Future value of a Z4M

[Kgolf31]

Hey all,

I'm going through a bit of a dilemma here with figuring out what to do with my car.

I don't want to track it or autocross it anymore. I just don't feel comfortable beating on a car of this production number and value.

I'm just trying to predict what the future value of these cars.

Given the limited amount of production, do you ever see the value increasing on the cars past the mid 30s? If there is any table that has been tracking the value increase/decrease on these cars it would be great to look at that info and find any trends that are present.

I don't know if keeping it a couple more years, dumping more money for service related items will have its return on investment with a higher asking price say...2 or 3 years down the road.

[inTgr8r]

Why do you own the car?
...for future value or the pure joy that driving it brings.

I know what my answer is

[Starscream]

They weren't exactly well received when they were released,
Even BMW enthusiasts including M owners (M3 M5 M6) never even knew what they were!

I almost feel like they are not counted as an M car by other aficionados

Regardless I love mine and I'm never parting with it Value or no value this ones here to stay

[itdnwiwbp]

I plan on keeping mine as long as I can. I don't do any irreversible mods just in case it becomes valuable at some point but aside from that I don't give any thought to it possibly being a good investment in the future. If that does happen it's probably pretty far down the road. Until then I'll continue to enjoy driving and taking care of it. But, I've also decided not to track my car because I'd be way too disappointed if it got totaled (not to get into a debate over the logic of that).

[krusty]

Originally Posted by Starscream

I almost feel like they are not counted as an M car by other aficionados

Oh please - nothing could be further from the truth. And especially so in an age when BMW slaps M labels on idiotic donkey vans like the X5 and X6.

What could be more pure an M than the E86 Z4 coupe M? It even has the same engine as the contemporaneous M3.

[mgwatson48]

Originally Posted by Starscream

I almost feel like they are not counted as an M car by other aficionados

That must by why Top Gear referred to the Z4 M Coupe as "A modern legend. A modern legend with a 3.2-litre straight-six engine lifted from the E46-generation M3. That's 340bhp and a 0-62mph time of five seconds. The rabid attack dog will literally head-butt the limiter at 155mph, if it hasn't head-butted your vegetables before that: it is very hard, it is very fast, it is very unforgiving, and it is ruddy marvellous. This is M at its very best. Buy one. Now."

Page 15 of 19: http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/bmw...ery-2011-09-23

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Starscream

They weren't exactly well received when they were released,
Even BMW enthusiasts including M owners (M3 M5 M6) never even knew what they were!

I almost feel like they are not counted as an M car by other aficionados

Regardless I love mine and I'm never parting with it Value or no value this ones here to stay

+10000 whatever we think about these cars, lets face it, firstly to realise full potential they need modification in certain area's, and sadly these cars are seen as the runt of the ///M car litter.... sad but true. it SHOULD have been one the ///M divisions best and all the ingredients are their.... but it never made it.......

[bjbstewart]

Originally Posted by mgwatson48

That must by why Top Gear referred to the Z4 M Coupe as "A modern legend. A modern legend with a 3.2-litre straight-six engine lifted from the E46-generation M3. That's 340bhp and a 0-62mph time of five seconds. The rabid attack dog will literally head-butt the limiter at 155mph, if it hasn't head-butted your vegetables before that: it is very hard, it is very fast, it is very unforgiving, and it is ruddy marvellous. This is M at its very best. Buy one. Now."

Page 15 of 19: http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/bmw...ery-2011-09-23

That's freakin' awesome!

[avsbmw]

I think it would take a while for the value to increase a lot. But I do not think they are dropping much at all.

I get to drive different sports cars all the time and still love how pure the M coupe is. I love mine and enjoy it.

[Walkurie]

Now into my eight year with this car and can honestly say it is as thrilling today as the day I bought it. Hope I never see it go. Trying to keep it as fresh as it was when new. The resale value is incidental.

[Kgolf31]

Well, with some talking and thinking over...I just can't part with it.

So, it is retiring from heavy duty and going to be a Friday/Weekend Car.

The 128 is going to become track and autocross car now

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by Starscream

They weren't exactly well received when they were released. Even BMW enthusiasts including M owners (M3 M5 M6) never even knew what they were!

