635CSI Highline Values
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 6 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 6 Series (E24, E63 & E64)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=27037
Printed Date: 25-April-2024 at 21:01
Topic: 635CSI Highline Values
Posted By: Shem
Subject: 635CSI Highline Values
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 11:45
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Hi, can anyone give a general guide to realistic values for the 635. I'm particularly interested in the highline. Sorry if this is done to death, I've not seen anything on here. Basically I bought one for a particular price and as you would expect it needs certain things done. So what I am trying to work out is if I spend £x sorting it out will I cover my outlay if I need to sell it. Price points could work downwards from the best, e.g.
Basically my car falls into the minor rust/few elec/mech issues - runs fine. It is very clean and tidy, especially inside (lotus white) and has had quite a bit spent on bushes/mounts, etc. I drive it everyday but there are outstanding jobs that need done. Is it realistic to judge prices in this way? I imagine particularly that no rust must have a distinct price point. Thoughts? Thanks ------------- What fuel crisis? |
Replies:
Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 11:49
A UK car with no rust is highly unlikely IMHO! In general I mean!!
------------- My 635's.  
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Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 12:00
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A very tidy 635 on 'The Old Colonel' site for £5K http://www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk./ - http://www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk./ http://www.bmwcarshowroom.com/ - http://www.bmwcarshowroom.com/ http://www.the80semporium.co.uk/home/ - http://www.the80semporium.co.uk/home/ So work out repair costs and probably add 50% and see what your car stands you in at. ------------- |
Posted By: Shem
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 12:21
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re: Rust in the UK. Yes I agree, but what about a car with all rust sorted? Shem ------------- What fuel crisis? |
Posted By: Brucey
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 13:54
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I would say that unless you do the work yourself you are extremely unlikely to recoup the costs of restoration work when it comes time to sell. This just isn't how the World works..... The only big exceptions to this happen when the market for the car changes over time, but remember most cars go down, not up.... At the moment a vaguely working 635 Highline is worth precisely what anyone will pay for it; on this forum we've seen them change hands for 750 quid with not much work required, and clean ones go for ten times as much. cheers
------------- ~~~~~~~ Brucey ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 14:19
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Top of the market would probably be Munich Legends who would ask £11 - £12k for a really mint Highline with around 60 - 70k miles. While their prices offend some people they have no problem selling their stock. Further down the price range we have see private example with around 100k miles change hands for around £9k Something with higher miles and/or lower condition would fetch £5 - £7k but this is a dangerous ground. There are many shiny turds around at this price range. Further down the price range you're looking at £3-£5k for rougher and/or higher mileage cars. I'd go for a high mileage but well cared for car over a lower mileage rough one any day eg. Dave's 200k miler. At this price you could get a bargain or a money pit but the the odds are starting to stack up against you. There's no such thing as a cheap Six! ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Brucey
Date Posted: 09-February-2006 at 23:51
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-well, there is a 69000miles highline in Cirrusblau, ex-munich legends car, in the latest BMWCC mag. £5K is a good price for this car, but too much IMHO for another in the same issue with twice the mileage. 6ers are rare cars and will probably become collector's items, but it hasn't quite happened yet... cheers
------------- ~~~~~~~ Brucey ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: Jimbob
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 03:55
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I agree, and until the 6 does become a real classic* we need to keep thowing time and money into our cars in order to keep them up to our own standards - not to make a profit - as there are going to be far easier ways of making money. * So what is a classic? I'd say anything 'of an age' which could be perhaps as young as 10 years, that is in generally excellent condition - and here's the important part - is currently valued at MORE than its original cost. Our cars were very expensive when new, so this is really going to take a while for my 'old car' to become a 'classic BMW'... ------------- And so says Jimbob. 1981 635csi 81k miles. Will be fixed, but not by me. |
Posted By: Shem
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 05:18
