Salvaged title and what to do, to sell or to part, how hard are they to sell?

[liam821]

So my PY e46m3 has a salvaged title. I got it fairly cheap back in 2019 before prices really started going up. It also needed a lot of work (see my build journal below). After I fixed the previous owner's neglect, it's been totally solid. I wouldn't be hesitant to jump in right now and drive across the country. I've put 20k carefree miles on it. Mechanically it's in fantastic condition, interior is mint, and the alignment is perfect and drives straight. But it has some cosmetic issues, the roof paint is awful (stained looking), I scratched one side skirt accidentally while backing out of my garage, a few chips here and there, the front CSL bumper is not OEM and the paint isn't perfectly matched and I'm sure some other things. Solid 10-footer for sure.

While I love my PY, I have a new project and just don't have the space for two so the PY has to go. While I don't expect to get all the money back I put into it, I also don't want to just give it away. I also don't want to sell it with my suspension/brakes, so I'll swap all that back to the stock parts.

2004 real PY
133k miles
6spd (was originally SMG, swapped at around 100k miles)
Excellent condition Black interior (was originally dove)
ZCP trim
Stock engine/tune/exhaust

Parts I've replaced:

Before my PY car, I had an Interlagos car that was destroyed with 18k miles. I bought that car back from insurance and used a lot of those parts in my PY car. I'll tag those below with a *

rear subframe/lsd/axles*
Driveshaft*
hvac system and a/c system*
The whole interior, carpets, trim, a/b/c pillars, headliner, dash, everything has been replaced with new or parts off my old car except the gauge cluster*
All new bushings/suspension/lca
The cooling system has been gone through
Rear subframe reinforced
Vanos
Starter*

I have new rod bearings for the car, but have not had a chance to do the work, but will get that done before I sell. (or not?)

We all know how insanely picky you all are about salvaged title cars and my car absolutely has a story...am I insane to think I can get $18-20k for it? Not gonna lie, I'm dreading having to sell it because it's just going to be a PITA and will get all the lowballers like whoa.

My other option is, I part it out. There are a bunch of things I'd love to keep for my next project. And hopefully, somebody will take the shell off me for a race car.

Thoughts?! Has anybody else tried to sell a salvaged car that is actually worth something (at least worth something to them)? How painful was it?

[oceansize]

Man that is quite a conundrum. Rough paint, salvage, aftermarket bumper, and high mileage. Mechanically solid and nice interior. I would do the bearings and just list it. This forum is awesome and you are a critical piece but honestly I wouldn’t buy it for that. Love ya though. On the flip side what would I buy for $18k to $20k that is rear wheel drive and as fun and not beat to death? Parting out seems to be a massive pita for which I don’t have time.

[liam821]

Man that is quite a conundrum. Rough paint, salvage, aftermarket bumper, and high mileage. Mechanically solid and nice interior. I would do the bearings and just list it. This forum is awesome and you are a critical piece but honestly I wouldn’t buy it for that. Love ya though. On the flip side what would I buy for $18k to $20k that is rear wheel drive and as fun and not beat to death? Parting out seems to be a massive pita for which I don’t have time.

You completely nailed it. Honestly, I wouldn’t buy it either haha! I’m more info the fixing/projects though. But like I said above, I got it cheap and put a heck of a lot of time and money into it and here we are. What have I done haha

[y2k_o__o]

$18-$20K can't get you something near as fun as a E46 M3. S2k or 911 aren't even close at that price range =\
I would spend some money to fix the roof paint and keep it until bigger problem occurs. Since you already spent alot of money to catch up all maintenance, at this point, it drives like new.

[Arith2]

I think you'll make quite a bit more off parting it out, especially with your mods. It's still a really nice car but it's not worth much on the market.

[maw1124]

+1 on doing the bearings and listing it. There’s someone out there not on these forums or not looking for an investment piece that wants a solid PY E46M and doesn’t want to pay top of market for it. I can see you getting $15k for it. Parting it out probably won’t get you that amount after you subtract for your time and headache. There was a time when salvage and accident cars simply didn’t sell (“no paint no smokers no stories” was the game) but that time has long gone. Now BaT lists project cars. PROJECT CARS!! Incomplete, God only knows WTF has been done to them, it’s been sitting in the garage (or worse) unfinished for years, project cars.

