E36 Alpinas at Auction

[jrsmitchell]

@Stirling, congrats! It's a fun ride.

I am literally sitting at the hospital having just popped out our second (4 weeks early, surprise!). He will be coming home in my E91 Touring . Perfect baby haulers, IMO

[Lord Vader]

Originally Posted by Stirling

Agreed. Maybe now that there is a baby on the way my wife will be excited to get a wagon.

Congrats! I would go for an E39 wagon personally. More room.

[Scooter]

A couple up right now. A B3 and a B6.

[Lord Vader]

Are you asking what the total cost would be once everything was paid for once landed and registered to be Canadian Legal? Or are you asking the resale value of it once landed in Canada?

I can tell you that if you want a Touring, don't ever plan on trying to sell it. It will be a nightmare. Theirs only two E36 Tourings in Canada and I know the original importer of the first one. He ended up trying to sell it for over a year before giving up and trading it for an E46 330ci. Now the current owner is also trying to sell it.

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

Are you asking what the total cost would be once everything was paid for once landed and registered to be Canadian Legal? Or are you asking the resale value of it once landed in Canada?

I can tell you that if you want a Touring, don't ever plan on trying to sell it. It will be a nightmare. Theirs only two E36 Tourings in Canada and I know the original importer of the first one. He ended up trying to sell it for over a year before giving up and trading it for an E46 330ci. Now the current owner is also trying to sell it.

Yeah, basically curious what the value would be for one that had been imported and federalized and was ready to go, in Canada. Point taken regarding resale

[Lord Vader]

I don't know if he has moved, but its a green B6 2.8 Touring. Chassis #41 of 136.

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

I don't know if he has moved, but its a green B6 2.8 Touring. Chassis #41 of 136.

Ok cool. So assuming it was in good shape with under 100k kms, in Canada and ready to go, what would be your estimate of its value?

[Scooter]

You don't get a car from Japan federalized once it lands. You just have to take it though a provincial inspection.

As Lord Vader mentioned the market here seems to kind of suck for selling these cars. My guess is that to buy one at current prices it will cost you about $12,000 to import a car like you have mentioned. I believe the one Lord Vader mentioned is advertised at around $10,000 and he is having trouble selling it at that price, but I think the kms are a bit higher too (going from memory though).

[Lord Vader]

I will tell you again, do not import one with the intent to flip it. You will not be happy.

The value here is impossible to determine. Tourings were never sold here during the E36 production run and are such very rare. However the number of people who actually know what an Alpina is here is very low. The number of people who want an Alpina Touring? Substantially lower. Their is a reason their are only two in Canada. Sedans are easier to sell should you need too. Importing an Alpina is should be considered a permenant investment.

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

I will tell you again, do not import one with the intent to flip it. You will not be happy.

The value here is impossible to determine. Tourings were never sold here during the E36 production run and are such very rare. However the number of people who actually know what an Alpina is here is very low. The number of people who want an Alpina Touring? Substantially lower. Their is a reason their are only two in Canada. Sedans are easier to sell should you need too. Importing an Alpina is should be considered a permenant investment.

Thank you - I realize the challenges of the market, and have no intention of flipping one. I would just not want to overpay for what is out there.