E28 M5 For Sale

[The Law]

Hey guys... so some of you may have been tracking my efforts to get my directly imported Vancouver car registered in California. Well, I am officially waving the white flag. I give up. BMW USA screwed me (refusing to issue letters of emissions compliance for cars over 25 years old even though Canadian and California cars were identical from an emissions standpoint) and since I've gone every reasonable route I can think of and now the road officially stops with the State requiring me to take the car to a CARB facility and spending over 6k to make it a California compliant car (even though it passed smog). So, bottom line is I am selling the car as my temporary registration just ended this past December. I have the original bill of sale and registration from Canada and then will provide a title transfer document so you can register/title the car in your state. I've had the car about six months now and put about 1,500km on the car. The car runs beautifully and I took some liberty of putting the hammer down most of the miles. So fun to drive. Everything works including all the electronics (even the heated seats). The imperfections in the car are the passenger side doors are not matching VINs as the car was in an accident at some point during its life in Canada and these were replaced. Everything else is original as far as I can tell. As far as the motor I had everything checked out at Bullet Performance in Costa Mesa and they loved the car and found no wrongs. I had everything topped off and that was about it. As far as documentation I have service records for about 20 years which I will scan/post at some time if desired. Check out the photos and if you have any questions or are interested in purchasing the car PM me. Also, if any of you have any guidance as to the pricing I would love to hear from you. It is a very solid condition drivers car with about 140k miles. Link to the original Canadian listing is attached. Cheers.

http://autoformco.ca/vehicles/15/1988-bmw-m5

[a///man]

Sorry but I don't see a price?

[The Law]

Sorry but I don't see a price?

I was hoping to get some guidance from this board on the pricing for the car. It seems like somewhere around 40k is the asking rate these days but I am not an expert.

[rmiddendorf]

$35-50k. The limiter might be the accident. Original paint and doors $50k seems right, $35,000-42,500 feels closer for this car. You should turn a profit I hope.

[Shockwave]

There are alternatives to dealing with the ridiculous and completely unreasonable requirements that California imposes:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/0 ... na-plates/

If you really want to keep the car, go that route.

[ovide]

How many Canadian M5's were made in Natur?

[wkohler]

How many Canadian M5's were made in Natur?

Off the top of my head, there were 71 with a black interior since there were 101 total for Canada and 101 black interior cars , but 30 came to US so I'd say 30 with Natur. It might be listed on m registry though.

[The Law]

There are alternatives to dealing with the ridiculous and completely unreasonable requirements that California imposes:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/0 ... na-plates/

If you really want to keep the car, go that route.

No doubt I thought about it and I have a terrific referral from somebody in the collector car industry. It would cost me about 2k to go this route. That being said, there are risks and shall we say that I am in a high profile environment so I have to keep it squeaky clean. Ugh.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/cheat ... violators)

-- Added Jan 07, 2017 9:08 PM --

$35-50k. The limiter might be the accident. Original paint and doors $50k seems right, $35,000-42,500 feels closer for this car. You should turn a profit I hope.

Thanks for the information. Your numbers are consistent with what I am seeing. I think I will just ask 40k and see if I can move the car. It really is in terrific shape and runs awesome. It being a Canadian car is kind of cool too.

-- Added Jan 07, 2017 9:13 PM --

Here's another article that was done on the car as well.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/02/06/gorge ... -for-sale/

[ZachMartinez]

Teens or low 20s is the price on a car with those miles/ issues.

[dsmith]

Teens or low 20s is the price on a car with those miles/ issues.

You are so last year!

[The Law]

Teens or low 20s is the price on a car with those miles/ issues.

Silly Zach...

[maybeillbuyit]

Teens or low 20s is the price on a car with those miles/ issues.

This would be the steal of the century for this car. I looked at it when it was for sale in Vancouver for $56,000 Can ($42,000 US) which was out of my price range but not unreasonable considering the prices these go for. It wasn't spotless but it was not a Teens car for sure. The salesman was getting annoyed with me as I just kept on poking around looking.

Miles and issues?

[Tinkwithanr]

Wow, have they really gone up that much in the past year? I knew of some low-mileage, all original cars going for the much but I would have though the mileage and accident would keep it closer to 30k-ish.

Not bashing the asking price at all, it looks like it's in beautiful condition. Just surprised.

[maybeillbuyit]

I would have though the mileage and accident would keep it closer to 30k-ish.

Maybe it did sell for that. I'm just saying its not worth $19K

[Jon in Richmond]

That sounds like a pretty neat state you all have out there. How long do you think it will be before they follow the French and ban cars that are more than a certain number of years?

