Wtb this exact 1988 535is

[Adam W in MN]

I think your offer of $17k to the seller is extremely fair. Are you going to at least get in on the bids at BAT? If you are high bidder at say $12k, it'll send him a message. And you don't have to identify yourself as the person who offered $17k either.

I assume he has some ridiculous reserve on it but you never know. Good luck.

[vanessa318]

I think your offer of $17k to the seller is extremely fair. Are you going to at least get in on the bids at BAT? If you are high bidder at say $12k, it'll send him a message. And you don't have to identify yourself as the person who offered $17k either.

I assume he has some ridiculous reserve on it but you never know. Good luck.

I most likely won't bid on it, as much as I'd like to have the car back. Probably just going to chalk it up as a lost cause. Not that any of you want to hear this, but we just bought a Jetta TDI Sportwagen we have some big plans in store for. Hopefully it will be ready for car show season, if we even have a car show season in 2021.

[hobbsm3]

Hey @vanessa318 - I have one in this exact combo that I might be selling in the new year. If you have any interest down the road, feel free to reach out. On a side note, that TDI should be fun. I had an 03 TDI wagon years ago and it was fun.

[vanessa318]

Hey @vanessa318 - I have one in this exact combo that I might be selling in the new year. If you have any interest down the road, feel free to reach out. On a side note, that TDI should be fun. I had an 03 TDI wagon years ago and it was fun.

Hey! Thank you for reaching out. I may be interested. Definitely post it up here when you're ready to sell. Best of luck to you!

[Sparkeysf]

I see that it was bid up to $12,750 on BAT. Is this guy still unwilling to accept your offer?

[vanessa318]

I see that it was bid up to $12,750 on BAT. Is this guy still unwilling to accept your offer?

I haven't spoken to him since he let me know he would be offering it on BaT, about a month ago. I've since then purchased another vehicle, so at the moment, I'm not really in the market anymore. As much as I'd like to have it back, I offered my top dollar on it, and he wouldn't budge. If he believes he can get more than what I offered, more power to him.

[Profile36]

Good job sticking to your guns, I think your offer was more than reasonable as well.

This also helps others understand the prices better and brings them closer to reality.

- M

[garageboy]

Well, I offered him $17k, which I feel is pretty fair. He came back with "an 88 535is just sold for $21k on BaT." And I said "True. But that car also had much fewer miles on it." It is what it is. As much as I want that car back, I have my limits.

Just saw this thread. Vanessa, you obviously are plugged in. Bravo! I think it's clear you're dealing with a difficult seller. Difficult sellers suck.

That said, I thought his photos were TERRIBLE on BaT. I suspect strongly that a detailing and more professional photos (better lighting, at the very least) might cause him to get $20k. But the fact that he posted the car with THESE photos indicates to me that the seller doesn't know any better. And if he doesn't know any better, he's unlikely to fix his error. That error can be your gain.

I would suggest you politely keep in touch with him, gently reminding him of your price and how easy you will make the sale. His highest bid was WAY lower than what you were offering. I think, in time, he will call you up and offer the car to you at your price. And I would be SURE to spend the money on a pre-purchase inspection because you should not trust sellers like that (unless, of course, you can look at the car yourself).

I'm in NYC and am willing to put another set of eyes on it if you need (not sure where you are). Just to be clear, I am currently not at all in the market for an E28. Anyone who knows me here knows I would never try to edge in on a deal. Besides, I love my lama E28 and would merely find it interesting to compare notes and check it out for you.

[wkohler]

OMG this is the RonP "tale of misery and deception" car. HAHAHAHA

[garageboy]

OMG this is the RonP "tale of misery and deception" car. HAHAHAHA

BTW, I PM'd you.