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About Us

We are all fans of the great automotive marques of Germany. Our varied experiences with cars and our passion for the automobile makes writing for this site a natural fit. We all would hear about or see in person unique buying opportunities through our travels and connections. We would spend hours killing time cruising classified advertisements and online auction sites for our favorite marques, either for our own projects or just to lust after. Instead of keeping our finds to ourselves, with germancarsforsaleblog.com, we are now able to do what we’d be doing anyway while sharing our enthusiasm with the world in one place. This isn’t our day job, but something we take time to do for fun and in the interest of other German car fanatics.


Carter Johnson – Managing Editor, Audi/Volkswagen/BMW Specialist


Carter was introduced at a young age to his grandfather’s 1926 Bentley 3/4.5 Litre Open Tourer, a car that still resides in the family. In the 1990s his father hooked him on tracking BMWs and Porsches highlighted by a 1988 M5 and 1989 944 Turbo S among a long line of others. Carter’s first car was a 1986 Audi 4000CS Quattro – four Volkswagens, three BMWs, and nine Audis later, he now owns a 1986 Audi Coupe GT 20V, a 2003 BMW M3, and a 2009 BMW 135i Sport package. In addition to being a high performance driving instructor for the Audi, BMW, and Porsche clubs, Carter received a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge with his dissertation on the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Silver Arrows. Carter says he is still looking for a 2003 Avus Pearl S8 and lusts over every single V8 quattro he finds. Carter is a proud father and husband, and when he’s not dreaming of cars is a college history teacher.


Andrew H. – Mercedes-Benz Specialist

AndrewBIO

Andrew hails from western PA where he has a real problem with owning multiples of the same vehicle. His first car was a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta but soon sold it for a B5 Audi A4 1.8t after he couldn’t stop singing the “La Cucaracha” door chime song that the MK3 VWs are infamous for. In his nine years with his B5 he also owned two 1989 BMW 325ixs, three Land Rover Discovery 1s and two W210 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMGs. He currently puts all his loyalty into Mercedes now and daily drives a W116 Mercedes-Benz 300SD while keeping one of those E55s tucked away in the garage for nice days as he’s trying like hell not to sacrifice it to the devil known as “DaimlerChrysler rust”. One of the Discovery 1s has still stuck around for winter duty only because he hasn’t found a G-Wagen he’s comfortable bathing in road salt yet.


Dan Crouch – Owner and Founder

Dan’s first car was a ’68 Volkswagen Beetle and in keeping with the VW theme he also has owned a Scirocco, GTI, a track day Rabbit, and currently a 2019 Golf R. Other German indulgences have included an e36 BMW M3, 2002 Audi Allroad, Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, and a BMW Z4 M Roadster. Dan also owns raresportbikesforsale.com




Previous Contributors



Robert Simkins – Air-Cooled Specialist

Rob’s first exposure to the world of cars came early on when his Dad purchased an Alfa Romeo Spider. Rob would wait each day for his Dad to return from work, top down and exhaust blaring. After the Alfa, there was a 911 in the garage. But like many others who grew up in the 80s, the true revelation came from an E30 M3 parked at the local BMW dealership. There was something about it that always drew his eye anytime they’d drive by the dealership. He currently drives a 2004 Miata that he’s had for over a decade and lives in Washington, DC. Living in the city means driving tends to come quite a bit less often, but it also means that most driving he does is purely to go for a drive.


Paul Henriques – Mercedes-Benz/BMW/MINI Specialist

Paul grew up in a family with a garage dominated by Volkswagens and Mercedes-Benz. His current ride is a 2006 MINI Cooper S. In addition to contributing to German Cars For Sale Blog, Paul works for a technology organization with his client base centered in Europe and Africa. Paul is a German speaker and has conversational knowledge of Portuguese. While on the road a lot, he resides about half the time in the Mid-Atlantic region, keeping an eye out for mint German and Swedish vehicles.