Fix it, list it, explain it and down the road you go. But don’t paint it. Next project. You’ll likely have an offer by the time this thread gets to 20 posts.

maw

EDIT… liam821 I just looked at your build thread… no you’re not crazy hoping to get $18k-$20k

[mtpktz]

If you decide to part it out, please PM me as there’s several pieces I’d be interested in (trim, wheel, etc)

[Interlagos]

I don’t think you’re insane for thinking you could get $18-20k for your car these days. Back in the summer of 2020 some bozo bought my old ~70k mile ‘03.5 Jet Black/Black 6MT from Copart for almost $13k — it was totaled and not even close to being drivable.

Considering prices have only gone up since then and you’ve performed a lot of desirable maintenance, I think you could pretty easily sell this to someone who just wants a cool car for relatively little $.

[r4dr]

I feel like buying a salvage title at a discount is a money in, money out kind of situation. You get it for cheap, but the flip side is you will never get a lot of money out of it. Same as real estate... you get it for a discount, you will most likely sell for a discount.

It's a strange position to be in because a mechanically sound salvage title is perfect for a track build, but you've made it too nice to strip back down into a track build lol. Your sweat equity only has value to yourself, so maybe keep it and drive the wheels off it?

[Maxima SE]

I would not part it out. I would sell it as is. Either way you are going to lose money on it. Nobody will pay you for all the time, love and labor you put into it. At the end of the day they will see it as a salvage title rare color M3 with whatever miles. Financially it is best to just keep it.

[bmw m3 s50]

Honestly, parting out a car is wayyyyyyyy too much work especially if you have a good running car without issues.

The biggest determining factor is what caused the salvage title? Was it an accident, flood, theft, fire, etc? The more documentation that you can provide and more of a story you can paint for the buyer, there more comfortable the buyer will be.

You also have to ask yourself, if the car had a clean title what would it sell for? I would think that a manual, coupe, in Phoenix Yellow, black interior, decent mods and maintenance would be in the $25k range even with 133k miles and paint blemishes. So I would think $18k is definitely doable maybe $16k-17k at the lowest if you wanted to really sell it quick.

The bottom line will be, how long can you wait. That is with selling anything. Can you wait a few weeks or few months for the right buyer to come around. If so, then you have a good shot at getting what you want for it.

Oh, and by the way don’t fall for the whole rebuilt titles are only worth half as much bull$hit. A rebuilt title car will vary depending on the car some cars see little value loss while other see a ton. Being that the equivalent car would be priced at around $25k or so with a clean title, I would think 28% drop in value is fair for a popular car.

[bmw m3 s50]

PS - if you decide to part it out and have mint door and rear panels. I will definitely buy them.

[bigjae46]

Why was it salvaged?

I think $18k-$20k is normally high for this car. But I’d consider coming close if the interior is in great shape. More than anything…if everything inside is working and is in good shape that is worth a lot considering replacement parts add up quickly.

I’d rather buy a car with a nice interior and ratty paint than vice versa.

You’ll get laughed at on Facebook because those people are morons. But I don’t think your asking price is totally unreasonable as long as it was salvaged for a relatively minor reason.

Now if the car had the roof caved in…part it.

[liam821]

Why was it salvaged?

I think $18k-$20k is normally high for this car. But I’d consider coming close if the interior is in great shape. More than anything…if everything inside is working and is in good shape that is worth a lot considering replacement parts add up quickly.

I’d rather buy a car with a nice interior and ratty paint than vice versa.

You’ll get laughed at on Facebook because those people are morons. But I don’t think your asking price is totally unreasonable as long as it was salvaged for a relatively minor reason.

Now if the car had the roof caved in…part it.

It was hit in the rear at 97k miles and was sold at auction, the damage was very light, and honestly, I'm not sure how it ended up salvaged - although it was in 2015 so they weren't exactly worth very much at that point in the time. The car was fixed, and then amazingly it was hit again at 106k miles, but this time in the rear passenger corner and it was much worst. It was sold, again, at auction and whoever fixed it the 2nd time did the SMG -> 6mt and the CSL bumper/trunk. I purchased the car at 109k miles and got a good price because the rear subframe was cracking and needed all new bushings etc - see my build journal.

From the research I've done, all the maintenance from new to 97k miles was handled by the bmw dealer and was very well taken care of.

First accident:

Honestly, the car looks in amazing condition for 97k miles.







2nd accident:

[Nate047]

So how much would you WANT to get for it, ideally?