535i - what is a good price?

[rgschwend]

I have a 535i that is in "fair" condition: it has had a dash fire common to these cars, the interior is otherwise pretty good, and I have replacement parts. The hood has a dent in it from the fire dept. and there is a dent in the bottom from the fork-lift driver moving the car. It hasn't been started since the fire which was several years ago.

There is a man interested in buying the car but he wants me to give him a price. What would be fair? This guy is an enthusiast, so he knows the car, and he has the parts I don't have to get it going again. I "inherited" this car and don't have time or place to fix it myself.

What should I ask?

[Ray7er6ers5er3er]

[TamsDaMan]

Your story and your car give me a headache. In my honest opinion, it's probably not worth more than the scrap value, but even that has its own issues that are frustrating to deal with as the owner. I'd be surprised if you actually got someone to buy it. If I wanted your burnt, busted, non running, as-is car, I wouldn't pay more than $250 for it. Heck, I don't think I'd even pay $250 for it if it were running poorly. I'd say feel lucky that someone is willing to actually pay money for it at all, and all you have to do is sign the title over. You will be lucky to get $250, so try not to come across like you are trying to gouge money out of the guy. Enjoy the blessing of not having a heap of junk on your property and all you had to do was receive cash to get it to go away.

[Ray7er6ers5er3er]

[gomamma]

What what what WHO said a dash fire in a 535i is a common occurrence. Since I have been working with 535is since 1985 I have yet to see a dash fire. This car in my expert opinion is a parts car worth 100 bucks if its an automatic with a non limited slip diff. 150 bucks if it only has a 5 speed and no limited slip. 200 bucks if its stick with a limited slip. I would not want it for any price since I have to many parts cars and not enough good bodies to fill the demand for the amount of parts I have. The last thing I need is yet another parts car. I have been given 535is's in better shape. PILE o junk.. EVEN without seeing it.

[Ray7er6ers5er3er]

[rgschwend]

[Flash635]

I had a dash fire in my 6er not too long after I bought it.
The PO had had the fuse box apart and had tightened the #100 power connector down on the fog light switch wire crushing it and shooting power up the wrong way.

The red/gray foglight switch wire glowed red hot and trashed most of the wires in the loom with it.
This caused other shorting problems but I caught it before it all went up.

In the darkness under the dash there's a lot of soldered and heat shrunk joins. and still no foglights.

[Ray7er6ers5er3er]

Hospital La Jolla...it was engulfed in flames from undr the hood, My guess was an old failed gas line...heart breaking to see.

[abudeen]

I have a 1989 series 525i and I need a owners manual. I can't open up my grove compartment with the key. There is an anti-theif devise that provents me from using my key in opening up the grove compartment and truck. I wonder if I disable the anti-theif devise I'll be able to use my key to open the grove and truck?

[Joe in NJ]

Are you sure you arent using the valet key???? That wont open the glove box or the trunk.