Nate Rooks – Volkswagen/BMW Specialist

Nate’s grandfathers both owned 2002tiis and Porsches, so German cars are in his blood. He still gets a Road & Track subscription he started at the age of 9. Joining Dan in the “VW was my first car” category, Nate’s first was a 1981 VW Rabbit pickup. Followed by an 80s Toyota 4×4, he was able to realize the dream and bought a 1988 BMW M5. Obviously the 80s are where his personal tastes lie, but he appreciates any and all German cars. He keeps his eyes and ears open for us in the Pacific Northwest.


Craig French – Mercedes-Benz/BMW Specialist

Craig French is a German car enthusiast with a particular passion for ’80s and ’90s era Benzes and BMWs. In his day job he teaches political theory at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. On a relatively modest professor’s salary, he has found creative ways to indulge his passion for expensive German cars by seeking out nicely kept daily drivers that won’t break the bank. That’s how he ended up with a W201 190E, and now an E34 5-series. Originally from London, he lives in Washington, DC.


Pablo Deferrari – Porsche Water-Cooled Specialist

EL JEFE 1994 968 CABRIOLET

Somewhere between drawing his first breath in this world and acquiring a keen taste for eating glue, something magical happened. As Pablo describes himself:

“No, it wasn’t the discovery of girls…that bit came later. It was the sight of my first Porsche. Wait, let me rephrase that. It was the sound of my first Porsche as it approached me and then this blur of blue flanked with bulbous fenders and this tray-looking thing affixed to its rump followed it. That was the moment that changed me forever. â€¨â€¨I remember it as if it were yesterday; that delicious mechanical cacophony accented by the unmistakable whine of that huge fan sucking gobs of air was a 911 Turbo—in Minerva Blue. That was all it took.”

Even though he’s dyed-in-the-wool air-cooled 911 junkie, Pablo doesn’t discriminate against other Porsches. He’s spent nearly all of his life collecting and reading every book there is about the company, the cars, the people, and how every model’s existence had unmistakable DNA from the model before it. This lust, this passion he has for Porsches can’t be fulfilled by a 911, or a 944; not even a 928, or 968. He’s in deep, baby. Pablo is out to collect one of every model made from 1950 to 1998. And he’s just getting warmed up.

Pablo is the Founder of flüssig magazine, an authority on all things related to the Porsche 924, 928, 944 and 968.


Andy McCulley – Water Cooled Porsche Specialist

Andy is a college student and is our resident Porsche 928 expert. He is also a Mercedes-Benz SL enthusiast. At 21 years of age, he’s lready had four cars which include a 1999 Mercedes SL500, a 2003 Mercedes E320, a 1982 Porsche 928 Weissach Edition, and a 1983 Porsche 928 S, which he currently owns and drives on weekends. Andy is also a member of the team at flüssig magazine, where his tasks range from writing articles about car detailing and concours prep to keeping data on the markets for classic front-engined Porsche’s. There he goes by the alias “Captain Clean” for his fastidious nature and Porsche cleaning compulsion. Andy is a graduate of UNCW in economics and a minor in English and is pursuing a master’s degree at the College of William & Mary.


Evan Earle – Mercedes-Benz/Racing/Historical Specialist

Evan rebuilt his first engine, with the help of his father, at the age of 12 and was hooked from there. He bought his first car before he had a license and, in the German department, has since owned Mercedes and BMW cars, customized to taste. His passion for the Mercedes marque stems from him following his father and grandfather in Benz ownership. Evan can include a 1970 250C and mighty full Euro grey market 1979 450SEL 6.9 as vehicles he’s owned and restored. He also owns a very custom Land Rover Discovery that has an engine swap upgrade he pulled off amongst other goodies (he insists that there are some German-made parts on it). Evan has traveled the globe on automotive quests to indulge the German car habit, including wheel time in an Alpina B7, powering a new Mercedes down the autobahn, and touring the RUF factory. At visits to F1 and vintage races, factories and shows, he always has his eye open for that next project or post. Evan can occasionally be seen at the birthplace of American road racing, Watkins Glen International race track, which is a short trip from his Ithaca, N.Y. home.


