E46 M3 - colours and values?

E46 M3 - colours and values?

Author
Discussion

AlfaNZ

Original Poster:

37 posts

135 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
quotequote all
I’ve found a very low mileage E46 M3 manual, but it is phoenix yellow with light grey leather. I’m not a fan of this colour - would love laguna seca blue or imola red, but low mileage manual cars are hard to find

I want something I can keep long term. Do you think colour affects values on these cars? Or are they all much or a muchness and it comes down to personal preference?

CRA1G

6,774 posts

202 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
quotequote all
AlfaNZ said:
I’ve found a very low mileage E46 M3 manual, but it is phoenix yellow with light grey leather. I’m not a fan of this colour - would love laguna seca blue or imola red, but low mileage manual cars are hard to find

I want something I can keep long term. Do you think colour affects values on these cars? Or are they all much or a muchness and it comes down to personal preference?
Colour is obviously personal choice but imo condition and service history with supporting invoices etc are far more important to me. I have a low mileage low owner manual car but the colour was not my first choice...driving

Edited by CRA1G on Saturday 18th February 07:30

Jamescrs

4,871 posts

72 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
quotequote all
Colour would be well down the list of priorities for most people buying an E46 M3, as above past istory and overall condition are whats important. I don't see one colour being worth more than another specifically.

Mr Tidy

24,313 posts

134 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
quotequote all
I'd definitely be more concerned about condition and history than colour, but then I like Phoenix Yellow!

I'm sure I'm not alone in that so I can't see colour having much of an influence on value. Everyone has different preferences after all. I know some people like black cars but the one combination I really wouldn't buy would be black with a black interior.

I'm not a huge fan of silver either as I've had quite a few silver cars in the past, but when I saw my Z4M Coupe for sale at a price I couldn't ignore I decided I could live with Silver Grey especially as it had a red interior. laugh

jon-yprpe

405 posts

95 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
quotequote all
Titan silver is the most common and therefore prob least valuable. LSB sought after and expensive, as is Estoril, others are to taste really.

But above all this….rust, rust, rust. They rust under the rear subframe mounts, spring perches, chassis rails. Rust is what kills these now….then engines.

Matt_E46

136 posts

46 months

Sunday 19th February 2023
quotequote all
As above really. Buy on condition not mileage or colour.

The Individual colours will always carry a premium - Oxford Green gets snapped up almost immediately.

LSB and Imola are in very high demand. Quite like Phoenix myself. But as others have mentioned rust will kill these and make them a money pit. Avoid cars from Scotland - seen a few Redish videos where a low mileage car (60k) was essentially scrap it was so corrected on the underside and behind the wheel arches.

Amazing cars. Good luck with your search.

nw28840

987 posts

186 months

Sunday 19th February 2023
quotequote all




Phoenix yellow…absolutely loved mine…long gone unfortunately

Twolane

80 posts

27 months

Sunday 19th February 2023
quotequote all
This site will give you an idea of the build qtys of each E46 M3.

https://www.carsaddiction.com/en/productiontotal/b...


helix402

7,913 posts

189 months

Monday 20th February 2023
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Phoenix is popular with some due to being a launch colour.

AlfaNZ

Original Poster:

37 posts

135 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
Twolane said:
This site will give you an idea of the build qtys of each E46 M3.

https://www.carsaddiction.com/en/productiontotal/b...
Interesting reading, thanks. How hot would malachite green be!

Baked_bean

1,927 posts

199 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
I think there is a premium on a few colours such as Laguna Seca Blue, Oxford green.

I have a Titan Silver Manual coupe, which wouldn't be my first choice but it is set off by the red interior and the condition made it the right car for me. I might be considering selling it, just saying.

Baked_bean

1,927 posts

199 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
I think there is a premium on a few colours such as Laguna Seca Blue, Oxford green.

I have a Titan Silver Manual coupe, which wouldn't be my first choice but it is set off by the red interior and the condition made it the right car for me. I might be considering selling it, just saying.

pidsy

8,201 posts

164 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.

MissChief

7,237 posts

175 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.
Stunning colour. And I agree. Gorgeous thing.

CRA1G

6,774 posts

202 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.
Wow... What colour is it.? Never seen it before on a E46 M3.! It looks very similar to the New "Thundernight" on my M240...

pidsy

8,201 posts

164 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
Techno Violet.

alscar

5,391 posts

220 months

Tuesday 21st February 2023
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.
Such a great colour - I had Techno Violet on a 518 SE Touring.
I put my Mystic Blue E46 with Kiwi Leather in and found that was 1 out of 246 worldwide.

bumskins

1,928 posts

22 months

Tuesday 21st February 2023
quotequote all
CRA1G said:
pidsy said:
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.
Wow... What colour is it.? Never seen it before on a E46 M3.! It looks very similar to the New "Thundernight" on my M240...
Hard to tell as the M240 picture looks washed out, but the newer shade looks far greyer/washed out - that E46 in Techno looks superb cloud9

Maxus

1,016 posts

188 months

Tuesday 21st February 2023
quotequote all
Phoenix yellow is a marmite but desirable colour (if that makes sense!). I love it and would seek one out. Personal preference, but I wouldn't have it with the grey interior though. I don't think Phoenix carries the premium of Imola red or Laguna Seca Blue though.

As has been said, it's about what you like and if the car is good condition that is most important.

Edited by Maxus on Tuesday 21st February 13:33

Mr Tidy

24,313 posts

134 months

Tuesday 21st February 2023
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Mine was 1/28 worldwide apparently



Should never have sold it.
I feel bad saying it, but you really shouldn't have!

That has to be one of the best BMW colours ever - I'd even put it ahead of Laguna Seca Blue or Imola Red.

I really like Phoenix Yellow too, but for me it works best with the Bi-Colour seats with Phoenix Yellow side bolsters.

There I was suggesting buying on condition and history, but sorting a few condition issues might be cheaper than a respray or a wrap. confusedlaugh