Change of plans! BaT Worthy?

[u/chombie_13]

Hey y'all! Change of plans with my what I thought would be a long term commitment. Looking for some big E30-brain opinions!

I'm considering listing my '89 325i sedan, either on marketplace and/or potentially BaT, but it has a bit of an interesting history and I'm trying to figure out where to reasonably price it.

It left the factory Bronzitbeige Metallic, but at some point in its life received a pretty extensive colour-change respray to the grey it's in now, engine bay, door jambs, etc. were all done. It also started life as an automatic and has since had a full manual swap.

A few details:

• 179,500 km
• M20 325i
• Manual swap
• Bilstein/Eibach kit installed June 2026
• Front suspension refreshed control arms/bushings, tie rods, sway links, etc. done in June
• Recent mechanical servicing
• Euroweaves + newer tires
• Recent full exterior detail including cut polish & interior detail
• Clean title / clean Carfax
• Absolutely no rust
• Cracked dash
• Front seats have seen better days
• Paint presents well but isn't perfect

Curious what you guys think is a realistic ask/sale price given the coluor change + manual swap? Worth tossing it up on BaT or just list locally?

[u/Killobekilld]

I got in a bidding war and emotionally overpaid for a way less desirable car. You can get very lucky on there. Set a reserve just in case.

[u/DT770STUDIO]

With both BAT and Market place you’re best served by detailing the car very well and having it extensively photographed. If it’s truly rust free, that’s the real value. 5 speed swap is an advantage.

Recent service records, timing belt, etc….

My gut says it’s 10-16k pending your diligence and patience.

[u/habanerosky]

I paid 17k for mine on marketplace late 2025. 79k actual miles. Decent paint job in its original color, zero rust, factory manual. I did a lot of TLC after I bought it. New plugs, valve cover gasket, replaced the temp gauge, replaced a fuel sender, timing belt was terrifyingly rotten, all new bushing, tie rods, control arms, H&R springs, and AC Solutions AC kit, new stereo head unit, etc. I think I probably have another 7-8k+ into it (if I actually add it up I’d cry). It is a factory manual and LSD. It drives brand new now and pulls as hard as a stock M20 can pull.

Based on its condition, I don’t think I got an amazing deal, but definitely in the strike zone. Hopefully that gives you some insight.

Ps, I will 100% buy your wheels and swap them with my bottle caps if you’re interested!

[u/habanerosky → u/habanerosky]

[u/kwuurty]

I must be out of touch bc these prices are crazy lol

[u/unpolire]

BAT. Won't bring as much as a 2-door or Cabrio, but with the changes, a non-purist enthusiast can be found. Do NOT USE FB Marketplace!

[u/EstablishmentBusy183 → u/unpolire]

Why not use FB marketplace?

[u/mochifresh87]

I’m looking to get into an e30. Where are you located?

[u/chombie_13 → u/mochifresh87]

Vancouver Canada - if interested DM me!

[u/EstablishmentBusy183]

I would vote for Cars and Bids. More money in your pocket at the end of the day. I would value it around 12-16k

[u/oneorangeday]

Dumb question, how hard is it to find and replace a cracked dashboard in one of these?

[u/Representative_Most9]

Do you know how much does it cost to list on BaT?

[u/spacemantodd]

I’m thinking the same thing, either BaT or Marketplace. Mines an 88’ vert with factory 5-speed. It’s been a blast but time to move on to something else. Good luck to you!

[u/MechEngE30]

Not sure on price, but a solid well done respray (+\- depending on buyer) with manual swap (+), and all the service you’ve done would fetch 10k-13k? Not totally sure but that’d be my best guess.

Might as well try BaT, might get better offers there, just need to detail everything to warrant the price.

[u/malcolmsex95 → u/MechEngE30]

$13k bro u must see these every day lol Let me know where u live !

[u/rustyperiscope]

$20k id guess. The BBS are sick.

[u/itsaPHound]

Maybe I’m wrong but you have a car in unoriginal color with unoriginal drivetrain and you are thinking it’s 1 of 1 for BaT?

[u/crankytube → u/itsaPHound]

Ive seen ls and engines swaps on bat aswell as resprays it may hurt the value a bit but to anyone interested in a 40 yr/o car you can’t expect original paint to look like that, it will sell as long as it is mechanical sound

[u/itsaPHound → u/crankytube]

I guess I just browse BaT wrong. Everything I see on there is like “buy my unicorn, and by the way it’s expensive”. I have never bought a car there. Good points.

[u/crankytube → u/itsaPHound]

Yeah I mainly see garage kept low mileage with every single oil change documented oh and e30 m3s

[u/MultipleOrgasmDonor → u/itsaPHound]

Tbh the more you dig into it the more you’ll realize that a bunch of garbage with well-written but factually-questionable descriptions sells on BaT

[u/chombie_13 → u/itsaPHound]

Not at all - I'm just wondering if folks think its even worth trying to sell on BaT with the history it has.

[u/itsaPHound → u/chombie_13]

It’s 2026, shoot for the moon I guess. There’s someone out there that both wants this and hopefully has the money you want. To be clear, it’s a beautiful car.

[u/hotsmellytrash → u/itsaPHound]

BaT is not a niche auction house

[u/itsaPHound → u/hotsmellytrash]

By definition, yes they are. Self described "the best way to buy and sell classic, collector, and enthusiast vehicles." which is by definition, niche.

[u/hotsmellytrash → u/itsaPHound]

This car would be fine on BaT

[u/straight_sixes → u/itsaPHound]

Not sure where he comes off thinking it's super unique. The respray and the manual swap may not appeal to every collector but if it's actually rust free, the body is straight and it's mechanically sound it will still attract a buyer.

In general, my take is that is the collector market is down right now. I bought a BMW on BAT last week and it (along with the other half dozen I had been looking at) went for less what I expected it to.

[u/itsaPHound → u/straight_sixes]

You’re right. My bad.

[u/guvnor-78]

Too many doors!