Brian Nichols – Volkswagen Specialist

A native Bay Stater, Brian now resides in Rhode Island. He’s been in to cars as long as he can remember; his father being in the auto restoration business as a fabricator. Instead of watching football on Sundays, they would tinker with whatever car was on hand, mostly Beetles, and ‘64 Rivieras. Brian has been mainly in to VWs since he could drive. He’s owned two ‘84 GTIs, one when he was 18 and the one he owns now which has been in his possession for seven years. Brian has also had a ’84 Subaru 4WD wagon, ’89 Saab SPG, ’85 Jetta Coupe, ’90 Audi 80, ’01 GTI VR6. Currently, his daily driver is a Volkswagen Touareg TDI. As you may find from his posts, he has an unnatural love for the station wagon. While he mainly gravitates towards VW/Audi products, Brian has had a strong appreciation for anything automotive or mechanical. “I love German cars, hot rods, classics, Japanese cars…basically anything that is well done,” says Brian. During the day he drives a desk at an insurance company but at night loves to tinker with his VWs.


188 Comments

  1. Harjodh Babra
    Harjodh Babra November 29, 2015

    Gentlemen,

    Here is a listing I stumbled upon. I have the same car with the same mileage and in similar condition, only difference is mine is an ’84, so I am excited to see what it will go for. This car has every option that I know this model to have. The body kit, adjustable headlights, headlight wipers, rear headrest and factory alarm. I know it has the alarm because my car has all the same options minus the adjustable headlights. The alarm light is on the exterior of the driver’s door, to the right of the door handle. Eager to see what you guys think.

    Bonhams Auction: 1985 M635csi
    http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22705/lot/317/
    Make sure you use Internet Explorer otherwise you can’t click through the picks.

    I check your site daily and you guys actually had my old car (91 E39 M5) on your website.
    https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1991-bmw-e34-m5-for-sale-in-red-with-47k-miles/
    Keep up the good work.

    Thanks,

    H. Babra

  2. Alexis
    Alexis December 26, 2015

    Carter, We purchased the car you wrote about here (before you posted this entry!): https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/2008-audi-a4-2-0t-quattro-avant-s-line-titanium-package/

    We love the car, but have three kids and two B7 Avants and it’s time for us to part with one so we can get something that carts more folks. As much as we hate to let this Unicorn go, it is the more valuable of the two so it makes more sense financially to keep the 2005.5 (for which we would recoup less of our investment). We changed the timing belt, did a carbon clean-out and a 75k service on it. In addition to listing the car here, what other routes would you recommend for finding the community that hunts these cars? Thanks for your time–hard to believe a google search for a comparable car lead me to our exact car from Sea Auto Sales on your site! Best, Alexis

  3. Hugo
    Hugo January 3, 2016

    Hi guys! Just as Carter does, I love Audi S8, and I’ve found this 2000 S8 for sale here in Mexico.
    (buy-it-now price is below 6,000 USD, and it has 75,000 miles on it).

    Could you please comment about this specific year model? A 2000 Tiptronic transmission is likely to give me troubles after 75,000 miles? How often would I have to replace the timing chain kit?

    Thank you in advance. Keep up the good work !!!

    http://www.segundamano.mx/quintana-roo/benito-juarez/autos/Unico-audi-s8-traido-de-europa_896897733.htm?ca=11_s&last=1

  4. Carter
    Carter January 4, 2016

    Hello Hugo! The S8 you show looks like it’s in reasonable shape and is priced at market value with below average miles, so it’s probably worth checking out. 2000 was the first full year of the uprated motor and revised front end, but generally they’re strong motors. You noted the transmission and depending on how it was driven, it could last until 200,000 miles or could fail at 100,000. If you’re serious, plan on a rebuild in your costs for about $3,000 – $4,000 depending on who does it. The S8 ran a timing belt, not chain, so service intervals on those I believe are rated at 75,000 miles, so it’s probably due – figure another $1,500 into your budget for replacement.

