I think it might be time...

[madfronter]

I think it might be time to say good bye to my car. I have not made a final decision on selling the car but I am seriously considering it. How much do you guys think i could get for my car. Its a 97 318ti base model with 276000 miles, bilstein shocks and bav auto lowering springs, bosal exhaust, 18" csl staggered wheels, dinan stage 1 software upgrade, m3 front bumper, side moldings, m3 mirrors, DEPO headlights. The engine started leaking oil a few weeks ago and I think its the main engine seal. I was planning on dropping a used engine in there over the winter but have been thinking about killing that idea and getting something newer.

[b.u.ti-ful]

I like the new engine idea.

Especially with the stuff you already have on the car.

For less money than trading you could put in a rebuilt or go the 6cyl route and really have something cool.

[madfronter]

Originally Posted by b.u.ti-ful

I like the new engine idea.

Especially with the stuff you already have on the car.

For less money than trading you could put in a rebuilt or go the 6cyl route and really have something cool.

Well initially I was planning on doing the s52 swap then decided I wanted to spend the money I had started to save up for the swap on a down payment on an M Coupe. So my plan evolved into putting a used engine in my ti to use as a daily driver and then get an M Coupe as my weekend car. But I had to have my alternator replaced and since then I have been thinking about selling the car so I have more down money on the M Coupe. I found a 99 M Coupe with 84k for under 15k. But do I really want car payments....no.

[b.u.ti-ful]

Originally Posted by madfronter

But do I really want car payments....no.

That's how I feel about it.

But, I guess with gas prices down and car dealers ready to haggle, maybe it's a good time?

[roadrash]

Wow, that's a tough call. I know how you feel regarding having a little money saved and having the urge to spend it. Especially when you find a good deal on a car. :-(

A couple of random thoughts / suggestions...

Your car has a lot of miles on it and that will make it harder to sell. And my guess is that what it sells for won't be as much as it's worth to you.

Find out for sure what it's going to cost to repair the oil leak. I basically killed my last car because I thought it was going to be very expensive to fix a leak so I just kept putting oil in it. So, naturally, I sometimes let the oil get too low. Once the cam shaft broke and I had to have that repaired, it turned out that the oil leak would have been relatively cheap to repair. So, get solid info on the cost to repair your car before making your decision.

Given the current state of our economy and the looming possibility that any of us could be suddenly unemployed, I suggest fixing the 318ti and keeping the money you have saved in a "just in case" fund. That's the "difficult but safe" option.

Good luck!

[b.u.ti-ful]

Good point on the oil leak. I had the same thing on a motorcycle and sold it for a discount and found out later that it really was not an expensive repair.

Even if you sell the ti, it might be easier with the leak fixed.

[madfronter]

My problem is that I don't think its worth putting money into fixing the oil leak since the car has so many miles on it. I am waiting to hear back from Bimmerwerkz regarding a used engine install.

[madfronter]

So I just called Bimmerwerkz and they said I can drop my car off next week and they will find a used engine and order all the parts needed to do the swap. It looks like it will cost me about 3500.00. Still thinking about it...

[Mallard]

what seal is leaking??

[Maverix]

Go with the s52 swap. It's really not a bad idea if you think about it. I don't want to see your ti go into the hands of someone ungrateful

[spidertri]

I have to say, that if you can afford an M coupe, go for that. It's an M car so it's going to be awesome out of the box. They are pretty rare and look fantastic, imho.

If you opt to sell your ti, the mileage will definitely hurt it's value and as much as I hate to say it so will the mods. Maybe you'll find an enthusiast who will pay for your car, but most people look at a modded car and assume it has been raced and abused. If anything you should pull the more obvious mods off the car and sell them separately and return it to stock before selling. Just my $.02.

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Mallard

what seal is leaking??

+1
Check and make sure it's not an easy seal to replace. Most of them can be done yourself and are relatively inexpensive. Chances are, it's probably the oil filter housing that's leaking. Poke your head around there and see if there's any pools of oil in the crevices underneath the housing. Usually it's not the actual gasket that leaks, but an o-ring that slips over the bushing that becomes flat and allows oil to leak. 50 cent part and about an hour of work, not that bad.

[madfronter]

it seems to be leaking from the bottom rear end of the engine...

[b.u.ti-ful]

Hard to say, but it could just be the valve cover gasket.

[96cali]

FWIW there is a 179k mile black/black '99 Mcoupe in the Cincinnati craigslist for $8500. The diff totally tore out and the engine runs rough... but if you're handy...