Is the Z4M Roadster Market Cratering?

[HEY32G]

I've been tracking prices on Z4M Roadsters for about two years and I'm seeing cars that have been for sale for a year or more. Both by dealers and individuals. What has happened to the market for these cars? Then I see new listings that are just a waste of time with ridiculously high prices. There was a dealer with an '07 w/ 30k on it and he had it listed for $29,900, I called and told him I'd wait until he lowered the price, I think it got down to $23,900 before it sold.

Personally, I was in the market for one last year but bought a TTS instead. I've since gotten rid of the TTS and still like the Z4MR, but it makes me a bit nervous that if I buy one and I decide to sell it, I'll be stuck with it.

[pokeybritches]

I hope I'm stuck with my car forever.

[Steeler]

Ditto, I have had many sports cars and my Zed is the only one that I never tire of driving.

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I hope I'm stuck with my car forever.

[NickyC]

The Z4M roadster is the most ridiculously underpriced car on the market. I just picked up my 06 M last month with 55k miles on it, for $20k from a dealer. The car had brand new brakes and rotors installed on all four corners, along with new tires, new floormats, new shiftknob, and a new third brake light. How in the hell he could afford to do all that, and STILL sell the car for $20k and swing a profit is beyond me.

To see Z3Ms with the S54 selling for as much or more just blows my mind. I owned 3 Z3Ms, and they aren't half the car the Z4M is. I can't imagine the Z4M won't increase in value in the coming years, it's just such an amazing car.

[HEY32G]

The car below was originally listed over a year ago at $29,995.

I know of one with 17k miles on it that sold for $24k. That is one heckuva deal.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=78006&endYear=2015&modelC ode1=BMWROAD&showcaseOwnerId=56335098&startYear=20 06&makeCode1=BMW&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=0&mmt =[BMW[BMWROAD[]][]]&listingId=354191954&Log=0

[The HACK]

That's not tanking IMO. $23,000 for a car that originally retailed for $57,000 7+ years ago is holding approximately 40% of it's value, despite a massive $10,000 discount when it was new.

For comparison, prices for '06 E46 M3 convertibles have likely dropped to around $16k-$18k for a low mileage, well cared for example, even in popular markets like Southern California. And that car can be had without a third pedal.

I think you're comparing MZ4 Roadster prices to Coupe prices, which isn't fair. For the year, vintage, miles, compared to market? The prices are holding up pretty good.

[yousefnjr]

For the money, I can't think of another car Id rather have. Best deal for a drop top sports car out there.

[Vanne]

Yep, won't be selling mine anytime soon.grab one while the grabbing is good. ;-)

[DEG]

I bought my M roadster because I love driving this car. Never really thought of it as an investment. I love its exclusivity and you that drive coupes have even more exclusivity.

[Finnegan]

Look at it this way: 25k now 17k in a few years. That's a 32% loss in value but only 8k. Compare that to 50k new and now 25k. 50%. But 25k "loss". Quite a difference! What's there to worry about?

And that's missing the true value of the car. Enjoyment. Fun. What else under 100-150k offers the same performance, value, and raw sports car experience.

If you want ROI cars are the worst idea ever.

[strokeoluck]

Well, I'm one of those guys that bought a few years ago for $30k and now have it up for sale and haven't been able to get what I "thought" it should go for. KBB says it should go for something like $27k but so far, no takers. I'm not crying about it, as I refuse to sell it for <$25k - then I'll just drive it forever. But let's say it sells for $26k or $25k and I "lose" $5k on the car over two years. That's $2500/year of incredibly cheap stress relief. :-)

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by strokeoluck

Well, I'm one of those guys that bought a few years ago for $30k and now have it up for sale and haven't been able to get what I "thought" it should go for. KBB says it should go for something like $27k but so far, no takers. I'm not crying about it, as I refuse to sell it for <$25k - then I'll just drive it forever. But let's say it sells for $26k or $25k and I "lose" $5k on the car over two years. That's $2500/year of incredibly cheap stress relief. :-)

Yep!

I concur with The Hack. It's a limited/niche market car. The right person will buy it KBB, or higher (if it ticks the right boxes). It's not a question of price, but time, and the right buyer. Dropping the price isn't going to sell the car faster. I think chances can be improved by posting here, Bimmer****, possibly Roundel, and for sale signs at local car enthusiast meets. Haven't gone to a single EuroSunday meet up (1x/month in Norcal) where someone hasn't asked if I'll sell my car.