    Hope this helps and good luck, those that have them only report love for the model. I hope one day to be so lucky!
    Carter

  5. Curtis Hofstetter
    Curtis Hofstetter March 5, 2016

    I am the original owner of a 1979 BMW 320i. 123,058 original miles. Always garaged and covered. I want to sell it to an enthusiast who will continue to garage and keep it in it’s present condition which is excellent. I want the car to go to someone who will be thrilled with it, and not a flipper/wheeler dealer. I have a satellite internet connection, which will not allow me to attach pictures.
    The car is Polaris Silver/dark blue interior. I have the original wheels and tires. Over the years I have had 15″ BBS basket weave wheels. At present I have 17″ alloys, with Bridgestone Potenza SO3 tires. Sachs clutch, Korman sway bars, Bilsteins, strut bar, Ebach springs, Borla exhaust. Over the years, I have added performance parts. However, I have kept all the original OEM parts. It is fun to drive. This car has enjoyed looking bad with out being driven hard. I have delayed moving it because I still enjoy it. Any advice on how to find it a new home? Thanks, Curtis

  6. Bentleyboy29
    Bentleyboy29 May 7, 2016

    Hey Carter, neat blog

  7. Carter
    Carter May 8, 2016

    Thanks, Tom! Great to hear from you!

  8. Eric
    Eric August 24, 2016

    Attn: Carter
    Hello, my name is Eric H. I have a 1985 1/2 Porsche 944 with 38,000 original miles. Its in great condition, but not perfect. I was given Carters name by someone interested in my car. Im looking to sell, but cannot get bites for what I deem it is worth. From everyone I have spoken with that knows the 944, I have been told that $11,000-$14,000 is
    the value of my 944. No site that I have had it on will recognize it for anything over $8,000. I have put over $6,000 in work on the car (including replacing the timing belt and water pump). Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? I can provide photos and any work documentation on what Ive done to the car. Keep in mind, it isn’t a turbo. Thanks

  9. david barry
    david barry September 18, 2016

    This is to Carter, in regards to the current presentation of the “AMG” Mercedes, imported from Japan. I have no doubt that the car provides an exciting ride (though the blacked out rear window totally violates the taste that was a guiding factor at AMG before the merger with M-B), but how can you make the remark “a local AMG tuner?” as the source of converting what left the factor as a stock Mercedes into a car called an AMG?

    What is a “local AMG tuner?” AMG is a company based in Alfterbach. Period. AMGs are cars that earned their badge by work done in Alfaterbach. I visited that shop in the 1980s, just prior to taking loan of a car that was provided me as an absolute copy of “The Hammer” minus some of the under-body aero mods. I drove that car for 3 days on the Autobahn and became quite friendly with the principals at AMG.

    This is not some kind of secret knowledge. There were plenty of squirrels in Los Angeles at the time who were getting mods to their stock Mercedes-Benz’s and acquiring AMG lettering (some buyers of actual AMG’s removed the lettering, which was in the spirit of AMG). The heart and soul of AMG was the mods to the swapped engine, and the suspension modified to handle it (though AMG came up a little short in the brakes they supplied with the Hammer). If you recall, AMG came to international notice by racing Mercedes-Benz sedans and winning. Mercedes didn’t go into partnership with just anybody.

    And AMG didn’t license “local” shops around the world to make stock Mercedes-Benz’s into AMGs. I’m disappointed in German Cars For Sale for buying into this mis-representation. You all should know better, and probably do, but why support that silly remark?

    Sorry if I’m sounding over-bearing; maybe it’s because of horrendous number of horrendous AMG fakes I saw in LA during the years when automotive bad taste (Stroesek, Koening) ruled the upper strata of performance cars in LA in the 1980s.

    Best wishes

    David

  10. Carter
    Carter September 18, 2016

    @David – authorized dealers of AMG parts in the 1980s were and are considered legitimate builders of authentic AMG cars, to the best of my knowledge. This existed right up and through the merger, but because of lack of documentation each car does need to either have credentials or be authenticated.

    Thanks for the comment and reading!

