Why doesn’t my car sell?

[Jims5543]

The E46 M3 has what I think to be one of the best straight 6 engines BMW built. 333HP in 2003?

I keep fighting with myself over that engine, I keep looking on Ebay for an engine trans ecu to swap into my E30. I keep debating it.

My plan was to rebuild the 2.8 in there and finally supercharge it. Then I keep coming back to the S54.

I would try Car Guru or Autotrader. I think you will have better luck there. FB and CL are for people who want a bargain.

[mattdavis11]

I think it's because of the seats being reclined as far as they are. When I noticed them, my immediate thought was that the owner doesn't pull their pants up.

[stevej37]

[rusnak]

Craigslist is for retired old guys with no money.

I'd try Cars.com or maybe Cars and Bids. You might also take different pics away from the ghetto looking neighborhood.

[Scott Douglas]

I think the seats look reclined because the phone pictures were taken with a 4mm or wider lens.

Bend your knees and get down in perspective for the new shots. Don't show us pictures taken from an angle we would normally see ie standing right in front of the car.

Get your self a better camera, and like others have said, get better lighting too. Documentation photo's are one thing, saleable photo's are another. Look at any of the auctions by 911r on BaT for ideas.

Just trying to help.

[A930Rocket]

Thanks everyone!

I've been looking online and pricing is all over the board. BAT cars are the top dog and FB market place has dogs for the price of mine.

I’ve made a few quick changes to the craigslist ad and will change the both of them when I get back to my laptop.

That said, it's all pictures and pricing...

Originally Posted by Roswell

Beautiful car. For me, SMG is a deal killer...

Everyone wants a manual trans, but after driving it, I really liked the SMG.

Originally Posted by LWJ

Looks absolutely great. No stories or excuses. That is the sort of car I always buy.

I like to use a bit of a "narrative" in my ads. Tell a story. Why you fell in love. How it was your baby. How your scheming wife is divorcing you and you are forced to sell...

(well, maybe that is a little over the top, but you get the idea)

Tell about the clean carfax, never hit, not tracked, and similar - if true.

And then there is price. Research the heck out of it. I am not in the market for an M3. I don't know the market. Price it so that it is perfect for that ONE buyer. It only takes one. I will confess that I have been buying and selling all sorts of junk recently. You make money on the buy, but the sell really is helped out with a compelling story.

As for the miles? An enthusiast can see through those. How many of us have ancient porsches? I had a high miles E36 way back. Well maintained cars are a bargain. Maybe, because you are SO confident in the car, you offer to pay for a PPI with full price?

Sell it!!!

I bought it a few months ago to track it, then I decided to keep tracking the 330, as it was already set up.

Originally Posted by ninelevenick

You are selling a vehicle that appeals to enthusiasts. Manual transmissions are preferred over the SMG. Though 140k miles is not low, it not really high. However, with a higher mileage vehicle, people want more details. Chronicle the maintenance, the joy it has brought you, the love you put into it. Your ad looks like all the other Joe Sellers out there who don't take the time to write a proper, compelling advertisement. People buy from people, and buyers want that warm fuzzy feeling that they trust the seller. I also think you asking $3-4k too much.

Since I've only owned it a few months, I don't have any love stories about it.
I do need to liven it up though.

Originally Posted by Alan A

It’s too expensive.

Also after this thread you should remove the last line in the ad...

I added the last line because I always got, do you need help selling it. I'll remove it.

Originally Posted by Norm K

^^^ This

The reason for something (almost anything, in fact) not selling ... is price. We often don't want to hear that, but it is almost universally true. There is a price at which your car will sell - finding a number that makes sense for you and prospective buyers is the challenge.

_

I paid $15K for it and the parts I added were about $750, with me doing the labor. Looks like I might lose money on this one.

Originally Posted by dewolf

Change the black rims back to the original finish. The black does nothing for the car.

The black wheels came with the car. Not my style, but some like it. Because I was going to track it, I bought Apex 18x9.5 wheels and Khumo V720 track tires, but I'd be losing even more money if I left them on the car. I have another thread on widening my 330 rear fenders to fit them.

Originally Posted by Deschodt

My guess ? It's the grey interior and Horse Dildo shifter.

Also you don't mention the big gotchas:
- subframe cracks addressed (they exist even if not visible)
- VANOS done ?
- Rod bearings done ?

Price? I disagree... Have you guys followed the M3 market ? Red or brown interior + manual and welded chassis - he'd get 25 all day

I jest, I jest, but my similar 2003 cab is going to get a manual conversion next week... $4300. Then shocks (me). then I'll chase down the $%$#%$# squeaks in the top... Those cars have fantastic engines but that grey interior is heinous - I know, I have one... +1 on black rims making wheels invisible - finally put it on a real website, craigslist is for crackpots looking for deals and trade for their coat hangers collection, and also more details

LOL. I need to install the original shift knob. That one was so I could reach the shifter with my race seat installed. The subframe was addressed and I need to add it to the ad with the rod bearings replaced during the recall. No vanos work has been done to my knowledge.

