ZHP values rising. At what point do you just get an M3 ?

Hello , scott from wisconsin here. I have been car shopping since before the covid car curse. I have an old e36 but it rusty and an automatic so not that interesting. So i met someone with a ZHP and was impressed. Seems a great car and great value....but when prices started to almost double in the last 18 months.. at least on the bmw and porsche 996 that interested me I just stopped and wondered if the bubble will continue ?? Or will values drop back to what I considered more normal..
So I am in need of a fun car and have funds available but am not willing to pay crazy levels of money.
So at what point does getting a M3 instead start to make more sense? I think the ZHP would bd awesome for my needs, but the M3 is more a standard car that people understand. I think the M3 value might be easier to figure out in a year or two to purchase, and might bd easier to figure out if I sell it in 15 years when I am too old to have fun anymore.
Your opinions would be appreciated. In no way am I saying a ZHP is not awesome by itself.

all car prices are going up, clean/well sorted/taken care of M3s are going for stupid money. and they were going for stupid money before the used car market got...……….stupid. prices will go down when the dealerships start getting more inventory back.

I don't think ZHP prices will sink as I believe the prices have steadily been going up, same goes for the M3 market. But both are appreciating in value.

A low mileage well sorted zhp and a not well taken care of SMG M3 are in the same ball park price wise. If purchase budget and maintenance budget allows and you don’t need 4 doors then I would get the M3. IMO now seems like a good time to get on the M3 train before even the bad examples start to command high prices.
But if you plan on driving lots, then don’t bother paying a premium and getting a low mileage example.


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Can't really be compared, IMO. I know there are those $25K ZHPs on BaT but I'd say those don't count, they are outliers. A decently sorted ZHP will be ~$10-15K at most, for that price you'd be looking at an SMG M3 that needs a some work. After said work is done, you're no longer into the car for $15K, more like $20K+. And you'd have to spend even more money to do a manual swap

Rovert will tell you if he were getting back into the E46 game (ignoring his M3), he' likely go for a ZHP over an M3.

My buddy got a manual M3 convertible 2 years ago for $12k with 100k miles. Let's just say he should've listened to my advice on getting a ZHP for that money instead.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Rovert will tell you if he were getting back into the E46 game (ignoring his M3), he' likely go for a ZHP over an M3.

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This.....99%. LOL

Your $15K ZHP to run it is probably an $18k ZHP in a few years in regards to running it. While a $15k M3 will balloon into a $30k+ M3 due to added maintenance. To some it's a drop in the bucket to have that clout while others would rather sell their kidney and donate 3 fingers/toes to have that ///M clout. I could do without out. But now that I've gone all in, she's a keeper. LOL

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Originally Posted by Rovert

This.....99%. LOL

Your $15K ZHP to run it is probably an $18k ZHP in a few years in regards to running it. While a $15k M3 will balloon into a $30k+ M3 due to added maintenance. To some it's a drop in the bucket to have that clout while others would rather sell their kidney and donate 3 fingers/toes to have that ///M clout. I could do without out. But now that I've gone all in, she's a keeper. LOL

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I'd never sell that Estoril beauty:wub best colour, hands-down

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Originally Posted by t.er

I'd never sell that Estoril beauty:wub best colour, hands-down

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I agree here. Trevor you should keep your M3 forever :thumbsup

For discussion sake, I say why not have both? I wouldn't have it any other way and am glad I happen to have a ZHP and M3, both of which are 2004 6MT models ;)

Lucky bastard…