The Z3-based BMW M coupe is both appreciated and appreciating
1999-’02 BMW M coupe
07/20/2022
At its introduction in the late 1990s, BMW’s M coupe was arguably its most polarizing model, a distinction it held until the automaker debuted the controversial "Bangle butt" fourth-generation 7 series. Two decades after the last example rolled out of BMW’s South Carolina plant, this purist model has reached unimagined heights of desirability, with average values trending towards its original MSRPs and the finest examples topping six figures.
If you don’t remember the first model to be named "M," this car was a derivative of the popular Z3, built in both folding- and solid-roof forms. Like the M roadster, the M coupe offered thrilling performance from its M3-shared, 3.2-liter straight-six mated exclusively to a five-speed manual, and its handling was even better thanks to being BMW’s then most structurally rigid car to date. The U.S.-spec M coupe used two different engines–the 240-hp "S52" installed in 2,180 ’99-’00 models and the 315-hp "S54" powering 687 ’01-’02s.
Photo courtesy of BMW.
We reached out to the BMW Car Club of America for a dedicated marque-enthusiast perspective on this car that owners fondly consider "dorky," and were introduced to Jon Martin, webmaster of mcoupebuyersguide.com. In addition to sharing key buying tips, multiple M coupe owner Jon has been tracking asking prices and public sales of these cars for 12 years.
"When I started the site, these cars were around the bottom of their market; that was fortunate for me because it’s when I bought my first M coupe. Early on, many were sold in the BMW CCA classifieds and on bimmerforums.com; that kept them within the BMW enthusiast community," he tells us. "As values have gone up, we’ve seen them on auction sites that bring more money and notoriety. They’re changing hands more often because they’re not necessarily going to the hardcore M coupe community, but to the general market. Another thing I track is the mileage of the cars that are on the market at any given time. Around 2016, when prices jumped, people weren’t driving them as much. The average mileage was pretty much the same, and that’s remained so for the most part since that time. When the values go up, the miles being added go down."
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1979 Porsche 911 Turbo
Reserve: $165,000
Selling Price: $187,950
Recent Market Range: $120,000-$165,000
The Porsche 911 Turbo, a.k.a. 930, rewrote the rules on what made a sports car a supercar in the 1970s. During a time when other manufacturers struggled, Porsche’s first turbocharged road car combined otherworldly performance with everyday comfort and usability. Porsche stopped importing the 911 Turbo from 1980 through 1985, leaving early examples coveted by collectors. Unmodified, save for a Fabspeed intake and intercooler, this 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo was listed as having been treated to a “complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration.” Offered in a desirable color combination with low overall miles, it sold for a price higher than the recent market range, suggesting it was a high-quality example.
1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe
Reserve: $24,000
Selling Price: $49,350
Recent Market Range: $20,000-$30,000
Ford’s Model A was at the center of the collector car hobby for many years. It remains solidly collectible and the impressive sale of this 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe last week suggests that the market for the best examples also stands strong. Though it looks like a convertible, the Model A Sport Coupe’s roof does not fold, and the car features a weather-tight passenger cabin with full roll-up windows. Rumble seat passengers do face the elements, however. This car featured a seemingly thorough restoration with minor upgrades along with some stellar documentation, which helped push its final selling price 65% higher than the recent market average and an impressive 106% above the reserve.
1971 Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser Station Wagon
Reserve: $28,000
Selling Price: $42,000
Recent Market Range: $22,000-$35,000
Wagons have been a hot commodity with collectors for a solid two decades. Given their primary role as family transportation, many were worn out and simply thrown away, scrapped to make way for the next generation of automobiles. Showing just over 54,000 miles at submission, this 1971 Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser, with its signature Vista-Roof that gave second- and third-row passengers added views, appeared to have escaped that fate that consumed so many other wagons from the era. The very clean condition shown in the photos—along with that odometer—surely contributed to this 11-window Olds achieving a net sale price 50% better than reserve and 20% greater than the high end of the recent market range.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod
Asking Price: $94,999
Selling Price: $79,800
Recent Market Range: $65,000-$90,000
Fans of early Corvettes could appreciate this two-tone Aztec Copper and Polo White 1957 Chevrolet Corvette restomod. In place of the original 283-cu.in. engine sat a modified 327 V8 with fuel injection, MSD Pro-Billet electronic distributor, and other upgrades. The chassis was treated to upgrades as well, including a custom front end with coilover shocks, tubular control arms, rack-and-pinion steering and Wilwood disc brakes. The seller’s notes indicate that the car was built for “driving fun and sunny days” and was stored in a climate-controlled garage. Its net sale price as a direct Make Offer listing fell just over the midpoint range of similar modified ’57 Corvettes in similar condition.
1927 Stearns-Knight Model G-8-85 Cabriolet
Reserve: $80,000
Selling Price: $84,000
Recent Market Range: $72,000-$105,000
Frank Stearns famously built his first car at age 17 in 1896. The founder of the F.B. Stearns Company later became the first to license the Knight sleeve-valve engine. Stearns retired in the 1920s, selling the company to John Willys. Stearns-Knight automobiles were considered luxury cars and always had powerful engines. A Full Classic per the CCCA and believed to be the last of this engine, body and chassis combination extent, this faithfully restored 1927 Stearns-Knight Model G-8-85 Cabriolet featured a 102-hp, 385-cu.in. sleeve-valve straight-eight, along with a known history (including the granddaughter of Frank Stearns owning it at one point). It sold for a market-correct price as a post-auction Make Offer.
1948 Crosley Gasporter Fuel Tanker
Reserve: $15,000
Selling Price: $15,70
Recent Market Range: $12,000-$20,000
Engineering Research Associates of St. Paul, Minnesota was a computer startup founded by scientists and engineers who spent World War II in the code-breaking game. It also manufactured the Gasporter, a small, Crosley-based tanker truck built primarily to serve small airports. ERA additionally advertised the Gasporter to serve a variety of operations, including marine terminals, fire truck refueling, and fleet services, such as for taxicabs. Essentially a 200-gallon tank with wheels, this 1948 Crosley Gasporter fuel tanker was restored to a seemingly high standard, complete with period Chevron Aviation Gasoline livery. A rarely seen collectible, we believe this Gasporter sold at a market-correct price.
Photo: John Gilbert
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2024 Fabulous Fords Forever! - Highlights
Photo: John Gilbert
Photo: John Gilbert
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