The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[Tbonem3]

Also, isn't the S54 the best engine ever made? I mean, where did they go after it? There was no better 6 cyl afterwards, just worse engines with turbos or bigger engines (s65/s85) that didn't put out the numbers for their displacement the S54 does right?

My friend's bone stock e46 m3 keeps up with my bone stock e90 m3 until like 80mph where e90 just slightly pulls away. Incredible.

[Tbonem3]

Hard to see the value at $100k when there are very nice examples at $25-30k, and esp when it's the aftermarket stuff that we all like to play with anyway, adding to a nice example that we've fixed/cleaned up.

I will say though, it's hard to think of another car that provides such an incredible experience anywhere near $25k+. And even if you think of a decent comparable, it will lose out in another major department. Like an S2000 is a ton of fun with a buttery shifter, but it doesn't have the class, the luxury, the features, the cargo space, the comfort, the prestige, an S54, etc.
The E46 M3 was a perfect storm. Like Earth, just the right distance from the sun.

[oceansize]

The cars are worth what people will pay. Anyone forking over six figures for an e46 can (and likely do) have anything they want.

Not really getting the GT4 comparison. That's a track car. The m3 is a GT street car. I think Aston Martin's are the only proper upgrade for this type. (Which you can get even cheaper!)

For sure, you don't spend a $100k on a e46 m3 unless you have the means and don't care about comparisons. I'm simply saying for me, six figures pops up and I don't think e46 m3, street or track.

[01SG]

The cars are worth what people will pay. Anyone forking over six figures for an e46 can (and likely do) have anything they want.

Not really getting the GT4 comparison. That's a track car. The m3 is a GT street car. I think Aston Martin's are the only proper upgrade for this type. (Which you can get even cheaper!)

[oceansize]

IMO – not to take away from anyone else's experience/values/opinions...

I also struggle to see the E46 M3 at the six-figure level in terms of how good it is per se. The problem is, in terms of an honest, feelsome, responsive, analog, but still accessible driving experience, there's so little else out there that competes. People differ greatly in how much they value those aspects; those who value them highly will drive the price up (alongside the nostalgia-driven folks).

Problem is at $100,000k you entered mid to even low mileage Cayman 718 GT4 money (I know because my brother and I are actively looking and test driving) and there is no way I'm buying an e46 m3 over the Cayman. I love these cars dearly, but the Cayman is better at everything. Obviously if having a usable back seat means something then I suppose, but I don't let backseats drive my purchasing decisions.

[IamFODI]

I’m struggling to see these cars as a 6 figure driving or ownership experience.

IMO – not to take away from anyone else's experience/values/opinions...

I also struggle to see the E46 M3 at the six-figure level in terms of how good it is per se. The problem is, in terms of an honest, feelsome, responsive, analog, but still accessible driving experience, there's so little else out there that competes. People differ greatly in how much they value those aspects; those who value them highly will drive the price up (alongside the nostalgia-driven folks).

[Nate047]

Interested to see how this pans out, is the juice worth the squeeze? I’m struggling to see these cars as a 6 figure driving or ownership experience. I do get the nostalgia angle, to a point. What other cars do you have or have you had in the interim since your last e46?

[Gt4]

As an addition to all that's included in the purchase price, I asked them to replace items that even checked out OK like the chassis mounts, fan clutch and fan blades. They've been very fair, in fact pretty generous, about not charging me labor for these change orders and then some. Sorry for any confusion.

Like many auto enthusiasts, I'm OCD to a fault and don't have time to waste so value having the car be ready to enjoy the moment I pick it up. I even bought a new OEM steering wheel and shift knob just to stash. I was willing to pay their asking price to replicate my only experience with the E46 M3 over two decades ago: First owner, 8 miles young.

Suffice it to say it's my first time doing business with them buying this Time M for Machine. I'm happy with what they're delivering thus far. Final verdict coming when I have the car, butt in seat.

P.S. Catching up about Miles End Composite - good stuff!

Post some pictures of the car please!

I am selling the GT4 Composites parts (everything I sell is carbon fiber). Mile End Composites have the CSL front bumper fiberglass version.

[AbbeyRoad]

You bought from EAG and you have to do all those maintenance??? I was under the impression the premium they were asking was for their rejuvination program...

As an addition to all that's included in the purchase price, I asked them to replace items that even checked out OK like the chassis mounts, fan clutch and fan blades. They've been very fair, in fact pretty generous, about not charging me labor for these change orders and then some. Sorry for any confusion.

