M3 Bull Market and Value Conversations

[timothy2001]

If you've been around for awhile, the posts about our cars increasing, maintaining or losing their value are plentiful and are a healthy and fun debate.

Check out this article from "Hagerty Drivers Club" magazine.

Have to throw out a few quotes, "Yet there are multiple signes that this M3 is leaving the "used performance car" territory for the rich, green pastures of "modern classics".

"If you want a visceral sense of the je ne sais quoi, the unfefinable feeling that makes collectors go gaga over so-called modern classics, drive a 2007-2013 M3".

Value range from $85k in showroom new condition to condition 4 of $29,200 in somewhat rought shape.

Recognize any of these?

Makes for a good read.

[M3SQRD]

I’m the original owner of ‘09 and ‘12 e92 DCT M3s and I’ve noticed the market is softening. The ‘09 has ~35k miles and the ‘12 has ~25k miles. Both are pretty much modded the same except one has a diff with 3.62 FD. From what I’ve seen, I’d say my e92s have lost ~$6-10k in value over the past year.

[gilberjj]

I sold my 2011 competition e92 6mt 13 months ago and the market has definitely softened since then… still searching for a 6mt stripper with my name on it…

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by gilberjj

I sold my 2011 competition e92 6mt 13 months ago and the market has definitely softened since then… still searching for a 6mt stripper with my name on it…

Searching since 13 month sounds like rather tough market to me...

[timothy2001]

Totaly agree with the sentiments above about the market softening, however the constraints during COVID shot prices up across the board and I belive we are seeing a normalization or a back to reality period in vehicle prices. Long term, I am in the camp of the author.

[Helmsman]

Prices here (Sweden, limited market of around 450 cars) seems to be stable at high level and even continue up. Fair mileage and seemingly good condition advertised at $50-55k. May be dreams that never comes true.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

If you've been around for awhile, the posts about our cars increasing, maintaining or losing their value are plentiful and are a healthy and fun debate.

Check out this article from "Hagerty Drivers Club" magazine.

Have to throw out a few quotes, "Yet there are multiple signes that this M3 is leaving the "used performance car" territory for the rich, green pastures of "modern classics".

"If you want a visceral sense of the je ne sais quoi, the unfefinable feeling that makes collectors go gaga over so-called modern classics, drive a 2007-2013 M3".

Value range from $85k in showroom new condition to condition 4 of $29,200 in somewhat rought shape.

Recognize any of these?

Makes for a good read.

They would show a LRP FO limited edition e92 M3 in the article. The one model that seems to always resale for the highest prices.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Totaly agree with the sentiments above about the market softening, however the constraints during COVID shot prices up across the board and I belive we are seeing a normalization or a back to reality period in vehicle prices. Long term, I am in the camp of the author.

Very true. Prices were definitely up due to Covid. Curious to see where the prices of e9x’s go. Thinking about selling my ‘09 AW/FR but then I talk myself out of it or think I will ultimately feel like I made a mistake letting it go. It’s in perfect condition inside and out. Would not find a replacement in this condition. ‘12 MW/PS is also in perfect condition.

[PACarGuy]

Hagerty has a valuation tool that looks at recent sales, though it does seem high to me, based on a quick search for my MY and spec:
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/bmw/m3

[BimmerMan33]

Yes, good read..
The E9x M3 definitely defines a unique period in time which will never come back, therefore making these cars so special & cars with interesting color/options in good condition will keep rising even when general used car market is deflating.

I’m on my 3rd E9x M3, bought last month, it’s black on jet black 2011 CP MT coupe with sunroof & premium pack with 50K miles is excellent condotion inside out with no aftermarket mods except the axle back valvetronic exhaust for $40,000.
My last e92 M3 CP MT premium pack with slick top was also 2011 model bought in 2018 with 60K miles for $32,000 also in stock condition & equally clean..

