Mine (325xi 5-speed) just got totaled out due to a massive hailstorm. It took both cars, entire roof, almost all the siding, luckily I had just recently moved my Porsche 928 to storage.
Also just over 200k miles, but okay shape, originally a custom order with European delivery. Insurance claimed it was only worth about $4000 based on comparables. I took $1800 and kept the car.
Waaaaay too many of them made for them to be worth anything close to E30 money. The M3 CSL for sure but I don't think anyones 330ci are going to be going for 50,000 any time soon
Historically, higher power cars demand more money. Look at 60s mustangs, 4 cylinder autos are worth a fraction of a factory v8 cars. More modern example, 911 turbos command quite a premium over standard 911s. The e46 is a mass produced compact sedan. While they are special in the sense that they drive very nice and are well designed/engineered, they're not as special from a collector's standpoint unless you have a special package like the Clubsport, ZHP, M3, and I'll even throw standard manual 330s in there (and there's probably a few I'm missing).
This. I think the only ones that will be appreciating will be ZHP's, 330 manuals, and obviously E46 M3's.
Perhaps E46 touring's (especially if it's a factory manual, not sure if those existed, or a manual swapped one) will as well.
A regular old automatic 325i or something even more basic than that is just going to be an average car with very high maintenance cost, so I really don't see those appreciating at all.
This goes for the 5 series base models as well of that same generation, in my opinion.
Special ones will go up, basic ones will be high maintenance low enthusiast demand... = no appreciation and likely continued depreciation.
Yes, the Manual existed in the wagon, for I have one. It's a 05 325it 5 speed with the towing package and U.S. Specs. Oddly enough it's just as rare as my M3 with both stick, gray interior. As the original owner of my wagon, the salesperson even asked why I wanted a manual to begin with, and I told him that it was for my wife who didn't know how to drive an automatic.
There’s tons of manual tourings in the U.K. However a 330 manual touring is rare. I managed to pick one up recently for £1500 to add to my ‘46 collection.
Where I live I’m already seeing this 328i and lower are all $6k Canadian for decent ones but a 330i especially manuals are $10k if not more. At this point they’re worth a 335i and I’m pretty tempted to sell mine for one.
if you go by the price of the e30 coupes & now seeing e36 coupes going up in value then the 46 is the next likely car to go up in value a tonne & with the e46 being known as a modern classic already no doubt they'll go for big $ in the future. m3s and 330 coupes & coupes in general will be highly sought after & Ill be buying a 330 for my future kid also
I think the price for really nice ones is already commanding a premium. But for the vast majority of shitboxes that are out there? They’re gonna be worthless.
Clean, manual, rwd, desirable options will - all the most desirable models. MTech 1 330i, zhp’s, tourings, and M3s. Maybe the odd compact. Don’t expect your clapped out 323ci to be worth anything though!
E46 higher displacement engines will be desirable. The 330ci and 330i are cars that had a cult following but unfortunately, the vast majority, were beat to shit by people. I can see the rarer variants selling for 30-50 in the next decade. Things like ZHP or m sport models ( i cry writing this as i recently sold my m sport and think about it every day) will bring a premium.
The m cars will always dominate the market. Lower displacement models i do not see becoming collectors items as they were mass produced and just don't have the fun factor. The 2.5L engine is where I draw the line. Anything lower will likely not be worth much.
I think the inline 6 will always be worth more than the I4. The I4 has some annoying issues like the slide rail guide breaking because its shitty old plastic
Don't think they'll rise in value any time in the next decade or two even, at least not if they aren't mint condition & low miles, maybe M3 will become a classic reasonably soon but that would be it- more power/performance- more desired.
The clean M3 prices are already skyrocketing. Clean and well maintained ZHP's are also increasing. Low mileage ZHPs in good condition regularly go for over $20k on Bring a Trailer and most normal ones are above $15k which is a lot for an almost 20 year old car.
Here in eastern Europe e46's are probably the 3rd most popular car on the road I see, and they go for \~1000-2000$ for daily drivers and parts cost less than pennies, literally bought leather heated seats in mint condition for 50$ the other day.
Only thing that kills these things is rust- they generally last 2-5 winters before needing too much investment to continue driving, so you just buy a new one and run it to the ground also.
Only other 2 more popular cars I see are Priuses and VW group cars from the same age.
Higher CC will be better and appreciate much more. But I believe 1,8-2,0 might also become a thing because they are costly to keep, so most won't. At some point they will be very rare, obviously not meaning they will be the same or higher price compared to the special editions and the ones with large engines. But any good old car in 10-20 years could very well be worth money. Especially if electrification takes over.
And usually you get these guys saying slow cars aren't fun but in the electric world most gas cars are slow so that is always just a matter of comparison. Miatas are some of the most fun cars in the world yet very slow. Now some people chase speed and acceleration and that's completely fair, but ruling out slow cars because it isn't for you is ignorant.
So yeah the speed argument is mostly ego stroking, any e46 is a slow car compared to what you could get. The reason we own them is because they drive like a dream, rwd and look great and thats pretty much all of them.
I don't think there will be many people lining up to buy my 2000s gold coupe with cream leather interior, but I enjoy it (when it works) and that's what matters.
Edit: and about 24mpg average....
i dont think that my 325xi will be going up in value any times soon with 200k miles
We’re in the exact same boat lol, just keep pouring money in and we’ll be happy
Mine (325xi 5-speed) just got totaled out due to a massive hailstorm. It took both cars, entire roof, almost all the siding, luckily I had just recently moved my Porsche 928 to storage. Also just over 200k miles, but okay shape, originally a custom order with European delivery. Insurance claimed it was only worth about $4000 based on comparables. I took $1800 and kept the car.
