Kiplinger: 64% resale value after 3 years for M3

[Damage Inc]

Is this accurate? My 08 loaded sticker was $68k, I paid $59k in 08 brand new, which means my car should be worth about $43k (20k miles mint condition). Seems pretty accurate which is good news.

So $59k - $43k = $16,000 / 3 = $5333 annual / 12 = $444 per month do drive a brand new loaded M3 sedan. I'll TAKE THAT!!!

I own my car but I still look at the expense monthly to compare vs. other cars. That's how I sold it to my wife. "Would I rather spend $400 on a Grand Cherokee or an M3?"

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/slide...97&GT1=22009#7

2011 Best New Car Resale Values
Best Resale Value: Sports
BMW M3
Sticker price: $57,575 (sedan)
Invoice price: $53,145
Fair purchase price: $57,575
Five-year service cost: $6,670
One-year insurance cost: $1,932
Resale value after 3 years: 64 percent; 5 years: 41 percent
MPG: 14 city, 20 highway

BMW's venerable 3-Series on steroids is in such high demand that it beats its closest competition on resale value by a significant margin. After three years, it's worth a whopping 64 percent of the original sticker price.

[SP330]

I was actually thinking about this yesterday, of how well the M3 seems to be holding its value.

Though BMW's lease rates are a bit more conservative (perhaps because of the crazy rates they had out earlier 06-08).

[pbonsalb]

For those who lease or finance, there is also an interest factor. One nice thing about buying new or at least driving it entirely within the warranty is that there are no maintenance expenses other than a set of tires. Those who buy the car used for $43k and drive it for the next 3 years may still be able to sell it for 64% ($27,500) of what they paid and thus potentially have a lower cost of ownership, but chances are good they will pay a few thousand in maintenance and repairs. Before repairs and maintenance, their cost over 3 years would be ($43,000 - $27,500)/36 = $430 per month. Add in $150 per month for maintenance and repairs -- my guesstimate to average it out over the 3 years, and the 2nd owner's costs are higher than the 1sts.

[dmn8]

Even true within BMW. Leased an 08 coupe in October of 2008. Been wanting to move to the Sedan. Just picked up a new 2011 Space Gray Sedan, loaded and reduced my monthly lease payment! Got a new car 6 months early.

Dealer was surprised was as well, worked out well!

[Hunter399]

The service cost is $0. Only pay for tires and gas.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

For those who lease or finance, there is also an interest factor. One nice thing about buying new or at least driving it entirely within the warranty is that there are no maintenance expenses other than a set of tires. Those who buy the car used for $43k and drive it for the next 3 years may still be able to sell it for 64% ($27,500) of what they paid and thus potentially have a lower cost of ownership, but chances are good they will pay a few thousand in maintenance and repairs. Before repairs and maintenance, their cost over 3 years would be ($43,000 - $27,500)/36 = $430 per month. Add in $150 per month for maintenance and repairs -- my guesstimate to average it out over the 3 years, and the 2nd owner's costs are higher than the 1sts.

Interesting. I guess that helps me to make the case to buy a brand new M3 when it comes out in a few years. However I picked mine up during the "crash" a couple of years ago for $10k under sticker, which is what helped my cost to be so low. I dont think that will be the case again but who knows. I could keep this car for 10 years if I need to, its that perfect in sedan form as a DD. I used to switch cars every 1 1\2 years before this one.

[Reedomn]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

Interesting. I guess that helps me to make the case to buy a brand new M3 when it comes out in a few years. However I picked mine up during the "crash" a couple of years ago for $10k under sticker, which is what helped my cost to be so low. I dont think that will be the case again but who knows. I could keep this car for 10 years if I need to, its that perfect in sedan form as a DD. I used to switch cars every 1 1\2 years before this one.

^+1000....it is the perfect DD...I am on the "list" for a new M5 but everytime I drive a 5 series they seem too big. 40,000 miles on mine and seems like I just bought it!..This is a keeper.....The only thing I would replace it with down the road is another e90 M3....

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Reedomn

^+1000....it is the perfect DD...I am on the "list" for a new M5 but everytime I drive a 5 series they seem too big. 40,000 miles on mine and seems like I just bought it!..This is a keeper.....The only thing I would replace it with down the road is another e90 M3....

Yeah, the 5 is a "mini-7" more than an E39. Not my cup of tea but the wife would like it. I sure hope there's a new M3 sedan or I'll be looking at an Audi or Caddy V for my next ride.

[1cleanm6]

This is why i bought my m3 and didnt lease. This vehicle keeps its value VERY VERY good if equipped with the right options and taken care of properly.

