Request for Valuation/or other feedback

olddaddy · 04-20-2010, 08:49 AM

Would welcome thoughts on reasonable market value, or other feedback regarding a car I'm considering. I've been an 80's era BMW guy for over a decade (have owned and modified several)...now considering diving in to my first Carrera of same era. After much research and review I've located the following promising car....

84/85 Euro non-sunroof couple, with wtail
Largely stock except for exhaust update
Approx 100K miles
Reasonably well maintained and serviced, solid mechanicals consistent with limited, fair weather pleasure driving use.
No significant collision or paint work (possibly full original paint)
No apparent rust issues
Good primary color scheme
excellent paint and interior with cloth euro seats
proper fuch 16'wheels
Limited to no maintenence records/documentation is available except for original owner's manual book stamps
Appears to have been a two prior owner cars

I know these cars can be significant money sinks for R&R of major systems, but I'm assuming (and will confirm) that the car has no major system/drive train R&R needs before pulling trigger.

thanks in advance for any feedback.

biosurfer1 · 04-20-2010, 12:58 PM

Throwing out a ballpark guess, but if the PPI checks out with no major problems, I would say $16-18k would be a fair offer.

peon77 · 04-20-2010, 03:54 PM

I think that w/o proof of valve guide repair work done I wouldnt go for more than 15k. Only that much because its a euro non sunroof.

olddaddy · 04-20-2010, 04:40 PM

thanks for responses so far...yes, I'm in the mid-teen ballpark at best if the ppi checks out...

Regarding valve guide issue...what is the best way to check for valve-guide wear? Can you expect that they are still reasonably good if the car runs out strong with no smoke under load/acceleration/deceleration? Also, I've been told that broken head studs will typically make a metallic knock from head movement under strong deceleration...is this accurate?

thanks again...

racer · 04-20-2010, 05:21 PM

One thing on the "euro" cars I've seen over the years it that, well, in Europe they drive these cars year round which exposes them to more bad (wet/snow etc) weather than most folks in the US do. Be sure to check door jams (especially under the rubber mat) and jack port areas, especially on the passenger side.

How long has it been in the US? Depending on where you live, you *could* have some challenges when registering the car without correct EPA/DOT paperwork. Not saying you will, but you might.

That said, a lighterweight, euro coupe sounds like lots of fun. Hope it checks out for you.

peon77 · 04-20-2010, 06:18 PM

I think that predicting valve guide failure is a black art. It is easy to tell when they go bad but not so easy if they are about to go bad. Lots of carreras have had top ends redone from failed valve guides by that mileage. The head studs are not as big a concern as they are on the SCs. A thorough PPI is required.