Fair price for '98 m3/4?

[m3f_apex003]

Please give me your opinion:

$19.5K

62K miles

Silver/grey '98 m3/4, manual

3rd owner

Has all service records for self and previous owner

Interior and exterior both in great condition.

no engine mods

has LTW wheels, ps, cc, sr, obc, spoiler, no heated seats.

smoked corners and sides

new tranny 3K ago from "5th gear sticks" problem

CPO until 6/04

carfax looks good

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Where is the car located in the U.S. as that can make a large difference. In Cali that sounds a bit low, but on the east cost, you may be able to get them down to $18 or so. Make sure to purchase pending a full inspection. It will be worth your $200-$300 for a piece of mind.

[m3f_apex003]

Thanks 97blk...

I'm in CA, the car's in NC; but I'm considering a move to NC, so I wouldn't have to ship the car; just store it for a couple months.



P.S. what's the protocol for long term storage preparation?

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

If it is only a couple of months, then a fresh oil changes and a full gas tank with Stabilizer should be fine. Also make sure that the tires have full pressure in them, if not a bit on the high side to prevent flat spotting. Keep it garaged, or at least under a cover.



If the car is in NC, then offer $17.5 and you will probably end up around $18 something. Again, it is very important to get an inspection done on it. Make sure they do a compression test and if a BMW dealer is doing it, have them check for an over-rev code. However the compression test should reveal any type of engine damage. Take all of the things found during the inspection done back to the dealer, then renegotiate either free repairs, or $ off of the car.

[m3f_apex003]

thanks for the info on storage. i plan to rent one of those self storage units for a couple months, so it will be "garaged".



i will definitely have an inspection done. i already have a local dealership that will do it's thorough analysis of the car. they say it's the one they do for cars they take in to sell. should be ~$200. i will definitely have them pay particular attention to compression, overrev and to the rsm and rtab's. as for price, i'm trying to negotiate for the car; but his default if that falls through is to list on ebay. i've been watching some auctions, and it's really hard to tell how much a particular car will sell for. i'm inclined to take my chances with ebay at $19.5; but for sub-$19's i might just go for it. on the other hand, i don't want to lose this car if i can help it... i suppose there's always other fish in the sea...

[m3f_mikea128]

apex003 - if you pass on this car (for reasons other than something in the inspection), could you have the seller contact me. I'm in NC and looking for a similar car.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

It is probably close to market value at that price, but still a little on the high side with that mileage. If it is a good one, no sense losing out for $1000 or so. You might want to get a leak down test performed instead of a compression test, as it tells the story of engine condition a little more accurately. Either one is a money well spent . When I bought my 98 M4/ in Wisconsin in Febuary I couldn't believe how little the BMW dealer did in the inspection. It was cursory look with a computer hook up thrown in, and they charged $100.00. Good thing my hunch on the car was right.

[m3f_DOUGYKIM_04b96b288d]

check under the hood along the front fender assembly bolts. if you see that the finish on the bolts are anything less than dull body color paint, the car has been in a collision regardless of insurance/dmw records. get it put on a rack and check for any underbody damage or rust. drive it over traffic bumps on each side of the axels and listen for signs of suspension wear. for some reason people always forget to argue the price down for the tire wear. i asked for 500 off because of the wear on the rear tires when i got mine. good luck. i bought mine a few months ago and paid 22.5K for the '98 M3 sedan w/ 54K, 2nd owner. down from his original asking price of 25K. still i paid too much. private owner no warranty.

[m3f_98M35spd]

I paid $19K a year ago for mine with 62K miles and love it!!!!!



One thing to consider is about 4500 M3/4s were imported to US. Half of them were 5 speeds. If you like the car, don't let it get away - I'm not sure I will EVER sell mine - you just cannot replace them!

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Got mine for 12,500 from work. With a new engine, and it was pre-modded too.

[m3f_gno_bts]

i got mine for $27K CDN in Toronto, 50k miles about a month ago. Great car.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

Hey. I looked at that car. It seemed like the local deal at the time. What tires did you put on it?

[m3f_shota15_267411326e]

got mine in February '04 paid $23.780 car was one owner had 38k miles on it

[m3f_JeffN]

I'm selling mine w/an auto for 14k, 77k on it, painted on one side after a mild sideswipe. Mine's a clean title and there are only 6 in the USA cheaper on Cars.com

The auto brings it down a couple but I wouldn't have a stick anymore at my age. Must be fun w/one though.

[m3f_gno_bts]

Hey. I looked at that car. It seemed like the local deal at the time. What tires did you put on it?





I havn't had any time to put tires on yet, kind of sucks still with the winters and everything, i am looking for help though on the best tire for the price for these cars, the dealer told me to go with 245 on the rear, is this any good?



your in Toronto right? who have you been dealing with for parts?