[domenico]

We will all look back in 5 years from now and realize that a running M5 that needs to be fully restored will sell for 50k. I had the chance to buy a running M5 for 5500.00 two years ago and I am thinking about hanging myself now. LOL

[dsmith]

We will all look back in 5 years from now and realize that a running M5 that needs to be fully restored will sell for 50k. I had the chance to buy a running M5 for 5500.00 two years ago and I am thinking about hanging myself now. LOL

That's twice what I paid for mine. Then I balked last year at buying one for $15k that was a very nice 150k miles example. Then the price doubled the next few months. Apparently, the recession ended.

[jhh925]

There are alternatives to dealing with the ridiculous and completely unreasonable requirements that California imposes:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/0 ... na-plates/

If you really want to keep the car, go that route.

No doubt I thought about it and I have a terrific referral from somebody in the collector car industry. It would cost me about 2k to go this route. That being said, there are risks and shall we say that I am in a high profile environment so I have to keep it squeaky clean. Ugh.

Username checks out.

-- Added Jan 11, 2017 12:10 PM --

Out of curiosity, did you buy this off of BAT? I seem to recall there was a Canadian market M5 that sold there a few months back.

[The Law]

There are alternatives to dealing with the ridiculous and completely unreasonable requirements that California imposes:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/0 ... na-plates/

If you really want to keep the car, go that route.

No doubt I thought about it and I have a terrific referral from somebody in the collector car industry. It would cost me about 2k to go this route. That being said, there are risks and shall we say that I am in a high profile environment so I have to keep it squeaky clean. Ugh.

Username checks out.

-- Added Jan 11, 2017 12:10 PM --

Out of curiosity, did you buy this off of BAT? I seem to recall there was a Canadian market M5 that sold there a few months back.

I did not. I bought it off consignment from a dealer in Vancouver.

[wem2697]

1

[sbuontempo]

Hi,
I live in Montreal, Quebec and can easily import this Canadian car with minimal issues. What is your asking price?
Thanks.

[The Law]

Hi,
I live in Montreal, Quebec and can easily import this Canadian car with minimal issues. What is your asking price?
Thanks.

Good afternoon... my apologies for missing your reply... I haven't been on the website for a short while. The asking price is 40k.

-- Added Jan 30, 2017 8:23 PM --

Hey guys... just refreshing here... I've received several inquiries but no hard offers on the car. I just wanted to try this forum one last time before I move on to the mass market marketing options. The car is terrific, I've been driving it the last few days and it runs exquisitely. Everything works on the car as it should, even using the seat heaters in the morning. Anyway, to make things more efficient as I am ready to sell if you have questions please call me directly at 714.425.3203. Thanks.

[puma1824]

Did this sell?

[The Law]

Did this sell?

Not yet. Took my E55 in for some body work recently so I was "forced" to drive the M5 and of course fell in love all over again. So, each weekend comes and I say to myself this is the weekend I list the car for sale and then I don't do it. A couple weeks back I did a couple hour drive that included the Ortega Highway and it was glorious. All that being said, it is still for sale and is available. My information is above if anybody would like to discuss a sale. Thanks.

[reesesboot]

Did this sell?

Not yet. Took my E55 in for some body work recently so I was "forced" to drive the M5 and of course fell in love all over again. So, each weekend comes and I say to myself this is the weekend I list the car for sale and then I don't do it. A couple weeks back I did a couple hour drive that included the Ortega Highway and it was glorious. All that being said, it is still for sale and is available. My information is above if anybody would like to discuss a sale. Thanks.

Driving Ortega is not a good way to convince yourself to sell an e28

[1st 5er]

Driving Ortega is not a good way to convince yourself to sell an e28

Nor most any other road.

[The Law]

Hey guys just an update as I now have clear registration and title in hand and am selling the vehicle. Asking price remains 40k. If you are interested text me at 714.425.3203 and I will call you back. Happy 4th!

[wkohler]

So how did you get the title and registration? Sounds like a win. Sorry to hear you still want to sell.

[rodpaine]

Anyone here that I know actually seen this M5? If so I'd be interested in your opinion of it, as my longtime desire to have one is still around, if its actual condition is up to my standards or reasonably close.
-Rod

[The Law]

Anyone here that I know actually seen this M5? If so I'd be interested in your opinion of it, as my longtime desire to have one is still around, if its actual condition is up to my standards or reasonably close.
-Rod

I am in Orange County and the M5 came from Vancouver... it has been garaged in between runs on the Ortega for the past year... so I don't think it's been seen.

-- Added Aug 20, 2017 8:59 AM --

It's been a while and I have received a few "interested" calls but nothing serious yet. Just letting the forum know I am still driving the car on the weekends and it is still for sale at 40k. My information is above in the thread if seriously interested. Thanks.