[DarkstarZero]

I have a 1995 Daytona Violet/Dove Grey e36 M3 with 85,000 miles on the clock. On the outside and inside it's completely stock. Underneath, though, that's where I've modified it with everything I believe to be the best mods for a 95 M3 (S50 engine, OBD I).

Full chassis reinforcements
Underbody protection plate
Sway bars
Control arms
Camber plates
H&R Sport springs
Billstien shocks
Fluidine all aluminum radiator
All aluminum water pump and thermostat housing
Dinan intake
3.5" Bosh HFM
Bimmerworld boot
24 lb Bosh fuel injectors
Shrick Cams
TMS Stage 3 chip
Borla Exhaust
BMW 3.38 Differential
UUC Short Shift Kit
ZHP Shift Knob
ZKW Glass Projector Headlights (OEM for Euro M3)





Earlier this year I hit a deer at a relatively low speed, damaging the front bumper, and everything on it, the hood and the corner panel. No mechanical damage or chassis damage, just cosmetics.



It's going to cost many thousands to fix up the car properly, to replace the body panels, headlights, fog lights, etc. etc. and proper painting. That means 3 body panels with new paint while the rest of the car has 23 year old paint. So in my opinion, might as well respray the whole car.

So I was thinking of using this as an opportunity to restore the entire car to showroom condition (without removing upgrades, because, let's face it, the US M3 as stock kinda sucked). Sand and respray the whole car at a professional BMW restoration shop. Replace all plastic parts that are near their end of life. Spruce up the interior, refreshing the color on the leather seats. Replacing the aging steering rack and some other things.

All of this could cost $20,000 ...

Insurance

I had full coverage on the M3 when I hit the deer. Liberty Mutual. They towed it to their shop, a good shop I've used before. The initial estimate was $10k in repairs and $10k in value - so a total loss. I bought the car for $10k a couple years ago so that's actually not bad for me.

I went to check autotrader for a replacement and found that I couldn't get another low mileage 95 M3 for under $20k and that there were literally none for sale within 200 miles and no Daytona violet M3s for sale in all of North America. Wow the e36 market has really dried up. I sent all of those details to Liberty Mutual and played their 30 day waiting game (insurance people know what I'm talking about).

After 30 days, Liberty Mutual agreed the car was worth $17,800 (75% in appreciation over a few years!!) so it's no longer a total loss. However, the shop refused to repair the car because they didn't want to guarantee repairs on a 23 year old car. That meant Liberty Mutual had to pay me out the value even though the car was not totaled and retains a clean title. They gave me the option to buy the car back for $1,000. uhhh... yes pls.

The Question

So after all of this, I still have my car, just missing 3 body panels, it still has a clean title, and I got a check for $16,550. So do I just fix it as cheaply as possible and pocket the rest? Do I use this as an opportunity to turn the car into a concourse winner, a showroom quality car. Or should I part it out, take the cash and buy another old BMW that's going up in value?

[Torgus]

I wouldn't drop 20k in cosmetic work on that car.

[GeorgeA]

Tough question. On one hand that is a lot of money to spend on an older car but on the other, we need to preserve these cars as they will be future classics.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

Tough question. On one hand that is a lot of money to spend on an older car but on the other, "we" need to preserve these cars as they will be future classics.

Who's we. lols.
You mean he. If he has disposable money like that, go for it. Those are two really nice Rolexes to fix the car up.

[Chihuahua]

I'm not seeing any damage photos, only the one of a beautiful daytona violet M3. can you try to post some pictures of how the car sits now? Am I the only one not seeing the other photos?

[DarkstarZero]

I bought the car for $10,000 a couple years ago. But now 95 M3s in great condition with less than 90k miles are at least $20,000. There's literally zero Daytona Violet M3s. That color was only sold in 95. 96-99 was Techno Violet. So these cars are going up in value. But will they continue to go up?

[Voomar]

It really depends on what you want to do with the car.

Low mileage, well maintained versions of the E36 M3's are starting to appreciate in value. All original versions are showing the most value appreciation. Although your mods are tastefully done, the car would not be original so appreciation would be somewhat limited.

If you like the car and want to keep it or have fun at local Concours/shows, then the restoration investment probably should be thought of more as an entertainment expense. I doubt you'd recoup your $20K near term should you try to sell the car.

btw: I'm facing a similar situation with a 1998 M3/4 original owner car. 77K miles. Mostly stock with all the original parts retained. It's only original once.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I'm not seeing any damage photos, only the one of a beautiful daytona violet M3. can you try to post some pictures of how the car sits now? Am I the only one not seeing the other photos?

try now

[thetastelingers]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

I bought the car for $10,000 a couple years ago. But now 95 M3s in great condition with less than 90k miles are at least $20,000. There's literally zero Daytona Violet M3s. That color was only sold in 95. 96-99 was Techno Violet. So these cars are going up in value. But will they continue to go up?

