Do you think the E46 M3 is a future $100k car?

[jp1984]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I didn't read the entire thread, but if Enthusiast Auto Group hasn't been mentioned you might try them to see what high-buck E46 M3s generally sell for at retail: https://enthusiastauto.com/bmw/m3series/e46-m3.html.

You are right, I liked when they posted the actual price though.

I saw a pheonix yellow individual with an awesome wood interior that worked on cinnamon interior the other day with less than 800 miles on it. I dont think the owner was selling, but that could be a contender on the open market place.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by jp1984

You are right, I liked when they posted the actual price though.

Agreed!

[Bumper2BumperMotorsports]

Following

[jp1984]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-m3-coupe-93/

Its happening.. if only the customer and got regular radio and sunroof delete!
(I know, I know...)

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by jp1984

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-m3-coupe-93/

Its happening.. if only the customer and got regular radio and sunroof delete!
(I know, I know...)

It's already happened (before this car).

[Coi]

Originally Posted by jp1984

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-m3-coupe-93/

Its happening.. if only the customer and got regular radio and sunroof delete!
(I know, I know...)

It looks like EAG bought this car. Makes you wonder what they're going to try to sell it for...

[Coi]

This 97k mile 02 SMG Coupe with a clean carfax just sold for only $16250 on Bring a Trailer. Market could be cooling off. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m3-226/

In fact, the same car sold for $17k on BAT back in July of 2020 with 95k miles. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m3-142/

[jp1984]

Originally Posted by Obioban

It's already happened (before this car).

I know in limited cases they have pinged 100k. When CSLs are federalized here I am sure someone could sell a prime example for well over $100k

Heck a "fake" Lime Rock sold way too high recently.

So the question is not "could an example ever fetch $100k?" directly but more like

Look at the prices of E30 M3s when they were hitting their peak. Almost everyone was near $100k. Now they made a lot less of them, but the question for me is if the E46 will be like classic M3s where almost all that are in working condition start inching towards the $60-80k territory and then the real quality examples are the ones that go over $100k.

Maybe after the recession now.

[lboogie78]

BMW CSL should be over 100k..

[jp1984]

Originally Posted by lboogie78

BMW CSL should be over 100k..

Is one posted?

The first CSL that gets posted in America (that is legalized that is) on an auction site I could seriously see getting bid to mid $100s just based on supply, demand, and rich guy exclusivity by having the first one and the only one (for a short time)

[M5Rick]

There's been one of those CSL's near me parked on the street in the sun and rain for ages not moved

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

There's been one of those CSL's near me parked on the street in the sun and rain for ages not moved

...

I wonder if they know what CSLs are worth. Seems like they should sell it.

[CornerGorillaPit]

I doubt it. That's coming from an E46 owner. However, I do see the V8 M3s fetching that kind of price. There's a bit of bias with that since it's my ATF M3.

[NB STIG]

I own a mint 2005 BMW M3 Competition Package in Interlagos Blue and all I can tell you is that there are very few cars out there that will give you the kind of joy this little car will give you. Will my car be worth 100K? I don't know, but all I can tell you is that any car that makes such an impression will be greatly cherished and desired. I think these cars are legends and will only get more expensive with time.
In my opinion, purchase an M3 car to enjoy it and drive it. Don't worry about what is going to be worth in the future. For example, mine is an SMG and I absolutely love it. I could swap the transmission to a manual to increase its value, but I won't do it because the SMG transmission gives you the absolute best driving experience I ever had driving a car.
Is it the best of both worlds! Aggressive in the race track it and smooth and relaxing when driving on the freeway.
There is a reason why the CSL, the ultimate M3, came only with the SMG transmission. because it is the best! I think people have it wrong in swapping their transmissions. I think SMGs will become highly desirable before you know it. The more you drive an SMG car the more you love it.
I highly recommend you purchase one of these amazing cars. You will have so much fun!

[RobotDoctor]

This is my brother's 2004 M3. He has done all the mods on this one and some extensive maintenance through out the car. There was a small dent by the left kidney grill but he sourced an OEM hood and replaced it.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Obioban

...

I wonder if they know what CSLs are worth. Seems like they should sell it.

Went past there yesterday and it's gone finally.
It's all very well putting a near 100000 price on these but there are cheaper alternatives with a carbon roof, risk comes to mind and the price is volatile which can suddenly drop burning a few fingers.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Went past there yesterday and it's gone finally.
It's all very well putting a near 100000 price on these but there are cheaper alternatives with a carbon roof, risk comes to mind and the price is volatile which can suddenly drop burning a few fingers.

There's not a lot of sub 3100 lb, 4 seater/real trunk, NA 8000rpm engine cars out there, outside of the CSL.

It's also probably the overall "best" M car there will ever be (and therefore probably "best" overall BMW).

I think they're actually reasonably sanely priced, still, given that.

[David70]

Originally Posted by NB STIG

I own a mint 2005 BMW M3 Competition Package in Interlagos Blue and all I can tell you is that there are very few cars out there that will give you the kind of joy this little car will give you. Will my car be worth 100K? I don't know, but all I can tell you is that any car that makes such an impression will be greatly cherished and desired. I think these cars are legends and will only get more expensive with time.
In my opinion, purchase an M3 car to enjoy it and drive it. Don't worry about what is going to be worth in the future. For example, mine is an SMG and I absolutely love it. I could swap the transmission to a manual to increase its value, but I won't do it because the SMG transmission gives you the absolute best driving experience I ever had driving a car.
Is it the best of both worlds! Aggressive in the race track it and smooth and relaxing when driving on the freeway.
There is a reason why the CSL, the ultimate M3, came only with the SMG transmission. because it is the best! I think people have it wrong in swapping their transmissions. I think SMGs will become highly desirable before you know it. The more you drive an SMG car the more you love it.
I highly recommend you purchase one of these amazing cars. You will have so much fun!

