The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[bagger]

Thanks for the input, I plan on taking the car into the shop and having a full once over with a minimum of fluids and tires. Depending on what they find I may drive the car for a bit before going doing a major overhaul.

It’s already had the Besian kit installed and rod bearings as part of the recall (although they could be redone at this point) and apparently the sub-frame is intact.

When I got my car from a questionable place I took it to my trusted mechanic and asked them to put things into "need to do, nice to do, later in life" kinda buckets. Perhaps that approach might work for you to avoid some initial sticker shock.

After a couple of years of ownership it is extremely dialed in now and I couldn't be happier. I have way more into it than what's it worth (double, maybe) - but I love it so I don't care. Ha.

Congrats.

[Hammerfang]

Thanks for the input, I plan on taking the car into the shop and having a full once over with a minimum of fluids and tires. Depending on what they find I may drive the car for a bit before going doing a major overhaul.

It’s already had the Besian kit installed and rod bearings as part of the recall (although they could be redone at this point) and apparently the sub-frame is intact.

[maw1124]

I don’t know if I’ll own the car forever but needed to scratch the itch and this seems like the best way to do it.

Oh yeah, it's an M car, no doubt.

maw

[jet_dogg]

Good. My recommendation, if you plan to keep it a couple or more years, is to replace common failing parts so you don't get stranded or left chasing your tail trying to diag certain shit.

There is a maintenance sticky somewhere that is pretty good but I'd recommend tps sensors, cam sensors, fuel pump, fuel filter, coils, cooling system refresh, fluids, gaskets, and common leak points. This chassis is notorious for a short interval sensor replacement imho.

[Hammerfang]

Thanks, I previously had an 03 330i and have literally spent decades at this point reading up about these cars so I have a pretty good idea of what I’m getting myself into.

[jet_dogg]

I was the high bidder on this car and am currently working out a deal with the seller. I think your analysis is spot on.

I’ve wanted one of these cars, especially in LSB, since they came out when I was in high school. It maybe a bit of a cliche to buy at my age (mid-life crisis) but it’s something I’ve wanted for more than half my life and it’s now becoming a reality.

I’m super excited but tempering my excitement with the reality that this is a 23 year old car with 131k miles and will need some work.

The plan is to restore the car into a high quality driver that I can enjoy guilt free.

Congrats dude, you won't be disappointed but just be prepared to drop some cash to refresh.

I'm embarrassed (well not really) how much I've spent over the years on what is quite possibly the highest maintenance yet most rewarding driver's car there is.

[Hammerfang]

That’s the plan, I had bid on the LSB over LSB car
on BaT a few weeks ago and the cost started to get out of hand to the point I wouldn’t want to drive it.

This car (hopefully) gets me a more enjoyable experience at a lower cost.

I don’t know if I’ll own the car forever but needed to scratch the itch and this seems like the best way to do it.

[maw1124]

I was the high bidder on this car and am currently working out a deal with the seller. I think your analysis is spot on.

I’ve wanted one of these cars, especially in LSB, since they came out when I was in high school. It maybe a bit of a cliche to buy at my age (mid-life crisis) but it’s something I’ve wanted for more than half my life and it’s now becoming a reality.

I’m super excited but tempering my excitement with the reality that this is a 23 year old car with 131k miles and will need some work.

The plan is to restore the car into a high quality driver that I can enjoy guilt free.

I think for that, if you can get it for $28k and put another $10k into it, you won't be driving around in it feeling silly. It'll be worth more or less what you have into it as an experience, and you can afford the few grand here or there.

GL

maw

[Hammerfang]

Here's one that's a reality check as it relates to all that goes into valuation of these cars - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m3-coupe-25/

LSB coupe 6MT alone is not enough to fetch top $. High mileage, non-original interior, pre-LCI, not exactly well maintained/refreshed and IMO poor presentation (especially with the LCM tamper dot issue).

I think it was a decent deal for someone who really wanted LSB but again, it goes to show that LSB alone does not equal big money when the rest is sub-par.

I was the high bidder on this car and am currently working out a deal with the seller. I think your analysis is spot on.

I’ve wanted one of these cars, especially in LSB, since they came out when I was in high school. It maybe a bit of a cliche to buy at my age (mid-life crisis) but it’s something I’ve wanted for more than half my life and it’s now becoming a reality.

I’m super excited but tempering my excitement with the reality that this is a 23 year old car with 131k miles and will need some work.

The plan is to restore the car into a high quality driver that I can enjoy guilt free.

[maw1124]

Except I drive a used car that has increased in value, which is a nice warm fuzzy. Or in my case, two! ;-)

Beats ALL odds... especially when you drive one that goes parabolic after you buy it... fun as hell!!

maw

[maw1124]

That seems a bit harsh. Seems like involved seller, did a lot of work inc. Big 3 and only drove car 6K in three years. I'd want to get more than I paid if I was seller. But then I own a 06 ZCP so maybe I'm biased.

Yeah... The question is whether "the market" appreciates that work as much as we do here.

maw

[PetrolM3]

Yes, I can smile all I want about what I paid for my ZCP in 2014. Doesn't relate to today. Except I drive a used car that has increased in value, which is a nice warm fuzzy. Or in my case, two! ;-)

Similar experience here. I got my M3 in 2013 and sold it in 2023 - got all my money back including maintenance, mods, and then some. Sure was/is a good feeling but let's be honest - had we both put that money into real estate or something even more lucrative, we'd be smiling much more than we are. Regardless, we're better off than people whose cars depreciated over the same period. Personally, I was lucky enough to also be able to buy a house during this period which is why I know that all the money I had in the M3 could have grown exponentially more if profit was the priority. But life is not just about money - I don't exactly regret my M3 adventure since I can say that I ate my cake and still have plenty left.

[BlueBimmers]

2015 prices are obviously going to be very different from today's.. they have basically doubled since then because E46 M3 hit full depreciation in early 2010s, then started to appreciate, became even more of an icon in the enthusiast and collector world than they were before. Add the post 2020 price rage, and here we are. Market has slowed down and even declined over the past year but I can say with confidence that prices of low mileage clean cars are basically double of what they were 10 years ago.

Yes, I can smile all I want about what I paid for my ZCP in 2014. Doesn't relate to today. Except I drive a used car that has increased in value, which is a nice warm fuzzy. Or in my case, two! ;-)

[jet_dogg]

Single owner is huge plus since it appears it hasn't been raped over and over again. Even though pre-lci and sunroof it would be a good buy in the 40s with that mileage.

[PetrolM3]

I bought an identical M with 40 k on it June 10 2015. Not telling what I paid for it!

2015 prices are obviously going to be very different from today's.. they have basically doubled since then because E46 M3 hit full depreciation in early 2010s, then started to appreciate, became even more of an icon in the enthusiast and collector world than they were before. Add the post 2020 price rage, and here we are. Market has slowed down and even declined over the past year but I can say with confidence that prices of low mileage clean cars are basically double of what they were 10 years ago.