However the exensive part is not buying the car or the payments, its the additional expenses. Such as paying for 11mpg, insurance, and mods <this ones a killer lol

[Legion5]

This is actually accurate, and it gets better if you buy an M3 used, $300 a month for a $80k car, that's money that will barely lease you a Ford Fusion.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Hunter399

The service cost is $0. Only pay for tires and gas.

not really...... you should get an alignment after a year, if not 2 years.

Also the car does eat oil, so you should change the oil before 15k (which the dealer will not pay for)

if you actually use your car, you will need to change brake pads before the 20k that BMW service has

[persian54]

i bought my previous e93 335i as it was worth it, but with the m3, it was a 83k car

i did the math, and it would come out to cost me about $1000/month after taxes and interest etc and future possible value
Where i was able to lease the car with 2k drive off at 811/month

also remember that a 08 being sold now in 11 will have a higher value than a 11 being sold in 2014 when the new m3 is out

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by persian54

i bought my previous e93 335i as it was worth it, but with the m3, it was a 83k car

i did the math, and it would come out to cost me about $1000/month after taxes and interest etc and future possible value
Where i was able to lease the car with 2k drive off at 811/month

also remember that a 08 being sold now in 11 will have a higher value than a 11 being sold in 2014 when the new m3 is out

Very good points. Unless some of the people not looking forward to FI M3 put a premium on the V8. I doubt that would make much of a difference, but just an idea.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

Very good points. Unless some of the people not looking forward to FI M3 put a premium on the V8. I doubt that would make much of a difference, but just an idea.

there are some who will be like that... but the masses won't

there will be a lot of people wanting to unload their m3 for the new one

and many (like myself) who will be out of a lease in 3 years, flooding dealer lots with e9x m3s

[duk]

2011 aw e92 with 6k miles here, trending 7-8k miles a year... hopefully in 5 years it'll be worth 40-45%

[Gladius]

Originally Posted by 16n69

"My 08 loaded sticker was $68k, I paid $59k in 08 brand new,..."
REALLY...LOL...
...I cannot imagine any dealer selling a brand new M3 for $9000. BELOW MSRP???

Then you clearly weren't looking for M3s at the end of 2008 when the economy hit the skids...lots were full of them trying to clear out their 08 inventories before the 09s came in.

[mdosu]

and this is why I bought mine used...

[Crazy Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Gladius

Then you clearly weren't looking for M3s at the end of 2008 when the economy hit the skids...lots were full of them trying to clear out their 08 inventories before the 09s came in.

Lease deals and 0.9% rates were being handed out like water.

[ES_TRADER]

M3 s hold their value very well. I'm trying to buy a 12 year old e36 and they want close to 15k for it. At least the clean title ones in decent condition. I've check everywhere and the lowest ones are priced in the 8-10k area but are salvaged titles. Or several accidents. This is a total keeper for me

[persian54]

Personally if i had gotten a M3 in 08 or 09... i wouldn't get another one if it was the same model/generation

I rather drive different cars.

I've gone through pretty decent amount of cars in the past 7 years of driving

[sameh]

95% of car purchases are NOT investments, M3 included. I also found it very liberating to think of my M3 as a way of enjoying life/driving/commute but not as a value for the future, I have 20,000 miles on it in 11 months. I donno if I'm gonna keep it or trade it into something else later (hopefully a GT3) but in any case, just drive and enjoy it. NOT AN INVESTMENT

[mdosu]

^+1

Only thing I want to add is:
1. more like 99.9% of all cars are NOT investments
2. even the small numbers that are "investments" i don't see it as investment. The Ferrari 250 GTO for instance, sells for serious dough. But the market for it is so thin. anytime you put it up for auction, you're not sure whether the interested parties will be present to buy it. Perhaps in the world, there's only like 6 people who may buy it. If you sell it in a down market, or if it's a forced sell, you can still take a serious hit. These cars are only worth as much as the highest bidder who decides to show up at the auction. This is why you have advisors looking around for these classic cars and try to price them for buyers and sellers. The market is so thin, it's hard work to get a deal done where both parties are happy. I would never buy a 250 GTO type car as an investment, I would buy it for it's enjoyment.


this is how I approach all cars. My last Evo cost me $24k, 1 year preowned with 10k miles. I put 80k miles on it over the course of 69 months. This came out to about $347 a month before taxes/maintance/gas/insurance expenses. (or 30 cents per mile) To me it was worth it every penny b/c I had so much fun driving it.

My M3 cost me $46k preowned with 8k miles. I plan on keeping it for at least 120 months. This would cost me $383/mo. In my opinion, this is worth every penny for a car of this caliber.