I almost feel like they are not counted as an M car by other aficionados.

Went in to O'Reilly the other day to get some new wipers for my company car. I was wearing my ///M jacket, the black one with the ///M on the left chest and the ///M stripes down the sleeves. Girl behind the counter sees my jacket and excitedly asks "Do you have an M3? Or an M5?"

I reply, "No, I have a Z4 M Roadster."

Her reply: "Oh."

[gtMc]

OP - you ask a very tough question, I myself have debated this starting for about a year before I finally bought mine 2+ yrs ago. I actually surveyed a number of folk on this forum to see if they would find a table tracking sales and values useful, but we ultimately decided that there is no way to easily verify the quality of the data aside from hopeing people report the honest transaction price. Unfortunately secondary car transactions don't report trades like the housing or stock market does.

IMO regarding E86M's: I do think what we are finding now, is a separation in value of the population. The lower mileage (sub 35k), stock or easily de-modded cars that haven't seen tons of track time are still maintaining ask prices in the high 20's to mid 30s. Cars that are tracked or auto-x'ed but are very well taken care off are not too far behind these, again mileage dependent. and as expected, high mileage and/or neglected cars seem to be in the mid 20's asking.

As for what the future holds, its hard to say but based on what the Clown shoe has done, it doesn't seem too far fetched to expect the E86Ms to behave in a similar way. I imagine over time something in the mid to high 20's should be a good floor the best of the cars left out there. But its honestly impossible to predict.

Seems like you have enjoyed the heck out of your car so far, but only you can decide how best to get enjoyment from it in the future. I'm one of those where I have a tough time turning a stock, clean '08 into a track car (sans a few HPDE's here and there). I enjoy it as it is, for what I use it for today. but I applaud with a little jealousy, those folks that do it.

[KevinM]

This is a very limited production M car...if you put some moth balls in it and do not drive it, most likely it will eventually appreciate in value. Who knows the time frame, but I am sure this will occur.

Personally I'd drive the hell out of it and enjoy one of the last of its kind...That said, mine is not my daily driver and for my purposes the car is not suited as such. My wife, on the other hand, loves to drive it frequently, and I love that about her.

[Philly_sweden]

Keep it!!

Honestly the best M ever built, REALLY!

I have driven many different M cars and I've owned 5 M3's.

None of the cars I have owned or driven delivered the same amount of fun that the M Coupé does!

You only live once, drive hard and fast

You won't find another BMW that is this fun, mabe more comfortable LOL but not more fun

[Finnegan]

+1 on Philly_Sweden's post.

I'm not thinking of selling mine; it's crossed my mind and I can't do it. I've had a lot of cars, 2 M3s, a Cayman S, a few others, and this one is the only one I've been attached to. Like really attached to.

After the same debate about the track, and knowing myself pretty well, plus a bit of an "off-road" excursion last year, no more track for the Z4M. Sure, a mini van could take me out on the road, but on the track anything that might happen is my total responsibility. There is too much emotional attachment plus that responsibility level (that's my view as a driver) makes it too difficult. Also, I can't keep either beating on her, or putting her at risk. I've clearly been bitten by the track bug, track days aren't optional.

My advice would have been to do what you chose to do. Keep her. Enjoy the car. Use something else for AutoX and HPDE.

My answer? I'm keeping the Z and I bought a more or less gutted and well prepped E36 M3. She's not pretty, but was cheap to buy, she's fun, cheap to maintain (new bumper set me back 125 bucks), has all subframe, water pump, oil pump etc. work and other weak spots addressed, and will get a cage. If at some point I make a mistake, there's no emotional attachment. (I don't plan on that, but there always a chance.)

[Nate4641]

while that one review from Top Gear was positive on the show it didnt get as good of a review from Clarkson. Hammond seemed to enjoy the car but Clarkson quickly shut down the E85 M and even faster shot down the Coupe.

I think if our car was highlighted in a movie or on tv it would do great things for the long term value. I'm convinced thats what happened with the Supra and the first F&F movie and why even non turbo, high mileage Supras are still so expensive. The fact that so many are seemingly so easy to make super fast probably helps too.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

while that one review from Top Gear was positive on the show it didnt get as good of a review from Clarkson. Hammond seemed to enjoy the car but Clarkson quickly shut down the E85 M and even faster shot down the Coupe.

