E46 M3 depreciating vs. "collectible" or "classic"?

[lmtfi]

What do you guys think, would a converted SMG to manual be worth more than the SMG? Would you have any issues with purchasing a converted manual M3?

1. No
2. Yes

[TexaZ3]

I think E46 M3s are starting to bottom out. I just picked up a relatively high mileage 2003 SMG Coupe (126K) for a daily driver this January. It is highly optioned, well maintained (lots maint. paperwork), and desirable color combo (Carbon/Cinnamon) in good condition from the original owner. Near mint interior. The price? $10,995.
I got one cause I think they have bottomed out or close to it.
I did the same with my Z3 M Coupe (in the sig. below) when I bought it in 2008 for $8500. These cars were near the bottom. Good luck finding one in similar condition for less than $20,000 nowadays. Good buy, great car.
Not to say it won't drop again one day, but unlikely. Same thing with E46s. Time to buy good ones now while they still can be had for a good price.
Cheers!

[MMMEAT]

It does feel kind of good to know that the M3 isn't depreciating much at all any more. In fact, two more years will show a lot. It'll be interesting.

I don't plan on ever selling, but you can bet that in 5-10 years a lot of our cars will be off the road and the remaining ones, especially if kept well, will have turned out to have been smart to keep. Selling the last two years would be the absolute worst time to pick, if you needed/wanted a great performance car of any kind. I've resisted the temptation to jump on a newer 50-70K Mcar and have just enjoyed what I have, knowing that the newer technology is going to be a nightmare for repairs down the road, not to mention the depreciation I'd face, while can just enjoy what is quickly becoming a classic and a perfectly well respected M car..even one that has all the "wrong" boxes checked with SMG and the ragtop lol

[XAlt]

The E46 will probably become the new E36. The cars trickled down to boy racers, aren't exactly rare, and getting wrecked at alarmingly high rates. I'd say it's suffering from 944 turbo syndrome.

It commands more respect than say the E36, but not all iconic cars will get that stupid high price treatment.

[iconoclast]

Apparently over the last few years the collectible, unmodified or conservatively modified units have appreciated in value. While the remainder have dropped in value dramatically.

[Johno]

I'm curious what my 6-speed '03 would bring. It has 43,000 miles, sun roof, hk sound and back up sensor. Only mods are clear corners on a silver car, plus aftermarket exhaust that I didn't know was aftermarket, thus not obnoxious. Original wheels and 19 inch expensive BMW wheels. No other options. It looks new from 15 feet away.

It's a lot more fun to drive than my s4, but I found a 'M4 that might be even more fun for a sunny day car.

[Eaglesail]

My 'Crystal Ball' tells me that...all things made of metal, plastic, and grandeur...will follow Donald Trump, and erode away!

[TostitoBandito]

Clean E36 M3's are starting to sell for absurd prices, so I'd expect the same thing to eventually happen to E46 M3's. These cars get crashed, molested by stancebros, and turned into racecars at an alarmingly high rate.

[dworthy]

Well it comes down to original car, so far as what came out of the factory. While you may be able to add some small stuff, changing a car is should be reversible to keep the value.

I have seen these cars with very low mileage go for 30k to 40k even, and of course the thrashed ones go for as little as 5k.

I would give it another 5 years before you see any real moving on these cars as the first or earliest YM-01 will have to hit 25 years old before it starts to really build on value.

[E46M3Dakar]

I think you overall need to ask yourself how long you plan to keep the car? I personally feel they are going to stay around their current value or depreciate over the next few years. I personally don't care since I wouldn't sell mine. That being said, as some people have said, the E46 M3 has been replacing the E36 M3 as the it track car. Due to this, it is going to be hard to find a nice one down the road.

This is why I think E30 Non-Ms have been increasing in value. SpecE30 started when E30 were worth nothing, now try to find a nice one for what they were going for. Some E36 M3s are starting to creep up in value. I would think if the E46 M3 stays the it track car. They will increase in value later down the road because another factor then production numbers is how many people want the old car they owned or the car they lusted over. There were tons of 240z but over the last few years they have been shooting up in value because it is hard to find a nice one among other things.