The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[02_lsb]

This is a solid project for anyone that doesn’t comment about big 3 on the internet. Just saying.

[PSUEng]

I think I’ve said this before but don’t remember when and don’t care but: every time these cars are listed the “Big 3” topic goes round and round; it has some merit. What also has merit are things like bushings and other chassis parts like brake calipers, clutch, along with certain trim that are now very expensive to repair/replace and are likely relevant to a 170k mile example. This “Big 3” obsession is out of hand and is seemingly perpetuated not by owners but by internet mechanics that repost some AI explanation of it in BaT listing comments. As if to say, the car has “Big 3” done but the diff and chassis bushings are trashed, steering reservoir is leaking, interior fabric sagging…and on and on, but those don’t matter and if they aren’t a problem with your listing it’s overlooked. Makes me more inclined to keep the car indefinitely than deal with internet posers.

Comments like this just kill me:

Outside of Big 3, the differential will need attention. I bet it needs a rebuild based on the sellers comment. Also, at this mileage I guarantee timing chain guides need to be replaced and valve adjustment is needed.

He “bets” and “guarantees”. Wow.

[02_lsb]

Laguna Seca Project: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3gD...d82&ref=lr_1_5

[EthanolTurbo]

I guess my point is the same is happening with the E46 M and they have worse weak points on top of it. On a forum filled with crazy people who weld their rear floors and do most of a top end rebuild to fix the VANOS an E39 M isn’t really that crazy even in 2026.

I very briefly considered an E90 when I bought my M5 years ago but the heart wants what it wants. E90 drives better, M5 with the full leather has a way better interior, more spacious, style and cool factor. Just my opinion as well

Still I think I agree that I personally wouldn’t start fresh with another one at this point in my life. BMW is making it hard to consider it or any of their old cars forever cars. The simplicity of finding every little odd and end for my new to me classic 911 has been eye opening. For now though the E39 is well sorted and I’m not sure what I would replace it with.

I too love and prefer the E39 M5 interior and style more than the E90 M3. I owned both cars at the same time recently (and the E60 M5 6MT!) so I got to do a lot of back to back driving. If I had to do it again, I'd go the path of less resistance and do the E90. Just sucks not having the amazing S62 tbh.

[maw1124]

Super nice car.

Basically new. Someone forgot to drive it.

maw

[02_lsb]

75 grand!

Super nice car.

[01SG]

Nice Imola slicktop.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...n=Model_Update

75 grand!

[tnord]

Still I think I agree that I personally wouldn’t start fresh with another one at this point in my life. BMW is making it hard to consider it or any of their old cars forever cars. The simplicity of finding every little odd and end for my new to me classic 911 has been eye opening. For now though the E39 is well sorted and I’m not sure what I would replace it with.

Over the long term, will it end up being easier to own the non-M versions of cars due to parts availability? The M cars will be worth more, but if you actually want to drive them instead of collect them maybe they're not the way to go?

[02_lsb]

do ALL the prep and macco paint job can be great, but ymmv and as with any paint job from home to auto, prep is everything


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Edit: I hear you. I think the reserve was a bit high.

[fattycharged]

Reading through the comments on the blue ZCP, I don't understand the anti maaco sentiment. Assuming paint work is good quality… Bmw dealers do not paint cars, who is to say that auto body shops they use do not hire techs and buy equipment from the same place as maaco? It also has nearly 90k on the dash and is not a museum piece. $48,500 was all the money for that car imo. No?

do ALL the prep and macco paint job can be great, but ymmv and as with any paint job from home to auto, prep is everything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[02_lsb]

Reading through the comments on the blue ZCP, I don’t understand the anti maaco sentiment. Assuming paint work is good quality… Bmw dealers do not paint cars, who is to say that auto body shops they use do not hire techs and buy equipment from the same place as maaco? It also has nearly 90k on the dash and is not a museum piece. $48,500 was all the money for that car imo. No?

[repoman89]

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.

I guess my point is the same is happening with the E46 M and they have worse weak points on top of it. On a forum filled with crazy people who weld their rear floors and do most of a top end rebuild to fix the VANOS an E39 M isn’t really that crazy even in 2026.

I very briefly considered an E90 when I bought my M5 years ago but the heart wants what it wants. E90 drives better, M5 with the full leather has a way better interior, more spacious, style and cool factor. Just my opinion as well

Still I think I agree that I personally wouldn’t start fresh with another one at this point in my life. BMW is making it hard to consider it or any of their old cars forever cars. The simplicity of finding every little odd and end for my new to me classic 911 has been eye opening. For now though the E39 is well sorted and I’m not sure what I would replace it with.

[02_lsb]

I disagree. I’ve driven the e90 before, it feels as special as a short sleeve shirt.

[tnord]

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.

I agree with you, but I'm looking for more rear legroom than my F30 has, hence the 5 series interest across multiple generations.

[EthanolTurbo]

I’m surprised to hear that you think it’s significantly worse than the E46 M tax at this point. Yeah it’s expensive but I feel like anyone still driving and maintaining an E46 won’t be too surprised. There’s chain guides but in return rod bearings last way longer and you don’t have to reinforce the chassis before it rips itself apart.

The real sneaky expensive thing if you drive it with any regularity is the 15mpg average on premium. And the brakes feel like crap compared to the E46 without an expensive BBK.

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.