OK, now what? What's it worth?

[Mannix]

I offically own my rearended 318is again (91).  Picture attached.  

What's it worth?  I bought it in 10/04 for $3500.  It had 119k on it, and the paint was much better then.  Now, it has 156k on it, regular oil changes (synthetic oil), air filter every 15k (just put one in).  

Since purchase, I have replaced:

- Timing chain/tensioner/all guides/water pump/thermostat/front main seal/all hoses.  That was a big one, right after I got the car.
- Mass airflow meter (~4 weeks ago)
- Battery (~4 weeks ago)
- Plugs and wires (plugs ~4 weeks ago, wires when I got it)
- Air filter (~4 weeks ago, 15k ago, etc)
- Fuel filter
- Control arms
- E36 "Q" bushings (rear control arm mounts, solid, more caster)
- Tie rod ends
- Struts - Bilstein Sports
- Shocks - Bilstein Sports
- Strut bearings, shock mounts
- Front rotors/pads, rear pads.  Both sensors.
- Changed all other fluids when I got the car, synthetic everywhere.
- Flowmaster Deltaflow 40 series (or is it a 50?) muffler.  Just the rear muffler, the stocker was rusty.
- Lower oil pan gasket (twice, when I got it to fix a leak, then ~4 weeks ago to check The Bolts.  All are tight).

I think that's it.  I fixed dash lights, this that and the other thing.  

The bad:

- Duh.  Some dork hit me.  
- Cracked rear spoiler on trunklid, no longer fully connected due to accident.
- Cracked windshield.  Pretty badly pitted anyway.
- Faded paint (although it did not look _bad_ before the accident, unless you looked closely).
- Typical Colorado rock chips - CO puts ROCKS on the road, calls it sand.  
- Driver's seat needs redoing, pretty badly. Still comfortable, but it needs addressed.
- Shift knob worn.
- Tires are pretty wasted.  Not corded, but they're due.
- Vacuum leak somewhere - if it idles for more than 10sec, the CEL comes on.  Slight rev of throttle, it goes off.  It does not do that if the A/C is on.  I have the intake gasket, just not gone in there to find it.  

I don't really know what to do next.  I could sell it outright.  I could buy a straight 318is, swap parts.  I _could_ part it out, but I'm REALLY averse to that - I don't have the time or space to do it (nor do I want to deal with a dead car in my driveway).  I could pull the bumper mount with a comealong, see what happens;).  

Aargh.  

Any insights?  What's this thing worth?  Naturally, right buyer, right price - someone with a good car, bad mechanicals would be great (then we'd have to figure out who buys and who sells:).  

Sucks.  I liked this car.  40mpg+ on the highway, was getting 32mpg around town, revved freeley, has great power, shrug, it is a colossal drag.




Iain

[nomad]

Part it.

I'll take the head.

[Mannix]

Parting is the last thing on my list, but if it goes there, Nomad, I'll give you first right of refusal!


Iain

[Vladi]

From what i see in the pic it's not a tragedy, i've seen many much worse e30's fixed. I'd say go and fix it after you find a good bodyshop.

[scottiesharpe]

Part it out. Not worth the money to fix the body. There are plenty of nice e30's out there. You'll do ok selling parts and have a few items left over for your next car.

[e30s4evr]

Buy another e30 318is, transfer what you want then sell whatever you have left!

[Abrax]

I would say that it is worth fixing. Definately!

Nothing wrong happened really... You still can easily open drivers door and the horn works as nice as before :-) If You will pull the rear bumper, Your rear fenders will be better, but still visibly broken, and after plaining it You should repaint them and You have Your car fully functional for cheap :-)

Windshield - sooner or later it needs to be changed anyway

But the bright side is that even Your rearlights are still in a good shape :-)

And believe me - fixing and repainting the rear spoiler takes just few hours!!!
(http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2713/) If it is broken really badly You should search for the one on e-bay.

Smile! :-) And don't sell the car...

[FL318is]

Fix it!  Replace the worn stuff and move on.  The black is sweet.

[Vladi]

It's better to fix what you have than to buy another e30 with who knows what hidden problems and start all over again. You just got to know this car, know the + and the -. Besides, to part out a vehicle requires a lot of time and storage space.

[Lukis]

I would say fix it. There is a lot of car left. Around here E30 318is don`t grow on trees.

[Mannix]

Thanks for all the replies!  Lots of "fix it" recommendations.  Hmmm.  I wholeheartedly agree with "better to fix what you have."

asdasdasd.  Dunno.  Maybe I'll take the rear bumper off this weekend, attach a chain and give it some expanding encouragement.  

Other appealing option - anyone know of a 91 is for sale in the CO area?  The "buy another, swap parts" idea is very appealing, as well.  



Iain

[D. Clay]

Whether it's repairable or not depends on where you live and who you can get to do the work. Here is Austin, I could get the unibody pulled and the right quarter and rear body panel rough straightened for $300-$350.  The biggee is rust. If it's ate up with road salt, it's a wash period and you should part it. Also depends on whether and how much you got as settlement. Put that toward repair and have a sharp E30 with fresh paint.