WTH is with trying to sell on eBay?!

[caffeinekid]

Is it just me, or is eBay a crappy place to sell a car? Judging from the prices that I've seen 318ti's going for, actually, not really going for considering most of the auctions are ending with "reserve not met", I would think that people don't know anything about this vehicle. BMWs are one of the only cars on the road that actually increase in customer satisfaction with age.

As an example, I am seeing 1997 vehicles with 90k miles ending with bids never exceeding $4500.00. Even the exceptional models such as the TI California top and those with M fittings hardly make $5000.00.

WTH?! It's disgusting.

I tried to sell my 1996 318ti California top (120k) with new roof asm, E46 rims, extras and in primo operating shape with a starting bid of $5500.00 and got nothing but the 'ol "cashiers check scam" queries. Am I hitting the crackpipe here, or is everybody broke and/or stupid?

[schussey]

the market for a ti is not nearly as great as that for a 6cyl bmw. I personally would be a bit paranoid about buying a car on ebay anyways.

[hotdog19d]

From what I have seen, really the only people that really appreciate the Ti's are the owners. BMW people hate it because it's the bastard child E36, the NON-BMW people just see the miles and year and don't even bother. Just my .02 cents.

[ElementalFiend]

The market for the ti is nearly non-existant actually. The compact (ti, Honda CRX, ect) market never took hold here like it has in other countries. Expect this to change though, the age of hummers and gigantic SUVs is coming to a hiaetus very soon. If you are wanting to sell your car and can afford to wait another 6-months to a year then that would be the time to sell it. People are scrambling to get smaller and more efficient vehicles (there isn't a dealer in my city that hasn't cut prices on new SUVs nearly in half, and the waiting list on the hybrid cars is almost up to 2 years now).

People sell cars on ebay because you get a much wider audience than you would putting it in the local paper. The problem is that the ti doesn't have a large audience to begin with. Why would someone want a short ti when they can get a 4-door or a "nicer" looking coupe for the same price? I think the ti looks better, but most people don't

[schussey]

yea i agree that the only people who appreciate ti's are those who own/have owned them

[brucelee]

I am a dealer and you should know that most cars on EBAY are NOT SOLD via auction. The auction closes and then a deal is cut.

The phone is where it all takes place. So, the Ti just may have a higher value than you see on the auction floor.

Just my opinion. And I love my little Ti.

[2ndBimmer]

Nothing sexier than the broad C pilliar on a Ti. I doubt mose people realize this.

[caffeinekid]

"NON-BMW people just see the miles and year and don't even bother."

Thanks for the input guys but I think that this statement sums it up. As I've learned in business, there is simply no educating those who wish to remain ignorant. 120k on a BMW is only half way to overhaul. There's just no comparison in the $5-6K price range.

Personally, I looked specifically for this car....the BMW ti w/4 cylinder hatchback. When I found this one with the California roof here in Houston, I was doing the Snoopy dance. Considering the weight, durability and fuel efficiency of this particular model, I can't even begin to imagine why anyone would want a tincan ricer. There's nothing in it's class.

I think that I will wait for awhile to sell it. I really wasn't in a big hurry anyway.

Also, I think that luxury cars in general are on the sales decline, even though they tend to make some of the best deals in the preowned market. I've been checking on the E39s as well and they seem to be suffering from the same prejudices. Don't even ask about the depreciation on the 7 series...ouch!

[1996 328ti]

I think this is why so many people come to the ti list looking for a ti. Most people I know who are looking for a ti have already done their homework. They know the different models. They know the differences between the years. They know a ti with 98K miles is just getting broken in.

[Travis]

I agree, the market just isn't there.

For comparison:

'91 325is - $4500 - $5000
'88 M3 track rat - $8500
'95 325i - $6000
'99 328i - $10,000

And people are asking (with a straight face) $12,000 for a "collectible" '99 318ti, or $10,500 for a low-mileage club sport? Ain't gonna happen.

It's a wierd little car that people in the USA didn't identify with, and still don't. I hope they never figure it out... Maybe someday I'll have three of 'em.

[ElementalFiend]

lol, he's hoarding all the TIs!

[swits]

When I was shopping for my ti just a few months ago, I was shocked at how many people were asking well over $10k for a car that didn't seem much better than some I was seeing for $6k.

I sometimes feel like I have a cool secret when I drive my car. It's the coolest car ever in my opinion. Hower, driving by 99.9% of people have no idea just how cool it is. =)

[tastade]

Welcome to the used car market place. People are willing to pay $10,000 for a car from a dealer that is worth $5,000 from a private party. They think they are safer buying it from the dealer or something. eBay's prices tend to reflect private party or even trade values more than retail.

Originally Posted by caffeinekid

Is it just me, or is eBay a crappy place to sell a car? Judging from the prices that I've seen 318ti's going for, actually, not really going for considering most of the auctions are ending with "reserve not met", I would think that people don't know anything about this vehicle. BMWs are one of the only cars on the road that actually increase in customer satisfaction with age.

As an example, I am seeing 1997 vehicles with 90k miles ending with bids never exceeding $4500.00. Even the exceptional models such as the TI California top and those with M fittings hardly make $5000.00.

WTH?! It's disgusting.

I tried to sell my 1996 318ti California top (120k) with new roof asm, E46 rims, extras and in primo operating shape with a starting bid of $5500.00 and got nothing but the 'ol "cashiers check scam" queries. Am I hitting the crackpipe here, or is everybody broke and/or stupid?

[caffeinekid]

"They think they are safer buying it from the dealer or something. eBay's prices tend to reflect private party or even trade values more than retail."

Yeah. No kidding, but I think that it has more to do with people being just too broke to pay cash. It's like you said, they would rather pay far too much for the wonderful opportunity of going into debt and ending up upside down on their investment.

Disgusting!