The 328is I Want..!

[EuroGT]

Whats up everyone!? I found the 328is I want, its a '97 with 53k miles, black leather, 5-speed in mint condition. He has it listed for $13,995. KBB says its worth about $11 even. I brought this to his attention and he said that if I come down and drive it I'll want to buy it. Which im sure is the case but not for that price. What to do? Should I pay OVER blue book, like say...12? Oh and, I beleve that this car does not have the sport pacakge. This car has the multi spokes 16". (I know the 2 wheel packages that came with this car, its the one with the most spokes) So could it be the premium package? thanks alot everyone much appreaciated. ~ Pete

[Fadec40]

If you go to the NADA appraisal guide, you will find a higher resale value and the price he wants is closer to what they have listed.

[EuroGT]

So KBB is wrong???

[wulley1]

I'd offer him 13 including taxes. I think that's a pretty fair price for the car since the milages is so low. It would have to be in really good condition though.

Don't worry about not having the sport suspension, it's not all that big of a deal. Most people end up replacing their suspension system anyways.

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by EuroGT@Jun 4 2005, 10:07 PM
So KBB is wrong???

[snapback]350847[/snapback]

I have found NADA to be more on the money. Also, go to Edmunds for another comparison. You will see that what he is asking is reasonable considering the mileage, let alone the fact that is a BMW 328is.

[bob1998ic]

Originally posted by Fadec40+Jun 5 2005, 05:50 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fadec40 @ Jun 5 2005, 05:50 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-EuroGT@Jun 4 2005, 10:07 PM
So KBB is wrong???*

[snapback]350847[/snapback]

I have found NADA to be more on the money. Also, go to Edmunds for another comparison. You will see that what he is asking is reasonable considering the mileage, let alone the fact that is a BMW 328is.

[snapback]350881[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

I too have found NADA to be more accurate. I also know many of the dealers in my area are using it.

[EuroGT]

Alright thanks alot guys for your help, I'll let ya know what happenes.

[Gkamysz]

KBB says that $13-14k is the retail value, ie, what a dealer would charge. The $11k is if purchased from a private party. I paid 10,500 for my 97 328iS with 64kmi a few months ago. Ask if the front lower control arm bushings and lower ball joints have been replaced. If not I would push for $500 off the price right away, as it will cost that much to replace them. I replaced mine for about $400.

Greg

[EuroGT]

The car is held by a private party which is where I got the $11k figure. Greg, the front lower control arm bushings and ball joints are a common problem on the car? That is somthing I will keep in mind. The car I have now, a 3000GT the clutch has lasted 73k miles. How long can I expect a clutch in a 328is to last? The owner of the car now is the original owner, he is an older business man, so it was never abused, im sure. Thanks again, Pete

[Gkamysz]

The bushings and ball joints need to be replaced periodically. Some guys here have worn them out in 20kmi. Mine weren't very bad but I did notice a difference in how the car drove after replacement. Of course the car also has the original tires on it. My car has had a clutch replace at least twice. Once at 44k and again just before I bought it. This kind of worried me but the car has been fine. The mechanic told me 80-90kmi is typical but it really depends how you drive. I, for instance, put 198k on the original clutch in my Dakota 4x4 with a V8 and I don't drive it like an old man. My car has had 3 owners before me. The last drove it the most doing 10kmi in in the 4 months he owned it.

[fredo328]

I actually dont think thats a bad 'starting' price. If he really took care of it and you have all records to look over it could be tough. If there are some things that need attention like the bushings that you are concerned about then that and what ever else bothers you could be used as bargaining chips. Starting prices are always high, remember that and work your way down with concerns and work that needs to be done. Your doing the right thing here by asking what to look out for. For example, 97s for the most part still had the plastic impellers in their water-pumps and that needs to be changed out asap, has he done that yet? The guys on the board can give you more heads up for other things.

[93 325i]

You can get an M3 same year for less than that. People inflate the prices by looking at the NADA. This is the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION DEALERS ADMINISTRATION guide. Dealers mark up their cars 3 grand more. If this is a private party sale KBB is appropriate. 11k is a fair price IMO. 14K this guy is smoking crack, but you know what if someone is willing to pay it then kudos to him. I would never be that gulible tho..

[aheath]

I paid 14k for a 96 328is auto with 34k miles.

[EuroGT]

Originally posted by 93 325i@Jun 6 2005, 08:20 AM
You can get an M3 same year for less than that. People inflate the prices by looking at the NADA. This is the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION DEALERS ADMINISTRATION guide. Dealers mark up their cars 3 grand more. If this is a private party sale KBB is appropriate. 11k is a fair price IMO. 14K this guy is smoking crack, but you know what if someone is willing to pay it then kudos to him. I would never be that gulible tho..

[snapback]351197[/snapback]

Ya your def right about the NADA thing, KBB is more appropriate. 14k the guy is def smoking crack. If he dosen't take my offer around 11k, then I'll look somwhere else. Thanks guys.

[alexlikh87]

Don't bmw's always go for more than KBB? And how sure are you that these are a legit 57k miles, it could've very well been a rollback. I you're able to get a 328 with 57k legit miles for 11 or even 12K, i say go for it because it won't give you any trouble under 100K