[eidsta535i]

Interested in your opinions on my cars value. It took me almost a year to find this car. Not too many out there. I can post pics later.

What do you guys think it's worth?

2012 535i
Carbon Black on light cream interior ( forgot name of color )
6 spd Manual
102k 2 owners - all records from day 1
DCP package
premium package, cold weather, m-sport

[beegeezy]

Originally Posted by eidsta535i

light cream interior ( forgot name of color )

I believe you mean Oyster.

Not too many manual transmission 535i cars around, but maybe a smaller niche as well.

[Rodride1]

Venetian Beige?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by eidsta535i

Interested in your opinions on my cars value. It took me almost a year to find this car. Not too many out there. I can post pics later.

What do you guys think it's worth?

2012 535i
Carbon Black on light cream interior ( forgot name of color )
6 spd Manual
102k 2 owners - all records from day 1
DCP package
premium package, cold weather, m-sport

Look up Kelly Blue Book's "fair" value.

[Trainwreck914]

$11-13k

[eidsta535i]

Thanks guys. I didn't think KBB value was accurate on rare cars. And yes it's Oyster.

[BigKutta]

$9k? Given the mileage

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by eidsta535i

Thanks guys. I didn't think KBB value was accurate on rare cars. And yes it's Oyster.

Rare only matters to a buyer. There is a reason the manual trans is going the way of the Dodo in the US. Sometimes, a manual trans actually hurts the value. That said, using KBB's fair value should give you an idea of the car's value.

[F10Dan]

If you are thinking of selling it, I think you would do well on Bringatrailer.

To most out there (read non-enthusiasts), a four door sedan with a manual trans is not special. It’s just “weird” or something strange.

If post it on an enthusiast page or location where driving enthusiasts frequent, you’ll do better. But, my guess would be not by much due to the mileage.

[OnlyGerman]

$9-12k

[johnhva]

Originally Posted by F10Dan

...To most out there (read non-enthusiasts), a four door sedan with a manual trans is not special. It’s just “weird” or something strange...

Most out there couldn't drive it.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by johnhva

Most out there couldn't drive it.

Wanna keep from getting carjacked? Drive a manual!

[perrymaxima]

Honestly I’m shocked by how much the turbo 6 depreciates. It’s a German luxury car. I can see it going for trade in at less than $8k and private party for about $8-10k due to being 8 years old and over 100k with a manual tranny.

[eidsta535i]

Again thanks for the comments guys. I was thinking about BAT. I was surprised how much these cars depreciated this year given their age.
I'm curious to see what BAT community says about the car.
In reality I may need to just keep it I, I couldn't find a shitty Honda for $10k. I would be hard pressed to find a good looking and sporty manual trans sedan that has anywhere near level of performance and looks for that kind of money.

[windowmaker]

Makes me curious how much my manual 2013 550i (68k miles) is worth. Probably didn't appreciate in value since I got it :P

Although the engine is new as of 63k

[Encendido3]

For what it's worth, my 2011 535 with 6MT was just totaled and the insurance valued it at $13.5k. It had 89k miles. Here's the VIN if you want to compare spec sheets. WBAFR7C52BC267526

[F10Dan]

Originally Posted by eidsta535i

Again thanks for the comments guys. I was thinking about BAT. I was surprised how much these cars depreciated this year given their age.
I'm curious to see what BAT community says about the car.
In reality I may need to just keep it I, I couldn't find a shitty Honda for $10k. I would be hard pressed to find a good looking and sporty manual trans sedan that has anywhere near level of performance and looks for that kind of money.

We enthusiast carry a unique burden... Have you driven a Porsche Boxster, older Caymen, Ford Fiesta ST, or WRX recently? Not all are sedans... The Boxster is in your price range and is very rewarding for an enthusiast.

An E39 540 6sp is on BAT now and would be on my list as it poised to appreciate in value IMHO.

[Trainwreck914]

I don’t really see the 525 530 or 540 appreciating. The 2003 540 m tech might be worth something because of rarity. But all others are just e39. (I’ve owned three. And still have 1). Now as for the e39 m5. That’s a different story. As low mileage m5 are asking a premium. I’ve seen $50k and up.

[clubracer6]

Does the reliably and upkeep cause the prices to be low?

[F10Dan]

...and because they are older don’t have all the newer features. That 540 I mentioned earlier went for $7500 - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-540i-70/

That is a a ridiculous value IMHO. If you are able to do basic DIY and budget just as much as you would for a newer car out of warranty for repairs, you could drive one of the best 4 door sedans ever built.

Under the skin there is not too much different between the newer and older (15-20 years) cars. It is just all the interior tech and bits.

[AmooManiak]

Originally Posted by F10Dan

...and because they are older don’t have all the newer features. That 540 I mentioned earlier went for $7500 - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-540i-70/

That is a a ridiculous value IMHO. If you are able to do basic DIY and budget just as much as you would for a newer car out of warranty for repairs, you could drive one of the best 4 door sedans ever built.

Under the skin there is not too much different between the newer and older (15-20 years) cars. It is just all the interior tech and bits.

That's an M-Sport 540i. Those were limited production cars and only produced in the final year of the E39 platform. Some of them,in good condition, fetch more $ than M5s. This was also a time when BMWs were known for their driving dynamics and were a clear leader in the category.

You can't compare that to a mass produced middle of the range 535i that happens to have a 6 speed. As you know BMWs and cars in general have become much larger since the early 2000s and the need/want for manual cars in such large forms has significantly decreased.

To put it simply - for a small number of buyers the 6 speed 535i will be worth more than an automatic one. For most people, the automatic will be worth more. It's just a matter of finding that one person who would want a 6 speed for this car.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

To put it simply - for a small number of buyers the 6 speed 535i will be worth more than an automatic one. For most people, the automatic will be worth more. It's just a matter of finding that one person who would want a 6 speed for this car.

Fully agree with this, not many do, but those of us who wanted this exact configuration will often jump on opportunity to buy one. Although, F10 not being current 5 series model and all, it might not be as easy as it would've been 3-4 years ago, but I think those who are interested are still out there and will pay fair market price and maybe a bit extra even. I've only ever seen 3 listed within 5-7 hours drive from me, and all 3 sold within few days (mine being one of them).

Recently I was at my wife's mechanic picking her up (different brand vehicle) and one of the customers there asked me about my car and gave me his phone number and info asking me to give him a call first if I (ever) decide to sell mine.