For Sale: 2001 M Roadster w/ $30k in restoration

[LAGWAGN]

I hope this is acceptable. Thought it would be easier to link to the BaT auction than list everything out here.

The auction was a bust. Not much engagement. I’m listing here for $35k.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...m-roadster-96/

[tracer bullet]

You might try BaT again? If it peaks around 31k a second time, I think you might have to go with the idea that 31k is actually what it's worth to everyone else and lower your expectations. You will never get back what you put into it.

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

You might try BaT again? If it peaks around 31k a second time, I think you might have to go with the idea that 31k is actually what it's worth to everyone else and lower your expectations. You will never get back what you put into it.

Fair enough, and I will do that at some point in the future. To me, it’s not worth selling the car at $31k. It’s too sweet of a car to part with for that great of a loss.

I do appreciate the feedback though. I understand the market is what the market is…

[Llarry]

What a great car! I wish you the best with the sale.

[CoralRed]

We have a lot in common! We also have a 2001 M roadster with all the work having been done (plus more). BSM/Black and Imola. It has a few fewer miles (about 21,500) and has a hard top but there’s no way I’d let it go for $31,000.

Also, funny enough, my 135 sold on BaT the same day your auction ended. I ended up getting way less for it than I (and most folks I talked to) thought it was worth. Maybe it was just a down day?

[NickyC]

Hmm, sort of surprised it didn't reach your price. I adored my little Z3M Roadies and Coupes, and yours looks like a fantastic example. Sell at your price or keep and enjoy, I don't think you can lose.

[Steeler]

Have you tried putting feelers out on the more active Z3 groups.

Your car has a very niche market.
Those who know and love these cars would appreciate them.

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by CoralRed

We have a lot in common! We also have a 2001 M roadster with all the work having been done (plus more). BSM/Black and Imola. It has a few fewer miles (about 21,500) and has a hard top but there’s no way I’d let it go for $31,000.

Also, funny enough, my 135 sold on BaT the same day your auction ended. I ended up getting way less for it than I (and most folks I talked to) thought it was worth. Maybe it was just a down day?

Great minds!

These cars really are amazing. I drove mine today, with the top down, for the first time in a while. It’s an experience that simply cannot be paralleled with most modern sports cars. I’d argue it’s also the best way to experience the S54, short of a CSL.

I was really bummed with how the auction went. Popped up in price real quick and then silence. Interesting to hear you had a similar experience. I hope you at least can live with what you got for you car. $31k simply isn’t worth NOT owning the car for me. 😉

[Dinan_Rated]

bought one similar to this restoration for 32k with 29k miles on it and estroil blue with two tone seats. Not sure you will get near 38k tho

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Rated

bought one similar to this restoration for 32k with 29k miles on it and estroil blue with two tone seats. Not sure you will get near 38k tho

Appreciate it. Hard to compare though knowing nothing about your cars condition or work done.

[LAGWAGN]

Dropping to $35k. Let my loss be your gain. This car is incredibly well sorted having had all the major preventative work done plus a brand new Robins top w/ OEM liner.

[slilley]

$35K feels like a reasonable price - your just looking for an additional ~$2K over what the current buyers on BaT were willing to bid (factoring in the 5% BaT fee that the buyer would have been charged). To me, this all comes down to you just finding a buyer in your local market, because people like to test drive something before plunking down cash. In addition, for a non local-market buyer, the shipping becomes another obstacle. Wouldn't BaT let you get in touch with the top 2-3 bidders to see if you could work something out?

[alex2364]

I don't think you're going to get much more than $31k. Looking at recent M Roadster BaT auctions, the only one above $32k was this gem with 9k miles at $40k that could be a museum piece.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-roadster-114/

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by alex2364

I don't think you're going to get much more than $31k. Looking at recent M Roadster BaT auctions, the only one above $32k was this gem with 9k miles at $40k that could be a museum piece.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-roadster-114/

Yeah, that car is absolutely a collectors-grade example. It's gorgeous! However, it is not an S54, which were made in much lower numbers. The S54 typically commands a $5-10k bump in sales price, depending on condition.

I've had a hard time finding a comparable car for sale in the past 6-12 months. There have been plenty of S54 cars, but none with mileage under 30k and the extensive preventative and restorative work my car has had ($30k+). I'm not so naive to believe I'll come close to getting that money back, but certainly it's worth something and separates my car from others without.

Don't mean to sound defensive here. I've honestly beat my head to try and understand what the car is worth in today's market vs. what it's worth for me to keep it. I don't feel the BaT auction caught the right buyers attention.... That said, thanks for the honest feedback. I'll take it to heart.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by CoralRed

We have a lot in common!

Also, funny enough, my 135 sold on BaT the same day your auction ended. I ended up getting way less for it than I (and most folks I talked to) thought it was worth. Maybe it was just a down day?

