Are you guys hoarding parts?

[e46_448]

are they though? besides bmw individual trim and some CSL parts everything seems pretty accessible still

Apparently, CSL parts need proof of a CSL's VIN to obtain the part, but does BMW still carry CSL parts?

[usdmej]

Apparently, CSL parts need proof of a CSL's VIN to obtain the part, but does BMW still carry CSL parts?

this was the case decades ago when actual csl owners were in an uproar over their cars becoming unspecial, but nowadays bmw has no issues selling $3k plastic trunks to anyone who is willing to buy them

[TexaZ3]

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

Not only that, some are going NLA quicker than you can find the part number to look it up online. Some are really crucial and E46 specific parts too. Try finding a genuine left front shock mount.

[simon_c]

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.

Hoarding an entire car for parts has entered the chat lol. Honestly, that would probably come in handy at some point.

[tnord]

to be clear, I’m not talking about for personal use. I’m talking about buying up every totaled car I can find and parting them out to keep the good ones running for a long time.

[Bebop]

Hoarding an entire car for parts has entered the chat lol. Honestly, that would probably come in handy at some point.

I have a parts car.
It's not the end all be all solution because some parts deteriorate from simply sitting, but it has saved my ass plenty. Especially on misc hardware, brackets and little things.

[Obioban]

to be clear, I’m not talking about for personal use. I’m talking about buying up every totaled car I can find and parting them out to keep the good ones running for a long time.

There's a member on M5board (Clemster) who does this for e39 M5 parts. HUGELY useful, as those parts have been $$$$ for years now. I used him all the time when I had it.

[tnord]

I was thinking about doing it for every M car prior to the e90.

[oceansize]

I was thinking about doing it for every M car prior to the e90.

You won't have the 46 m3 market to yourself (I'm sure you know this). Several places buy them up and part them out already. M Parts Worldwide for example.

[tnord]

I’m aware of them, but I think I would have the advantage of having good access to southern vehicles in OK, AR, TX, etc.

it would be a supplemental business to a couple other things I’d do with the space.

I don’t know that I’ll for real do it. But it’s a reasonable idea.

[George Hill]

The used market is ever evolving. I used to throwaway parts that are now in high demand. Now whenever I part a car almost nothing gets trashed unless it is beyond repair or reasonable repair. Used cars are going up and up in value too. tnord I don't know your background as you said it would be supplemental, but unless you have access to off market cars every player has that access too and most are not afraid to ship the right cars. I can say that being in central Texas if there is an M3 under $5k I do everything I can to get it and its not easy. Much more than that its hard to sell a good part and make money at least for me.

Cataloging and storing parts is incredibly labor intensive as well. Then you have a fair number of people who are just wasting your time sending lists of parts and then deciding its too expensive or what not.

Getting your parts to market is another challenge. eBay fees are huge and the threat of fraud is rampant.

Clemster is a good example. He got kicked off the M5board for not bucking up to be a vendor but I think he is so well established that it may be a blessing because he only gets people who are ready to spend money contacting him. If I have an M5 specific part I need, he is my first call, great guy.

All this to say its a tough market, but can be done if you really want. Casually speaking its hard to justify IMO.

[Obioban]

The used market is ever evolving. I used to throwaway parts that are now in high demand. Now whenever I part a car almost nothing gets trashed unless it is beyond repair or reasonable repair. Used cars are going up and up in value too. tnord I don't know your background as you said it would be supplemental, but unless you have access to off market cars every player has that access too and most are not afraid to ship the right cars. I can say that being in central Texas if there is an M3 under $5k I do everything I can to get it and its not easy. Much more than that its hard to sell a good part and make money at least for me.

Cataloging and storing parts is incredibly labor intensive as well. Then you have a fair number of people who are just wasting your time sending lists of parts and then deciding its too expensive or what not.

Getting your parts to market is another challenge. eBay fees are huge and the threat of fraud is rampant.

Clemster is a good example. He got kicked off the M5board for not bucking up to be a vendor but I think he is so well established that it may be a blessing because he only gets people who are ready to spend money contacting him. If I have an M5 specific part I need, he is my first call, great guy.

All this to say its a tough market, but can be done if you really want. Casually speaking its hard to justify IMO.

Good thing he doesn't have to deal with M5board for the e46

An e46 M3 focused Clemster equivalent would be super welcome here, and our "sponsorship cost" is making the platform or this forum better.

[tnord]

full disclosure, I'm <5yrs away from "retirement" and looking at other things to do mostly for fun.

I was looking at a building for the purpose of running a small auto storage business, I have a few neighbors looking for space the same as I am. I found an awesome location, but it's chopped up space not conducive to lots of auto storage, and it has a retail storefront. I was going to put a coffee shop/euro cafe in front like we went to on our Germany/Austria trip, but there's still a few thousand square feet of deteriorated office space I didn't know what to do with. If I buy and tear down one crashed M3 per month, then expand into other models as time and space allow, I can let the parts sit in storage for about as long as I want. I don't need the money, that's not the core business, and the longer I sit on them the more valuable they are. 🤷♂️

so yeah, I'd like to make a little money doing it, but I don't need to make a living running a fancy scrapyard.

and yes, I'd be happy to "sponsor" the forum.