What about value on the ones with accident history?

Gotta think about that aspect, because someone spending a lot of cash on an old car would probably have an issue with previous damage.

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by Blksnowflake

Who's we. lols.
You mean he. If he has disposable money like that, go for it. Those are two really nice Rolexes to fix the car up.

We would be us automotive enthusiasts

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

try now

ah OK, I see it now. That is nowhere near 20K in damage. I work in the collision repair industry. Completely repairing that crash damage and a full detrim and respray still won't be 20K. If the condition of your original paint is as good as it looks in those photos you won't need to respray the whole car. That is a fixer in my book.

[AlpineWhite_F80]

I say go for it, its a beautiful car. If you really like it and you think of keeping the car do it.
20k sounds high btw.

[HXS]

Insurance won’t cover some of it?

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by HXS

Insurance won’t cover some of it?

If he has comprehensive coverage, yes. The only issue he might run into is the severe delay in reporting the loss to his insurance company. OP states this happened early in the year.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

If he has comprehensive coverage, yes. The only issue he might run into is the severe delay in reporting the loss to his insurance company. OP states this happened early in the year.

That's not comp damage, that's collision and the potential impact to rates for the amount of damage actually attributable to the crash may not warrant making the claim ... there's so many variables in that equation that only the OP would know.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

ah OK, I see it now. That is nowhere near 20K in damage. I work in the collision repair industry. Completely repairing that crash damage and a full detrim and respray still won't be 20K. If the condition of your original paint is as good as it looks in those photos you won't need to respray the whole car. That is a fixer in my book.

$20k was an estimate to completely restore to showroom condition. The reason why I was thinking about respraying the whole car is because I don't want to have 3 panels of new paint and the rest of the car being 23 year old paint. Even if it's blended ... I don't know, might as well respray the whole car.

Also, I could reduce the total cost by not replacing the steering rack (that's like $2k right there), not fixing up the interior, etc. while still having an end result of showroom condition on the outside. Maybe to like $10k-15k? Would need to ask the restoration shop.

I'll update the main post soon about what happened with the insurance company, it's a long story

[E91WAG3N]

I'm an e36 enthusiast first, with other BMW chassis falling in line behind.

If you want to keep the car (because you like it, has sentimental value, whatever) and want to pour in the cash, then do it. You will never ever recoup $20k dumped into an e36.

If you're looking at it as in investment, you're better off buying another low mileage car and bringing it up to par. Part this one out, swapping in the mods if you want into the new chassis, and/or sell the whole thing as a track car fixer upper. I'd guess it's 90% cosmetic damage to the front clip which can be a cheap fix if you're not concerned with a showroom condition fix (i.e. use junkyard panels with a cheap respray).

FWIW, the premium on e36 m3 pricing seems to apply only to stock, unmolested, unmodded cars. With accident history on your car plus a repaint, your car does not fall in this category.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

That's not comp damage, that's collision and the potential impact to rates for the amount of damage actually attributable to the crash may not warrant making the claim ... there's so many variables in that equation that only the OP would know.

Comprehensive losses include animal strikes. This would be covered as a comprehensive loss. 15+ years as an insurance appraiser.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

$20k was an estimate to completely restore to showroom condition. The reason why I was thinking about respraying the whole car is because I don't want to have 3 panels of new paint and the rest of the car being 23 year old paint. Even if it's blended ... I don't know, might as well respray the whole car.

Also, I could reduce the total cost by not replacing the steering rack (that's like $2k right there), not fixing up the interior, etc. while still having an end result of showroom condition on the outside. Maybe to like $10k-15k? Would need to ask the restoration shop.

I'll update the main post soon about what happened with the insurance company, it's a long story

What does the interior look like? I would absolutely hang on to that car. If you sold it one day and regretted it the next, you'd have a really tough time replicating what you have now. Also keep in mind you don't have to do it all at once.

[86Zed]

Hot daaaaaaaaamnnn that is one good looking coupe. How ragged does the interior look - I say at least see what insurance claim plus a good respray looks like. If you really do drive it, enjoy it and plan to keep it than yes it seems like a worthwhile investment.

It does seem like you have other unique toys; it could be time to pass this one along to somebody able to concentrate and bring it back to glory.

[IrvineTim]

Originally Posted by thetastelingers

What about value on the ones with accident history?

Gotta think about that aspect, because someone spending a lot of cash on an old car would probably have an issue with previous damage.

^ that

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Comprehensive losses include animal strikes. This would be covered as a comprehensive loss. 15+ years as an insurance appraiser.

Sorry, you're right. I forgot that the OP hit a deer (I read the original post a couple of hours before I replied). Definitely a comp claim (10+ years as an adjuster/examiner/claims manager and can't believe I missed that).