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not in it for the money! The Cirrus blue car looks quite nice and if 5K is realistic then this is good. Looking at the pictures and spec I think I could bring my car to this level for the difference in what I paid, even without me doing all the work. Classic for me means:
I think that if a car is valued more than its original cost then yes it is certainly a classic but we are too late to own one! As a matter of interest, say you spend 12K on a 'Munich Legends' car, will it be perfect? or is there no such thing unless you buy a museum peice for £25K (which will have a host of other problems related to lack of use)? I really like the 6, it looks fantastic inside and out and I think its image in verging on supercool assuming its in original spec. I'd love to run one day in and out with the reliability of my 323 Sport Touring (which my wife has nicked) but is this realistic? Or will it be a never ending list of issues regardless of how much you spend on them? ------------- What fuel crisis? |
Posted By: Jimbob
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 12:26
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Its an interesting point: I use my 6 every day, and its 25 years old now, and whilst there IS a "never ending list of issues" they are mostly easily dealt with, at not massive cost. Its as reliable and as quick, and a whole more better than the V6 Vectra SRI it replaced. I certainly get a lot more out of my car than I would a new mondeo for example, and in all it costs less when you take depreciation into account. But, part of my worry is that its not impossible that something fairly routine can make these cars uneconomical to repair, especially where rust is concearned, but that just comes with the teritory. If I wanted an absolutely perfect 6, then a museum quality car or total rebuild is about £20k - but how long will it stay perfect? I'm personally better off with a car thats "pretty good" IMHO, that cost very little, but needs fair bit spending. ------------- And so says Jimbob. 1981 635csi 81k miles. Will be fixed, but not by me. |
Posted By: Brucey
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 13:31
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yes I agree, if you get to the point where you worry about using it normally its not a 'car' any more, its something else. Not necessarily a bad thing, just different. I like driving mine.... cheers
------------- ~~~~~~~ Brucey ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: Robmw
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 14:21
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In Autotrader currently is a 635CSI (its shown as an M635 but this is a mistake) 1989 76000miles, £7500 ------------- Robert Born |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 18:57
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Oh thanks a lot..... -------------   
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AndyS wrote:
Posted By: phb10186
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 20:12
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you dont need many jobs to spend a couple of grand! So due to the high maintenance and parts costs, there is very little in the way of guide prices, which is what I gather this post has uncovered... What you think your car is worth, and what someone will pay for it are completey different (usually)... It's a buyers market more than ever. I think that the economic situation with oil (i.e its bloody expensive now) has stifled the true classic status of the 6. Although, it's as much a classic as any 1980's sports car in my oppinion. (I know it was originally made in the '70s). -------------  
1985 635 CSI with Style 134's 1998 Z3 2.8i |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 20:22
You're supposed to be asleep, Ben. It's 1.22am!  -------------
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 11-February-2006 at 07:28
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Prices for 6-series have been rising. Remember the 5th Gear article (2002/2003?) when Quentin Willson urged us to "buy a proper Six for £3 - £3500" ? Well the car he was looking at would be at least double that now if not more. The trouble is, buyers look at cars for sale & see a price range from £2k to £10k & say what's the difference? Surely the cheaper can can be as good as the more expensive one with a little attention. We all know from the tales on the forum how expensive that "little" attention can be. But because that cheap car can still look nice & shiny, people are tempted to buy cheap as they think they're getting a bargain. With the cost of parts & labour being what they are it doesn't make financial sense to try & save a poor Six. It's cheaper & less hassle to buy a better car in the first place. The problem lies with the mid priced cars. We all agree that we need to keep on top of our cars to avoid deterioration but what if those costs start to outway the possible resale value of the car? I think the middle ground cars will start to polarise with the cared for examples seeing values rise while the neglected cars will drop down to join the rougher cars. At some point they'll be worth more as spares than a whole car. With the youngest cars now 16 years old the next 5 years could see a Darwinian evolution - the survival of the fittest & a culling of the sick & weak. I believe a recent post claimed the DVLC had only 1000 6-series still registered! The future of the UK 6-series is in your hansd!!! ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: phb10186
Date Posted: 12-February-2006 at 05:10