Look at Ferrari's, Austin Martin's, Porsche's that came with both an automatic and manual and the vast majority have a higher value with the manual. Especially if talking about the 2000's when the automatics weren't what they are today.

"Before you know it?" Car is roughly 20 years old, not seeing when this will happen.

For the general post topic we are in -

As a Z4M owner for 11 years, I have been hearing the "future high price" since I bought it. Paid $31.5k in 2012, likely now gained $6k-10k in value (hasn't even kept up with inflation). Nobody would call this a good investment. Only reason to own almost any out of the ordinary car is because you like it, makes no financial sense.

[NB STIG]

Originally Posted by David70

Look at Ferrari's, Austin Martin's, Porsche's that came with both an automatic and manual and the vast majority have a higher value with the manual. Especially if talking about the 2000's when the automatics weren't what they are today.

"Before you know it?" Car is roughly 20 years old, not seeing when this will happen.

For the general post topic we are in -

As a Z4M owner for 11 years, I have been hearing the "future high price" since I bought it. Paid $31.5k in 2012, likely now gained $6k-10k in value (hasn't even kept up with inflation). Nobody would call this a good investment. Only reason to own almost any out of the ordinary car is because you like it, makes no financial sense.

You make a good point. However, I think an SMG transmission is not, technically speaking, an automatic. I think the SMG transmission is something to be celebrated and preserved.

I am not sure if you ever owned an SMG M3, but I can tell you from experience that there is something very special about this car. I love manuals like everyone else, but there is just something very unique about an SMG M3.

The more I drive it, the more I love it. Also, I can see myself driving this car into my 90s because I don't need to have healthty knees to deal with a clutch. I also see myself taking this car to the track into my 90s for the same reason. I don't think it would be so easy to do so with a manual M3. An SMG feels just like a manual M3, but is faster and much more versatile. You can daily or you can track it. It succeeds on both occasions much better than a manual...in my opinion.

Also, in my humble opinion, I think there are other people out there, like me, that really appreciates this technology and will want to preserve it. Thus, the comment "I think SMGs will become highly desirable..." Knowing what I know, I would pay premium for a mint SMG M3 any day of the week.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Different points of view is what makes a forum like this so great...I hope your Z4M is worth a lot of money one day soon!

[David70]

Originally Posted by NB STIG

You make a good point. However, I think an SMG transmission is not, technically speaking, an automatic. I think the SMG transmission is something to be celebrated and preserved.

Call it whatever you want but you can put the transmission in Drive and it will automatically shift the gears for you. Your car used a single clutch, later clutched automatics used 2 clutches and made it a quicker, smoother shift.

Originally Posted by NB STIG

I am not sure if you ever owned an SMG M3, but I can tell you from experience that there is something very special about this car. I love manuals like everyone else, but there is just something very unique about an SMG M3.

I have ridden in one. It wasn't nearly as smooth shifting as my Audi with the dual clutch automatic.

Originally Posted by NB STIG

The more I drive it, the more I love it. Also, I can see myself driving this car into my 90s because I don't need to have healthty knees to deal with a clutch. I also see myself taking this car to the track into my 90s for the same reason. I don't think it would be so easy to do so with a manual M3. An SMG feels just like a manual M3, but is faster and much more versatile. You can daily or you can track it. It succeeds on both occasions much better than a manual...in my opinion.

Also, in my humble opinion, I think there are other people out there, like me, that really appreciates this technology and will want to preserve it. Thus, the comment "I think SMGs will become highly desirable..." Knowing what I know, I would pay premium for a mint SMG M3 any day of the week.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Different points of view is what makes a forum like this so great...I hope your Z4M is worth a lot of money one day soon!

No problem with any of this, I think you have a great car and many like it. The market as a whole hasn't put the same value on the SMG as the Manual but maybe someday they will. As you said there is still a large following for it.

Enjoy!

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by David70

I have ridden in one. It wasn't nearly as smooth shifting as my Audi with the dual clutch automatic.

I'm VERY pro manual (and have converted a couple SMG M3s to manual), but that statement is 100% missing the point. SMG is more involving than a DCT/torque converter automatic/CVT because it forces you to engage with it like a manual to be smooth. Rev matching, lifting, etc is still on the driver-- and it IS less smooth at the hands of someone that doesn't know what they're doing as a result.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Obioban

I'm VERY pro manual (and have converted a couple SMG M3s to manual), but that statement is 100% missing the point. SMG is more involving than a DCT/torque converter automatic/CVT because it forces you to engage with it like a manual to be smooth. Rev matching, lifting, etc is still on the driver-- and it IS less smooth at the hands of someone that doesn't know what they're doing as a result.

That's an excellent way to describe it. Modern DCTs and similar clutched autos are very comfortable when left alone with the computers shifting. That SMG was pretty rough when left alone, but great when you treated it like a manual, and even better when you drove the car hard and shifted at higher RPMs.

I got to drive three of them before: Two 03 E46 M3s and a 05 E60 545.