BMW e90 valuation with a dead transmission

Hi,

I am helping a friend with a 2007 328xi, 131k with a dead automatic transmission, otherwise clean, but needs tires.

Symptoms: transmission will not go into forward or reverse, shifter moves, but indicator does not change. It could possibly be a bad gear selector shaft, a known issue with this transmission. BMW dealer wants $1000 to check the selector shaft and is estimating $4500-8000 if the transmission needs more. My friend has decided to get rid of the car. The dealer offered him $500 for it.

I am thinking of buying it and taking the chance that it is the selector shaft. It would be $250 in parts and I can do the repair. The other alternative is selling it on Craigslist. Either way I need help in setting a price. The blue book in good running condition is $7-8000. So what is a fair price for this car?

Thanks,

Steve

Fair price - what the dealer offered him for it.

Well, seems like your friend will take anything more than $500 for it. If you have no clue what could be wrong I certainly wouldn't pay much more for it.

$501.

This is one of those things where if you buy it super cheap, fix it for $250 in parts, then flip it for $$$, your buddy might not be so happy with you. He might not ever tell you it bugs him. I've had his happen.

How close a friend is he? Depending on the answer, maybe you work out a deal where you buy it for, $500, but give him an extra $500 or whatever if you can fix it for under $500 in parts.

What does a junkyard transmission cost, worst case, you know.

NY535iManual wrote: This is one of those things where if you buy it super cheap, fix it for $250 in parts, then flip it for $$$, your buddy might not be so happy with you. He might not ever tell you it bugs him. I've had his happen. How close a friend is he? Depending on the answer, maybe you work out a deal where you buy it for, $500, but give him an extra $500 or whatever if you can fix it for under $500 in parts.

Good answer! Your friend is no worse off it needs a new tranny and you both share in the upside if it goes well. P.S. Did he ever change the fluid in the trans? 131k seems a short life.

Depends on how close a friend he is. If it were me and it were a friend, I'd offer to drink some beer and help him fix it for $250. If you want the car and not the flip, no biggie. If you end up make a few thousand flipping it, throw him a few hundred for karma.

I've bought a few 'easy fix' cars from people that we a no-go. Then you have to wait on the title, pay registration, explain to SWMBO that you aren't really crazy, deal with Craigslist idiots. Your time and cash is at stake, so fair play if it works out for you.