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Cape Town - To celebrate 30 years of the BMW M3, BMW M GmbH announced earlier in 2016 that as a tribute to the first generation of the M3, it would build an anniversary edition titled '30 Years M3'.
Only 30 in South Africa
This exclusive car wears an exclusive Macao Blue metallic hue which once celebrated its premiere in BMW’s colour range as a special option for the first generation of the M3.
Only 500 were built, with 30 destined for South Africa. The manual car retailed for R1.6-million and the M-DCT version for R1.7-million.
READ: Coming soon to SA: Limited edition BMW '30 Years M3'
Wheels24 reader Ryan Le Roux currently drives an E60 M5. He reached out to us because he needed advice and said: "I'm considering buying the M3 30 year Limited edition. It's quite a lot more expensive. Do you think it's worth it and will it be worth something one day?"
The conundrum
It's a pretty good conundrum to have: Should he trade-in his BMW M5 E60 model for a 2016 M3 '30 Jahre'?
The car would be a daily and therefore perhaps have more mileage than say a vehicle bought specifically to maintain as a future classic.
Le Roux is keen on the M3, saying: "It's a beautiful machine and packs with all the extras. I really love it. I just don't want to lose cash on the car. I'm thinking its value could increase one day. I'm tired of my M5 I just feel the body is just to big and the M3 is a much more fun car. I like the fact that it's exclusive, I just don't want to waste money."
What should he do?
We asked Crossley & Webb co-owner, Gareth Crossley, for advice.
Crossley said: The limited production edition and numbered cars generally are more collectible."
Crossley also mentions that generally two-door sports cars are more valuable than four-door ones but reckons a four-door limited edition model is unique."
The vehicle sales, restoration and storage company deal with mostly two-door or coupe sports cars.
As a long-term collector, Crossley is adamant the '30 Jahre' is a safe purchase, but if Le Roux is looking to 'flip' it soon then it may not make sense. Crossley sights an example such as the Jaguar F-Type Project 7 that dipped in value despite production limited to 250. Only five units were allocated to South Africa.
What has he done?
Le Roux contacted Wheels24 and said after doing his research, it wouldn't make sense to sell the '30 Jahre' after owning it for two years, he'd lose a lot of cash.
The Joburger traded his M5 in for a white M3 Competition Pack (a car we adore) model and has never been happier.
As a long-term (more than 10 years) purchase, the M3 '30 Jahre' will increase in value and become a future classic, but for short-term gain, its not going to make you a couple hundred thousand rand.
Image: Supplied
