I want your opinion on road legal race car project. Yes you

[arcticcat522]

So I purchase a couple year old 135i back in 2011 and have had grand plans of slowly making it a road legal race car. Currently I have spent about 20k above the purchase price on stuff. I havent installed much of the parts myself for a number of reasons. Car has 60,000km

So fast forward to today. Life has carried on and now I'm married with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. The car has been in storage for going on 3 years. I don't need to sell it, but have been thinking about selling it and buying something in the future. When I can actually use it. My issue is, I know I won't get out what I put in ($$ wise) but having it sit will cause it's own issues. In the future, I could buy something more track focused without needing to upgrade to the same extent. Also, worried that I may never buy something as a "fun car" in the future.

My mind is all over the place. So, internet, tell me what to do.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Racecars are money losing objects almost always. Minimize your losses and maximize your enjoyment.

[FunWheelDrive]

At the end of the day the value of a used car or project really.. is what somebody is willing to pay for it. Decide if that value is worth it to you. I have been finding specially with older cars that parts availability gets more and more expensive as the car gets older.

[90_Shelby]

Part it out and move on.

[Mitsu3000gt]

If you aren't going to be able to use it soon or for the foreseeable future, get rid of it. Whatever you buy down the road when the time is right for you will probably be better anyway.

Whenever justifying a purchase or keeping something, you have to ask yourself how much will you use it, and how much joy will it bring you. If neither have been applicable for the last ~9 years, I would cut losses and move on.

I learned years ago that dumping money into mods was just not worth it (for me). Resale often gets even worse, and you are lucky to get $0.10 on the dollar for your mods unless you find a Goldilocks buyer. When the time is right, maybe look at getting something that is already track capable rather than having to mod it (unless that's the fun part for you).

[01RedDX]

.

[JohnnyHockey13]

What year? Is it a manual?...I just bought a black on black 2012 N55 6mt and although it's not as sought after as the N54,I do think these cars will get harder to find, especially the 6mt, you might kick yourself for getting rid of it.BMW only made these available in North America for a few years... the 2 series that replaced it is garbage, with the exception of the M2 of course, but that car is in whole nother league in terms of $$

[A790]

I don't even look at listings for cars that are modified beyond surface level shit. I'm not dealing with your mistakes.

[bjstare]

Part it out and move on.

This. It's not actually super rare, and there's better cars out there (by orders of magnitude) for track duty.

Direct the proceeds towards upgrading your DD to something that's fun and works with kids, there's plenty of options out there for this.

Someday when you want a track car again (... and a track exists within 350km of the city), figure out what you want to serve that purpose.


I don't even look at listings for cars that are modified beyond surface level shit. I'm not dealing with your mistakes.

This is another great reason for the part out option. Greatly expands your customer base.

[Asian_defender]

Drop it, with your kids being that young you won't have time
Its already been 3 year, it'll be at least another 5 before you have time to do anything. By that time, your idea of "fun" might be something else (guns, games, new home theater etc)

[JustinL]

I think everyone here has given you some great advice. I'll only add that when you do decide to go racing, don't try to do road legal race car. It's too much of a compromise and the car ends up being mediocre at both. If you just want to do track days, that's a different story. Build what you want and have fun with it.

[arcticcat522]

What year? Is it a manual?...I just bought a black on black 2012 N55 6mt and although it's not as sought after as the N54,I do think these cars will get harder to find, especially the 6mt, you might kick yourself for getting rid of it.BMW only made these available in North America for a few years... the 2 series that replaced it is garbage, with the exception of the M2 of course, but that car is in whole nother league in terms of $$

That's what I'm taking into account. It's a N54, 6 speed manual, no sunroof, coral red interior. Try to find one like it....I don't think I've ever seen another one without a sun roof.

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Everyone is telling me what I think I knew. It's just going to be a hard pill to swallow.

[ercchry]

Since we know you will take a huge bath on it... just let it sit? Sounds like a great way to teach the kids any life lessons in the future? Do the classic “this will be yours one day” thing too.

[Disoblige]

I was a bit confused when you said you spent $20k on stuff. Was it on parts that are sitting, or was the $20k parts + labor?
I think the mention of you not installing the parts yourself threw me off and made me think it's a stock car but with a bunch of "go-fast" mods sitting around.