Like many auto enthusiasts, I'm OCD to a fault and don't have time to waste so value having the car be ready to enjoy the moment I pick it up. I even bought a new OEM steering wheel and shift knob just to stash. I was willing to pay their asking price to replicate my only experience with the E46 M3 over two decades ago: First owner, 8 miles young.

Suffice it to say it's my first time doing business with them buying this Time M for Machine. I'm happy with what they're delivering thus far. Final verdict coming when I have the car, butt in seat.

P.S. Catching up about Miles End Composite - good stuff!

[oceansize]

Link?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-m3-coupe-272/

Subsequent work performed by Enthusiast Auto Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, totaled more than $31k and involved refreshing the interior and exterior, adjusting the valves, and installing a replacement windshield, oil pan gasket, and Competition-specification brake rotors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDPomNIp...RlODBiNWFlZA==

[IamFODI]

Go through the latest $35k rejuvenation they performed on a 54k mile LSB that sold for $81k.

Link?

[fattycharged]

You bought from EAG and you have to do all those maintenance??? I was under the impression the premium they were asking was for their rejuvination program...

Go through the latest $35k rejuvenation they performed on a 54k mile LSB that sold for $81k.


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[Gt4]

Nostalgia bug bit me as I recently picked up an EAG sourced, four-digit miles, 6-speed w/ pristine ownership history. I'm no Mr Money Bags, but I do plan on actually piling on 5K miles per year as a pure pleasure vehicle with zero hesitation. Right off the bat, I'm modifying it with all new parts: KW V3s, BBS LMs, Eisenmann 76s, full Vorsteiner CSL kit and Xpel PPF. I'm certainly stashing the stock bits.

To baseline, all fluids will be new. Though not needed, I'm also refreshing the RTABs, engine mounts, transmission mount, VANOS, fan clutch, fan blades and some known leaky rubber bits like the engine oil pan gasket, etc. I'll be removing the CDV as I couldn't stand it when I had my 2004 bought new eons ago.

If I keep it long enough, I'll look at preemptively reinforcing the subframe mounting points. I'm guessing I'm pretty far off from cracking open the S54 to service the rod bearings. Engine oil will be changed every 3K with no maintenance expenses spared. Just gotta keep the shiny side up.

Great to be here!

You bought from EAG and you have to do all those maintenance??? I was under the impression the premium they were asking was for their rejuvination program...

[maw1124]

These "buy the odometer, get a nice color combo car for free" deals are interesting to me. But something about a fool and their money + bragging rights. That equation nets out the same backwards and forwards.

At 5k miles a year or less, you'll be forever wearing out these 300k mile cars. It wasn't EAG (who I did visit and drove one of theirs -- overpriced as you'd imagine) but Active Autowerke who taught me that lesson as I was driving they're 250k mile demo car and it felt basically new. Right then I decided I'd probably never need to sell this car. 15 years later it has 30k more miles on it and drives better now than when I bought it still under factory extended warranty.

Why pay extra for more when you can't use it all anyway?

maw

[oceansize]

Nostalgia bug bit me as I recently picked up an EAG sourced, four-digit miles, 6-speed w/ pristine ownership history. I'm no Mr Money Bags, but I do plan on actually piling on 5K miles per year as a pure pleasure vehicle with zero hesitation. Right off the bat, I'm modifying it with all new parts: KW V3s, BBS LMs, Eisenmann 76s, full Vorsteiner CSL kit and Xpel PPF. I'm certainly stashing the stock bits.

To baseline, all fluids will be new. Though not needed, I'm also refreshing the RTABs, engine mounts, transmission mount, VANOS, fan clutch, fan blades and some known leaky rubber bits like the engine oil pan gasket, etc. I'll be removing the CDV as I couldn't stand it when I had my 2004 bought new eons ago.

If I keep it long enough, I'll look at preemptively reinforcing the subframe mounting points. I'm guessing I'm pretty far off from cracking open the S54 to service the rod bearings. Engine oil will be changed every 3K with no maintenance expenses spared. Just gotta keep the shiny side up.

Great to be here!

5k a year over your two years of ownership and you're selling at close to what you bought it for, but then again you bought from EAG so maybe not. Welcome aboard.

As a reminder: here is what EAG lists a four digit e46 m3 for.