Need help with some pricing...

[Aaron MacQ]

Hi guys,

I've been offered a dealer trade-in '99 facelift (M52TUB20) which needs a little bit of work to put right, and since I'm looking for a spring wheeler dealer style project, it seems ideal.

However, I'm trying to gauge a fair price on it.

There's not much spec to write home about, but the chassis is in good rust free condition and the running gear looks to be fine and without any leaks/issues. Roof looks ok, although the cars been sitting and there was some condensation on the front grab panel.

Good bits:

• Sub-80k 6 Cyl 2l Engine
• 16" Style 55's
• Roll Hoops with Rear Speakers
• Electric Roof (working)
• Rust Free

Bad points:

• Needs a drivers door handle and possibly a door card (black oregon)
• Needs two rear tyres
• Drive belt looks old, so regardless of history I may want to do a full service including gearbox, diff, brake pads, PAS and Brake fluids, filters, etc...
• Rims were refurbed 12 months ago, but have acquired few minor marks since. I'm sure most potential buyers wouldn't mind the current condition, or even notice, but another refurb may be required.
• Seat bolsters are iffy, and leather looks tired at the edges. Could do with redye and a driver side bolster repair. Otherwise, good condition.
• It currently has an aftermarket DAB radio/CD player. IMHO, it's not in keeping with the car.
• It also has an aftermarket cup holder thingy and a crude mobile phone attachment. If removed, I don't know if there would be any damage to the original parts underneath.
• A few other cosmetic things like a few grommets here and there, headlights are cloudy, rear window cloudy, steering wheel grubby, etc...
• MOT up in a few weeks.

I haven't driven, so can't comment on the guibo, bearings, bushes, suspension, or brakes, but that doesn't bother me at this stage.

If I take the car on, I would want to either fix the bad bits on a budget, or go to town and restore to perfect, maybe even with a few choice upgrades...

So, given that info, has anyone any thoughts on a fair value at this stage and what it could be worth put right, or fully ready to enjoy...

Of course, I already have my own thoughts, and have an initial figure to purchase from the dealer (a friend), but this will be my first 'intentional' project with a view to selling on and I'd value any feedback you guys have to offer before jumping in...

Oh, one more thing, locally there are 2 similar cars. One is currently for sale at £2800. Looks well presented, but isn't perfect. The other sold just before christmas, after having been advertised at £1500.

 

[5harp3y]

I wouldn't want to pay any more than £800 for that based on potential selling margins

 

[Nodzed]

Under 1k

 

[Jjim]

Agree £1k max

 

[andyglym]

Same page.

 

[Dino D]

having seen your level of detail and work they’d need to pay you to take it away just for you to break even!

If it’s auto it will be ideal for ‘pottering around’ The auto will off anyone looking for a bit of fun but your market is probably a lot different in NI with not so much choice?

 

[Grumps]

£1000

 

[Aaron MacQ]

Thanks guys, looking at the condition and UK-wide trade values, I dont disagree with the consensus. Unfortunately the offer made to me is quite far off that, which is why I didn't snap it up straight away. Over here in NI might be the issue. Cars are priced all over the place and good ones are hard to come by. I've watched every Z3 advertised here for the past 12 months and there have only been a handful cars worth knowing about. In fairness, this isn't one of them, but that's hopefully where I can come in. It's not so much a profit making exercise, but more of an experiment to see how long it would take me to do what I want to in order to boost it value.

I'm not sure what you guys think on the resale value, but judging from the recent values of sub-90k 2.0/2.2's on AutoTrader/eBay, with a bit of TLC it could easily be advertised as a £4k car and be one of the finest examples at that.
However, I don't know what these really sell for, although this very car did sell last spring, in its current condition for over £3k.

Even if I were to go all out on it, and could sell for the same, total spend, and even factoring a small amount for some hours spent should be well under that leaving a little margin for whatever condition I can get it to.
Not looking to become a used car dealer, just looking some fun with my spanners with a return for my efforts. Negative depreciation I'll call it.

Besides, I have another Z related angle that could lead to some profits later, but i haven't quite figured out some details so that'll be another story.

 

[Aaron MacQ]

having seen your level of detail and work they’d need to pay you to take it away just for you to break even!

If it’s auto it will be ideal for ‘pottering around’ The auto will off anyone looking for a bit of fun but your market is probably a lot different in NI with not so much choice?

Lol, i know what you mean, but to be honest, I didn't spend that long on my first Z project. Just lots of short periods whilst work was quiet. The vast majority has been research but once I know what's what, I'm happy to crack on.

Still undecided tho.