E28 Values?

[Sammo 2544]

Not sure if its been discussed here as Its been sitting for a while at a 'specialist dealer' and appears overpriced, but by how much? $10k?

High km but very clean - do these have a dogleg box? The Equivalent 'Not an M' E30 would be likely twice the price.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3352983383?bof=uflWtxKS

@BMTHUG Did you end up manual converting your Malachite Green 535i?

@Contrails You got a few good offers on yours last year?

[topnotchrally 106]

The problem with valuing these it there are so few and none are changing hands.  I looked on Contrails and baulked at $16k but in the end I am led to believe he refused higher offers. (no dog box BTW).

I agree with you that this is 10k overpriced, but we'll never know until it sells. 😐 

[Gaz 1060]

One sold for that price in days last year/earlier this year. Was immaculate and had done half the kms

[Contrails 317]

Yep I refused a $20k offer.  I didn’t even entertain any overseas buyers but had a couple from Aus and Hong Kong.  If it came down to it, I will sell the E30 before the E28.  The E30s are more in demand and I am more attached to my E28 due to sentimental reasons. 

I think this specimen is worth $25-28kish. But the dealer needs to take some better pics.  If I were to buy this (I am trying really hard to convince my Brother in law to get this) I would put some gold BBS wheels with wider stance at the back, upgrade the suspension and brakes and some subtle M stripes to give it that proper 80s racing look.  

They are absolutely fabulous cars to drive especially with that M30 engine. With some suspension upgrade and some better brakes, they handle well. It’s just that the demand is not there as most people that are wanting an E30 haven’t driven these or the E24 version. Even the E34 is lagging way behind but at least the 540is would probably be doing well now.

Edit: here’s mine being used as a wedding car as requested by my sister. 
and a white one in Au I think. 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Contrails

[BMTHUG 1055]

1 hour ago, Sammo said:

Not sure if its been discussed here as Its been sitting for a while at a 'specialist dealer' and appears overpriced, but by how much? $10k?

High km but very clean - do these have a dogleg box? The Equivalent 'Not an M' E30 would be likely twice the price.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3352983383?bof=uflWtxKS

@BMTHUG Did you end up manual converting your Malachite Green 535i?

@Contrails You got a few good offers on yours last year?

I reckon this is worth 28k. I didn't end up manual converting my car dude. I have way too much on by means of paid work hahah this thing is beautiful! I'd buy it if I was in the market 

[Sammo 2544]

@Contrails That photo of yours at the wedding looks amazing.

I absolutely love the look of these things, just a bit big for me though.

Let me know when you're ready to sell the M325i at below market value 🤣

[topnotchrally 106]

1 hour ago, Gaz said:

One sold for that price in days last year/earlier this year. Was immaculate and had done half the kms

Precisely!  Half the kms...

While these high kms cars can be in 'immaculate' condition, there's no denying that more kms equal more loose panels, more rattles and squeaks, etc..

[eliongater 718]

I'd imagine it's about $5-10k over priced, though it's more a case of you can't find them for sale, so the dealer can charge whatever. Values have steadily been increasing and being leather and manual is a good start. In hindsight @Contrails car for $16k was potentially cheap at the time and is most certainly worth a lot more now.

I almost feel like (puts on flame suit) e28s are underappreciated and provide a lot more value than a lot of e30s.

[Contrails 317]

31 minutes ago, eliongater said:

I almost feel like (puts on flame suit) e28s are underappreciated and provide a lot more value than a lot of e30s.

Hahaha, I will be on your team. 

[Driftit 2078]

Having owned a couple of M325i's I would take the E28 over one any day.  Superior vehicle.  Nearly as good as the E34. 

[Cannabis9478 24]

This white E28 M535i was 40K in April this year and we had already discussed it on the board. Looks like the demand for E28 is not much in NZ while it seems quite hot overseas.

[Eagle 1662]

2 hours ago, eliongater said:

I almost feel like (puts on flame suit) e28s are underappreciated and provide a lot more value than a lot of e30s.

