Need pricing help - 1987 535is

[Cabrio330]

I have been looking at a 1966 Mustang and it turns out the buyer also has a 1987 535is, 5-spd, 244,000 miles, black/black. I did not get a chance to inspect it (ran out of time and daylight) but the photos show a pretty clean and well maintained car (e.g., no dash cracks). I mentioned that I have always loved the E28 he said he is willing to include it with the Mustang (I think they are in a financial pinch). I am trying to get an idea of what this car is worth, so I can determine if his combined price for both cars is fair.

So, is this a $1500 car, a $2500 car, or what? Please feel free to give me your idea of value, and with whatever caveats/conditions you want to attach (e.g., no rust, whatever).

Thanks for any feedback you can give me!

[sixseries]

too bad it wasn't an 88. i bet up around 4k if its in good condition and well taken care of. mileage is high but might not make a difference if it been maintained well

[Dirt32]

I paid 5000$ for my 87 535is-fresh paint, a few minor dings, mint interior, full first and second owner service records(im third owner), an engine I could eat off of. it came with 200k on it but it was socal car, so it was rust free. If I new most of the bushings were worn out befor hand I would have tried to get him to come down a bit in price, cause I had to sink some money into the suspension within the first 1000 miles

pics of my car(came with wheels, only difference between what you see and how I bought it was suspension and tires)

[Cabrio330]

too bad it wasn't an 88. i bet up around 4k if its in good condition and well taken care of. mileage is high but might not make a difference if it been maintained well

Can you elaborate on the benefits of an 88 over an 87? I am still learning about E28s. Thanks for your response!

[Dirt32]

as far as I know there is no difference between an 88 and 87, there is a difference between early model 535is and late model 535is, late models came with a front air damn and rear spoiler. I think there are a few other differences but I cant think of them off the top of my head

[C.R. Krieger]

too bad it wasn't an 88.

Why? Are the black painted mirror housings all that much better than the black plastic mirror housings*?


* For those not in on the gag, that is the only difference between the 1988 and 1987 model year 535is. In fact, many of us prefer the unpainted mirrors on the '87.

Special note for Dirt32: The car with the airdam and rear lip spoiler was the '535is'. It also had sport seats and a very slightly modified suspension. The 535i was still sold alongside it. Your confusion no doubt comes from the fact that the 535is was only sold for 1987 and 1988 while the 535i was sold from 1985-1988.

[wkohler]

too bad it wasn't an 88.

Why? Are the black painted mirror housings all that much better than the black plastic mirror housings*?


* For those not in on the gag, that is the only difference between the 1988 and 1987 model year 535is. In fact, many of us prefer the unpainted mirrors on the '87.

Special note for Dirt32: The car with the airdam and rear lip spoiler was the '535is'. It also had sport seats and a very slightly modified suspension. The 535i was still sold alongside it. Your confusion no doubt comes from the fact that the 535is was only sold for 1987 and 1988 while the 535i was sold from 1985-1988.

Also possibly by the fact that there is no separate VIN block for the 535is, as they're all 535is.

Personally, I like my '87 since it has black mirrors and is a very, very early car

As for this car, I would say if the car is mechanically sound, needing very little, it would easily be a 4 to possibly 5k car - in an enthusiast market. 5k being of course, if the body and paint are nice, and the interior doesn't appear abused. The crack-free dash adds to the value. 5-speed cars are generally worth more than automatics. Of course, an '87 BMW is worth very little in the KBB world.