Selling your E30...

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RKB
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:05 pm

I'm thinking about moving my E30 on, but would like to get feedback or just a to-do list to get the maximum amount from the sale.

I've spent thousands over the last couple years on it to get it up to scratch and everything is practically new / replaced but i think now is time to move it on, plus i dont use it anymore as much as i like on top of Covid i really think now is a good time.

Saying all that i dont 'need' the money so not fussed about waiting for the right price...


Spec;
Originally 316i (Owned by one family since new - to and from Father and Daughter)
M52 2.8
Gaz Golds
E36 Evo Front Hubs, Brakes, Braided lines
Full body shell respray and sealed underneath
Z3 Torsen Diff
Etc...

I've missed loads but to paint a picture.

Any Thoughts?
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flybynite
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:16 pm

IMHO Money follows originality, once you start messing with it, however good, what it is worth takes a bit of a hit compared with the outlay.

As an engine-swapped car on coilovers it is going to limit your market and depend very much on how well it has been done.

And before anyone else chimes in, pictures would help :D
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RKB
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:19 pm

I think the same with an E30 being originally and not tampered but they've been through so many hands, anyway i will work out how to get some up.
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RKB
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:29 pm

IMG_20180819_094954.jpg
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RKB
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:30 pm

Hopefully not too big.

My mind is to make it more appealing to others by changing the wheels to so sort of bbs's etc [Needs a front lip regardless]
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flybynite
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:50 pm

RKB wrote:
Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:19 pm
I think the same with an E30 being originally and not tampered but they've been through so many hands, anyway i will work out how to get some up.
It is not the easiest thing to do to undo what many hands have previously done to a car, but it is not impossible and if done well it can be as good, sometimes even better than it came out of the factory. That is generally what the people with the money pay for.

The problem with a 'built' car is you come up against other people's opinion. If I use coilovers they would be KW and if I swap the engine it will be M54B30, right or wrong it is my money and it would be a better car but worth less (if I were to ever sell it) than if I were to put it back to how it came (or could have come) from the factory.

Photo how-to done by Steve is here :thumb:

viewtopic.php?f=114&t=277018

EDIT: beat me to it, obviously you know how to do it

Looks a nice machine and well done, but cant help thinking it would be so much more saleable on 15" style 5, Black leather sports seats and a good M20 up front.
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:15 pm

I agree that an original car will always be the most desirable/valuable but there is also a large market for this kind of car, just for less money.
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JungleGus
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:23 pm

I'd echo the above statement, and am in somewhat of a similar position. I've come to a similar conclusion so figured mine's a lifer.

Hard to value but can always try put on eBay and Pistonheads and see what happens - if you get money you're happy with then sell, if not, keep it. It seems like a nice tidy car and the respray is a nice touch. These cars are getting harder to return back to stock as well but for me, if you could change to standard wheels that would be a big plus, guessing you can't with the brakes though. So you're probably in a position of taking what you can get for it as is, which I am guessing the timing isn't the best for.
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RKB
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:33 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

At the time of fixing i was just going to keep it as a 316i, but that would be sensible.

Probably look for some 16" BBS's and hope they fit without rubbing.

Tough one, as its a really sorted car, no half measures.

I might tidy some loose ends and see whether i get any interest at what i'd want for it.
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Post Tue Jun 23, 2020 8:40 pm

RKB wrote:
Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:33 pm
Thanks for the feedback.

At the time of fixing i was just going to keep it as a 316i, but that would be sensible.

Probably look for some 16" BBS's and hope they fit without rubbing.

Tough one, as its a really sorted car, no half measures.

I might tidy some loose ends and see whether i get any interest at what i'd want for it.
Which is?
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RKB
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2020 9:28 am

Just some service bits and an MOT.

Probably look for some BBS RZ's
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flybynite
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2020 9:33 am

RKB wrote:
Wed Jun 24, 2020 9:28 am
Just some service bits and an MOT.

Probably look for some BBS RZ's
I think he meant what price are you looking for it.

Might be worth trying it here as it is as well. It does look tidy on the outside from the photographs and the compomotives do suit the car.
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RKB
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:33 pm

12k
BristolE30
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2020 11:12 pm

I think buyers get apprehensive when it comes to engine swaps as theres this idea that the cars wiring has been chopped up, spliced to bits and just not original with corners cut. If you can convince people you’ve done a stellar job I think it’ll go along way to easing potential buyers
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JungleGus
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:49 am

That and the fact that there's always slight niggles, and when something goes wrong it's difficult to fix as the exact part number may not be known. If you have a build thread and parts list that probably would help. What box is she running?
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flybynite
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:26 am

As above it will all come down to the quality of the job for a swapped car and what parts have been used.

I would also want to know how the 5-stud conversion was done and what parts etc.

There are so many really bad conversions out there that it takes a lot of effort not to be tarred with the same brush.

A good set of build photographs or a thread on here would be a good thing to refer to
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RKB
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:13 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

Definitely have all the details of the parts used, mostly through receipts or simply that I know what's on there that I can share.

It's been given the once over by Dan on here where I've spent thousands with him, so not a lemon.

The most frustrating thing about the car is I just don't use it!

5 stud is E36 M3 Evo front hubs calipers wishbones (new) discs pads...you get the drift.
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Post Sun Jun 28, 2020 11:30 am

RKB wrote:
Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:13 pm
The most frustrating thing about the car is I just don't use it!
I have a solution, set a reminder on your phone every Saturday morning to take her for a rip :D
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