E46 M3 values vs. E9X M3 values

[usdmej]

On other platforms, it seems like (good) modifications are more and more tolerated/value add with each year that passes. It seems like the people that value 100% original cars are dying out.

got any examples? i've always had the impression that the collector car market cared first and foremost about originality

[maw1124]

‘92 500E is a great example… all original low milers command the highest premiums, but the market does tolerate aftermarket stereos, wheels and exhausts just because it’s widely recognized that newer rubber and stereos perform better than in 1992… (any 20+ year old stereo more or less has to go, because obsolete)… here, I think most of the mods people do will be tolerated, the lone exception being “maybe” supercharging… but intakes, exhausts, radios (stock look and feel), wheels and tunes will all be fine… but people DO get picky with suspension mods… OE is clearly king there.

In Benz circles, folks like AMG, Brabus and RENNTech have made people more comfortable with mods… and the whole restomod crowd are starting to command real premiums if done correctly (tasteful high quality).

maw

[Obioban]

Restomod muscle cars and air cooled 911s are the leading examples that come to mind.

[yhp2009]

At least on BaT i feel like ive seen quite a few old 911s with various interior and suspension mods that were appreciated by the bidders. As long as theyre clean and enhanced the oem look.

[usdmej]

‘92 500E is a great example…

Restomod muscle cars

are those valued more or equal than original vehicles though?

like for example, many years down the road, what do you guys think this will be more valuable,

a low mileage E46 M3 all original, or the exact same car with an airbox and carbon roof that wasn't original to the car?

[maw1124]

I think the one with the factory issue high value mods (wheels, airbox, carbon, etc) will command more money. No one will care as much about VIN specificity. No one will ding me if I put a CSL airbox and OE Euro headers on my US Vert.

There is a clear difference though between factory available OE mods and whatever China decided to produce one year.

maw

[Obioban]

are those valued more or equal than original vehicles though?

like for example, many years down the road, what do you guys think this will be more valuable,

a low mileage E46 M3 all original, or the exact same car with an airbox and carbon roof that wasn't original to the car?

The highest sale price, but not lowest mileage, e46 M3 on BaT was modded.

The most valuable air cooleds are almost certainly the Singers, which are quite modified.

[usdmej]

The highest sale price, but not lowest mileage, e46 M3 on BaT was modded.

.

that's a great reference point

[Tbonem3]

Well, we don't know what it sold for though right? It's still probably true that it's the highest selling auctioned e46 m3.

[cobra]

For me personally, I would rather have a completely original car over one that was modded. In most cases (thought usually not in this enthusiast community), when people mod cars they usually mess something up. Broken plastic tabs, the wrong hardware, misalignment, hacked wiring. It hurts me so deep to see that.

I think the E46 is the best generation for reasons mentioned above. It wins on style points easily because it's still got that classic boxy BMW shape before the E92 started stretching out and getting pointy/swoopy.

Everyone keeps talking about how prices will skyrocket. I think that is true for the next 5-10 years before things taper off and the next generation of people favor tech/performance over our idea of the driving experience. It's sad but I understand it too.

[Tom Day]

Rennlist taught me that the answer to this type of question is 'who cares?!"

[TexaZ3]

That's why I have the e39 M5. I don't like it nearly as much as the M3, but it add variety to the fleet, comfort, V8 noises, and is still nice to work on.

... and, sometimes, it's nice to take it because it's easy/comfortable :P

In a lot of ways, the e9X M3 is kind of the half way point between e46 M3 and e39 M5.

I have all 3 - and IMO E9x is a better and more capable car than both E46 and E39. There are few things that bug me, but overall, its exceptional.

[Obioban]

I have all 3 - and IMO E9x is a better and more capable car than both E46 and E39. There are few things that bug me, but overall, its exceptional.

Yeah, I DD’d one for a month. It’s inarguably capable. I just didn’t find it as enjoyable. It’s uneventfully when not going HARD, and it’s too capable to go hard with any sort of regularity.

The e46 is much more enjoyable at, say, 5/10ths.
The trade off is that the e46 is worse at being a luxurious DD, but I’m fine with that.

[bigjae46]

I own both (E46 M3 and E90 M3). If you've ever REALLY driven an E9X M3 through a turn...there isn't any way you can say I like the E46 M3 better. The only people that really moan about the weight are the ones who compare numbers. The weight is mostly inconsequential except for low speed switchbacks. Any place where the weight becomes an issue, you stick the throttle to the floor and slide it.

Long term, I think the E9X M3 will hold its value better. Base model sedans will be the highest (no iDrive, no sunroof, cloth interior). The DCT is far more reliable, don't think 6 speeds command a significant premium. Prices for cars haven't really dipped below $20k. You can get some E9X M3 sh1tboxes for under $20k, at one point you could get a decent E46 M3 for about $10k-$15k.

The E46 M3 is a great car. The E90 M3 is better.

[TexaZ3]

Yeah, I DD’d one for a month. It’s inarguably capable. I just didn’t find it as enjoyable. It’s uneventfully when not going HARD, and it’s too capable to go hard with any sort of regularity.

The e46 is much more enjoyable at, say, 5/10ths.
The trade off is that the e46 is worse at being a luxurious DD, but I’m fine with that.

I have an E93. You take that roof off, and it instantly makes it eventful And you can hear the exhaust note pretty well too, lol!