Should I give up the M3 project?

[spyderbret]

So this is where it started: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...w-to-me-e30-m3

Now, over 8 years later it's sitting in pieces in my back yard. Engine torn half down getting sadder and sadder every day. I'm moving to a new house soon and my wife keeps bugging me to do something with it. Honestly I'm not going to personally put this all back together. I'm way past that now.... I could take it to a shop to have it put back together but there is not one in Vegas that has shown real interest in doing it and I dont want to send it out of state. All the pieces are there to get it running again and probably 90% of the interior pieces are present. I have no idea what these are going for, especially in this condition with a salvage title. My plan was to rebuild the S52 and make it a nice driver since the salvage title does not win it any favors. I have not been that active here for a long time as I moved on to newer BMW's and then Porsches. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the E30 M3 but I need to be more realistic about my situation and what I'm prepared to do. Any comments, thoughts and suggestions would be very helpful!!!

[moatilliatta]

What is your budget and free time for the year?

Its easier to dream than do.

[ButtJuice]

Sell me your rear license plate filler?

[2mAn]

I’ve been looking for an M3 that’s not a mint car. In LA...

[AWDBOB]

Stating the obvious: If you sell, you will likely never find a cheap M3 again. But, if you take it to a shop for an engine build and reassembly of a project that was torn apart many moons ago, you’ll be left with a chunky bill.

I would say this:

-If you spend a bunch of money having a shop fix it up will you then enjoy the car, or would that further drive you to sell? If it would further drive you to sell, then sell now as you will have a better return than if you go all in trying to bring the car back.

It sounds like you were also feeling out the idea of selling the car in 2016, maybe it’s time to let the car go before it suffers too much from sitting.

Regarding value, I think you may be pleasantly surprised. It pains me to say, but I bet someone would give you $25K+ for the car. While most of us on R3V would never pay that, the market is wild. Several rolling shells have traded hands around $25K.

Best of luck with your decision-

(Also, open $15k offer from me at any time)

[twright]

Put some pictures of its current condition here. Somebody will buy it. (Maybe even me.)

[e30austin]

man...i commented a few times in your thread over the years, i would love to own the old girl. i'm interested in the car. i don't even want the engine! i do want an original Hennarot body, though.

sending you a PM.

A

[spyderbret]

That made me sad to take these pictures... My pictures are too big to attach so here's a link to some photos I just took. Let me know if you have any questions. Most likely going to list for sale soon. Thanks for the replies so far!!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dnjQibwX2g8fvtV69

[eLKuRLy]

Have you tried Sin City BMW?

[z168]

Unless you have good feedback on the shop or a friend near/next to it to check up on it from time to time, its a challenge to get a build out of state.

I saw the photos. its not as bad as you worded it to be. I literally thought the car was in pieces. Since youre already into Porsches, a p-indi specializing on air cooleds might be the ticket.

[Il Duce]

Holy shit that looks like my old m3. I bought it in 2005 w/ a salvage title in Irvine CA. Do you know the history of the car by chance? The guy I sold it to put an m50 in it, and I heard it was impounded or something like that when he sold it.

If you have the means to keep it, I say do it!

[e30austin]

Holy shit that looks like my old m3. I bought it in 2005 w/ a salvage title in Irvine CA. Do you know the history of the car by chance? The guy I sold it to put an m50 in it, and I heard it was impounded or something like that when he sold it.

If you have the means to keep it, I say do it!

he bought it from "Ara" on this board, and TNG Specialties installed an S52 at some point in the 2000s.

[Julien]

a million people will gladly take it off your hands. it's only a car, let it give someone else pleasure

[reelizmpro]

I thought I recognized the name. We spoke years ago about the car. Yes. If you haven't done it by now...pass it on.

[MR E30 325is]

I'm far too far down the list by now, but I have cash, a truck and trailer, could not care less about a salvage title, and live ~3.5 hrs away. Say the word and I'll drive over.

I do agree with everyone else though. Let that thing go so it can be appreciated by someone who will fix it up and drive it! An M3 shouldn't rot away in someone's backyard (exact reason I bought one last June).