Getting so tired of trying to buy a donor M3

[BlueM3Wagon]

I've been actively searching for donor E9x M3s for my e91 build for more than a year, I've had 4-5 purchase slip through my fingers, either shady sellers or shady companies like copart. It's bad enough copart prices on these cars are already crazy expensive, but twice now I've been shafted by them. The first time I physically won an insurance auction vehicle, pure sale with no reserve. I even screen shot the win of the auction but after get an email that said I was outbid. A Week later the cars back up with a reserve this time, same State Farm seller. Today I had a car that was about to go on the block and I was current winning bid, pure sale insurance auction. Minutes before it goes up I get this email that the auction has been removed and my bid cancelled...

Both vehicles I won and bid on in these cases were lower price than the average and I feel like they pulled the auction because it wasn't getting the price they were looking for. Maybe I'm wrong and it's just a huge coincidence... sorry for the rant I needed to vent. I'll keep hunting or maybe get a broker for IAAI auctions instead. Anyone else have suggestions?

[OneCleanBMW]

What's your budget?

[MikeyDawg]

Out of curiosity, what price range were the auctions ending at?

If I saw a pattern of this occurring I would try to get someone on the phone and demand some answers, what price range were they expecting that is causing your bids to continually be rejected, etc.

Any way you could contact St Farm seller directly?

[BlueM3Wagon]

I've been seeing most cars im targeting go between 11-14k depending on damage. The one I won before was at 12,200 but then it went all the way up to 18500 during its second auction. It had a running motor with an ESS 650 SC on it, found the old owner on the forum during auction and verified it even had bearing swap before being totaled. The vehicle today was at 1200 and had 4 hours before going on the block. I thought I was about to get a steal under 5k. I'd love to find an e90 donor for under 10 that I can get rear quarters and bumper off of. Other than that I have the interior and exterior already fully converted. So I need drive train, front and rear subframes with all suspension components and wiring. Hoping to find with less than 100k miles on it and some decent parts to sell to help offset the cost. I'm in no rush and have been pretty patient.

[CSI]

https://hartford.craigslist.org/pts/...032564243.html

[tdott]

That's how it is, you just gotta keep at it and be ready to buy when something pops up.

[BlueM3Wagon]

Cancelled auction is back on now with reserve. I'll see where this goes.

[BlackPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

I've been seeing most cars im targeting go between 11-14k depending on damage. The one I won before was at 12,200 but then it went all the way up to 18500 during its second auction. It had a running motor with an ESS 650 SC on it, found the old owner on the forum during auction and verified it even had bearing swap before being totaled. The vehicle today was at 1200 and had 4 hours before going on the block. I thought I was about to get a steal under 5k. I'd love to find an e90 donor for under 10 that I can get rear quarters and bumper off of. Other than that I have the interior and exterior already fully converted. So I need drive train, front and rear subframes with all suspension components and wiring. Hoping to find with less than 100k miles on it and some decent parts to sell to help offset the cost. I'm in no rush and have been pretty patient.

Damn, so sorry you weren't able to get my old car! Was a solid ESS 650 with custom manifold, new vortech, and new bearings. Also had custom AST suspension that we never took off. Would have been such a win, miss that car. Was a keeper for me until a careless driver bent the frame and totaled it. Was excited to hear that you initially won it, sorry you got screwed over. Best of luck in the search!

[smyles]

Most auto auctions allow sellers to withhold, or re-negotiate sales even for 'no reserve' lots. Not shady, just reality of the industry.

[cjm41]

Oh man the one with the ESS supercharger made its rounds on the e9x Facebook group a few weeks ago when it was up for auction I think.

I've been considering buying a couple e9x M3s from auction to part out but they need to be around 10-12k running to really turn it into a worthwhile profit. Hearing Copart is shady is discouraging.

[BlueM3Wagon]

Won the car that was local. Hoping I didn't pay too much. Manual e92 fully loaded. Immaculate service history, 78k miles. Interior in perfect shape, Dinan exhaust, can anyone identify the wheels? No power to car, when I looked at it seems like impact damaged power cable and wiring. No signs of block/motor damage, but don't know until it's further inspected

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

Won the car that was local. Hoping I didn't pay too much. Manual e92 fully loaded. Immaculate service history, 78k miles. Interior in perfect shape, Dinan exhaust, can anyone identify the wheels? No power to car, when I looked at it seems like impact damaged power cable and wiring. No signs of block/motor damage, but don't know until it's further inspected

Looks like vorsteiner vff103's?

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Looks like vorsteiner vff103's?

I was just about to say the same. Looks like some variant of Vorsteiner wheels

[BlueM3Wagon]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

I was just about to say the same. Looks like some variant of Vorsteiner wheels

Thanks guys. Just trying to see if it's worth buying one front to make the set complete. Here's a closer look better resolution

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

Thanks guys. Just trying to see if it's worth buying one front to make the set complete. Here's a closer look better resolution

It’s about a 2k set of wheels either way. If only the front one is damaged wouldn’t cost too-too much to complete the set and you could either sell or keep it.

[BlueM3Wagon]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

It’s about a 2k set of wheels either way. If only the front one is damaged wouldn’t cost too-too much to complete the set and you could either sell or keep it.

You guys are right, it's definitely Vorsteiner V-FF 101

[BayE30]

so, how much did you end up paying?

[BlueM3Wagon]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

so, how much did you end up paying?

With fees: 8400. Mind you, the car sat at copart with no power so during inspection I couldnt confirm if motor is kosher, big gamble. It was about 4-5k under what I would consider average going rate. Kinda had to do it though. I figure with the aftermarket stuff, desirable OEM parts in good shape, I could come close to making most if not all my money back if I needed to flip only.

Flat bedding this to a bmw wagon experts in MI who's going to do the swap for me. I'll try and inspect more when I take possession early next week.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

With fees: 8400. Mind you, the car sat at copart with no power so during inspection I couldnt confirm if motor is kosher, big gamble. It was about 4-5k under what I would consider average going rate. Kinda had to do it though. I figure with the aftermarket stuff, desirable OEM parts in good shape, I could come close to making most if not all my money back if I needed to flip only.

Flat bedding this to a bmw wagon experts in MI who's going to do the swap for me. I'll try and inspect more when I take possession early next week.

Seems like a fair price as long as motor is good. My friend has been playing with the idea of s65 swapping his e91 as well.

[BlueM3Wagon]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

Seems like a fair price as long as motor is good. My friend has been playing with the idea of s65 swapping his e91 as well.

The fees kill you. Almost 2k in fees alone.

[SEMOM3]

Originally Posted by Michaellcoates

No power to car

Check the BST Cable first. Normally that is the culprit.

[Richneerd]

Grats, time to change the thread title