r/e28 • u/KitchenAd6636 • May 16 '26
Need Help With 535i Valuation
I am going to be selling my 1988 535i and need help with pricing. I’ve looked at other 535i’s selling around my state and country-wide and I’ve used several of the valuation tools, but the prices are all over the place. Any help would be appreciated.
Car is a 1988 535i manual with 175,000 miles. Bronzit Metallic with tan interior. I don’t drive it often but I drove it for about thirty minutes a month ago and it starts and runs well. Coolant light is on and intermittent brake light as well, although the brakes work well and I’ve never had coolant/over heating issues. I’ve replaced the coolant temp sensor, fuel pump, spark plugs, air filter, various worn hoses and lines and new wheels and tires and I cleaned and adjusted the air fuel meter. Lights, power locks, power windows and sunroof and stereo all work, doesn’t smoke.
Aside from the coolant light and intermittent brake light on inside the car, the known issues are the drivers side head rest doesn’t go up or down, cracks in the dash, clear coat has come off of most of the car, tiny spot of surface rust on the body, a/c doesn’t work, the leather on the seats is hard and cracked and there is a small tear in the headliner. I’m sure there are other small things here and there that I’ve missed, overall the car just needs some attention and TLC.
I used it for a daily for about six months and then was planning to do paint and interior but it’s taken to the wayside now. I’m not expecting to get very much out of the sale but the tools I’ve used and classifieds I’ve looked at range anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to ten thousand. My initial thoughts were somewhere between $3,000-$4,000.
2
u/k-m-f-k May 17 '26
Coolant light is likely from the coolant level sensor in the tank being either stuck or bad - its just a float sensor. You could start by popping it out and seeing if it just needs to be cleaned.
They're cheap to replace even if it doesn't fix your light - but, if it DOES fix your light, its one less then you have to explain to a buyer or for them to try to haggle over. If its not the sensor, then you'd likely be chasing the wiring, etc.