The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[bmw m3 s50]

I was against EAG for a long time during the beginning of my ownership in early 2019. But I'm in two minds about this. Is a run of the mill low mile pre LCI car worth above 40-50k hell no, LSB or not. Are other cars worth more, I think yes. Mileage and condition do matter, is a LeMans Blau on lotus white LCI car worth 100k with comparable low miles, I think yes. And I would want to own that car. I genuinely long for a comfortable S54 experience where I dont have to memorize creases in the road.

I know EAG charges a lot for work that is sometimes mediocre, I have the receipts for my car as well that was once in their hands. However, I can't imagine that EAG is completely incompetent when it comes to their services and as well they have a large inventory of parts that may be, or soon will be NLA. That's a value add for the mileage whores.

For the large majority, a good car, with honest mods is worth somewhere in the 40s and probably no more. The pull to this car is all of its components, I think the S54 is the main factor, but the chassis (potential), the styling (so many of us hold it above everything else and rightly so) are what make it so "valuable". The aftermarket is truly insane for a car this old without factory support. Imagine what it would be like if BMW took after Porsche or Nissan (with the Omori/GTR stuff).

I dont think EAG is the evil it once was. I think some of the companies selling chinesium branded as home made are way worse.

I think the reality of EAG is that they serve those with money that do not want to spend the time looking for a low mileage car or rare example of a car. We all know how long a search takes to find that unicorn car. Some people do not have the time nor patience but they have the money. The fact that EAG is now pretty well known helps when people are looking for these types of unicorn cars. A lot of EAG customers from my understanding are repeat customers, where they will buy a car then sell that same car back to EAG to buy a different car. EAG is constantly in the market looking for some clean examples of unicorn BMW cars, they are not overpaying for these cars rather just jumping on them as they hit the market with a cash offer. They offer the reconditioning service as a way to justify the markup, but everyone knows the truth, your paying for convenience. I look at EAG more of a concierge service than a car dealer.

What a car sells for is what someone is willing to pay for it. At this point LSB is the most in-demand color for the e46 m3. Having LSB automatically adds 20-30% more cost compared to other colors. This percentage can go up even more with the right color interior, year and options. The fact that it was only produced for 4 out of the 6 years helps with the exclusivity. I could honestly car less if the color is exclusive or not. I own two LSBs e46 m3s because I honestly think it was the most amazing color produced on the e46 m3.

[CrisSilberGrau]

I was against EAG for a long time during the beginning of my ownership in early 2019. But I'm in two minds about this. Is a run of the mill low mile pre LCI car worth above 40-50k hell no, LSB or not. Are other cars worth more, I think yes. Mileage and condition do matter, is a LeMans Blau on lotus white LCI car worth 100k with comparable low miles, I think yes. And I would want to own that car. I genuinely long for a comfortable S54 experience where I dont have to memorize creases in the road.

I know EAG charges a lot for work that is sometimes mediocre, I have the receipts for my car as well that was once in their hands. However, I can't imagine that EAG is completely incompetent when it comes to their services and as well they have a large inventory of parts that may be, or soon will be NLA. That's a value add for the mileage whores.

For the large majority, a good car, with honest mods is worth somewhere in the 40s and probably no more. The pull to this car is all of its components, I think the S54 is the main factor, but the chassis (potential), the styling (so many of us hold it above everything else and rightly so) are what make it so "valuable". The aftermarket is truly insane for a car this old without factory support. Imagine what it would be like if BMW took after Porsche or Nissan (with the Omori/GTR stuff).

I dont think EAG is the evil it once was. I think some of the companies selling chinesium branded as home made are way worse.

[Nate047]

The other part I struggle with even more is knowing how the mighty EAG has fallen since the acquisition by the three stooges of car youtube. EAG cars have always been priced high, but I feel like people who aren't really into BMWs don't know that and just give them their money thinking it's a good place to buy a car.

But what do I know, I don't live like that so I don't know how it feels to not care about the money.

[maw1124]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m3-coupe-79/

Let’s see what this one does from here.

Is EAG still around??

maw

EDIT… yes, and they only have 2 E46M

Car went for $75k...

"Mortimer... we're ba'ackk"

Jokes

maw

[01SG]

I'm simply saying for me, six figures pops up and I don't think e46 m3, street or track.

Me neither. In fact, I wouldn't pay more than about 40 for one. But 100k to me is a fortune. I could see buying the perfect e46 if I were in a different tax bracket with a different perspective.

[fattycharged]

A 6 figure e46 M3 makes no sense to me either. Buy the best version at $30k and spend $5k replacing every little wear item, you'd be very hard pressed to notice the difference once underway. If the ODO is your thing for C&C conversations, there's that I guess, but otherwise your money is so much better spent on something else, like a GT4 or even base Carrera. I can't imagine paying EAG $100k for an e46 M3..but I'm just a simple Texas boy

[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!