Value of an 87 M6

What are they worth?

The example I am asking about has 180+k There is some rust on the rear fenders and the trunk floor Interior is ok Hood has a small dent

Since KBB and NADA don't seem to go that far back Any BMW experts that could give a range would be appreciated.

NADA has a Classic Cars section. Probably good to get some real-world thoughts if anybody has 'em, though...

ransom wrote: NADA has a Classic Cars section. Probably good to get some real-world thoughts if anybody has 'em, though...

Boy, I just valued my old car through that, and for what they say it's worth, I'd sell it in a red hot second.

Duke wrote:

ransom wrote: NADA has a Classic Cars section. Probably good to get some real-world thoughts if anybody has 'em, though...

Boy, I just valued my old car through that, and for what they say it's worth, I'd sell it in a red hot second.

Same here

I am in the same boat, and I price an '89 Accord!!

I priced my 77 Volare, and even with a road runner package, A/C, and T-tops (I had to list as sunroof, I figured one hole in the roof was as good as another) it was worth more as scrap in its current condition.....

While I can't offer an opinion on the price, I would suggest that the price also very much depends on the condition of the engine. That M engine isn't what you'd call cheap to rebuild and if it needs work, the car is probably only worth a couple of used chewing gums.

Wow!!! They just valued my MX6 @ $3350 average retail, $4700 high retail. I'll take either of those in a heartbeat.

Interesting that they think a Miata hard top was offered as an option for this car, though. For what.... to hang on your wall?

my brother sold his 88 m5 a couple years ago with 155k, ran well, needed some freshening and had a few spots of rust like yours it sounds like, and he got $5k i think. lower than we would have liked but it was right after the world economies took a dump. i cant say what the market is right now.

These days (rightly or wrongly) the S38 engine is probably seen as more of a liability than anything else. It has "M" pricing on components but only (arguably) provides modern family sedan performance. It's a shame really, as the S38 is a real jewel.

The fact that E39 M5's are dropping so far in price doesn't help the market... I picked up a non-running (trans) S38 M5 with a good engine for $2500, FWIW.

Any records? I believe the motors last a LONG time if maintained (valve adjustments come to mind), but can be prohibitive to fix. I priced a MAF for the M5, and couldn't find one for under $1k.

Yeah an S38 rebuild can approach $15k.

I'd still love an 88-89 M6, unfortunately, it seems for what nice ones fetch you could just buy a low mile E46 M3 instead.

I'd say it sounds like a parts car. That's a shame though.

z31maniac wrote: Yeah an S38 rebuild can approach $15k.

That is absurd. Wow.

It was purchased new by a friend of mine. It is his DD. He has every record since new. The car has been maintained well. It is mechanically in great shape. He has had the obligatory valve adjustments over the years as well as the other scheduled maintenance. It is not a show car but it will still turn heads.

In reply to dean1484:

Well, that changes things a bit. It sounds like it might be a decent driver. But usually a car like that is worth more to the current owner than anyone else. What is he asking for it?

Rust in the rear fenders means either just driving it until it falls apart ( or doing a ugly repair) or thousands for bodywork and paint. With that, and the fact that it's pretty much worthless if the engine dies, maybe $3-4k?

Actually rear fender rust is probably less critical than rust in the front fenders (especially the inner fender). That's where you leave real money with the bodyshop.

A decent e28 M5 sells in the $10k range, while a decent e24 M6 sells in the $15k range (these are averages, they can go for less or for a lot more depending on the car.) The M5 is arguably a better driving car, but people go for the style of the M6 which raises its value.

With the rust you're describing the price should be considerably less, I'd think something less than $10k for the car. Unless everything else about this particular car is great I'd keep looking - there are a bunch of them out there, I think there were at least four of them for sale in the Roundel magazine last month.

dculberson wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Yeah an S38 rebuild can approach $15k.

That is absurd. Wow.

I think that's only really true if you insist on all OEM parts. The bottom end can be sourced for (somewhat more) reasonable prices from VAC Motorsports, as can gaskets and head components. I did the math once upon a time, and concluded that the $15k urban legend was only true for a VERY specific circumstance. I don't think anyone on this board would need to spend $15k refreshing a reasonable core S38.

njansenv wrote:

dculberson wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Yeah an S38 rebuild can approach $15k.

That is absurd. Wow.

I think that's only really true if you insist on all OEM parts. The bottom end can be sourced for (somewhat more) reasonable prices from VAC Motorsports, as can gaskets and head components. I did the math once upon a time, and concluded that the $15k urban legend was only true for a VERY specific circumstance. I don't think anyone on this board would need to spend $15k refreshing a reasonable core S38.

If I ordered custom pistons, rods, rings, and cams, I don't think I'd hit $15k.

Any rust that you can see holes though the paint means a paint job or an ugly car, so that right away takes alot of value away. I agree rear fender rust usually isnt that serious though.

In reply to DILYSI Dave:

Doesn't the $15K mean you take it to a good BMW shop and tell them to make it perfect again? Nobody here would do that but to some people that is their preferred choice.

I am not purchasing it (doesn't really want an M6) This is a good friend. He is thinking of selling it and asked me what it was worth. Since I did not know I figured I would post here and let the experts asses the situation / advise.

Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to DILYSI Dave: Doesn't the $15K mean you take it to a good BMW shop and tell them to make it perfect again? Nobody here would do that but to some people that is their preferred choice.

This is precisely it.

I can't imagine the guys dropping $15k+ on 22 year old BMWs are also the guys out in the garage trying to rebuild an S38 with parts from Rock Auto. (Just joking, but it was mine, I'd go OE all the way.)

My car has the m30 single cam engine so I'm not an expert, but I've been told an S38 rebuild is in the range of $10,000.