DONATE

If you have had success finding or selling a BMW M Roadster and would like to leave a small finders or sellers fee, of course we'll accept it, but do not feel in any way obligated. We love what we do!

1998 BMW M ROADSTER

SOLD on or around August 5, 2014

69,772 miles

$8,355
Asking Price: $8,355
1998 BMW M Roadster in Estoril Blue Metallic over Estoril Blue & Black Nappa
  • Exterior Color Estoril Blue Metallic
  • Interior Color Estoril Blue & Black Nappa
  • Soft Top Color Blue
  • Engine S52
  • Title Branded

Seller Description

THE CAR HAS A SALVAGE TITLE, BUT PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.

THIS CAR WAS PROFESSIONALLY REBUILT, AND IT LOOKS, STARTS, RUNS, DRIVES, AND STOPS EXACTLY AS BMW M ROADSTER SHOULD.  It does not leak or burn any oil, has never overheated, and I have never had to add any coolant.

According to the Carfax, the original owner bought the car in May, 1998, and sold it in May, 2004 with 43,152 miles on it.  The second owner wrecked the car two months later, in July, 2004 with 45,552 miles on the odometer.  I was told that he spun out in a local BMW dealership parking lot.  Years after it was totalled, the owner of a local Maaco body shop purchased the car from the insurance company.  He told me that the car had only body damage, and the accident DID NOT EVEN SET OFF THE AIRBAGS, and he stated that he believed the car should not have been totaled based on the body damage.  The body shop owner replaced the damaged body panels, and he provided a partial list of parts receipts, including a new clutch assembly in 2009, and A/C compressor in 2011.  He had the car inspected and titled in Maryland in 2009

I purchased the car in April, 2013 from the owner of the body shop who bought the car at the insurance auction.  I took pictures of the underside of the car (see below), and I see no indication that there was any damage to the subframe or any part of the car structure.  I am not a mechanic, but I saw no evidence of any damage underneath the car.  The hood, the right headlight assembly, right front fender, right door, and right rear fender, and right rear wheel were damaged and replaced by the previous owner.  As can be observed in the photos, there is also no separation or damage to the differential mount or rear subframe.

I had a new, top quality convertible top installed in June, 2013 by the best upholstery shop in Frederick, Md., and I bought a used BMW convertible tonneau cover in very good condition.  There is also a mesh rear windscreen that fits between the roll bars to reduce the wind noise and buffeting when driving with the top down.  The power top motor was not functional when I purchased the car, and I never bothered replacing the motor since it is easy to lower and raise the top manually.  The rims are not perfect, but they are in very good condition with a couple of small areas of curb rash that can be seen in the photos.

The Michelin Pilot Sport tires are not new, but still have several thousand miles of life remaining.  The tread depth ranges from 4/32" to 6/32", and are mostly around 5/32" with a few spots on the rear near 3/32".  Maryland state vehicle inspection requires at least 2/32" tread depth.

The seats are in very, very good condition, as can be observed in the photos.  There are a couple of small wear spots that can be seen in photos, and the seats have been treated with Maguire's leather treatment three times since I've owned the car.  I replaced the worn power seat track bushings with replacement bushing from Roadster Solutions.  I also added removable, magnetic stone guards from Roadster Solutions.  I read that the seat belt guides always break in these cars, and these were broken, too.  Replacing them requires disassembling the leather seats, so I did the quick & easy repair with a strong piece of adhesive velcro, as seen in the photos.  It is not a permanent repair, but it is an effective short term fix.

The car has the original radio with cassette player and CD deck in the trunk with two, 6-CD magazines.  The A/C blew cold, but not very cold when I bought the car.  I had it charged, and it worked great all last summer, but now it is barely blowing cold again.

As far as I know, everything is 100% stock except the K&M intake and lifetime air filter.

THIS CAR LOOKS GREAT, AND RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT.   I have driven it for 15K miles since I bought it 15 months ago.  There are the typical, minor stone chips in the paint in the front of the car.  All glass is in perfect condition.  It accelerates and corners like no car I have ever owned, by far.  You would never know from driving the car that it had ever been in an accident.  The tires are wearing evenly.  My wife and I took a wonderful three-day drive through the Shenandoah Mountains last Fall, and it was a joy to drive this car through the mountains with the top down.  We had no problems with the car whatsoever.

I don't have garage space for it, and it spent the winter under a cover, and it is not the most practical car for my daily commute of 76 miles, so after driving it to work daily for 7 or 8 months, I bought another car for daily commuting. I have only driven it occasionally since I took the cover off when the winter finally ended.  I now have a new project: I am fixing up an old boat, and I need money for a new motor more than I need a fun weekend car, so the M Roadster must go!

This is a NO RESERVE AUCTION, but the car is also for sale locally, and I reserve the right to end the auction at any time - but my intention is to sell the car.

Please use eBay to ask any questions.  I want to be as open and clear as possible about all aspects of the car's condition, and I welcome anyone who wants to see the car.  No joy rides, and No bids accepted from zero or negative rated bidders without first contacting me.  If the auction winner sees and drives the car, and it is not exactly as described, the deposit will be refunded minus the eBay listing/sales fee, however, once the car leaves my premises, the sale is final.

The car is still tagged and insured, the title is clear and is in my name, and the car has only been driven a couple of times a month since December.  It will not be driven again until the winning bidder takes it for a test drive.  The car is sold as used, as-is, no warranty, and any shipping is the responsibility of the buyer.  Car is for sale in the lower 48 states only.

Seller

Private
Frederick, MD

My Ratings

Condition: 
Rarity: 
Value: 

My Comments

Posted: 8/5/2014 8:33:27 PM by Jon Martin

Sold to a high bid of $8,355

Posted: 8/4/2014 11:45:10 AM by Jon Martin

Bidding up to $7,500 with 1.5 days left

Posted: 7/29/2014 9:28:10 PM by Jon Martin

Looks like the sale fell through. Back on the market again with no reserve

Posted: 7/23/2014 8:59:50 PM by Jon Martin

Sold to a high bid of $8,055

Posted: 7/23/2014 8:19:18 PM by Jon Martin

Bidding at just $7,550 with only 40 minutes left

Posted: 7/21/2014 10:18:47 AM by Jon Martin

Bidding up to $6,995

Posted: 7/17/2014 9:29:46 PM by Jon Martin

Bidding up to $6,600

Posted: 7/14/2014 12:33:59 AM by Jon Martin

Looks much like it did when it was for sale a 1.5 years ago. The salvage title is obviously a issue, but with a no reserve auction, this could be a great deal for somebody.

Photo Gallery (24)

Click an image to enlarge:

FEATURED SPONSORS

LeatherZ
 

GET IN TOUCH

Car Enthusiast Guides
Jon Martin
Fort Collins, CO
Contact

TOP