  11. david barry
    david barry September 21, 2016

    Carter

    My thanks to you and German Cars for Sale for quickly and graciously printing and acknowledging my carping about the listing of a Mercedes exported to Japan and acquiring AMG identity there, which I mistakenly believed was not a country with licensed AMG dealers. No surprise that you guys know more about AMG and their network of dealers than I do. Your presentation of the car was right: my complaint about it was in error. I particularly appreciate the prompt publication of my comment and the gracious correction of my erroneous belief about AMG. I wouldn’t have found an issue to complain about if I weren’t someone who reads every issue of your blog, and it is for the comments at the end of the post that I read it. I am continually impressed and entertained by the astute and informed comments by Carter and the rest of the staff. You’re the best, and us German performance car lovers are lucky to have you to read so often. i’ve gone from an E34 M5 to a 928S 5-speed to a car i currently believe is by far the best performance car buy on the market – a 2003 996 Carrera 4S. For less than the price of most family economy sedans I have what I consider the best performance car I’ve ever owned. An engineering lifetime better than the ’72 911T that I owned when it was only a year old, and at the time, was the best performance car I ever owned. But that car was expensive in its time. The 996 is almost a giveaway (mine already had the IMS and clutch issue resolved before I bought it with 60 K miles. I’m looking forward to putting at least 60K more miles on it. I honestly think it represents an apex in Porsche street performance, from a standpoint of styling, interior comfort (I’m 6’2″ and 215) and performance.. The power is a thrill, the gearbox flawless and the cornering power is awesome. I’m looking forward to my first track day at NJMP. Best of all is its non-collector status. I can drive as hard as I please without worrying that I’m trashing the cars’ value by driving it. I own a pristine, low mileage 951 and a similar RS America. Neither comes close to the driving excitement of the 3.6 Carrera, and I hesitate to drive either car for cost and value reasons. My thanks and unabated appreciation for the site — the fine writing and the consistently interesting cars. BAT is the only other site that provides continuously enjoyable and edifying writing about cars for us enthusiasts. Kudos and thanks. David

  12. Paul/AutoKennel
    Paul/AutoKennel October 20, 2016

    I just tried to list one car for sale…ended up buying two ads. Read through your interface information and never had the “yellow” box pop up asking me to return.

    Can you please refund the $20?

    The account is under my business partner’s paypal which is ed@autokennel.com.

    Thanks

    Paul
    714-335-4911

  13. Carter
    Carter October 21, 2016

    Hi Paul,

    I forwarded to Dan to resolve. Thanks for working with us!
    Best,
    Carter

  14. Chris
    Chris October 31, 2016

    Hi Carter- I listed my 951 with you guys a few years ago and wanted to discuss a desirable Audi with you to post next possibly. Could you contact me back at your convenience? Thanks!

  15. Clayton Griggs
    Clayton Griggs November 29, 2016

    Hi there, I always watch your website and I think I might be ready to list one of my cars for sale soon. I would love to have it listed here as I believe many people watch this site. Please contact me back if its possible to list on here. Thanks

  16. Anthony Caico
    Anthony Caico December 7, 2016

    May I post my collector BMW e30 for sale on your site please?
    Thank you!

  17. faiz rahman
    faiz rahman December 8, 2016

    Guys how do we contact you to submit interesting cars we find for your great site….I can’t seem to find a contact link

  18. MDriver
    MDriver January 17, 2017

    Like the new site format…
    best of luck and keep up the good work…
    All the Best
    M

  19. Carter
    Carter January 17, 2017

    Thanks @MDriver – glad you’re still around!

  20. Bob Salter
    Bob Salter January 30, 2017

    Love the new page format and layout. Good luck with this endeavour. Your page has been my home screen for while ow.

  21. Bob Salter
    Bob Salter January 30, 2017

    Love the new page format and layout. Good luck with this endeavour. Your page has been my home screen for while now.

  22. Carter
    Carter January 30, 2017

    Thanks @Bob Salter!

  23. Andrew
    Andrew February 7, 2017

    Andrew, in your article about the Europa trucks, just what did you mean about the AES and Smart Key “leaving you stranded without notice?” Like my 2000 G55 did last month? I tried a new key, no luck; I hotwired the starter, works fine; when I turn the key to first position I get lights, bells, etc but when I try to crank it all I hear is…crickets. Also can’t locate the starter relay if that is any way the right thing to chase. Not in battery box in rear of truck.
    Thanks,
    Andrew

  24. Katie
    Katie April 18, 2017

    Hi . . . I am looking to find a new & loving home for my Audi S4 (92). I posted it t the AudiWorld forums site, but found your blog and thought you might be able to give me another suggestion of where to post my handsome, well loved, if not slightly older Audi 😉 . . . .hoping to find someone who will enjoy it as much as I have !