Ending on a Wednesday isn't preferred.

Your accident history is pretty darn invasive with even the trunk lid replaced.

Yours is a relatively early model ('09) with later ones being more desirable.

Those red seats have to be perfect, and yours weren't.

There appears to be a large bubble in the upper dash above the glovebox that you are not clearly showing in any photo. Could be my imagination.

You added all the M-sport features like front and rear bumpers and headliner but buyers know it didn't come with it. Nothing wrong with that but it will effect the value.

These days, if you're looking to get more for a BMW than what it just brought on BaT, you're fighting an uphill battle.

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Ending on a Wednesday isn't preferred.

Just to be clear for any future readers, all of the above was referring to another posters car not my car.

Curious though, IS there a day of the week it’s best for an auction to end? If I relist, I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

[86Zed]

Anyone actively shopping the Z3M roadster should be able to find this forum, www.mroadsterbuyersguide.com, BMWCCA classifieds, etc. A full listing on one of the later websites and potentially www.builtforbackroads.com may get the right type of attention.

The market is flush with Z3M roadsters for sale lately. Your car is in impeccable condition and a real gem, but that makes the buyer pool that much smaller.

[Hagasan41]

I say hang on to it and drive it! Seems like it would make a great companion to the M2. Examples like yours that are well sorted, but also have enough miles on them to be enjoyed are hard to come by. If you’re still intent on selling maybe reach out to EAG and see what they have to say about the market for the Z3M.

My personal opinion… I think the color prevented it from hitting your very fair asking price. A more flashy color would have hit your reserve no problem.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by Hagasan41

I say hang on to it and drive it! Seems like it would make a great companion to the M2. Examples like yours that are well sorted, but also have enough miles on them to be enjoyed are hard to come by. If you’re still intent on selling maybe reach out to EAG and see what they have to say about the market for the Z3M.

My personal opinion… I think the color prevented it from hitting your very fair asking price. A more flashy color would have hit your reserve no problem.

Places like BaT and EAG highly value 100% stock cars with OEM parts. The fact that he has aftermarket parts on it is also lowering the price.

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Places like BaT and EAG highly value 100% stock cars with OEM parts. The fact that he has aftermarket parts on it is also lowering the price.

True but Dinan, Supersprint, Koni and H&R are all period correct brands and high quality that most people would appreciate. As I said earlier the mileage make this a very nice well sorted, clean low mileage driver. If this example had less than 3-7K miles then I'd agree that the aftermarket parts would absolutely impact the selling price as it would most likely appeal to a collector.

[LAGWAGN]

Impressed with the knowledge in feedback here. A lot following the same train of thought I’ve had.

Yes, it’s not a museum piece with all original parts kept in a hermetically sealed vault (exaggeration). There are some examples of these out there, but not many. For example, EAG has a Roadster selling for $65k, with an admittedly more rare spec. I could argue though, maybe poorly, that mine is in better condition at $30k less.

My philosophy behind the money I’ve put into the car has been OEM+ while addressing the known issues before they needed to be dealt with, e.g. subframe, VANOS, and rod bearings. I wanted this to be a worry free experience that felt and drivs like factory (or maybe a little better).

If I had space in my life for both cars there’s no question I’d keep both. If my lottery tickets hit tonight, that’s exactly what will happen. The Roadster is the kind of car that speaks to the heart. A true drivers car. The M2 is great, but can’t hold a candle to the tactile nature the Roadster provides.

All that to say, thanks for the input/feedback. Hoping someone here will recognize the car for what it is, not isn’t, and want to give it a loving home for the next chapter.

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by LAGWAGN

Impressed with the knowledge in feedback here. A lot following the same train of thought I’ve had.

Yes, it’s not a museum piece with all original parts kept in a hermetically sealed vault (exaggeration). There are some examples of these out there, but not many. For example, EAG has a Roadster selling for $65k, with an admittedly more rare spec. I could argue though, maybe poorly, that mine is in better condition at $30k less.

My philosophy behind the money I’ve put into the car has been OEM+ while addressing the known issues before they needed to be dealt with, e.g. subframe, VANOS, and rod bearings. I wanted this to be a worry free experience that felt and drivs like factory (or maybe a little better).

If I had space in my life for both cars there’s no question I’d keep both. If my lottery tickets hit tonight, that’s exactly what will happen. The Roadster is the kind of car that speaks to the heart. A true drivers car. The M2 is great, but can’t hold a candle to the tactile nature the Roadster provides.

All that to say, thanks for the input/feedback. Hoping someone here will recognize the car for what it is, not isn’t, and want to give it a loving home for the next chapter.

Well said! Speaking of M2, I’m toying with the idea of adding a modern M car to the garage. Drove the G80 M3 and while nice, just feels too big and kinda numb. Very similar feeling to the F90 M5 I drove a couple of years ago.