2bms
05-29-2008, 05:04 PM
Really I'm looking for some advice. I have a Boston Green 96 328is with the ubiquitous beige interior. The car needs some attention. Basically I made the mistake of letting my daughter use it and she crashed it. I only kept minimal insurance on that car as I used it very occasionally. As a result, some bodywork is needed, which I'll detail in a moment.
First, the car is bone stock, auto transmission, mechanically well-maintained by BMW dealerships, I have receipts for that going back three years or so. It has the sport and premium packages and an OEM rear spoiler. The current mileage is 126,400 and is correct and verifiable. As far as I can tell, mechanically the car is in excellent shape. The motor and transmission are both as strong as an ox according to a BMW specialist mechanic who checked the car out for me following the accident, as at that point I was not sure whether it was worth saving. He assured me that it was.
The accident involved the front passenger side of the car. My daughter ran a stop sign, and another car hit her plum on the front passenger wheel area. I have had the mechanical stuff repaired by that same BMW specialist who insisted the car was worth saving. The work involved installing a new strut, straightening the strut tower, replacing the rim and tire and a front-end alignment. So, the car now drives straight and true, no vibration at all, and feels very good. Just as good as it did before in fact.
What remains to be done is all cosmetic. It will need a new bumper cover and a new fender, and all the bits and pieces that go with those things (fog lights, temperature sensor, mounting brackets, side marker and indicator assemby).
The rest of the body is in pretty good shape, one or two dings and scratches but nothing out of the ordinary for a 12 year old car, in fact I would say that the rest of the body is in above average condition.
The interior is pretty good, I have done some renovation work inside the car myself. I would say the interior is about 8 out of 10. For a 12 year old e36, not bad at all. All the electrical stuff works perfectly.
Here is where I need the advice. My intention was to complete the work required, little by little, as time and money allow, and then probably try to sell the car. At the bank the other day a fellow in a perfect looking 1985 seven series parked next to me and asked if I was looking to sell my car. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he said he would put $3000 in cash in my hands for the car in its current condition. I am tempted, because although I have loved this car, I cannot stand the sight of it looking so sick on my driveway! I am impatient to fix it, as it is basically a very solid car, but cannot afford to do it all at once. I have the chance to let it go now to someone who is quite clearly passionate about BMWs and will take care of it, and probably has the means to do so a little quicker than I can at the moment. I wouldn't have the hassle of all the repair work to do and I wouldn't have to look at the ugly front end of it every time I leave my house.
How can I really work out what this car is worth in its current state though? Yes, I've looked on KBB, and if I were able to bring it back to excellent condition I could probably ask $5,500 to $6,000 for it, but it would take a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, to do that.
Should I give it away for $3000? What would you do?
First, the car is bone stock, auto transmission, mechanically well-maintained by BMW dealerships, I have receipts for that going back three years or so. It has the sport and premium packages and an OEM rear spoiler. The current mileage is 126,400 and is correct and verifiable. As far as I can tell, mechanically the car is in excellent shape. The motor and transmission are both as strong as an ox according to a BMW specialist mechanic who checked the car out for me following the accident, as at that point I was not sure whether it was worth saving. He assured me that it was.
The accident involved the front passenger side of the car. My daughter ran a stop sign, and another car hit her plum on the front passenger wheel area. I have had the mechanical stuff repaired by that same BMW specialist who insisted the car was worth saving. The work involved installing a new strut, straightening the strut tower, replacing the rim and tire and a front-end alignment. So, the car now drives straight and true, no vibration at all, and feels very good. Just as good as it did before in fact.
What remains to be done is all cosmetic. It will need a new bumper cover and a new fender, and all the bits and pieces that go with those things (fog lights, temperature sensor, mounting brackets, side marker and indicator assemby).
The rest of the body is in pretty good shape, one or two dings and scratches but nothing out of the ordinary for a 12 year old car, in fact I would say that the rest of the body is in above average condition.
The interior is pretty good, I have done some renovation work inside the car myself. I would say the interior is about 8 out of 10. For a 12 year old e36, not bad at all. All the electrical stuff works perfectly.
Here is where I need the advice. My intention was to complete the work required, little by little, as time and money allow, and then probably try to sell the car. At the bank the other day a fellow in a perfect looking 1985 seven series parked next to me and asked if I was looking to sell my car. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he said he would put $3000 in cash in my hands for the car in its current condition. I am tempted, because although I have loved this car, I cannot stand the sight of it looking so sick on my driveway! I am impatient to fix it, as it is basically a very solid car, but cannot afford to do it all at once. I have the chance to let it go now to someone who is quite clearly passionate about BMWs and will take care of it, and probably has the means to do so a little quicker than I can at the moment. I wouldn't have the hassle of all the repair work to do and I wouldn't have to look at the ugly front end of it every time I leave my house.
How can I really work out what this car is worth in its current state though? Yes, I've looked on KBB, and if I were able to bring it back to excellent condition I could probably ask $5,500 to $6,000 for it, but it would take a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, to do that.
Should I give it away for $3000? What would you do?