Just about anything provides better value with current E30 pricing. One could argue a E34 535is is better value for money than the E28. Like E36 vs E46 they are very similar in most regards.

[Sammo 2544]

And here listed on Webbs (same car) for an estimate of $32-35K (with a buyers premium of 15% GST??!)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3368690303?bof=8UNmYrL6

[Ghost Chip 188]

3 minutes ago, Sammo said:

And here listed on Webbs (same car) for an estimate of $32-35K (with a buyers premium of 15% GST??!)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3368690303?bof=8UNmYrL6

What a bargain if it does come close to their estimated price!

Re the e28 vs e30. Correct me if I’m wrong but I got the impression that e28/e34 parts (2nd hand or new) are harder to source / more expensive than e30 / e36? So it would be harder to restore if you’re not the type to / unable to afford to buy a mint one? I mean that’s why I didn’t opt for one, that and because it’s not a 2 door 😆. Maybe that’s why there’s not much of a market compared to the e30?

To be fair though, why does one have to be better than the other? I’d rather appreciate them both in what each car respectively offers. If I can have both or several other cars, I would. To some, sentimental value is worth more than drivability / performance / looks, so then does that mean that they ‘invested’ / own a crap car? Don’t get me wrong, it’s interesting to compare different models but if we’re really just putting performance / numbers as the top goal then both e28 and e30 would be considered lemons compared to a modern day car.

[E28E30 335]

1 hour ago, Sammo said:

And here listed on Webbs (same car) for an estimate of $32-35K (with a buyers premium of 15% GST??!)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3368690303?bof=8UNmYrL6

I think Webbs also charge the seller 15percent too.  

[Kodachrome 151]

On 11/29/2021 at 6:07 PM, Eagle said:

Just about anything provides better value with current E30 pricing. One could argue a E34 535is is better value for money than the E28. Like E36 vs E46 they are very similar in most regards.

The E34 is not at all like an E28!? The E28 feels way older, way lighter and way rougher, ie, it feels like a classic. The E34 just feels like an older "modern" car. Also the E34 535is is grossly overpriced (at least in NZ), so its not a good value for money proposition anyhow. The E34 525i and 540i were probably the peak E34's, aside from M5's (but even still, 540i vs older tech M5.. hmm).

 

Quote

Re the e28 vs e30. Correct me if I’m wrong but I got the impression that e28/e34 parts (2nd hand or new) are harder to source / more expensive than e30 / e36

Probably not more expensive (ie E28 parts are cheaper than E30), but less aftermarket/used parts yes. E34 parts are fairly available and it has a bit more of a tuner scene than the e28. The E28 is "slashed" with the E24, not the E34 btw. 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Kodachrome

[Driftit 2078]

18 hours ago, Kodachrome said:

Also the E34 535is is grossly overpriced (at least in NZ), so its not a good value for money proposition anyhow.

One sold two weeks ago for $6k.  Needed work but prob no more than your average E30 junk selling for $12K.

The one that was listed for over $30K was immaculate.  Every component was new or refurbished.

Most other people I have spoken to got their 535is for less than 10K.  However they are rare.  Didn't exist outside of the UK, AUS, NZ and SA.
IMO they are the best balanced E34 other than the M5.  I still hate the steering box though.  Yuck.

[Eagle 1662]

20 hours ago, Kodachrome said:

The E34 is not at all like an E28!? The E28 feels way older, way lighter and way rougher, ie, it feels like a classic. The E34 just feels like an older "modern" car. Also the E34 535is is grossly overpriced (at least in NZ), so its not a good value for money proposition anyhow. The E34 525i and 540i were probably the peak E34's, aside from M5's (but even still, 540i vs older tech M5.. hmm).

The suspension design, steering, engines, interior design\layouts are 80's tech which the E28 also used, hence the comment. To me E39's feel like the older 'modern'.

E34 535is have generally been a 3-10k car for as long as i can remember(~10 years) and still appear to go for that. Sure there's been the odd 20k+ examples but as above.