I think if our car was highlighted in a movie or on tv it would do great things for the long term value. I'm convinced thats what happened with the Supra and the first F&F movie and why even non turbo, high mileage Supras are still so expensive. The fact that so many are seemingly so easy to make super fast probably helps too.

I've come to the conclusion that Clarkson must have a quite terrible case of incurable hemmeroids because he constantly dumps on any car with a firm ride. Why else is his behind so sore? Let's not pursue that. In addition to Hammond, Fifth Gear's Jason Plato loved the initial E85 Z4 and actually went out and bought one after driving it. He also endorsed the Z4M - that clip is still on YouTube. Interestingly, Clarkson proclaimed his love for the new softer sprung E89, while Fifth Gear's Plato and Tiff Needell (spelling?) both concluded that the E85 / E86 was a much better sports car.

The only exception to Clarkson's complaints about ride that I am aware of is his recent endorsement of the Jag-You-Are (spelled as the Brits mispronounce it) F Type. And I'm sure he did that solely because its a British car.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

+1 on Philly_Sweden's post.

I'm not thinking of selling mine; it's crossed my mind and I can't do it. I've had a lot of cars, 2 M3s, a Cayman S, a few others, and this one is the only one I've been attached to. Like really attached to.

After the same debate about the track, and knowing myself pretty well, plus a bit of an "off-road" excursion last year, no more track for the Z4M. Sure, a mini van could take me out on the road, but on the track anything that might happen is my total responsibility. There is too much emotional attachment plus that responsibility level (that's my view as a driver) makes it too difficult. Also, I can't keep either beating on her, or putting her at risk. I've clearly been bitten by the track bug, track days aren't optional.

My advice would have been to do what you chose to do. Keep her. Enjoy the car. Use something else for AutoX and HPDE.

My answer? I'm keeping the Z and I bought a more or less gutted and well prepped E36 M3. She's not pretty, but was cheap to buy, she's fun, cheap to maintain (new bumper set me back 125 bucks), has all subframe, water pump, oil pump etc. work and other weak spots addressed, and will get a cage. If at some point I make a mistake, there's no emotional attachment. (I don't plan on that, but there always a chance.)

Completely agree here.

I've driven my car for SCCA autocross for the past 3 years, in addition 3 track events. The autocross the risk is minimal, however things can happen where you hit a cone and crack a bumper. It has happened.

The track, however, isn't as forgetting. Every event I've attended I've seen at least 1 totaled car.

Last time it was a E92 M3 that went into the wall from getting on the gas too early.

Obviously, I wouldn't be able to cope with such a loss on a car of this value.


So, I've thought about it, and taking the money that I would of invested into the Z4M and throwing it to the E82 128. Will be purchasing APEX 17x9 wheels and TCKline DA suspension for the E82 as a start, and hopefully a LSD.

Main reason? The 128 is branded as a lemon law, and I knew this buying it and I had the goal of ultimately turning it into a track car. So, this investment is worthwhile, and puts the Z4M back on the streets, where it won't see as many miles, but still gets driven and enjoyed for countless years to come.

[Vanne]

Does it really matter what Clarkson says about the M coupe?? I love it, I drive it. And the guy taking photos of the car when I came back from the shops obviously loved it too.

I haven't driven another M besides the m3, and this is way more fun that that, and way more special. I don't care about the resale price, cos I'll be hanging onto this puppy.

Love it? Drive it!!!

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Vanne

Does it really matter what Clarkson says about the M coupe?? I love it, I drive it. And the guy taking photos of the car when I came back from the shops obviously loved it too.

I haven't driven another M besides the m3, and this is way more fun that that, and way more special. I don't care about the resale price, cos I'll be hanging onto this puppy.

Love it? Drive it!!!

My point exactly! If you love the car, who cares what some hemmeroidal snob in the UK thinks?

[itdnwiwbp]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Jag-You-Are (spelled as the Brits mispronounce it) F Type

To be fair the company is (was founded) on their turf.