    Thanks in advance,
    Katie
    (kathryn.formancook@gmail.com)

  25. Chris
    Chris August 9, 2017

    This has got to be posted.

  26. William Htun
    William Htun September 3, 2017

    Hi ! I recently read a write up that Carter wrote regarding the sale of an Audi S6 avant (2003?). Part of the write up referred to the difference between the allroads with a v6 and turbos vs s6 with the v8. As I really researched the car on the Audi forums, I am familiar about the faults of the allroads and the over finicky air suspension and other issues. However, in 2013 I purchased a 2004 allroad…. but I did so because it had the 4.2 v8. A local German auto independent mechanic I took my car to recently noted to me that he had never had a v8 allroad in before, just the turbo v6’s. I am really interested in your thoughts and experiences with this combination of allroad drivetrain an the s6 avant.
    Thank you in advance, william

  27. Frank Virnig
    Frank Virnig September 27, 2017

    Hi guys,

    I love reading your daily email and dreaming about a lot of the cars you feature. I am a die hard German car guy and have owned several GTI’s, Corrados, Sciroccos, Jettas, a B5 Passat, B5 Audi S4, a e36, e46 and a 951…well, you get the gist. I have been looking at 124 Mercedes 400e’s but sadly, my timing is not right to seriously take the leap. The point of my rant is I found a 400e in Saratoga, CA on Craigslist. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/6321145786.html
    Not the best ad but the car looks solid and although I am tempted to buy it, I just can’t pull the trigger now. It looks deserving of a good home and I thought someone on here may hopefully be its next steward.

  28. Don Bower
    Don Bower October 26, 2017

    Note to Carter: Today’s nit to pick with your review of the white Wolfsburg VW cabrio: BMW did, in fact, provide a cabrio prior to the 3-series; there is a ’72 BMW Baur Targa Cabrio in my garage. 2002’s were converted from 1971-75 and sold new in Euro BMW dealerships, and Voll converted 1600’s before that. Now I grant you that BMW never exported these to the US, so there’s your out. Enjoying the blog.

  29. Carter
    Carter October 27, 2017

    @Don, fair point, and the Baurs were converted on the E21 too (and they subsequently offered them on E30 and E36 models!). But you’re right, my comments were in regard to officially available in U.S. dealerships, and in 1982, that was only the Rabbit and SL. The 911 joined for ’83, and the E30 first came after ’86. Anyway, thanks for the input and enjoy the Baur! They built some really neat cars!

  30. Gary P Beck
    Gary P Beck December 1, 2017

    Have you seen the E28 535is on BAT? An absolutely amazing car. Take a look. You will not believe your eyes. I have seen this car in person many times.

  31. Matthew
    Matthew December 8, 2017

    Rob:

    Great write up about the 930. There is a little mistake about the validity from the dealership though. This exact car was not featured on the cover of Excellence. The exact one featured on that cover is not really a Turbo rather a regular 911 converted into a slant. If curious on how I know this, shoot me an email.
    https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1988-porsche-930-slantnose-coupe-2/

    Cheers.

    Matt

  32. Ignacia
    Ignacia December 15, 2017

    Hey There. I have a question, and maybe people reading this blog could helpp me….

    My father has recently bought a mercedes benz 250 CE from 1970, and I would like to give him as a Christmas present the manual of this car. Do you know where I can find it? I found this website online(http://www.mb115.com/) but it says for 250C and not CE, would it work as well?

    Thanks!!!

  33. Carter
    Carter December 16, 2017

    Ignacia – the 250C and 250CE are basically the same car but the “E” has fuel injection. If you’re looking for fuel system info, this book won’t have it, but otherwise mechanically it should work. Good luck!

  34. Carter
    Carter January 24, 2018

    Thanks, Peter – I actually referenced that car in another listing and I think it just sold in the last few days. Thanks for thinking of us!

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