So, clearly the values are going up..!
I have driven an f80 M3 CP extensively & while it’s lot of fun when pushed hard, doesn’t feel special like the e92 when driving normally, not to mention f80 can never sound like the e92..!
Just like most modern classics whether it’s e39 M5 or a 458, the e92 is not a numbers car & feels not so fast compared to current M3, there is a certain “feel” that’s missing in current cars.
That being said, I personally feel that the e92 needs a few minor tweaks such as a carbon fiber intake & plenum with/without a slightly louder than factory axle back exhaust for it to sound even better!

[e46e92love]

Those who know, know and pay.

For me, mine is worth zero because I’m driving her till the wheels fall off no matter what someone offers me.

Cheers,
e46e92

[Grayblack]

I'm on my second E92 M3. It is a special car to drive.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Grayblack

I'm on my second E92 M3. It is a special car to drive.

Same…..first one was totaled back in 2021—someone decided crossing a double yellow line in attempt to hit me head on at 45mph was a good idea🤷🏻‍♂️.

Cheers,
e46e92

[CSBM5]

I see a double bifurcated market with on one side low mileage near new condition examples (garaged 24/7 since new, never daily driven, no winter roads, rarely if ever in rain, etc) bringing big money versus cars used for daily driving and/or lots of modifications, higher mileage, all weather use etc. While mileage is clearly a large driving factor in valuation, condition, condition, condition plays a growing part in today's market and likely from here onward a strong part. Buy the seller and the condition first, and then color/options/etc second.

The second bifurcation (the other part of the double lol) is between E90 and E92. There are nearly three times the quantity of E92s imported versus the E90. Hence prime, low mileage, near new condition sedans are very rare at this point 13 years after the last sedan model year. If you add in LCI and 6MT, that subset falls even further especially if you add slicktop to that list (you're now down to just over 200 cars imported).

I'm in that last part with a 41k mile 2011.5 slicktop 6MT sedan that's never been daily used, garaged 24/7 since new, caught in rain twice/never touched a winter road, and I'm considering parting ways with it after 11+ years of ownership. I have just received a strong offer pending my acceptance, but I know there's also a strong chance it would bring more on BaT or C&B (I've sold two other cars on those platforms, E39 M5 and 330i ZHP -- both very long term owned and cared for). My main hesitancy though is I love the car, and I do know that once it's gone, I'll never find one in this condition with my known history again. We're trying to get down to just 2 cars. Selling my treasured E39 M5 I had for 15 years back in 2018 kind of opened the door a bit as I vowed to never sell that car.

[timothy2001]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I'm in that last part with a 41k mile 2011.5 slicktop 6MT sedan that's never been daily used, garaged 24/7 since new, caught in rain twice/never touched a winter road, and I'm considering parting ways with it after 11+ years of ownership. I have just received a strong offer pending my acceptance, but I know there's also a strong chance it would bring more on BaT or C&B (I've sold two other cars on those platforms, E39 M5 and 330i ZHP -- both very long term owned and cared for). My main hesitancy though is I love the car, and I do know that once it's gone, I'll never find one in this condition with my known history again. We're trying to get down to just 2 cars. Selling my treasured E39 M5 I had for 15 years back in 2018 kind of opened the door a bit as I vowed to never sell that car.

Don't do it.

Also, your post is spot on as is the case with any used and aging vehicle. Value and price spread of course magnified with speciality vehicles.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Don't do it.

Also, your post is spot on as is the case with any used and aging vehicle. Value and price spread of course magnified with speciality vehicles.

CSBM5, 100% agree with timothy2001..."Don't do it" for all the reasons you noted.

Very similar story with original ownership M's. At the time with a M5, M3, X5 and two Aprilias, thought best to scale down...that along with a divorce

Owned a factory ordered 2003 e39 M5 [one of the last produced]; sold it 2011. My biggest regret

Sold my factory ordered`08 e92 M3, but still have factory ordered`12 e92 M3.
Aside from a catastrophic failure, definitely a keeper...already a 'future classic'.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

CSBM5, 100% agree with timothy2001..."Don't do it" for all the reasons you noted.

