Should I sell or part it out??

[tomgtv]

I have a 2001 3.0L X5 with Sport package. It has 224,000 miles on it,
I'm original owner. Never been wrecked, has TONS of replacement parts,
way too many to list. Runs good, ac blows cold. Just ran it to Atlanta
over Thanksgiving, 2000 miles and averaged 22.1 mpg. Doesn't burn oil.

The "value" is from $7200 trade in to $13,200 retail.

I've been thinking of just parting it out like we do in jetskis that reach the
end of their useful lives. I checked just a few items, hood is $1000, front door is $2000,
transfer case is $2200, sensors are $150 plus (all of mine are relatively new), etc.

It seems like I might get $15,000 or more out of it. I would think any body shop would
want the sheet metal. The smaller stuff would be easy to take off and ship to people
who inhabit these boards. The few used BMW junkyards I've seen have very few parts,
I suspect they fly out the door.

What do you guys think? Has anyone ever done this with a BMW?

[Naz24]

interesting idea. as long as you have the time to sit here and sell everything, well, power to you. but why ruin a perfectly good X5?

[tomgtv]

I want to get another vehicle. My X5 is running good now, but I did have several episodes and over $15,000 in repairs (many done DIY or the bill would have been astronomical).

I have a gut feeling this car could go 300,000+. The motor and transmission have not failed, but if they did it would not be pleasant time and dollar wise.
I have thought of just running it til something major goes.

However if I could get $15K over say 2/3 months.........well it's tempting!

At the low end of the value spectrum ($7K) I would probably just keep it.

[Naz24]

hows the condition of the car cosmetically? do u have pictures?

if the car is starting to look bad cosmetically then i would say part out..

[sethro]

What about parts you cant sell or stuff no one will buy, ask yourself if you really want to deal with the hassle

[N S]

Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with the hassle, though an additional $7k would be tempting. What is the reality of hitting the $15k mark and how long do you think it would be before you got to that point?

What is the minimum value you would be willing to go through the effort and time parting out and selling for? $9k? $10k?

I just wouldn't want to deal with having to take multiple pictures and email correspondance of some part a guy is offering me $25 for, for every part.

[dragoncoach]

Everyone knows the parts of a car are worth more individually as opposed to a intact car. Parting out can be profitable. It usually takes quite a bit of time and can be a PITA. That, and trying to deal with all the mooches and lowballers, shipping etc. Personally, I'd sell it and move on.

[HPIA4v2]

No expert in selling used auto parts, but from my experience selling a few stuff (hobby related) online, I can't see I'll have the patient dealing with so many diffrerent requests/offers from people.
I'll say drive it until it breaks and evaluate the situation again at that time.

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by Naz24

hows the condition of the car cosmetically? do u have pictures?

if the car is starting to look bad cosmetically then i would say part out..

Car looks good overall. The paint is reasonable, some rock hits, nothing
big. The drivers seat shows fair amount of wear. Carpet is so so. Overall I would rate it a 7 out of 10 conservatively.

The PITA factor is there plus at the moment I don't have a good place to leave it as it gets sold off. I don't expect more than 50% the cost of a new part. However these parts are so expensive I would imagine there's a good demand out there.

[X5rolls]

Do you have a location to store the vehicle or would it end up on blocks in the driveway under a tarp?