For Sale 1998 328i (lots of pics)

Rob · 03-10-2008, 04:06 AM

My 1998 328i is up for sale. It has nearly 210k miles and I think 8k is a fair price. It will definately take the right owner to appreciate this car, but it has at least another 150 left in it.

It has a 5 speed, leather, power seats, sun roof (sorry Stuka), folding reat seats, Harmon Kardon, Cd changer and the full computer. The pervious owner took impecable care of the mechanicals, but completely ignored the suspension. I replace the shocks and struts with Bilstein heavy duty and replaced every bit of rubber underneath the car. The bottom of the motor is dry (no leaks of any type) and the cooling system was replaced right before I got the car. All German Auto did the suspension work and they were unable to find any mechanical repair to suggest I pay them for.

I have also replaced the HVAC control, added ultimate floor mats from Bavarian Autosport and installed PIAA silicone wipers.

Some pics - the bad:

The carpet is worn through next to the gas pedal (not visible from a normal point of view):

The glove box works fine, but one hinge is broken and it will sometimes drop down below where it should:

The Good:

Mileage:

Appearance:

No apparent accidents:

The engine (not new, but 210k miles?):

Fully stocked tool kit:

And some picture that show the wear or 200k miles (the UGLY):

Nose dings:

The wheels balance and the car is stable at high speeds, but they are not cosmetically perfect:

There it is. I expect to sell it through the guy I bought it from - a guy that built a business from finding reliable high mileage BMWs at auction, fixing everything that is wrong with them, and selling them. He stands behind them and - believe it or not - he is one of the most honest people I have ever met and by far the most honest salesman. Nonetheless, I thought I would throw it up here first and see if anyone knows anyone . . . finding the manuals that have stood the test of time appears to be pretty tough. PM me if you know anyone that wants to check the car out.

Edit - I had to delete some pictures. I have a few more if anyone wants to see another wheel, the shift lever (in case you don't believe it's manual), or . . . something else I decided was superfluous.

ff · 03-10-2008, 08:54 AM

Looks great. Good luck with the sale, man!

rumatt · 03-10-2008, 12:52 PM

I can still read your license plate number.

zach · 03-10-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwg

the shift lever (in case you don't believe it's manual)

The clutch pedal pretty much covers that I think.

Rob · 03-10-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I can still read your license plate number.

Hah. I don't particularly care about the license plate number, but trying to hide it seems to be the thing to do.

But I showed the VIN. If you wanted to find the car, that would probably be enough.

ff · 03-10-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwg

Hah. I don't particularly care about the license plate number, but trying to hide it seems to be the thing to do.

But I showed the VIN. If you wanted to find the car, that would probably be enough.

Shoot, just look for the white BMW cruising around So Cal, and you've probably found it. I can't imagine that there'd be too many?

Rob · 03-10-2008, 05:24 PM

The AC was never "fixed" other than that it works fine after the car was tinted. It was starting to make noise last summer, but my mechanic talked me out of changing it.

All of the bushings have been replaced. Control arms, sway bars, rtabs - everything that was rubber under the car except for the tires. Some of the original bushings were . . . interesting . . . after nearly 200k miles of wear. Some were just missing. (Those were replaced too).

I haven't ever noticed any issues with the clutch. It feels the same now as when I got it.

It was smogged about this time last year. I didn't see the report (I was just told that it was smogged and passed), but I can probably get it if you want to see it.

*Plaz* · 03-10-2008, 05:39 PM

Cool car. Good luck!

Aerials · 03-11-2008, 11:21 PM

Car looks great!

No offense in any way, but isn't that price a little high?

I don't know much about e36's. I got my 2001 e46iT with 115k miles on it for $9995. I really wish I could afford a e36.

Rob · 03-12-2008, 12:07 PM

The price is a little high compared to blue book, but the car is a much better then average specimen - for example, most cars from this era won't have completely new rubber on the suspension. They also won't have a completely dry engine bottom.