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On the other hand, what would happen if Gordon Brown became primeminister? Horsepower tax? Displacement tax? Uneconomical car tax levies? The list is endless. These possibilities would certainly do us no favours. I really hope that Andy is right, as this is what should happen. A1 class cars will always fetch good money, and the ones at the bottom will be broken up to to save better cars, thats supply and demand economics. I am pretty sure that every single six on the road, when sold, will at best cover the last 5 years or so restoration/ repairs, but not a lot more. So from that point of view resale values are still poor. However the amount of enjoyment our cars gives us is worth it! Personally, I dont care about the resale value of my car, as I am unlikely to ever sell it. I can let you all know that my 1985 635 auto was boughy in 1993 by my father for £4500, and I would suppose its worth about that now, or maybe even less. The values have been at rock-bottom for about 10 years now, and I think that some noticable rises for the deecent examples are just ablut visible now. On a slightly different note - the Jag XJS is worth nothing (unless A1), and the Merc SEC's are in a similar position to the 6's. I oppolagise for bringing politics in at the beginning. -Ben
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1985 635 CSI with Style 134's 1998 Z3 2.8i |
Posted By: Shem
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 10:32
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In most cases its rarity and desirability that dictates the value of a classic car not how much someone has spent on them. I 've heard many Ferrari 400i owners have learnt this the hard way Therefore if there is only 1000 sixes registered then thats good news for value. That leaves desirabilty. One could presume that anyone reading this forumn strongly believes that a 6 is desirable and will become more desirable when people realise how great they are But here lies the problem with all potential classics, the people entrusted to save the 6 are those who may be least realistic in their expectations of their value. We have all heard the horror stories of the man who spent £30K restoring something milding interesting to find out that absolute top dollar from a equally nutty, if well healed, collector was half that. I don't want to sound mercinary or that I'm in it for the money or anything, I'm not but I do have a wife and family to pay for as well. I get away with have some 'unsual' cars on the basis that I don't lose too much money in the process (the wife is ever watchful). For me part of the fun is buying and running something 'interesting' for 'dull and predictable' money. If its a unreliable money pit that will not recoup any money spent then you may as well buy a new car and at least have the reliability. I also agree with the other factors mentioned already, re: fuel, tax and the green issue. This IS effecting desirability of a number of these types of cars. I know LPG has already been covered but I personally feel it would increase value. It looks like the answer to the original question is annoying vague and simple, they are worth what someone is prepared to pay.
------------- What fuel crisis? |
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 12:10
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There's much talk about 10 grand 635CSi's - but
what would you get for them in a 5 day Ebay auction? Not ten grand that's for sure. As ever, an old car is worth what someone will pay for it and how badly they want one. I remember the V12 XJS as being a more impressive bit of kit when new (I had a couple) and the object of lust back then was the 560SEC Merc. Not too long ago (2003) somebody I know well bought a Diamond black 1988 Highline (manual) off Ebay. 123'000 miles, lots of history, perfect body (wings had been replaced in 1999) and not a bad set of Metrics either. The car was a nice runner but had been stood for nearly 3 years in the guy's garage and by that I mean the one of the side of his house as opposed to a damp lock up. With the tyres inflated and the levels checked it was driven home on trade plates to my house and left for a couple of days - no problems. It had a pretty good history having been serviced by North Oxford Garage until 1997 and there were plenty of large invoices. Price paid £680, and I was there when he collected it. In the end I think it needed a good valet and service plus a set of brake hoses. It was such a lovely straight thing as well - just shows what you can buy if you don't feel inclined to spend megadollars on a 15-16 year old BMW but matey was very lucky because it's a £4000 car all day long (or £8000 from ML!). This one stood him at £1100 all done. I've had a few 6 Series over the years - proper ones, not rubbish - and I know full well the difference between something that's nice and proper and tarted up scrap. The last one I had was a white 1984 B plate 635CSi Automatic who first owner was Tom Jones. Absolutely mint and level, no problems, 78'000 miles and working air con - £2200 from Blackbushe classic car auction about 3-4 years ago. I doubt it's worth any more now than the £3500 I sold it for. The Munchin' LegEnds £10'000 syndrome is just like the 100'000 mile E30 M3 timing chain - spread it about a bit and it becomes folklore. As for SEC's, I saw a very tidy black one (500SEC) on the F plate in Gloucester yesterday for £1100. 
