The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[WestBankM4]

Yea man looks awesome, glad to hear it will be driven and not just sit in a garage. Maybe you can share some real world driving impressions compared to a GT3, having had both. Feel like 997 GT3 and E46 M3 are not exactly the same category, but there seems to be a lot of ownership crossover, going both ways from one to the other, and often back again it seems.

The absolute rawness of the 997 GT3 or even RS is ridiculous if you've driven one. I've had the luxury of seat time for hot laps in a 997.2 GT3 at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and it's just a very tough machine. I like AbbeyRoad's comparison of the F82 CS to the E46 M3, pretty spot on. I can only imagine on the new CSL, the new platform is powerful but aesthetically it's yet to capture me.

[AbbeyRoad]

Yea man looks awesome, glad to hear it will be driven and not just sit in a garage. Maybe you can share some real world driving impressions compared to a GT3, having had both. Feel like 997 GT3 and E46 M3 are not exactly the same category, but there seems to be a lot of ownership crossover, going both ways from one to the other, and often back again it seems.

Thanks, Nate! Maybe we can grab some coffee sometime presuming you're in LA proper.

There simply is no comparison between the two. 997 GT3 is a dry sump motorsport block that's levels more raw than the E46 along all driving fronts. When you sit in it, the moment you touch the Alcantara wheel you realize why it's so special. It's like layers are removed between you and the car, but still very daily enjoyable should you choose to use it as such. It needs nothing other than a bypass exhaust (e.g GMG/Sharkwerks).

But, my E46 M3 to me is a better looking vehicle. The 911 is a toad design, yet it's beloved because it's got such an amazing heritage that runs deeper than the M brand which really originated in the USA, not Europe, by Bob Lutz. While I boomeranged to the E46 M3, I have no interest in doing the same with the 997 GT3 because it's not aesthetically ideal in my eyes. The only GT3 I'm in the hunt for is a 991.2 GT3 manual sitting on black BBS E07s.

[Nate047]

Yea man looks awesome, glad to hear it will be driven and not just sit in a garage. Maybe you can share some real world driving impressions compared to a GT3, having had both. Feel like 997 GT3 and E46 M3 are not exactly the same category, but there seems to be a lot of ownership crossover, going both ways from one to the other, and often back again it seems.

[AbbeyRoad]

Honestly it looks great, there's nothing to be said about that. I'd kind of love to see the final invoice just out of morbid curiosity. But again it's really just subjective as to what a car is "worth" to any given person. The heart wants what it wants. Enjoy that thing!

Finally arrived. It was a long 3-4 month wait and nearly a 20 year reunion since I last owned an oh 4 back when E46s were still in prod.



Initial observations of my 6K mile 2005 E46 M3 w/ BaT/EAG provenance (rear window shade equipped!)

*It's insanely small and I love it. I guess years of putting many miles on newer Ms like the M4 CS, M4 CSL, and just getting accustomed to modern vehicles via other makes/models as daily drivers, really warped my senses around how it feels to travel (or drive) back in time. When I owned the E46 M3 back when they were still in prod, it felt roomy, coddling, lux and decently visceral at the same time. 2025 me says they feel bantamweight in dimension, feel and raw dynamically. The aged BMW leather scent is so sweet.

*It looks amazing. How I have mine to me is one of the best looking cars on the road no matter the price. I think this is what will keep me interested in continuing to own this M classic. I'm insanely detailed about exactly how I like my cars and what you're seeing is the exact manifestation of how I need my E46 M3 to look to enjoy it. I'm still blown away by its bantamweight proportions.

*S54 WOT experience is really cool. M4 CSL is immensely powerful, but the redline always felt like I was being kicked out of the party too soon. S55 in the M4 CS felt more like the S54, but neither tingles the senses through the steering wheel like the S54 all the way to 8K.

*The shifter feel still sucks today. Not a shocker. I'm used to S2000, 997 GT3 manuals. Now I went with Rogue Engineering because I thought that UUC DSSR like feel would be good enough, but having researched a bit, I have the Autosolutions SSK on order (OEM height, 25%). Hopefully this resolves things. As requested, CDV is gonzo.

*Vorsteiner CF front bumper and diffuser fitment is excellent. Rear trunk lid not so much. I had to go through two new Vorsteiner trunk lids to surmise that they just don't give af. I had EAG source a new OEM CSL lid and they came through in short order. I also have a new OEM CSL front bumper en route as I didn't know prior to purchasing that these were still available and easy to source via Schmiedmann.