[coop 261]

21 hours ago, Kodachrome said:

The E34 is not at all like an E28!? The E28 feels way older, way lighter and way rougher, ie, it feels like a classic. The E34 just feels like an older "modern" car. Also the E34 535is is grossly overpriced (at least in NZ), so its not a good value for money proposition anyhow. The E34 525i and 540i were probably the peak E34's, aside from M5's (but even still, 540i vs older tech M5.. hmm).

 

 

Do you have anything solid to back up your claim E34 535iS are grossly over priced? 

Say, prices of previous sales, sale or asking prices compared to other models in the BMW line up of the era, or alternative models to the 535iS? 

 

And sorry, but the 535i shits all over any 525i, M20 or M50. 

Edited December 1, 2021 by coop

[Kodachrome 151]

 

18 hours ago, coop said:

Do you have anything solid to back up your claim E34 535iS are grossly over priced? 

Say, prices of previous sales, sale or asking prices compared to other models in the BMW line up of the era, or alternative models to the 535iS? 

 

And sorry, but the 535i shits all over any 525i, M20 or M50. 

I dont need anything to back up an opinion but I do have a rational; that the $10k+ and 20k+ for the older M30 block in the E34 is overpriced. Sure, 3 to 10k maybe fine, have at it. I've had the M30 and have had the M60 and the M50 (and soon an M54) in the E28 and many, many E34s. I grew up with E34s in my family. The M60 is simply a beautiful engine, in power delivery, smoothness (even though its a V8) and sounds good too. The M50 is just a nice overall engine, a huge quality of living increase over the really old M30.

The 535i "shitting all over the M50" (I never mentioned the M20, equally archaic, not sure why you mention it? ) I presume you mean in terms of torque and power? Yeah, sure, but in practice the lightness and comparative freshness of the M50 in a 525i is nicely matched in the E34. Its a more modern engine for a more modern BMW.  But I don't really care, I'm not a major fan of the M50, its just a sweet spot overall. A well setup M50 e34 is a nice handling, driving car.  The M30 is fine, but I've never been enamoured with it. 

I think the peak E34 is the 540i and I think the M30 has a lot of respect/fan service but IMO is overrated. I also think most of the 540's here have been ruined by idiots but that's beside the point, in stock form it was excellent. I don't think the M30 535i is bad, I just dont think it compares that well to the V8 for similar prices.

 

20 hours ago, Eagle said:

The suspension design, steering, engines, interior design\layouts are 80's tech which the E28 also used, hence the comment. To me E39's feel like the older 'modern'.

E34 535is have generally been a 3-10k car for as long as i can remember(~10 years) and still appear to go for that. Sure there's been the odd 20k+ examples but as above.

Being "designed in the same decade" doesnt really make cars similar, at all. Have you driven an E28? I have one, but christ its basic. The E34 is nothing at all like that.   I also don't think the statement is even correct, given the E34 was developed from '81 and launched in '88.. the E28 is a 70's design (with a mild refresh in the early 80s, kinda) with similar'ish suspension but inferior and older.. so Im not really sure what you are on about there. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Kodachrome

[coop 261]

1 hour ago, Kodachrome said:

 

I dont need anything to back up an opinion but I do have a rational; that the $10k+ and 20k+ for the older M30 block in the E34 is overpriced. Sure, 3 to 10k maybe fine, have at it. I've had the M30 and have had the M60 and the M50 (and soon an M54) in the E28 and many, many E34s. I grew up with E34s in my family. The M60 is simply a beautiful engine, in power delivery, smoothness (even though its a V8) and sounds good too. The M50 is just a nice overall engine, a huge quality of living increase over the really old M30.

The 535i "shitting all over the M50" (I never mentioned the M20, equally archaic, not sure why you mention it? ) I presume you mean in terms of torque and power? Yeah, sure, but in practice the lightness and comparative freshness of the M50 in a 525i is nicely matched in the E34. Its a more modern engine for a more modern BMW.  But I don't really care, I'm not a major fan of the M50, its just a sweet spot overall. A well setup M50 e34 is a nice handling, driving car.  The M30 is fine, but I've never been enamoured with it. 

