Are you guys hoarding parts?

[zzyzx85]

since my job is not intellectually challenging in the least, I've been thinking about this more and more.

what are E30 people doing to keep their cars running? What about E9 people? part of me thinks we're in a transition period of losing manufacturer support but haven't had enough time for the aftermarket to find solutions?

I noticed that most critical parts to keep an E30 running are still available but non-critical parts like trim pieces or some random sensor are becoming harder to find and it ends up being finding used or NOS parts.

I worry the same will happen to the E46 but there seems to be good aftermarket support for it. I noticed aftermarket support for the E30 has continued to get better too so time will tell how both do.

[9kracing]

I'm hoarding parts but only cause I'm bad at selling stuff

[bigjae46]

since my job is not intellectually challenging in the least, I've been thinking about this more and more.

what are E30 people doing to keep their cars running? What about E9 people? part of me thinks we're in a transition period of losing manufacturer support but haven't had enough time for the aftermarket to find solutions?

lol...I feel the same way about my job.

The challenge with the E46 is the plastic crap - not as easy to replicate. That is changing with 3D scanners and printers.

[Estoril]

since my job is not intellectually challenging in the least, I've been thinking about this more and more.

what are E30 people doing to keep their cars running? What about E9 people? part of me thinks we're in a transition period of losing manufacturer support but haven't had enough time for the aftermarket to find solutions?

It appears that they aren't driving them. They have become Garage Queens.

[bigjae46]

It appears that they aren't driving them. They have become Garage Queens.

Yup. Or they are clapped out Spec30 racecars.

[oceansize]

That is what I was saying earlier. A classic car dies (garage queen status) when it can no longer be enjoyed by a wide audience. Does that matter to super dedicated small groups who will do whatever is necessary? No.

However, these aren't first generation Mustangs that sold millions of cars. On the flip side they sold way more than the E30 M3, so I suppose that bodes somewhat well for the next ten years.

[tnord]

google says the e30m3 sold 18,000 units and the e46m3 sold 86,000 units. I would hope we'll have good aftermarket support for another couple decades, but who knows.

[bigjae46]

google says the e30m3 sold 18,000 units and the e46m3 sold 86,000 units. I would hope we'll have good aftermarket support for another couple decades, but who knows.

I would say difference is a little misleading given that teen boys crashed a lot more E46s than E30s...lol

[tnord]

well yes. when I looked at the number I figured you could probably write off about half of each of them. meaning the attrition rate for e46s is much higher than e30s.

[tnord]

random question....

what does the collective group think is a fair price for a used OE part in good condition? If that stupid air hose is $500 new, what's a used one worth? $50? $100? more broadly what's a fair price for a used part in good condition? 25% of new? 50%?

[bigjae46]

random question....

what does the collective group think is a fair price for a used OE part in good condition? If that stupid air hose is $500 new, what's a used one worth? $50? $100? more broadly what's a fair price for a used part in good condition? 25% of new? 50%?

Anything plastic or rubber that is in good shape is still essentially worthless unless it is new-ish. I'd sell a used rubber hose that is $500 for $50 max. Now you got those "I know what I've got types" which of course will ask for a lot more.

[tnord]

the plastic parts for these cars is tough for sure.

I’m wondering what the value of a totaled car is should I part it out. I may or may not have had my eyes on a building with a bunch of relatively unusable space.

It would be perfect for storing parts however.

[Bebop]

Yup. Or they are clapped out Spec30 racecars.

I'd argue that Spec30 racers are the ones having the most amount of fun anyway so I'm glad they are still flogging on the old girls...

[TexaZ3]

I started buying parts for every maintenance job that I need to do in the future, like cooling system, drivetrain parts, suspension parts, etc. Also external cosmetics, like seals, moldings, trim. Even if it is available later, it is not going to be any cheaper than right now. The problem is that even quality after market started disappearing and being replaced with crap. We used to buy quality stuff from Lemforder, Sachs, BEHR, and TRW, etc which was still made in Germany/Europe, now we have HT and MTC crap made in China which doesn't even fit right.

[e46_448]

Speaking of hoarding, are e46 m3 parts becoming more scarce?