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 13:13
The other side of the coin is the £1100 635 minter - equally folklore. Every buyer of such so-called bargains has become a major poster on these forums searching for help & bemoaning the immovable moneypit they've just saddled themselves with. True, a £10k car from ML wouldn't sell for that on eBay but then people who buy £10k 635's from ML are buying them to keep for a while, not off load as soon as some expensive repair rears it's head. As for the £500 SEC - the last issue of Mercede Enthusiast had a buying guide on them & stated that prices had polarised into the cheap rough'n'ready cars & the minters at up to £15k. Of which a couple were advertised at. If you're going to quote prices at one end of the scale at least accept that the other end of the scale exists & is just as valid. You may be lucky enough to find these "mint" cars for the price of an EasyJet flight but most of us aren't. Maybe you're just in the right place, maybe you're just being "economical" with the facts. Whatever, it's possible to buy a Six for buttons & it's possible to pay thousands so just because you can get X amount of car for £Y doesn't mean that dictates the market price. In my experience, you don't always get what you pay for but equally, you never get more than you pay for. ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 17:49
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I was given mine. Free. Gratis. Nowt. Still had to drip feed six grand-plus to get it to the current stage...... -------------
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 18:16
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Too true. The first 6 I ever had was a 1979T 633CSi
Auto - that'll be the 3 speed one in Jewish Racing Gold complete with beige velours, 14 inch CSL Alpina wheels (7J) and early 635CSi spoilers. I bought it from Aylesbury car auction one Saturday for £1400 - just shows how long ago that was.... (1990). 
At the time I had an '84 A plate XJS as well sat on my parents drive. They thought we were lotto winning nouveau riche scum............ Even at that stage it the 6 had received the customary new wings (as well as major inner wing surgery) but in its favour it had been a very well maintained car and it drive very well. I loved it. As for £15'000 SEC's - good luck! The current CL500's are around £22'000 at the moment and in a couple of years will be £15'000. As lovely as the old SEC was, it's not a patch on the CL which has to be the best looking Merc ever made. I know full well that you can buy an absolutely superb low mileage (under 100'000 miles) SEC for around £7000. I've seen these cars part exed into MB main agents by their first or second owners. I think the E24 will appreciate in value mainly because the new 6 is so wilfully bloody ugly and doesn't impart the same feelgood factor as either the original or the CL. |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 18:56
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The CL seems to have some styling cues from the mid-60s Fintails.... rear windscreen angles I'm thinking of..... -------------
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 13-February-2006 at 21:17
I didn't say they were worth it but that's what some specialists are asking. I agree £7k is far more realistic. Look where CE prices are now! The CL is without doubt a cracking looker but it's choc full of electronics just like the S-class & that doesn't bode well for the owner down the line - especially with Merc build quality being what it was until recently. The E24 is bad enough electrically speaking.
In isolation the new six isn't bad looking or even in company with contempory BMWs - put an E24 next to it though (as I did!) & oh dear! ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 14-February-2006 at 08:12
Exactly. When the new 6 was launched I got an invite to the local dealers. Two new Sixes plus a mint gloss black 1989 Highline Auto. Odd how the old one got more attention - perhaps the Eighties were the good old days for BMW after all? I've had a couple of occasions where I could have driven a new M5 but have never had the time or inclination for whatever reason. Offer me an E28 M5 and you'll be beating me around the head with a tyre lever to get the keys back.
Ivan - I know exactly what you mean about the CL rear C pillar design. It apes the 220SE Coupes from 1961-72 which has to be one of the most gorgeous cars ever made. I still think they are criminally undervalued for what they are - like the E Type Jaguar, the soft tops cost so much more and look so much worse without their beautiful rooflines. A nice 280SE 3.5 Coupe is worth about £15'000 I think. As for CL electronics - well I'm not so sure. As cars get more complex, more and more ways are devised to get around it. With the advent of Autologic and a decent auto electrician they won't be too bad. They will always be an expensive car to maintain but unlike the old W126 SEC;s you won't have rust to deal with. Like the W126 Coupes also, you will have your pick of scrap S Class saloons in 10 years time to rob for mechanical and electrical bits! Mercedes CE Coupe - yes, a nice pre facelift 300CE (E-J reg) in standard condition (maybe just a 30 mm suspension drop) in a dark metallic colour. Very nice indeed and quite rapid as a 24v. One of those cars which in standard condition will never look chavvy. The build quality woes stem from the C and old E Class. I saw an S plate C Class Estate yesterday with rust in every panel. They're like a Mondeo only not as well made.
