Hey gang, I usually post in the e34 section because I've got 4 of them, but I've sort of come into an e24 recently. The story is that it belongs to a customer that lost storage on the car. It needs a radiator, a couple fenders, a driver's seat, a dashboard, and likely the usual raft of maintenance issues. I'm sure a search will turn up the usual suspects of new and used part providers, but what I'd like to know is what one of these things is worth in the condition it's in.

It's red, not quite as orange as Hellrot, maybe zinno, haven't checked the sticker yet. Automatic but I've got spares for that. The fenders need to be replaced because of dents, not rust. Structurally the car seems like it's all there, only issue I can think of off the top of my head is that the AC doesn't currently work, but that's only a matter of changing over to 134a, nothing major.

While I'm sure there's a wide range of pricing on a car like this, I'd like to hear everyone's questions about the car and opinions on the pricing. I don't know what it's worth, and estimated value of the car will go a long way towards guessing whether or not the car's worth bringing back or letting the customer sell it at a loss.

I'm not at the shop right now, and I don't recall what year the car is.

I don't follow E24s as much as I do E34s, but I'd say a lot depends on the mileage and condition of the body. My family bought a perfect 89 635csi with 75k miles for around 7k last year. I've seen them ranging on CL from anywhere like 2k for a bit tired one to 6-7k for a really nice one.

Doing a 5-speed swap will help it a lot. A really nice example will go for anywhere from $5K-$8K or more (esp. the '88/'89 model years, which had nice bumpers).

I'm guessing it is Cinnibar.

do the right thing and...

BRING IT BACK

do the right thing and...

BRING IT BACK

If it were my decision, that would obviously be the case. Unfortunately it's in my customer's hands (and wallet) so we'll see exactly what happens. If I can convince him that a little bit of work will go a long way towards making the car a beast again, I'll be happy to bring it back.


Sadly, it seems like he may be set on getting rid of it. I'm working hard on him to keep it, but he seems to think it's worth $2500 as it is, and I'm not convinced that's an accurate figure. I'll take and post some pics tomorrow, you'll love the radiator bypass he's installed (I had nothing to do with it).


Do e24s get parted often? I know e34s are parted out all the time on the board. Are there any e24 specific sites I should know about?

^bigcoupe.com

To be fair to your customer you should really take the glovebox out and the cover for the ecu and have a peak around the firewall. I thought an e24 was save able until I got under dashboard and realized there wasn't anything really holding the windshield in place.

Good luck and hopefully you can turn him around!

sounds like it needs alot of work/parts.

probably has a value of $700 at best.

Doing a 5-speed swap will help it a lot. A really nice example will go for anywhere from $5K-$8K or more (esp. the '88/'89 model years, which had nice bumpers).

I'm guessing it is Cinnibar.


get a euro!

Do e24s get parted often?

Unfortunately, all too often.

Unfortunately, all too often.
very sad and very true. but the sinister good thing is that it makes our cars more rare and inspires us to make them better and the value goes up :)

im about to get the opportunity to get a parts car...and sometimes we need them in order to get more cars where the owners want them to be you know?

It is a shame to part out a good car, but perhaps one that could be put to better use serving the need of the community isnt all that bad of a sacrifice haha

-Jeff

i always hate to see any e24 to go to parts but thats often what the community does need

but depending on the condition of the car, espacilly if the body for the most part is solid, its definetly a car thats worth restoring and putting some money into.

i was able to find my 98% rust free E24 for $150 just because the guy wanted to get rid of it -- so the value is really up to the owner and who wants to buy it when it comes to these cars really.

but if it were restored, and depending on the model and what not i've seen them go anywhere from 7-9k and for immaculate examples 15-25k+ (usually euros and M models)

if the customer doesn't want to do it, buy it!! :)