Is the E93 in line to become a modern day classic?

[Big Pete]

Afternoon all

New to the website, so please excuse me if this question has been raised before. I am in the process of buying a car, and I am looking at a BMW M3 E93, with 2008 plates. I have read in various places that the old V8's will become a modern day classic, which is one of the attractions with the car that I am looking at.

But is this true? Is it really going to become a modern day classic, and if so when? Normally something is not a classic until it has reached 30 years old, so are we looking at another 15 years before this particular car is a classic, and hence may well have appreciated in value?

Would welcome your thoughts on this matter.

Cheers

Peter

[CTMike]

I’m Team E93 all day, there’s no other forever car I’d rather have. Top down, V8, rowing my own gears, kiddo smiling in the back seat - to me there’s nothing better.

But the short answer to your question is: probably not. Despite having lap times that kept up with some pretty quick cars in its day, it’s always going to be perceived as “less M” than an E92, and will likely always trail in value.

Hey, better deal for us.

[Kartelli]

I've never had a convertible in my stable until this car.

Found a 2011 E92 M3 fully loaded, with Ess 625 and Akrapovic exhaust. It has become my favorite car of all time. Top down on a hot summer day is something that cant be explained.

I get thumbs up everywhere, it gets a lot of respect. I think it will become a classic, as there arent many hard top convertibles out there anymore.

[kolosy]

what does classic mean to you though? is it going to appreciate materially? probably not unless it's super clean, and a super rare spec. is it a cool car that'll never happen again? absolutely.

[BloomRunsDubs]

Clean E90 and E92 M3s yes. E93s most likely not, maybe with the exception of super clean, low mileage, rare spec cars

[akkando]

If you're looking for something that will appreciate in value buy a mutual fund. Speculating that the e93 m3 is a good place to put your money is a waste of time. We can say that the e93 m3 is the least desirable trim of this gen M3 so if it's critical you have the best chance of asset appreciation it's the coup or the sedan, MT, zcp, single hump no nav, low miles, rare color.

[Big Pete]

Cheers chaps

The actual car in question has less than 40,000 miles on the clock, and is metallic graphite in colour, which I understand is quite rare.

It is impossible to predict what will happen, but I love the car, and it is lot more fun than putting money into stocks and shares!!!!

Cheers

Big Pete

[gnx]

The e93 M3 is already a classic. Very limited production figures, a fantastic V8 which is probably the best sounding M powerplant ever That does not make it a collectors car.

It might not be scalpel like the way a cambered M2C is but its a fantastic convertible that will be desirable probably forever.

[tbuck]

As someone who has owned 5 BMW convertibles, 3 of which were M's, I can tell you the answer to your question is a resounding no.

Don't get me wrong. I love a rag top, and an M3 droptop is about as good as it gets. But the negatives far outweigh the positives, certainly on the E93 and prior. First, compared to it's siblings, they cost a lot more new and are worth a lot less used, so there will be very little if any long term value increase. Just not gonna happen. Then they are heavy, like ~400 pounds heavy for the E93. These cars are already a bit portly, so this is not helping. Then there is the cowl shake, or flexing of the body as it goes over bumps, and combined with the extra weight make these things wallow around corners rather than cut them.

And I could go on and list several other reason why these will never be a "classic" in the sense that you seem to be hoping. These are modified versions of a standard street car to meet a small but ever-present niche that sadly seems to be getting smaller as time goes on. And I am part of that small niche. Anyway, you want a classic, go buy a P-car cab of some flavor. These are just fun cars that will never be worth what the hard top versions of the car are in either $$$ or desirability.

[Bmw 911]

Personally I think the e93 is the ugliest of the bunch. It’s much better than the e46 concert but still looks like a stubby fellow with an ill fitting hat with the top up.

Top down I think it’s still meh but that’s only because they did such a fine job with the e92/90.

[deansbimmer]

The answer is NO. The market doesn't support the notion (past nor present). With the exception of an E30 M3 cabrio, no generation M3 convertible has shown to retain a particularly high value.

For what it's worth, I preferred my E93's having enjoyed all variety of 08-13 M3's. The only ones which will retain any type of value will be the specially built, Individually optioned late models. The pre-LCI "fully optioned" variety will continue to depreciate. Limited production and low miles will retain the most value, but not as well as their coupe or sedan cousins.

[335togo]

Well just look at it... I get comments about clean look all the time....8 years of ownership and I have not intention of letting it go. It certainly didn't come this way but was an easy design to enhance. Value comes from how your feel when driving

[Tragiclil]

It may not be the most “desirable” E9X M3 but man do I get tons of compliments out on the road with it. Top down and hearing induction from the front and exhaust from the rear is as intoxicating as it is addicting. I wouldn’t choose any other model.

[askme]

As an owner of an '09 e93 m3, I would say no. It is cheaper now because the M3 gear heads only want e92's. So those will be the ones that become classics. I get to drive an convertible with a roaring powerplant and have it not lose value as I do.

If you think about an investment look at ((sales price - purchase price) + usage value ) /years of use. That is, what would it have cost to either rent or own a "regular" car over the same time period. I think you will find that the e93 wont' gain value, but also won't depreciate the way a '23 Accord might. And that is your value (assuming you enjoy the m3 as much as the Accord)

[lambo5321]

The e93 m3 looks good it’s basically a coupe with no b pillar and a drop as well.

[Brandoch]

I think any E-series will be a classic, the last "analog" generation. Of course the e9x M3 will be a modern classic regardless of version. The e93 just won't be as valuable as the e90/e92. I wanted a e92 but the budget and availability led me to an e93 and I could not be happier.

[STooK]

I have a soft spot for e93's because I always thought they were cool and actually owned a e93 M3 briefly before switching to my e92. The main reason why I switched was because I asked myself the same question as the title of this thread and my answer was also "no". What comes to your mind when you hear e9x M3? For me it's a e92 M3 with the CF roof, finished in alpine white just like the press pictures. The e93 was fun to drive but in the end I regretted it so I ended up trading it in for my current e92 and it was the best decision I made. However, there are also plenty of happy e93 owners as you can see from this thread. There's no right or wrong answer, it just comes down to personal preference.