EAG service from signed purchase agreement to modifications has been top notch. I had high expectations given the price I paid and they delivered. The car looks, smells and feels brand new; a true time M3chine. Here's what I had them do off the top of my head:

*All fluids and full inspection I/II service
*Every single rubber bit/bushing in the suspension OEM new
*New OEM engine and transmission mounts
*RTABs aftermarket including rear shock tower
*Rebuilt VANOS
*New OEM fan clutch and blade (brittle plastic spinning scares me)
*Install, adjust and lower KW V3s on BBS LM Hunter Roadforced
*Source, paint and install Vorsteiner front bumper, diffuser and OEM CSL trunk lid including inner shell and license plate lights (from IND)

Once tint and ppf completed, I'm going to preventatively get the rear subframe body in white reinforced by limited.slip in San Diego. He's the only shop I trust.

For posterity, I will keep adding to this binder



Interior is original flawless and it shall remain so under my enthusiast care



Best looking M car of all time matched with the best looking wheel of all time imho



Thanks, y'all!

[Nate047]

Honestly it looks great, there's nothing to be said about that. I'd kind of love to see the final invoice just out of morbid curiosity. But again it's really just subjective as to what a car is "worth" to any given person. The heart wants what it wants. Enjoy that thing!

[AbbeyRoad]

I understand BaT isn't everyone's cup of tea nor is an outfit like EAG so I hope my posts aren't coming across as anything but being a fanboy of the E46 M3 having owned one back when they were still in production. I relish memories of what a new E46 M3 feels, smells and drives like so I went and found the best example I could afford within a reasonable timeframe.

At day's end, I'm just sharing my personal auto enthusiast experience having recently sold an old truck on BaT with excellent results and now having purchased a car from EAG with zero prior history.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHUMNWQJciE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

EAG have been communicative and fair in the purchase process including routing my car thru their in-house rejuvenation shop. There's absolutely nothing special about my E46 M3 that the forum hasn't already seen so I'll end it here. Now if my ride shows up rather haggard, you may hear from me.

Enjoy yours in good health! Gracias.

[elrichmeister]

Sorry to hear that. My one purchase from BAT went super smooth, but the seller was fantastic. Do you know of particular sellers that aren't above board?

Same here, i bought my M3 on BAT. Seller was great and everything was super smooth.

[oceansize]

Based on my ongoing experience trying to purchase a car that I won on BaT, Id advise against even bidding on their platform.

Their customer service response times are lackadaisical at best and they allow scammers to continue to list cars even after complaints and attempted fraud occurs.

Sorry to hear that. My one purchase from BAT went super smooth, but the seller was fantastic. Do you know of particular sellers that aren't above board?

[discoelk]

Based on my ongoing experience trying to purchase a car that I won on BaT, Id advise against even bidding on their platform.

Their customer service response times are lackadaisical at best and they allow scammers to continue to list cars even after complaints and attempted fraud occurs.

[Keith_MN]

I gotta let some hate out for a moment because I am a hater at heart. LSB is way over rated. And I love blue. Every other blue is superior; Interlagos, Estoril, Mystic and Topaz all preferable.

To me LSB is the color you would've gotten for your wife in 2002 lol 🤷♂️

Agreed. My wife likes LSB and I've never cared for it. I did paint one of my old Toyotas Interlagos though.

[///Marecki]

I gotta let some hate out for a moment because I am a hater at heart. LSB is way over rated. And I love blue. Every other blue is superior; Interlagos, Estoril, Mystic and Topaz all preferable.

To me LSB is the color you would've gotten for your wife in 2002 lol 🤷♂️

[inlinesix123]

50 shades of LSB... it looks awful, the whole job has to be redone. That alone should take a big chunk of value away, not to mention I wouldn't trust a car where the owner is OK with such a terrible mismatched paint job.

36k, not sold. lol
Balance in all things.

[0-60motorsports]

They do seem to have quite a bit of capital tied up in that particular trade. But then again if they're buying them for $15k and selling them for anything like $40k then that's good news, for them especially. Strong form "if" condition there.

maw

Yeah Exactly. I aint payin 40k for a vert LOL.

[maw1124]

So many Nice Verts on there WOW!

They do seem to have quite a bit of capital tied up in that particular trade. But then again if they're buying them for $15k and selling them for anything like $40k then that's good news, for them especially. Strong form "if" condition there.

maw

[0-60motorsports]

https://www.collectibleclassics.com/...y/BMW/M3/1147/

Not BaT but...

maw

So many Nice Verts on there WOW!