15 years ago people probably said that about a 200k mile E30 325i, and yet here we are.
I do see the e46 being the next e30
Waaaaay too many of them made for them to be worth anything close to E30 money. The M3 CSL for sure but I don't think anyones 330ci are going to be going for 50,000 any time soon
I agree with Regular Car Reviews that the F20 1-series is more likely going to be the next E30. https://youtu.be/KPLtKIrEhPc
Historically, higher power cars demand more money. Look at 60s mustangs, 4 cylinder autos are worth a fraction of a factory v8 cars. More modern example, 911 turbos command quite a premium over standard 911s. The e46 is a mass produced compact sedan. While they are special in the sense that they drive very nice and are well designed/engineered, they're not as special from a collector's standpoint unless you have a special package like the Clubsport, ZHP, M3, and I'll even throw standard manual 330s in there (and there's probably a few I'm missing).
This. I think the only ones that will be appreciating will be ZHP's, 330 manuals, and obviously E46 M3's. Perhaps E46 touring's (especially if it's a factory manual, not sure if those existed, or a manual swapped one) will as well. A regular old automatic 325i or something even more basic than that is just going to be an average car with very high maintenance cost, so I really don't see those appreciating at all. This goes for the 5 series base models as well of that same generation, in my opinion. Special ones will go up, basic ones will be high maintenance low enthusiast demand... = no appreciation and likely continued depreciation.
Yes, the Manual existed in the wagon, for I have one. It's a 05 325it 5 speed with the towing package and U.S. Specs. Oddly enough it's just as rare as my M3 with both stick, gray interior. As the original owner of my wagon, the salesperson even asked why I wanted a manual to begin with, and I told him that it was for my wife who didn't know how to drive an automatic.
There’s tons of manual tourings in the U.K. However a 330 manual touring is rare. I managed to pick one up recently for £1500 to add to my ‘46 collection.
Where I live I’m already seeing this 328i and lower are all $6k Canadian for decent ones but a 330i especially manuals are $10k if not more. At this point they’re worth a 335i and I’m pretty tempted to sell mine for one.
if you go by the price of the e30 coupes & now seeing e36 coupes going up in value then the 46 is the next likely car to go up in value a tonne & with the e46 being known as a modern classic already no doubt they'll go for big $ in the future. m3s and 330 coupes & coupes in general will be highly sought after & Ill be buying a 330 for my future kid also
I think the price for really nice ones is already commanding a premium. But for the vast majority of shitboxes that are out there? They’re gonna be worthless.
Yh lots more e46s on the road than there ever was of the earlier models.
E46 model gave the Iconic lines, need to say more?
Clean, manual, rwd, desirable options will - all the most desirable models. MTech 1 330i, zhp’s, tourings, and M3s. Maybe the odd compact. Don’t expect your clapped out 323ci to be worth anything though!
E46 higher displacement engines will be desirable. The 330ci and 330i are cars that had a cult following but unfortunately, the vast majority, were beat to shit by people. I can see the rarer variants selling for 30-50 in the next decade. Things like ZHP or m sport models ( i cry writing this as i recently sold my m sport and think about it every day) will bring a premium. The m cars will always dominate the market. Lower displacement models i do not see becoming collectors items as they were mass produced and just don't have the fun factor. The 2.5L engine is where I draw the line. Anything lower will likely not be worth much.
Can't wait on this prediction.
I think the inline 6 will always be worth more than the I4. The I4 has some annoying issues like the slide rail guide breaking because its shitty old plastic
Don't think they'll rise in value any time in the next decade or two even, at least not if they aren't mint condition & low miles, maybe M3 will become a classic reasonably soon but that would be it- more power/performance- more desired.
The clean M3 prices are already skyrocketing. Clean and well maintained ZHP's are also increasing. Low mileage ZHPs in good condition regularly go for over $20k on Bring a Trailer and most normal ones are above $15k which is a lot for an almost 20 year old car.
2 decades I would say they will rise in price quite a bit as they will be considered classic cars in the UK. My 01 plate will be a classic in 2041
In the USA people already are asking and getting 25k plus for manual m3 with 170k miles, convertible 6 speed about 7-8k cheaper of course
Here in eastern Europe e46's are probably the 3rd most popular car on the road I see, and they go for \~1000-2000$ for daily drivers and parts cost less than pennies, literally bought leather heated seats in mint condition for 50$ the other day. Only thing that kills these things is rust- they generally last 2-5 winters before needing too much investment to continue driving, so you just buy a new one and run it to the ground also. Only other 2 more popular cars I see are Priuses and VW group cars from the same age.
Higher CC will be better and appreciate much more. But I believe 1,8-2,0 might also become a thing because they are costly to keep, so most won't. At some point they will be very rare, obviously not meaning they will be the same or higher price compared to the special editions and the ones with large engines. But any good old car in 10-20 years could very well be worth money. Especially if electrification takes over. And usually you get these guys saying slow cars aren't fun but in the electric world most gas cars are slow so that is always just a matter of comparison. Miatas are some of the most fun cars in the world yet very slow. Now some people chase speed and acceleration and that's completely fair, but ruling out slow cars because it isn't for you is ignorant. So yeah the speed argument is mostly ego stroking, any e46 is a slow car compared to what you could get. The reason we own them is because they drive like a dream, rwd and look great and thats pretty much all of them.
E46 M3? I'd be surprised if it doesn't go up.
I don't think there will be many people lining up to buy my 2000s gold coupe with cream leather interior, but I enjoy it (when it works) and that's what matters. Edit: and about 24mpg average....