Help me make a terrible E9X financial decision

Talk Me Out Of It is always a fun “what if” scenario. If it were up to me, I’d take them all home. Or none. But this week, I actually really do need your help. I’m looking at E9X M3 values, and I think I’d like one again.

The cheapest, nastiest, most terrible one I can find.

E9X M3 values – Sedan, Coupe or Convertible?

For realisies – I want one. But not the ones that go for $80,000 on EAG – that’s insane.

Instead, I have the knowledge and friends to help make it my own. Supercharge it. Refresh the chassis. New seats. Repainted. You know, make it the most amazing E9X you’ve ever seen. In that case I want a ratty one, to make the metamorphosis something we can all appreciate. What a beautiful butterfly.

Now seems like a good time – there are a ton on the market. And the first question is: what body style?

There are the most coupes, as you’d guess. The convertibles are the cheapest. And then there’s the sedan…

You might think that the sedan, being the rarest and most coveted, would be the hardest to find. But I think people used them as intended – family cars. That means lots of miles. And that means, lower price. The sedan allows me to easily bring my family along. Plus I can use the sunroof without guilt or judgement.

Still, the other body styles have their merits. What do you think?

Manual or DCT?

This wouldn’t replace my G80, but be the special weekend car I take out sometimes. I’m not a fan of the current M3’s manual, and the E9X’s was pretty much the same.

I’ve driven plenty of E9Xs with DCTs. It’s like having the S65 delivered to you with a side of fries instead of salad – not required, but definitely a better experience. BMW designed it that way, and with the speed the supercharger brings, I like the idea of faster shifts.

Manual cars seem to be more expensive because “I”M BOUT DAT LYFE”, or whatever. Another win for me.

E9X M3 values and all the options

I don’t care about color – I’ll paint it. And I’d replace those couches in the front with a set of Recaros (I was a fan of them in this build).

I do prefer an LCI model – saves me the trouble of upgrading the original unit to take Apple CarPlay (and tail lights). I do believe I’d like to keep the adjustable suspension function, so a ZCP Comp Pack would be nice, but not required.

Now that you know what I want, let’s go shopping.

Option 1 – Salvage me

Here’s the cheapest M3 Sedan I could currently find listed.

• 2010
• 145,000 miles
• Space grey over Fox Red, not that it matters
• $16,999

As the title suggests, it has a salvage title, and who knows just how bad it is. J&B has a rack that can straighten the chassis, and I can get the price lower, but it’s still a gamble until the car is taken apart.

Option 2 – Free and clear

Next is this 2011.

• 153,000 miles
• $19,985
• Black Sapphire over Bamboo Beige

It has base wheels – Fine. But no Salvage title, and what looks to be like just one owner. Again, I bet I can get that price down a grand or two.

Option 3 – Coupe Me

Lastly, here’s a 2009 Coupe.

• 139,000 miles
• Alpine White over black
• $18,900

There are plenty of Coupes out there, but this one is the cheapest. Does have the carbon roof, but it’s not an LCI.

I’m not saying it WILL be one of these, but certainly something like it. Or perhaps something not even BMW-related that I can make special.

Let me know…or, you know. Talk Me Out Of It.

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