Sorry to do this....whats it worth

[T16OLE]

Not quite straight forward, a friend wants to buy my car, I don’t want to rip him off but at the same time I want a fair price.

It’s a 2001 BMW 330ci Sport (161k), its pretty mint as its had a front end respray due to rust and has a full BMW history, I appreciate the mileage is intergalactic but it is still in really good condition and has a few little extras; xenons, heated seats & fold up mirrors

Does £2800 sound fair?


The caravan is not mine

Edited by T16OLE on Monday 2nd July 09:13

Edited by T16OLE on Monday 2nd July 09:36

[Captain Muppet]

When selling to mates I use the average price for something similar on autotrader/eBay less 20% for saving me the grief of dealing with people.

But then I really hate people and don't really love money.

[kambites]

I think I'd say a bit less than that. This one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4022579.htm is much lower mileage, only a year older, and less money.

Maybe somewhere between 2000 and 2500, depending on whether you want to sell it "cheap" or "at the market rate".

[T16OLE]

kambites said:

I think I'd say a bit less than that. This one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4022579.htm is much lower mileage, only a year older, and less money.

Maybe somewhere between 2000 and 2500, depending on whether you want to sell it "cheap" or "at the market rate".

That one isn`t a proper sport though

[falkster]

It's worth no more than £2250 in my eyes. Plenty around with less miles on the clock for a little odd £2500 and they haven't sold. All the no reserve auctions with a few days to go are hovering around £12-1700.

[kambites]

T16OLE said:

kambites said:

I think I'd say a bit less than that. This one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4022579.htm is much lower mileage, only a year older, and less money.

Maybe somewhere between 2000 and 2500, depending on whether you want to sell it "cheap" or "at the market rate".

That one isn`t a proper sport though

Does that affect the value significantly on a car this old? I'd certainly say that the difference in mileage would make more different than the "sport" thing.


If it was me and I was selling it to a friend, I'd probably ask him for £2000.

Edited by kambites on Monday 2nd July 09:28

[T16OLE]

I think so, I wouldn't have bought a pre 2001 sport when hunting for mine.

So less is the general consensus

I had another one, the same age but only 120k and sold that for £3800 in Jan, and this mine is in much much better nick

Edited by T16OLE on Monday 2nd July 09:36

[kambites]

Oddly, I think mileage is more important than (aesthetic) condition once cars get to this age/price.

[T16OLE]

kambites said:

Oddly, I think mileage is more important than (aesthetic) condition once cars get to this age/price.

Far enough, though oddly, I think the complete opposite, in that condition is way more important than mileage and have always bought my cars that way.

There are plenty of genuine sports around to compare it to though I suppose, that one has had 5 previous owners too

[T16OLE]

Buggles said:

What does he want to give you for it? I would imagine he has already looked for cars similar and has a fair idea what he wants to pay you.

He suggested £2800

[bakerstreet]

kambites said:

Oddly, I think mileage is more important than (aesthetic) condition once cars get to this age/price.

So you would go and buy a car with a knackered body, worn out interior as long as it had low miles?? Sorry, but I just don't agree with that.

BMW inline sixes are pretty tough. For that sort of car, I would be looking at condition and I wouldn't be too worried about how many miles it had done.

[mrtwisty]

kambites said:

Oddly, I think mileage is more important than (aesthetic) condition once cars get to this age/price.

Aesthetic condition, I would agree (personal taste though, some people really don't like little scuffs and battle scars). Mileage over mechanical condition on a car of this age as a consideration though?

If the 160k car had had recent clutch/tyres/suspension/brakes/belts/tensioners/major service/huge pile of receipts (pick any three or four from the list), and the 120k car had none of these..... I know which car I would rather buy.

[kambites]

bakerstreet said:

So you would go and buy a car with a knackered body, worn out interior as long as it had low miles??

No, I wouldn't.

But I think a surprisingly large number of people (as in the vast majority of potential buyers) would completely discount a car with 160k miles on it, regardless of condition, unless it was much cheaper than lower mileage cars. It's not as if the other cars on the market at 2k-ish are falling to bits.

Personally I'd be quite happy with a 160k mile car as long as the suspension had been refurbished recently and it had a decent service history. But from talking to people who aren't car enthusiasts, I know I'm in a small minority there. Many people will instantly discount anything over 100k.

Edited by kambites on Monday 2nd July 09:44

[T16OLE]

mrtwisty said:

Aesthetic condition, I would agree (personal taste though, some people really don't like little scuffs and battle scars). Mileage over mechanical condition on a car of this age as a consideration though?

If the 160k car had had recent clutch/tyres/suspension/brakes/belts/tensioners/major service/huge pile of receipts (pick any three or four from the list), and the 120k car had none of these..... I know which car I would rather buy.

I agree, this one has had a fair amount spent on it, lots of new bushes, a new cooling system, the tensioners were upgraded to hydraulic ones and discs and pads have been done

[ED209]

Its worth zero with that awful chav plate on it.

[T16OLE]

ED209 said:

Its worth zero with that awful chav plate on it.

Thanks luckily the plate doesn't wont be going with it

[motormadmike]

agreed take the money and run. not exactly ''mates rates'' tho.

[bakerstreet]

kambites said:

No, I wouldn't.

But I think a surprisingly large number of people (as in the vast majority of potential buyers) would completely discount a car with 160k miles on it, regardless of condition, unless it was much cheaper than lower mileage cars. It's not as if the other cars on the market at 2k-ish are falling to bits.

Personally I'd be quite happy with a 160k mile car as long as the suspension had been refurbished recently and it had a decent service history. But from talking to people who aren't car enthusiasts, I know I'm in a small minority there. Many people will instantly discount anything over 100k.

Edited by kambites on Monday 2nd July 09:44

You are right. The 100k is mental barrier for a lot of people. However, I think times ar really changing on this. People are starting to realise that cars like the PD engined golfs really do have a lot of life left in them even with 150k on the clock!

Good point on the suspension. My Saab has high miles and although the mechanicals and body are top notch, the suspension will probably need replaciong and I can see that reaching half the value of the car

[T16OLE]

bakerstreet said:

You are right. The 100k is mental barrier for a lot of people. However, I think times ar really changing on this. People are starting to realise that cars like the PD engined golfs really do have a lot of life left in them even with 150k on the clock!

Good point on the suspension. My Saab has high miles and although the mechanicals and body are top notch, the suspension will probably need replaciong and I can see that reaching half the value of the car

I agree, two "M sport" wishbones are nearly £500 fitted... ouch

[T16OLE]

To update, I didn't sell him my car, as my circumstances changed. However they have changed back now and he has offered me £2600. I've recently had an alternator and replaced the shocks but they were necessary.

So £2600 should I bite his hand off?