[StickMon]

I'll drive mine into the ground.
I had my last car for 22 years and 220k miles.
Puttin' miles on this one faster, so I won't get 22 years, but I will get 200k miles and then some.

[funkle]

For the reasons used Porsche prices are sky rocketing, it seems like the same should be happening with our generation of Ms. People feel like it's their last chance to get a real car: raw, simple, analogue, manual, normally aspirated. The Z4M is all of that, but I guess it doesn't strike the right chord with that sector, and apparently a used Porsche is the answer.

[AmmarYasirA]

In all honesty I really feel like these prices should/will go up. When I was getting my car I was close to getting a coupe. And as much as I love the looks. You only get to look at it so much. You drive it more (in rare cases you don't) And the feeling you get from driving a convertible is something different. You can't get that same top down experience in a coupe.

And the way I see it. Roadsters are for those who want that surreal experience from driving a car with nothing over you. Wind in your hair, S54 in your ears, and that gigantic hood in your view.

And the coupes will always be more expensive for their rarity and looks. Other than that the cars are very very similar.

Im definitely keeping mine. Not in hopes that the value will go up, but because it's just that damn good.

And definitely looking to get a coupe in the future too to go along with the Roadster.

Just my input.

[David70]

I agree with a lot of the above but disagree about lowering the price not helping it sell faster. When I was looking for my Coupe, price came in to play and how far I was willing to travel to get the right car (lower price and I would travel farther), or just wait for a better deal to come along (I was willing to wait). I also think that there is a decent amount of people cross shopping this car with something else (I also considered a Cayman S). From a quick search there looks to be 75 Z4M roadsters available in the country. Enough that what I would want is available, if the price was right. I believe there is a "dreaming price", "realistic price" and "want to get rid of it now price" and would try to sit on "realistic" and wait it out if circumstances allowed. I would have paid significantly more for a local car if it had been what I was looking for (reducing a lot of hassle and money to get it from out of state).

I don't see that the prices have tanked and don't expect them to in the future. Potential for high depreciation should be lower now than ever.

[OleSport]

Bought my car with the intentions of a Keeper to the grave!

[bjbstewart]

Originally Posted by The HACK

That's not tanking IMO. $23,000 for a car that originally retailed for $57,000 7+ years ago is holding approximately 40% of it's value, despite a massive $10,000 discount when it was new.

Huh? $10k discount? What is this you speak of?

[itdnwiwbp]

Originally Posted by bjbstewart

Huh? $10k discount? What is this you speak of?

Coupes, maybe roadsters as well - not sure, weren't moving off the lots very fast when they were new. This is often attributed to the fact that they really weren't advertised by BMW so no one knew they existed. Since they weren't moving dealers discounted them significantly.

[dazed^]

Also, most of summer is now gone, and convertible prices are correlated with the temperature to some extent.

[strokeoluck]

Originally Posted by funkle

For the reasons used Porsche prices are sky rocketing, it seems like the same should be happening with our generation of Ms. People feel like it's their last chance to get a real car: raw, simple, analogue, manual, normally aspirated. The Z4M is all of that, but I guess it doesn't strike the right chord with that sector, and apparently a used Porsche is the answer.

That's what I felt when I purchased the car. It's sort of a combination between a muscle car (brute power), a great road car, striking appearance and an analog car in a digital world. Ironically I had a relatively "old" guy interested in my car several weeks ago. He was a real car guy and had owned a number of nice, European go-fast cars. He asked me why I, in my mid-40's, didn't own a fast car with an automatic or paddle-shifters. He said that's what most younger people go for these days. I shared my sentiments with him on what I appreciated in a car, and a few days later he - this 60-something guy - told me he was going with a Porsche with paddle shifters.

WTH?! I feel like I'm a dying breed. My teenage kids have no desire to even learn how to drive a manual transmission, and none of their friends own a car with a stick. Shameful.

[strokeoluck]

Originally Posted by dazed^

Also, most of summer is now gone, and convertible prices are correlated with the temperature to some extent.

Yup, I agree. I always told myself I'd never be that idiot that tried to sell a convertible in late summer, because you're going to take it in the shorts on price if you can even sell it. But lo and behold, here I am! ;-)