[m@rco]

I'm the happy and proud owner of a black/black 2007 328i MT6 Sports & Luxury Package with Xenons with some 167,000 miles on the gauge. Once bought in Texas in 2009 as Certified Pre-Owned, then shipped to Switzerland, later to the Netherlands, and three years ago to Massachusetts. She has enjoyed running around in 9 different countries so far and served me, and later the entire family, very well.

She is in great shape, no dents, few paint chips off the front spoiler, perfect rear bumper, and has always been regularly maintained by BMW, except for two major 'operations' being 1) a set of new first-gear cogs to stop popping out of first gear and new clutch (BMW only proposed to exchange the entire gearbox for four times the price) and 2) a valve cover replacement (BMW charged about double from what Bavarian Performance Group in Winchester, MA would charge). Obviously, I have all past receipts of any work done. Nothing out of the ordinary: I drive defensive, smart, and mostly long distances.

Do you guys have any idea what an enthusiast would offer for my 'baby'? It would be painful to part but bringing her back to Europe and ownership starts getting pricey. Shipping is about $2000 all-in but owning a car in the Netherlands means a road tax bill of about $85 per month (in return, you get zero, i mean zero potholes and race track quality highways), insurance about $80 per month, and gas just under $10/gallon... Let's assume we don't have to pay for a parking permit!

I am already bringing back a 2020 540i... and we'd probably end up driving 12,000 miles per year in total and ride our bikes most of the time. If ownership wasn't so expensive, this would be a no-brainer.

What would the enthusiast offer for this 'ultimate driving machine'? What should the absolute minimum offer be?

Happy to hear your thoughts!

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by m@rco

I'm the happy and proud owner of a black/black 2007 328i MT6 Sports & Luxury Package with Xenons with some 167,000 miles on the gauge. Once bought in Texas in 2009 as Certified Pre-Owned, then shipped to Switzerland, later to the Netherlands, and three years ago to Massachusetts. She has enjoyed running around in 9 different countries so far and served me, and later the entire family, very well.

She is in great shape, no dents, few paint chips off the front spoiler, perfect rear bumper, and has always been regularly maintained by BMW, except for two major 'operations' being 1) a set of new first-gear cogs to stop popping out of first gear and new clutch (BMW only proposed to exchange the entire gearbox for four times the price) and 2) a valve cover replacement (BMW charged about double from what Bavarian Performance Group in Winchester, MA would charge). Obviously, I have all past receipts of any work done. Nothing out of the ordinary: I drive defensive, smart, and mostly long distances.

Do you guys have any idea what an enthusiast would offer for my 'baby'? It would be painful to part but bringing her back to Europe and ownership starts getting pricey. Shipping is about $2000 all-in but owning a car in the Netherlands means a road tax bill of about $85 per month (in return, you get zero, i mean zero potholes and race track quality highways), insurance about $80 per month, and gas just under $10/gallon... Let's assume we don't have to pay for a parking permit!

I am already bringing back a 2020 540i... and we'd probably end up driving 12,000 miles per year in total and ride our bikes most of the time. If ownership wasn't so expensive, this would be a no-brainer.

What would the enthusiast offer for this 'ultimate driving machine'? What should the absolute minimum offer be?

Happy to hear your thoughts!

Depending on color combo, condition, options, etc. I'd say you're looking somewhere in the 7-9k range. I think you should take it with you. Pretty cool it's traveled all over like that!

[M-technik-3]

Where are you moving to now? Remember fuel costs are much higher there as you know than here. Might want to take the 328 vs the 540. Taxs and fuel costs are not cheap.

[m@rco]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Depending on color combo, condition, options, etc. I'd say you're looking somewhere in the 7-9k range. I think you should take it with you. Pretty cool it's traveled all over like that!

Thank you for your estimate! That is not bad to be honest. The car is definitely in good shape (for 15 years old) but does have some small paint chips off the front spoiler, and the typical peel of the steering wheel plastic... Rear bumper, for example is immaculate. Color is black sapphire, with black leather inside, walnut finish. But from a mechanical point of view, in perfect condition.

Indeed, I might take it with me but if I know that there is a true enthusiast out there, I might consider selling as well. Owning two cars is not the standard (in Europe) and not needed (climate change..., ride our bikes), and costly... But hobbies are never cheap!

[m@rco]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Where are you moving to now? Remember fuel costs are much higher there as you know than here. Might want to take the 328 vs the 540. Taxs and fuel costs are not cheap.

The Netherlands. The 328i has higher maintenance cost (not unexpected but still) and the 540i serves better as a family car is much more fuel efficient! Cars are indeed very expensive in Europe in general. The road tax for the 540i being $1248 per year. Insurance about the same as in the US. And then fuel at about $8 to $10/gallon. It motivates people to use public transport and be more conscious about the environment (and creates revenues for the state to build safe and nice roads, and offer (nearly) free education from elementary to university for all - to name a few 'benefits' of paying taxes...

[M-technik-3]

I have lived in Netherlands, Germany and Italy over the span of 30 years in the USAF. Nice thing about Netherlands is it so small that in general most live within the city limits and biking or skating in the winter via the canals is a great way to get to work plus it's good for your overall health.

Odd to hear the 540i is better on fuel than a 328i That's a first for me.

[NorthernDancer]

Leave the 328 here; 1 car and bicycles. In 1999 I bicycled from Nijmegan to Arnhem and return after doing the 4day march in Nijmegan [4Daagse]