I mentioned that I expect to sell it through the guy I bought it from. He specializes in finding old BMWs that are not smoked in and never wrecked and in good condition, fixes anything wrong with them. If I go that route, I expect I will clear this amount After a consignmnet fee. There is no question that the car requires the right buyer though.

03-10-2008, 04:06 AM	#1
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	For Sale 1998 328i (lots of pics) My 1998 328i is up for sale. It has nearly 210k miles and I think 8k is a fair price. It will definately take the right owner to appreciate this car, but it has at least another 150 left in it. It has a 5 speed, leather, power seats, sun roof (sorry Stuka), folding reat seats, Harmon Kardon, Cd changer and the full computer. The pervious owner took impecable care of the mechanicals, but completely ignored the suspension. I replace the shocks and struts with Bilstein heavy duty and replaced every bit of rubber underneath the car. The bottom of the motor is dry (no leaks of any type) and the cooling system was replaced right before I got the car. All German Auto did the suspension work and they were unable to find any mechanical repair to suggest I pay them for. I have also replaced the HVAC control, added ultimate floor mats from Bavarian Autosport and installed PIAA silicone wipers. Some pics - the bad: The carpet is worn through next to the gas pedal (not visible from a normal point of view): The glove box works fine, but one hinge is broken and it will sometimes drop down below where it should: The Good: Mileage: Appearance: No apparent accidents: The engine (not new, but 210k miles?): Fully stocked tool kit: And some picture that show the wear or 200k miles (the UGLY): Nose dings: The wheels balance and the car is stable at high speeds, but they are not cosmetically perfect: There it is. I expect to sell it through the guy I bought it from - a guy that built a business from finding reliable high mileage BMWs at auction, fixing everything that is wrong with them, and selling them. He stands behind them and - believe it or not - he is one of the most honest people I have ever met and by far the most honest salesman. Nonetheless, I thought I would throw it up here first and see if anyone knows anyone . . . finding the manuals that have stood the test of time appears to be pretty tough. PM me if you know anyone that wants to check the car out. Edit - I had to delete some pictures. I have a few more if anyone wants to see another wheel, the shift lever (in case you don't believe it's manual), or . . . something else I decided was superfluous.

03-10-2008, 05:39 PM	#8
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	Cool car. Good luck! __________________ 2011 1M

03-10-2008, 08:54 AM	#2
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	Looks great. Good luck with the sale, man!

03-10-2008, 12:52 PM	#3
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I can still read your license plate number.

03-10-2008, 05:24 PM	#7
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	The AC was never "fixed" other than that it works fine after the car was tinted. It was starting to make noise last summer, but my mechanic talked me out of changing it. All of the bushings have been replaced. Control arms, sway bars, rtabs - everything that was rubber under the car except for the tires. Some of the original bushings were . . . interesting . . . after nearly 200k miles of wear. Some were just missing. (Those were replaced too). I haven't ever noticed any issues with the clutch. It feels the same now as when I got it. It was smogged about this time last year. I didn't see the report (I was just told that it was smogged and passed), but I can probably get it if you want to see it.

03-11-2008, 11:21 PM	#9
Aerials Jaded Join Date: Sep 2007 Carmudgeonly Ride: 3.5 SE Posts: 522	Car looks great! No offense in any way, but isn't that price a little high? I don't know much about e36's. I got my 2001 e46iT with 115k miles on it for $9995. I really wish I could afford a e36.

03-12-2008, 12:07 PM	#10
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	The price is a little high compared to blue book, but the car is a much better then average specimen - for example, most cars from this era won't have completely new rubber on the suspension. They also won't have a completely dry engine bottom. I mentioned that I expect to sell it through the guy I bought it from. He specializes in finding old BMWs that are not smoked in and never wrecked and in good condition, fixes anything wrong with them. If I go that route, I expect I will clear this amount After a consignmnet fee. There is no question that the car requires the right buyer though.