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 15-February-2006 at 09:22
Why pre-facelift? The later cars look just as good. The 300-24v was something of an interim engine - a stop gap until MB could get the fully sorted 320 version out. According to the experts at Merc Enthusiast, it's a bit rough & lacking in torque compared to the 12 valve. They also had some head gasket issues. Whether this is as well founded as the "E60 5-series has shocking ride" b*ll*cks I don't know but given that, the 300 12 valve & 320 24 valves would seem to be the best of the bunch. ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 15-February-2006 at 17:47
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Later ones were not very well built (just like the C
Class) - worn seats and rust (mainly front wings) are major issues and the later engines have problems as well as a lot of electrical problems. This comes from an independent MB mechanic. The early cars were just better made and more fixable - and better looking. Probably the last of the proper Mercs as opposed to a Renault with a nice badge which is what post '94 Mercs are. The 24v was a good motor, but they made both at the same time. The 12v is also a good motor and almost unbreakable. It can trace it's roots back to the old 300SE fintail of the late fifties and the 300SL Gullwings before that although no parts swap over. The 300E was also a great car but the engine didn't really gel in the W126 S Class 300SE. That car needed a V8, period. The 230CE is a surprisingly good car as well with very good performance - and they're really quiet and refined at speed. |
Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 15-February-2006 at 18:25
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I looked at a 220CE when I came to change my '92 E34 520. Wasn't very impressed - black interior made it seem like a taxi & the engine was an uncouth bucket of bolts. Maybe it was just climbing out of an E34 that made it seem that way. The 320 I tried recently was much nicer with a light tan interior. They were just as well built according to my Merc crazy mate (2 Cosworth Evo's & counting) but they all suffered from the engine wiring loom disintergrating prematurely. Also, every one I've seen has an issue with the front &/or rear screens delaminating. What's that all about? Still preferable to the replacement CLK though. ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 16-February-2006 at 16:13
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The wiring problem is quite common as are other
running problems. The E280 is just the same. Merc build quality seemed to take a real dive in around 1994 when the C class took over from the 190E which was a good old bus. I'd go for a nice J plate 12v 300CE, which at present is very undervalued. But maybe it's better that way. Why pay £8000 when you can pay £3500?
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Posted By: phb10186
Date Posted: 17-February-2006 at 14:06
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Nobody in their right mind would buy a car off ebay - unless they have seen it first, especially a car like a 6 XJS or Merc SEC. There is only one exception to this - its VERY cheap i.e parts only. I have noticed that digital pictures, like the ones on ebay auctions do two things: 1. Make exteriors look better than they realy are 2. Make interiors look worse than they really are. You can try this with your own car its true - I have. As for values - well they are just a guide of what someone on that time of that day will pay for something that someone wants to shift quick. I would'nt take much from 635 auction prices there. You can always get cheap, and you can always get good - but you have to try hard to get good and cheap. -------------
1985 635 CSI with Style 134's 1998 Z3 2.8i |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 17-February-2006 at 19:25
Funny, that. I sold our 1989 VW Jetta GL on e-Bay..... Clearly there was someone who wanted it bad enough -------------
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 18-February-2006 at 09:16
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Must admit I just don't get this whole Ebay car buying thing. Buy a car you haven't seen from a bloke you've never met with no come back what so ever??? It all seems like a Worst Case Scenario just waiting to happen. Magazines write whole pages of buying guides with reminders to check for this & that & matching numbers etc then someone just goes & buys a car sight unseen of Ebay. Unbelievable! ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Shem
Date Posted: 18-February-2006 at 10:04
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On the contary, I think ebay is an excellent way to find a car. Compare it for instance with auto trader. On auto trader you get a postage stamp of a photo and about 20 words. On ebay you can have 10 high res photos of the car and loads of description. You also get the chance to email and ask questions and see the answer to questions other buyers have posted. Regardless of what the rules are supposed to be the reality is that you bid to agree a price based on the description. You then turn up to view the car and assuming the car meets the description you pay your money. If it doesn't meet the description in a quantifiable way then you either negoiate or walk away. If the seller wants to flame you on feedback then the same applies back again. You merely state that the car was not as described and good luck to the seller next time! You also get the opportunity to view in advance if you are really keen. So yes there is no protection for the buyer but this is no different to any other private type sale. If you want come back then buy from a dealer.