Very similar story with original ownership M's. At the time with a M5, M3, X5 and two Aprilias, thought best to scale down...that along with a divorce

Owned a factory ordered 2003 e39 M5 [one of the last produced]; sold it 2011. My biggest regret

Sold my factory ordered`08 e92 M3, but still have factory ordered`12 e92 M3.
Aside from a catastrophic failure, definitely a keeper...already a 'future classic'.

I agree that holding it long term is without question near full of upsides. After 12 years of diligent care and enjoyment however, I'm ready to thin the herd some more. I've been a BMW fanatic since 1972 and had numerous long term holds over the years and of course sold a lot of them "too early" like my pristine garage queen E39 M5 on BaT back in 2018, but after 15 years I was ready to move it onward, and it ended up in the hands of a well known industry veteran expecting to own it a long time thankfully.

The thing I'll miss most about the E90 M3 is the extreme connected response of the individual throttle bodies both in simple engine enjoyment and also in finely managing weight transfer near/at limits on track or an autocross. It is such an amazing contact patch to brain connection. That's missing in the S55 in the M2C...that thing is more like a bull in a china shop; you plan ahead a bit in slower speed corners nearing the apex (due to some minor lag) and then have your hands full managing the humongous midrange torque output trying to put down as much as you can on track out. It's a totally different kind of fun versus the S65. S65 = scalpel, S55 = meat cleaver.

The other thing I'll miss, hugely, is the unreal aural enjoyment of the S65. My S65 is 100% stock other than the Dinan rear section exhaust, but its music is just unreal. I wish I could hear it more from the outside - it's time for my wife and I to take two cars out for fun I guess so I can follow the M3. One fun memory from years ago was the day we took the E39 M5 and E90 M3 out for hours of driving fun back-roads, swapping cars from time to time (the M5 had a Dinan rear section exhaust too in addition to numerous suspension mods). I know this is preaching to the choir here in this forum...

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I agree that holding it long term is without question near full of upsides. After 12 years of diligent care and enjoyment however, I'm ready to thin the herd some more. I've been a BMW fanatic since 1972 and had numerous long term holds over the years and of course sold a lot of them "too early" like my pristine garage queen E39 M5 on BaT back in 2018, but after 15 years I was ready to move it onward, and it ended up in the hands of a well known industry veteran expecting to own it a long time thankfully.

The thing I'll miss most about the E90 M3 is the extreme connected response of the individual throttle bodies both in simple engine enjoyment and also in finely managing weight transfer near/at limits on track or an autocross. It is such an amazing contact patch to brain connection. That's missing in the S55 in the M2C...that thing is more like a bull in a china shop; you plan ahead a bit in slower speed corners nearing the apex (due to some minor lag) and then have your hands full managing the humongous midrange torque output trying to put down as much as you can on track out. It's a totally different kind of fun versus the S65. S65 = scalpel, S55 = meat cleaver.

The other thing I'll miss, hugely, is the unreal aural enjoyment of the S65. My S65 is 100% stock other than the Dinan rear section exhaust, but its music is just unreal. I wish I could hear it more from the outside - it's time for my wife and I to take two cars out for fun I guess so I can follow the M3. One fun memory from years ago was the day we took the E39 M5 and E90 M3 out for hours of driving fun back-roads, swapping cars from time to time (the M5 had a Dinan rear section exhaust too in addition to numerous suspension mods). I know this is preaching to the choir here in this forum...

Owning two E92 M3s and a F82, I find it easy to manage the S55 torque by gently rolling into the throttle vs. being much more aggressive with the S65 throttle (w/ 3.62 FD DCT diff & 8.6k redline). However, there’s not many cars that provide the same overall driving experience as an E9x M3! Even after more than 14 years of ownership, I get the same driving experience and thrill as the first time I drove one in anger. F82 is the better daily driver whereas the E92 is a more enjoyable track car. F82 would go before one of the E92s although I’ve thought about letting one go, ‘09 w/ 35k miles.