What is a realistic price for my wife's 2000 BMW 523 SE?

My wife bought her BMW 523 SE Touring automatic in August 2000. Since then she has carefully cherished it, had it regularly serviced, done only 90,000 miles and recently fitted new tyres. She has finally come to terms with the need to sell it, but her expectation of price is driven by her unchallengeable believe that any sensible person would buy her beautiful car in preference to buying a five year old Polo or Corsa. Looking on the Internet there are a number of similar cars on offer at prices from below £1000 to well over £2500. What is unclear is whether these are too ambitiously priced to sell. While my wife refuses to believe me on a realistic price, based on the various advice you have given us over the years she would accept your view. What is a reasonable price to ask that will sell the car?

Asked on 21 December 2013 by SH, Ascot

Answered by Honest John
Bad news, I'm afraid. Take a look at this auction report: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/auctions/2013-10/today%E.../

A respectable BMW E34 523i SE auto, a/c, 1999T, with 172,000 miles sold for just £200. There is very little market for 10-year-old cars that might need a repair that costs more than the car is worth. I would not recommend putting it through sure-sell for that reason. Try advertising it for £1,000 and do not let anyone test drive the car without being certain they are insured to do so, as most policies (Direct Line excepted) no longer cover 'driving other cars'.
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