I think the peak E34 is the 540i and I think the M30 has a lot of respect/fan service but IMO is overrated. I also think most of the 540's here have been ruined by idiots but that's beside the point, in stock form it was excellent. I don't think the M30 535i is bad, I just dont think it compares that well to the V8 for similar prices.

 

Being "designed in the same decade" doesnt really make cars similar, at all. Have you driven an E28? I have one, but christ its basic. The E34 is nothing at all like that.   I also don't think the statement is even correct, given the E34 was developed from '81 and launched in '88.. the E28 is a 70's design (with a mild refresh in the early 80s, kinda) with similar'ish suspension but inferior and older.. so Im not really sure what you are on about there. 

How many E34 535iS have come to market in the past 24 months for you to form that opinion? 

Bare in mind the price gains all enthusiast cars have seen in the past 18 months. 

The rooted red one in Wgtn for $6.5k and the immaculate black one in Wgtn for ~25k? 
Both a bargain compared to this E28, any E24 or any E30. 

The M50 is still a slow torqueless gutless thirsty slug when it has to move 1700kg + of E34 around NZs hilly terrain and no amount of on paper ‘tech’ is gonna change that. 

All things equal I’d take a 540iA/iS over the M30 equivalent but the M30 does have more character especially in iS spec. 

I’m going to list my average - above average condition 535iS for $12.5k in the first quarter of next year. Good buying considering auto E30 320 and ghetto E36 6 cylinders are going for the same price. 

 

[Kodachrome 151]

1 hour ago, coop said:

How many E34 535iS have come to market in the past 24 months for you to form that opinion? 

Bare in mind the price gains all enthusiast cars have seen in the past 18 months. 

The rooted red one in Wgtn for $6.5k and the immaculate black one in Wgtn for ~25k? 
Both a bargain compared to this E28, any E24 or any E30. 

The M50 is still a slow torqueless gutless thirsty slug when it has to move 1700kg + of E34 around NZs hilly terrain and no amount of on paper ‘tech’ is gonna change that. 

All things equal I’d take a 540iA/iS over the M30 equivalent but the M30 does have more character especially in iS spec. 

I’m going to list my average - above average condition 535iS for $12.5k in the first quarter of next year. Good buying considering auto E30 320 and ghetto E36 6 cylinders are going for the same price. 

 

Ill be the first to admit my sample size was probably too small, I was recalling 2 or 3 that were near or above $20k. Ironically, Im usually the one trying to convince people to stop paying and inflating the E30 tax and buy a 5 series instead too, so I agree with you there on your price suggestion. 

[Eagle 1662]

4 hours ago, Kodachrome said:

Being "designed in the same decade" doesnt really make cars similar, at all. Have you driven an E28? I have one, but christ its basic. The E34 is nothing at all like that.   I also don't think the statement is even correct, given the E34 was developed from '81 and launched in '88.. the E28 is a 70's design (with a mild refresh in the early 80s, kinda) with similar'ish suspension but inferior and older.. so Im not really sure what you are on about there. 

Yes i used the wrong term in that regard but they are both products of the 80's. Yes ive owned a 525iA and 535iA M30.  Suspension basically the same up front with a modified subframe\diff carrier using the same trailing arms. E28's less rigid, aerodynamic but lighter chassis with shorter wheelbase which is where the older feel likely comes from. End of the day its just my opinion no one is going to think or feel the same, im there's people out there who think E12 vs E28, E21 vs E30, E36 vs E46 aren't similar and predecessor is always the more raw\pure version. My general view on cars is unless a complete re-design happens eg E34>E39 they don't tend to be a rapid departure from one generation to the next.  

3 hours ago, coop said:

All things equal I’d take a 540iA/iS over the M30 equivalent but the M30 does have more character especially in iS spec. 

Ive always said the M60 is better than the M30 in all except when i comes to working on it, one of the best engines ive come across in that regard.

[Sammo 2544]

This absolute cracker was just listed, making this white one seem a little pedestrian?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3371816602?bof=X3PdX3Kv

 

[Palazzo 477]

^^^^^^
thats lovely.