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

I think it's because of the seats being reclined as far as they are. When I noticed them, my immediate thought was that the owner doesn't pull their pants up.

I'm 6'-4", so all my seats are back! I'll adjust them for future pictures.

[aigel]

Don’t mention “track” in the ad. It adds no relevant information and people will assume this was on track as well.

+1 on pictures and wheels. Ad looks “run hard and put away wet”.

[Chocaholic]

You need a semi nude buxom blond sprawled across the hood with a “come hither” look in her eye. You could double the price to keep the inquiries at a manageable level.

Trust me on this.

[otto_kretschmer]

$16.9k

high miles

automatic transmission

pass

[ckelly78z]

For $17k, I would be looking at 10-15 year newer Mustangs with another $100 hp. I have gone the BMW route, and didn't appreciate the delicate electronics, or suspension.

[pwd72s]

Yeah...ckelly kinda touched on it...a limited number of potential buyers...not everybody wants an M3.

[86 911]

All the above comments but I would also suggest advertising in different markets. Los Angeles CL has these in SMG for $11.7-$24k. Quite a big spread but also a much bigger market. I would advise getting it back to original (if possible) and being more detailed in the post. The story surely adds value.

Edit: I would also do away with the ALL CAPS and 333 HP note. It makes it seems like you're a dealer, not an owner. I would also delete the note on making the 330 a track car. A buyer doesn't want to think his/her money is going into funding a track project. Just some initial thoughts of my personal observations after re-reading the ad. Would much rather be told a story with those important maintenance points below it. I used to have one of these in SMG. Fun cars.

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

My guess ? It's the grey interior and Horse Dildo shifter.

I probably shouldn't admit it, but I only looked at the C/L posting/pics after reading ^^^this^^^.

_

[svandamme]

grey interior, I stop looking as soon as I see that on a car

also : no engine bay picture
That is a crucial thing to see on a car for sale..
is it badly repainted, the engine bay will tell
is the engine the right one for the listing, quite often engine bay will show tell tale signs , like wrong manifold 4 cyl instead of 6, missing turbo bits stuff like that.
is it clean

any serious car for sale add must include a few engine bay pics. It is elementary. and saves potential buyers a lot of questions , so it also prevent needless tire kicker questions

[ZOO]

I think your new price is fair (I've been following the M3 market ever since I stupidly sold my old one). It's a good candidate for a manual conversion. I love the exterior colour, and the interior colour, but not together. That's beyond your control, though.

I think it is Dove on the inside? That seems to be one of the least desirable colours in the M3 world (though my E36 M3 had it and it was lovely in the summer).

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by svandamme

grey interior, I stop looking as soon as I see that on a car

also : no engine bay picture
That is a crucial thing to see on a car for sale..
is it badly repainted, the engine bay will tell
is the engine the right one for the listing, quite often engine bay will show tell tale signs , like wrong manifold 4 cyl instead of 6, missing turbo bits stuff like that.
is it clean

any serious car for sale add must include a few engine bay pics. It is elementary. and saves potential buyers a lot of questions , so it also prevent needless tire kicker questions

You are correct. I forgot to add pictures of the engine bay. Pictures added.

Originally Posted by ZOO

I think your new price is fair (I've been following the M3 market ever since I stupidly sold my old one). It's a good candidate for a manual conversion. I love the exterior colour, and the interior colour, but not together. That's beyond your control, though.

I think it is Dove on the inside? That seems to be one of the least desirable colours in the M3 world (though my E36 M3 had it and it was lovely in the summer).

Both the interior and exterior colors were at the bottom of my list. A black interior would have been better. Seems BMW made a boatload of gray exteriors and interiors though. My 330 is dark gray with a grey interior. Well, it was a grey Interior until I removed it.

[ZOO]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Both the interior and exterior colors were at the bottom of my list. A black interior would have been better. Seems BMW made a boatload of gray exteriors and interiors though. My 330 is dark gray with a grey interior. Well, it was a grey Interior until I removed it.

I feel you. Mine was Titanium Silver/Black . . . about the most boring clour combo ever offered on an M3.

[Chocaholic]

So...no buxom blonde?

[masraum]

I'm surprised there aren't boy racers breaking down your door. I thought every kid between 15 and 25 would want an M3. Since that isn't happening, I have to assume that there's a problem. If you paid 15 a few months ago, I'd assume that you could get that for it. I always expect folks to offer less, so I would ask a little more, but $17.5 sounds like a fair amount more.

I feel like your ad needs to be a bit more verbose. "subframe issues addressed" doesn't really say much. Did it have subframe issues and they were fixed? Did it NOT have subframe issues, but because they are prevalent the mitigations were proactively installed? How were the issues addressed, and or who addressed them?

[DonDavis]

The pictures are not the best.

You couldn't find a place with indirect lighting?

All those shadows ruin it.