MO 97 California Top For Sale

[Maximus]

Hello,

I'm going to sell my red, 5-speed manual 318ti but I have no idea what it's worth. It's a 97 with 130K although the dealer screwed up and left the oil cap off at around 20K so it got a new engine. The car runs great with only minor dings on the door from other doors and a couple small rust spots. The interior isn't bad but I would replace with leather if you're an enthusiast. The latch to the gloove box is messed up and probably from someone looking for whatever one night when I happened to leave my door unlocked. This car is really cool and has the rare California top. Can someone give me an idea how much I should ask?

Thanks,

Max

[My98Rot]

Pictures would probably help but it sounds like a nice car, fairly low mileage for a 13 year old car, has the right color, right gearbox. Dings, rust, and things like the glovebox latch (which if i'm not mistaken is a difficult piece to obtain) will always hurt resale value. Have you checked KBB? Well if you haven't i just did and it says $1,795 which I think is ridiculous, you could easily get 4 or maybe even 5 grand for a car like that, but it depends on the condition of top and how bad the rust is (so post up some pics) wish my car had the Cali top.

[Frby98]

could be something I (and others) are very interested, but...

[Maximus]

I know, I know.....

I'm having the car detailed soon and many pics will follow. I've also decided to put a little money into the car. At the BMW autohaus the other day for oil service, the door-ding-guy was there doing estimates. I can have all the dings removed for $450. That probably doesn't include the rust spots but there's only two small areas around each quarter panel so those shouldn't be too bad to have fixed. I will also try to have the glove box fixed. It's really only the latch that's messed up; the rest is in great shape. While moving all my junk into the `07 X3 we just bought, I was reminded about another minor flaw; the hatch-back piece that connects to the car and covers the trunk area has seen better days so I'm going to try and replace that also.

On a positive note, the California top is tip-top. No leaks and works like a champ.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I can have all the dings removed for $450. That probably doesn't include the rust spots but there's only two small areas around each quarter panel so those shouldn't be too bad to have fixed.

Don't underestimate how much that might cost. Mine has 2 spots at the back of the rear wheel arch where the paint has begun to bubble. The estimate was for a non-trivial amount. Of course, you may be able to get it done a lot cheaper than the place I got the estimate from, and one man's "non-trivial" is another man's "pocket change."

Good luck with the sale, and get those photos up soon!

[pdxmotorhead]

5 to 600 minimum for anything you can cover with your hand, 1200 if you can't and that's roughly the starting number unless you find a good back door guy who does it on the side. My car got hit a couple years back right in the gas door. 3000 to fix it and that was every where I took it for estimates... Ended up having the dealer fix it...

Dave

[Maximus]

I finally got some pics uploaded of my 97 with Cali Top. I'm starting to have second thoughts about putting money into the car because if I do I'll end up keeping it so I'll sell "as is" if the price is right.

[Frby98]

Saw the pictures - nice looking car. Have you decided on an asking price?

GLWS

[Maximus]

I had to take $3500 out of my emergency fund for the down payment on my X3 so I'd like to at least get that much for the 318.

[Frby98]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I had to take $3500 out of my emergency fund for the down payment on my X3 so I'd like to at least get that much for the 318.

I like everything about your car except the location and my lack of knowledge about these cars! I could overcome one but not both of those! GLWS!

[Maximus]

Come on guys, no one wants to buy a '97 California Top 5-speed for $3500!!??

[roadrash]

"Wants to" and "Needs to" are two different things. :-)

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by roadrash

"Wants to" and "Needs to" are two different things. :-)

don't forget "can afford to"

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

don't forget "can afford to"

Very true, but that's actually not an issue for me at the moment because I've got the cash. However, given the "feast and famine" nature of my current primary gig, if I were to purchase a car that I don't need now, I'd probably wish I still had the money in a few months. Gotta be prudent ya know... blah blah blah.

This looks like a nice specimen of 318ti-ness... I hope it goes to a good home!

[Frby98]

Is there someone near by who can take a look with some 318ti experience? The pics look good, but I am a newbie who is too far away to take a good look!