------------- What fuel crisis? |
Posted By: mjf297
Date Posted: 18-February-2006 at 15:52
| All sounds way too complicated for me. I would always want to speak to the vendor first and sound them out... you can be put off buying a car just as easily by a dodgy seller as a dodgy motor! |
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 18-February-2006 at 18:44
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I'll have you know there was nothing wrong with the Jetta. It had even had the Weber carb conversion - the buyer bought it partly on the strength of that (the original Pierburg with auto-choke was a pile o' sh**e) -------------
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 19-February-2006 at 03:56
Hmmm. Good point but what if the car doesn't look as good in the flesh - poor respray etc. What if you find some fault that the owner doesn't know about - can you renegotiate the price are you bound by your original bid? ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Robmw
Date Posted: 19-February-2006 at 07:44
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Andy,
Good point you make any car looks good with a bit of polish in a photo but surely you buy with knowledge, you can still get an engineers report on an ebay car( time allowing) and you can also take out a private warranty . I bought my 635 on ebay , I knew from the excelent knowledge here and big coupes what to look for. I researched the vehicle's history . Decided what I wanted to pay and got it for £600 less. I admit I have been lucky but the £600 was the security for this . I have been to showrooms to find a car for sale covered in the silicone rubbish they cover them in. You cant see the scratches or chips with this on the car. 6 years ago I bought a 540 from an extremely reputable dealership paying over the odds for it, a green flag inspection stated it was perfect except for needing front disks , 6 days later it was diagnosed as needing a new engine ! I think it is a lottery buying a car and you have to trust your judgement and any expert advice you can grab. You pays your money and makes your choice. ------------- Robert Born |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 19-February-2006 at 12:22
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Someone I know bought a 1986 D plate 628CSi
manual off Ebay - Saturn blue, blue cloth Recaros, 109'000 miles and in really lovely condition with FSH. The wings must have been changed because they were mint. The best chrome bumpers I've ever seen! Basic spec with 14 inch bottle cap alloys but it's sooo straight and original - like it would have been at 3 years old. £1300. He's still got it, a very nice tidy thing that has needed very little spent to keep it good. There ARE some very, very good examples out there for rather less than the perceived values, you just need to know exactly what to look for and put some legwork in, plus a dose of good luck as well. |
Posted By: jamie (e39)528i
Date Posted: 19-February-2006 at 12:46
Sorry to go off topic
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 19-February-2006 at 18:45
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I'll accept there are some real pearls amongst the turds on ebay although the latter do seem to outnumber the former (see the link on the E30 register forum for a good laugh!). I suppose if I took the time to read ebays terms & conditions I might find it easier to accept. I tend to think of ebay as an online car boot sale full of peoples unwanted junk. I guess I'm rather "old skool"!
For some reason, most 628's have led a charmed life compared to 635's. If the 635 is undervalued then the 628 is chronically undervalued! In the real world (traffic, gatso's etc.) the 628 is almost as fast as the 635 but it's human nature (usual male!) to insist on the larger engined car because it must be better, right? This results in the perception that a very tidy 628 is worth less than a shed of a 635. ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Shem
Date Posted: 20-February-2006 at 10:02
Well the ebay rules regarding binding contract etc. must be predicated on the item being described accurately. If you turn up and find a dodgy respray when the description stated otherwise, regardless of whether the seller claims knowledge or not, then the so called contract is on dodgy ground. I think it is unlikely that ebay would step in and enforce a sale! The way I look at it (IMHO) I would have the right to negotiate or walk away. ------------- What fuel crisis? |