E30 Zone

Right.

Probably selling my 1994 316i SE Touring.
The cambelt is just being done along with replacing the valves etc and the head's being skimmed, all due to the cambelt having snapped. This is costing me about £450 to have sorted.

It's showing 54,000miles, it's got 6 months MoT on it and 5 months tax.

It's had 2 previous, the last one since 1995. The car is red, and in mint condition, not a speck of rust anywhere that I can find. It's on 15" BBS's and the only fault is it's missing its lip spoiler (£20 from GSF) and it's had a parking ding which has cracked the front bumper on the nearside on the top about 3"'s long.

What sort of money should I be looking at for it?

Sensible suggestions preferred please!

I know some smart alec will say this post needs pics but I won't have any until I pick the car up next week. Picture a mint, red Touring on 15" BBS's and your there?!

Cheers,
Nick

I recently bought a Diamantschwartz 316i touring on a J plate. Body work was immaculate, interior spotless apart from the drivers seat which is torn up. Engine (178k) was very good, but a bit tappety so would have needed them doing at some point soon.

i paid £240.

If thats any help.

You say 'engine is showing 54000 miles'.... Thats very low, is it proven with old mots etc?

I've read all about your bargain simian and must admit I'm impressed!

Unfortunately I don't have any MoT's bar the last couple so no proven record sadly. Always ticks me off when people don't keep receipts and I wouldn't normally buy without it, but the condition of the car certainly bears out the miles. The interior is like new everywhere.

Kinda wondering if I'd be better breaking it for spares if I'm only likely to get a few hundred quid after spending £450 on th engine...

Selling whole would probably be simpler. I have my old 316 lump for sale and havent had a single whisper of interest in it.

Thats not to say you wouldnt make money off the rest of the car but without the engine sale you lose a big chunk of the potential cash and I cant see many people wanting a 316 engine, seems if people take one out, they put something bigger back in 9 times out of 10.

If it really is mint and the mileage shows in the condition, I'd be surprised if you got less than 5-600 for it... After I bought mine I checked about to see what price they go for and couldnt find any under 600.

Take a visit to your nice BMW dealer and see if they will look up the history on your car.

if you can get some provenance, you will be looking at £1000

if you cant, £750

Give or take a £100 either side

As always, photos will speak a 100 words etc, so you'll have to sort that out sharpish!