first UK owner. This didnt bother me as I stripped it and rebuilt it after I bought it and have done all the work on it myself including services, built up a fair few receipts in the time I've had it. I had the engine checked out by mosely motorsport when it went in tio have its valves adjusted and it came back with a clean bill of health apart from a slight oild leak from the valve cover gasket but thats it.
It also has no air con, no sunroof and no OBC (replaced by the lamnda control)

See pics below for details

I dont want to sell her but like I said I never use her any more and I'd like to see her go to someone who would appreciate it.
It has a private plate on it right now but thats coming off but it'll take about a month for that to happen so once thats done it'll be up for sale.

So, after that ramble (sorry!) can anyone help me on deciding a sensible price to sell at? It ain't for sale yet but any ideas would be appericated

[JohnnyThunders]

I do not know how much it is worth but i do know i want it

[HairyScreech]

not got a clue but i do know thats one of the tidyest iv seen and that you will regret it later.

[maxfield]

I would say around 6-7k.

Fine example

[march109]

I'd agree, tho there were two people specifically looking to buy one of these a few months ago, the put an ad in the wanted section, if they haven't bought one yet it could be a quick sale to a dedicated enthusiast. And you there are people out there who want these badly you could get more than £7k from the right victim.

[jonny320is]

not got a clue but i do know thats one of the tidyest iv seen and that you will regret it later.

Tell me about it! i'm feeling the pain just talking about it

[Smegmeister]

CAN YOU CONTACT ME IF/WHEN IT COMES UP FOR SALE PLZ

[march109]

There you go, I think thats my point proven.

These cars are rare in any country let alone the UK, find the right people to buy it and let them slog it out deciding what its worth. highest bidder wins.

[Kedge]

If only i had the money, would love one of these!

Looks an awesome acr and should certainly fetch top money.

Good luck fella, hope you don't miss her too much!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Ditto, truly a beautiful car and a nice example of a 320is.

[jonny320is]

CAN YOU CONTACT ME IF/WHEN IT COMES UP FOR SALE PLZ

will do, like I said, i'll get the plate off first and then i'll sell, probably be about a month-ish.

[Bob_S]

I would price at at 5-6k purely on the reasoning if someone had 6k to play with they could just about pick up an M3 for 7k

Despite that it looks a cracking car and a good buy for whoever does buy it"

[hairydave]

It looks a stunning car.

If you don't HAVE to sell it I would keep hold of it as I think it would be very difficult to source another in this condition and spec.

[jonny320is]

I would price at at 5-6k purely on the reasoning if someone had 6k to play with they could just about pick up an M3 for 7k

Despite that it looks a cracking car and a good buy for whoever does buy it"

I understand what your saying, this is why I cant figure out a price!

[e30bmlover]

5-6k all day long mate. she bought a tear to my eye.

[Jon_Bmw]

I would price at at 5-6k purely on the reasoning if someone had 6k to play with they could just about pick up an M3 for 7k

Despite that it looks a cracking car and a good buy for whoever does buy it"

I understand what your saying, this is why I cant figure out a price!

I agree with bob to an extent. Something that might be worth considering is taking the valuable aftermarket/oem options parts off, selling them seperatly and then pricing the car at 'normal' 320 is values. Its something i would consider if I was you. Might be a pain in the arse sourcing another set of seats/airbox etc.

[Bob_S]

those seats airbox and wheels would soon find a new home very quickly!

[jonny320is]

Whats a normal 320is value?!?

[maxfield]

About 4.5-6k, i think yours is worth a bit more.

[Morat]

Now THAT is the real baby M3

[ZedOne]

Just my 2 pence worth....

If you don't have to sell the car (i.e. you're not selling because you desperately need the cash) then I would try and keep it if I were you.

I nearly sold my Z1 last year (I did need the cash badly, being out of work) but managed to get myself through that month financially, so pulled the sale just before I took a deposit.

I hindsight I am SO glad I didn't sell the car because I would have regretted it forever!

I still struggle for money because I still haven't got me a job yet (hence the Z1 is 'off the road') but it has now become a symbol of keeping my head above water. Alright, I've sold a few of my other cars to keep me going, but the day I sell the Zed is the day I have really lost the battle... As long as it is still in my garage, then I know I am managing to survive. Selling it is an absolute last resort.

If you sell yours, then there is no easy way back. If you wanted to go back into 320is ownership, are you ever going to find as nice a vehicle as yours obviously is? Are you ever going to get the spec again?

Unless you know you really don't want the car any longer (or can't afford to keep it) - I personally think you'd be doing yourself no favours by selling it.

Have a think about it because once it's sold you can't change your mind. I came so close and it really opened my eyes to how much I love my Zed....

Best of luck whichever route you go with this beautiful car.

Bruce.

[Cokinhas320is]

Hi! Congrats for the buy of such a nice example of E30.

Do you know if it is ex-Italy or ex-Portugal? I don't know there, but here we can see which country the imported car came.

[bss325i]

Have a think about it because once it's sold you can't change your mind. I came so close and it really opened my eyes to how much I love my Zed....

I aggree with zedone, i nearly sold mine but i changed my mind and it spurned me on into the work being done now.

Where did you get the M technic sill step trims btw?

Lovely car and like i've said before i fell in love with it at Gaydon 06!

[Falkster]

Just my 2 pence worth....

If you don't have to sell the car (i.e. you're not selling because you desperately need the cash) then I would try and keep it if I were you.

I nearly sold my Z1 last year (I did need the cash badly, being out of work) but managed to get myself through that month financially, so pulled the sale just before I took a deposit.

I hindsight I am SO glad I didn't sell the car because I would have regretted it forever!

I still struggle for money because I still haven't got me a job yet (hence the Z1 is 'off the road') but it has now become a symbol of keeping my head above water. Alright, I've sold a few of my other cars to keep me going, but the day I sell the Zed is the day I have really lost the battle... As long as it is still in my garage, then I know I am managing to survive. Selling it is an absolute last resort.

If you sell yours, then there is no easy way back. If you wanted to go back into 320is ownership, are you ever going to find as nice a vehicle as yours obviously is? Are you ever going to get the spec again?

Unless you know you really don't want the car any longer (or can't afford to keep it) - I personally think you'd be doing yourself no favours by selling it.

Have a think about it because once it's sold you can't change your mind. I came so close and it really opened my eyes to how much I love my Zed....

Best of luck whichever route you go with this beautiful car.

Bruce.

Bang on!!! You look at what you might get for it......5k-7k at best but imagine a few months/years down the line and you'll be looking for another and wont be able to find one for anywhere near tha money!

Keep it!

5.2% over 5 years = 120 a month!!!

[jonny320is]

Hi! Congrats for the buy of such a nice example of E30.

Do you know if it is ex-Italy or ex-Portugal? I don't know there, but here we can see which country the imported car came.

I believe its ex portugal, I know the BMW dealer was called maxx.

[jonny320is]

I hear you all, its gonna be a hard decision and i've been delaying it and changing my mind for the past 6 months.
I'm sure there gonna keep rising in price now, the supply seems to of dried up. Plus i've never had a car with so much charater and enjoyment value.
Its gonna be a tough one, no doubt about that!

[Cokinhas320is]

Hi! Congrats for the buy of such a nice example of E30.

Do you know if it is ex-Italy or ex-Portugal? I don't know there, but here we can see which country the imported car came.

I believe its ex portugal, I know the BMW dealer was called maxx.

MAXX? It's not a Portugal BMW dealer... That name sounds more English than Portuguese to me.

[tailoutcharlie]

sell the house first and live in the car

you'll regret it and it will only go up in value so why rush

good luck