Parts car - what's it worth?

#1

A friend of a friend has this car for sale:

1988 325 (super eta)
Two door
5 speed
buncha miles

LSD? Unknown so far.

Missing the center part of the front grille. Slight damage to driver’s side fender and front bumper/fascia.

It runs, so it might be a fun beater car until I need a door or hood.

He’s asking $1,000. I would have to believe the tub, tranny and good body panels are worth a few hundred bucks.

Am I crazy?

Steve D.

#2

I think $1000 is a little much, but it depends where you are. I have 2 325is that I bought for ~$500 each, but it took a while to find them and I was looking everywhere.

One was a rust bucket and is not a usable tub, but the rest of the car is usable.

#3

I don’t think that car has a 3.73 diff.

#4

Heck, I’ve got a 88 325is that I would sell for a $1000. It has water in the oil, bad window regs (I think), messed up sunroof (but closes) and a poor interior, but shifts, brakes (sort of), and runs. Body is in good shape (little bondo, and repainted from bronzit to green), but it has all the iS parts.

325e’s are a dime a dozen.

#5

I think that’s too much for a eta. I bought my 325i for $1000 and drove it home. Turning an eta into an i is work, and you still need to buy the parts or another car to do it. Hold out for a better deal.

#6

Thanks for all the guidance, guys.

I decided to buy it for $550. It is a one-owner car that I can drive around so what the heck, right? I’ll use it as a run-around car until I need the parts for something else.

Steve D.