part out, was it worth it?

[Outkasted]

Simple question to those who have parted out an S4 within the last couple years. Was it worth it in the end? Did you get in the ballpark of what you wanted when it was over?

[redline380]

I just bought a running and driving S4 for $2650. Figured I should at least end up being able to part it for profit if the project goes south.

Bumpers- $600-$800
Engine- $500-700
Trans- $500-1000
Interior- $300

That is $1900 low end for the major stuff. A few odds and ends and you are right up there.

But I will say this- I recently picked up an 01 A4 for parts. Paid $400 for it. I could have easily made $1000 on it (I know the A4 market well) but simply dealing with craigslist, shipping, calling, flake out buyers, etc just isn't worth it. You need to consider this when parting out. Is it worth your time and the headache of pulling everything just to make a couple bucks? If not, sell the whole unit and wash your hands.

[Outkasted]

Thanks for the advice and input.

[-Billy]

I've never parted out an s4, but have parted out several other cars and always made decent profit. The biggest downside is you inevitably get stuck with a bunch of random shit you can't find buyers for.

[redline380]

I've never parted out an s4, but have parted out several other cars and always made decent profit. The biggest downside is you inevitably get stuck with a bunch of random shit you can't find buyers for.

That's why I bought my parts car. I now have 3 b5's chassis cars, so a bunch of extra parts sitting around is a good idea. Things like subframes, axles, brakes can be rebuilt and await install, or if not needed can be sold. I considered it an investment lol

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Any part out is affected by the 80/20 rule.

20% of the parts will make 80% of the value and will go very quickly, usually within 30-60 days. The other 80% will make up the last 20% of the value and will take much longer to sell, usually 3-12 months.

[Outkasted]

Sounds like a good rule. Never heard that one before

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Sounds like a good rule. Never heard that one before

Its an aviation industry rule but it applies across different areas.

[Zba]

80% of your shit can be wiped with 20% of the total paper. The other 20% of your shit will require the remaining 80%.

[MurkyRivers_A4]

80% of your shit can be wiped with 20% of the total paper. The other 20% of your shit will require the remaining 80%.

Exactly. You caught on quick.

[Zba]

story of my life

[MurkyRivers_A4]

At least its a good story....

[Outkasted]

LOL

[AudiSport12]

80% of your shit can be wiped with 20% of the total paper. The other 20% of your shit will require the remaining 80%.

Almost sig worthy.

[MacDaddy]

I parted out a 318 once, made my money back but it was a lot of dicking around. If your looking for a way to make money its not really worth it unless you pay way under market value

[audacity]

as long as you keep the initial investment low enough its no big deal. if you have 3 other b5s its even better for you. its the reason i started parting we have 2 b5s and i just hoard stuff for my own cars. and sell the rest. a word of advice though. to anyone who wants to part a car. i suggest stripping the entire car and inventorying it, before you post or try to sell anything...there is nothing worse then telling someone you have something, having to take apart all sorts of stuff just to get to something to either find out its no good. or have to spend half a day pulling it apart and they flake out. i realize this takes up a lot of space for people but in the end you want it all stripped anyway. whatever you don't sell after a while just toss in the shell and send it on its way if your scrapping it.

[Outkasted]

Think I may just leave it whole and park it. Hate to part a working car. Wait for the love to come back

[redline380]

Think I may just leave it whole and park it. Hate to part a working car. Wait for the love to come back

That is the correct decision. Or, sell it to someone who won't ruin it.

[Tiluleshpingen]

Simple question to those who have parted out an S4 within the last couple years. Was it worth it in the end? Did you get in the ballpark of what you wanted when it was over?

holy shit another Old timer... thats rare in here these days hahah

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Sooooo... is it for sale then? Cause Im interested lol

[Austonwerner4]

I bought a Tip Allroad for $600 hoping to fix it up and sell it, sadly I ran into title issues and had to part it, but I came out far ahead.

Honestly I would never part another car out though...

[audacity]

I bought a Tip Allroad for $600 hoping to fix it up and sell it, sadly I ran into title issues and had to part it, but I came out far ahead.

Honestly I would never part another car out though...

the worst part is dealing with the buyers. half of them flake out.

[M1NDCRlME]

holy shit another Old timer... thats rare in here these days hahah

Get off his lawn!! Those older folks get cranky.

[audi-hammer]

I have parted out a few cars
1. Non stage 3 cars arent worth parting out unless you got them for DIRT cheap, the aftermarket stuff sells within a month, the stock stuff goes over 3-12 months or NEVER lol
2. If you buy a dirt cheap car and the exterior, interior are in piss poor condition then those parts arent worth anything anyways so no money there
3. It takes you x amount of time to take apart a whole damn car, if you have a job and a life this is hard to pull off in a decent amount of time
4. Dealing with some people can be really annoying so if you arent a people person you arent going to enjoy that lol
5. What the one guy said, take it all apart BEFORE you make an ad otherwise it gets messy really fast, did this to myself once and you never get the time you need to pull a part when you think you can
6. Motors arent worth much, motors/trans/seats/wheels are expensive and time consuming to ship compared to little parts
7. Packing larger items and going to USPS/FEDEX constantly eats a lot of time

All that being said you learn a lot and I went from knowing no one on here or locally to knowing every local b5 to me and now good friends with a large group of guys here/FB. If its a clean car don't take it apart as its sad to do. You will make more money parting it but it wont be much more than a full sale and it will take up a lot of your free time if you want to be good at it. My 2 cents, good luck with your decision

[Outkasted]

This old timer appreciates the advice from all. Just parked it. Time to look for a Geezer mobile.

[dozer103]

Might know where there's a clean used S8 for sale...