If you don't fix it before selling, no one in their right mind will pay you anywhere close to what you are asking. At this point, you can't assume it just needs a head gasket. It could also need a head, or a complete motor. So your worst case repair is about $5,500 or so, and add the tires and CV joint repair. Anyone who buys the car knowing the problems is going to need to subtract that "worst case repair" from an offer price.

"Clean Retail"???? I don't know where you are getting this $14K price, but assuming the car is a 2004, Kelly Blue Book private party price with this mileage is $10,190 in "Excelllent" condition. With no engine problems. So you're going to be lucky to get $4K for this car. Sometimes a mechanic will buy a car for a little more knowing that they don't have to pay themselves labor to fix it, but a good used head or used motor is still not cheap, and either way, even if just a head gasket, it's a very big job, (or a massive job if the motor must come out).

Sorry.

Also, while I think a lot of folks here love the MT cars, I think that reduces marketability in the real world.

It would probably be possible to pass this off to an unsuspecting buyer, but that would be highly unethical given what you already know....maybe even fraudulent. So the thing to do is fix the car, and hope the repairs turn out to be not the worst case.

__________________
2014 BMW 328i Xdrive
2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
2008 BMW X5 4.8i Sport
2000 BMW 528i 5sp