Depreciation on the E46 series

[Chim_Girl]

Now the new 3 series is out, how much is the older one likely to be affected? For example, I am told that dealers are offering £1500 behind book price on the previous 5 series. Is it likely to be similar on the 3?

[mustard]

dependant on model has been the case for a while..... whilst they have firmed up, you dont want to know how far M3's were behind book in December!

.... how many is it?

[Chim_Girl]

It's not the M3 that bothers me, I'm trying to buy another 3 series BMW at the moment, don't want to end up catching a cold on it, I'm likely to keep it for 18 months to 2 years maximum.



Tetley lorry duly despatched.

[mustard]

Chim_Girl said:

It's not the M3 that bothers me, I'm trying to buy another 3 series BMW at the moment, don't want to end up catching a cold on it, I'm likely to keep it for 18 months to 2 years maximum. Tetley lorry duly despatched.

I know Jo !!

: polishescrystalball: the proverbial will hits the fan on ones less than 2yrs old but this has a knock on effect to a lessor extent

Personally i think JO Public is getting savy to the new models and we seam to see the residials sinking Prior to the launch of the new one (i.e. Now!)

Porsche 996's are another example, prices have now stabilised following the lauch of the 997, Boxsters are still stabalising (new boxster came out a little later)

The 3 series biggest enemy is volume these days (though sadly it would appear not for what you looking for )

The other point of note is the Tourings which your looking at are soo much rarer than saloon (and obviously a bit more useful too) so keeps them a tad firmer



>> Edited by mustard on Tuesday 1st February 19:15

[olly2000]

mustard said:

dependant on model has been the case for a while..... whilst they have firmed up, you dont want to know how far M3's were behind book in December! .... how many is it?

Tell me about it Lost c. 15k in 2 years on an m3...

[madou]

How long do you think it will take for a good condition E46 M3 to be less than GBP 20K from a dealer ? Prices are already c. GBP 25K

[Smartie]

madou said:

How long do you think it will take for a good condition E46 M3 to be less than GBP 20K from a dealer ? Prices are already c. GBP 25K

Something like Phoenix Yellow or Smurf Blue (Laguna Seca) with no spec and I reckon Autumn this year.

[mondeoman]

Dealer quoted me £19k for mine a couple of months back, 2001 in yellow with 50k on it.....

Mind you, I'm not gonna sell it now, just not worth the loss.

[madou]

Appreciate that residuals are colour sensitive

Topaz Blue asking GBP 26K, loaded, but 51K miles

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=34730&s=273

>> Edited by madou on Wednesday 2nd February 17:15

[bobbins]

Do BMW dealers make HUGE margins on used cars?
I can't get over the volume of used stock that the average dealer has yet the laws of supply and demand don't seem to apply to BMW pricing in the way they do to other mass market cars.
So if you drive, say a £20K used BMW off the forecourt, does it immediately drop £5K in value if you turned around and tried to sell/px it back?

[mondeoman]

bobbins said:

Do BMW dealers make HUGE margins on used cars? I can't get over the volume of used stock that the average dealer has yet the laws of supply and demand don't seem to apply to BMW pricing in the way they do to other mass market cars. So if you drive, say a £20K used BMW off the forecourt, does it immediately drop £5K in value if you turned around and tried to sell/px it back?

Yes

[baz1985]

I know a guy with a UK June 03 330i Sport manual in gorgeous Imola Red with Xenons, Harmen Kardon (which is still pants), Nappa Leather, 6CD, 18 MV2s, with 20k on the clock, he can't get £17k in a private sale. Book price is near £20k. There is going to be an almighty collapse of 53, 04, 54 platers when the new 3 comes out in March. But I reckon prices will stabilse and recover somewhat when the enthusiasts realise that the E46 is still better hopefully. I reckon by March the same 03 plate 330 would struggle for £15k. So thats my plan- my May 01 318i SE is up in the Trader, hopefully get rid of that (not had a call since putting it up a week ago) and bag a bargain 03 or 04 loaded 330i Sport.

Baz

[bobbins]

Had a wander around both a BMW dealer and a Merc dealer today - they were both totally dead.
OK, I'm just browsing, but I'm browsing with circa £30K in my pocket. In the BMW dealer even the 'salesman' the worlds most bored looking receptionist found was still pretty disinterested. In the Merc dealer I was offered 2 stages of discount while just tyre kicking, so things must be bad there!

[marx]

Looking at 2001 M3 Cabs last year from BWM dealers for £35K - they were shifting fast then. So I checked out a 1996 M3 Cab for £11K, a good car that the garage just couldn't sell. Thought hmm, £25K depreciation in 5 years