[arcticcat522]

Since we know you will take a huge bath on it... just let it sit? Sounds like a great way to teach the kids any life lessons in the future? Do the classic “this will be yours one day” thing too.

I've already started telling them that.....too young to understand. When I was young, my dad had a nice CJ jeep and a 2 door 67 Cadillac Deville. I wish he didn't sell them, because I would love to have them now. I just don't know if this 135 will have the same lasting desire. I did get engagement photos with it....figured once its a 40yr old car, it will be cool again

[ercchry]

Oh, it will be for sure, manual alone!! Plus ICE will be very special by then, plus classic bmw... look at say E30’s now

[arcticcat522]

I was a bit confused when you said you spent $20k on stuff. Was it on parts that are sitting, or was the $20k parts + labor?
I think the mention of you not installing the parts yourself threw me off and made me think it's a stock car but with a bunch of "go-fast" mods sitting around.

Parts are installed on the car. Except a half cage that's sitting. Alpine Autowerks did all the install. No real race car parts, I suppose, since I wanted it to be ok on the street. I will add a list of what's done tonight.

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Oh, it will be for sure, manual alone!! Plus ICE will be very special by then, plus classic bmw... look at say E30’s now

That's what I was thinking. I would kill for a clean e30. Like most though, if I wanted a 40 year old BMW, I would want it stock.

[ercchry]

Period correct performance parts are always neat though

[ShermanEF9]

its worth more now than later..

[ercchry]

its worth more now than later..

Doubtful... bmw depreciation curve is weird... plus Covid

[soloracer]

I have had a 914 project car for 20 years now. Accumulated a bunch of parts over the years with the intent of building a track car. Wanted a 2000 lb car with 400 hp from a NA flat six. Imagined how great it would be. But now at 50 years old with two kids under 5 it was time to realize I’m not going to finish it. So I sold all the parts and then sold the chassis to a guys in the US. Hate to see it go as it will be really cool when it’s finished but I will be better off buying a stock or slightly modified car in the future. At some point you have to be honest with yourself and critically evaluate the odds of finishing it.

[arcticcat522]

More detail about the car:

2009 BMW 135i
60,000km
Black Sapphire Metallic with coral red leather
35%tint all around
Escort passport 9500ix with BlendMount
VIS Carbon fiber hood style XTS
Carbon fiber rear diffuser
BMW Blackline euro taillights
*Weisslicht LED smoked side lens
*BMW performance side skirts
*Colour match kidney grills
Cobb accesport with custom dyno tune
*BMS clutch delay valve
BMW performance SSK (with original boot)
*BMW performance shift knot
Evolution Racewerks Competition Series Front Mount Intercooler
AR design catless downpipes
*BMS dual cone intake
Evolution Racers black charge pipe with black TIAL Q BOV
Rogue Engineering axle back exhaust
*Rogue Engineering transition mounts
Dinan fixed camber plates
TC Kline Racing Single Adjustable Coilover Kit with Rear Ride Height Adjusters
1M/M3 Front Control/Tension Arm Kit
1M/M3 Front Lower Wishbone Kit
1M/M3 Rear Subframe bushings
1M/M3 Rear Guide Rod Kit
1M/M3 Rear Upper Link Kit
1M/M3 Rear Lower Camber Link Conversion Kit
Stagered 18" Work M1R Mister rims 8.5f/9.5r with 245f/255r Michelin PSS

Not installed:
BR bolt in half cage colour matched red with harness bar and X brace
Used RB rotors with caliper adaptor

That's all I remember. Also, as a sour point. When I was having all the suspension work done, I discovered Redlyne_mr2 was selling his 1M. I would rather have bought it

**I can't find the charger for the computer I have a list of everything with the costs**

[Kloubek]

Taking a bath on this is right. That is a massive list of aftermarket parts you have on it. Sounds like quite a gem as a result though!

My suggestion: It costs nothing to try to find the unicorn buyer for a while.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Actual "Racing Car" or track days?

[arcticcat522]

Actual "Racing Car" or track days?

Track days car is probably a better term. I'm sure after some time It would slowly be more and more full race car. But a lot can change between now and then. I never intended to even consider selling it after kids, but look where we are now....

[bjstare]

That's all I remember. Also, as a sour point. When I was having all the suspension work done, I discovered Redlyne_mr2 was selling his 1M. I would rather have bought it



That is a sour point indeed. The discussion would be entirely different if it was a 1M.

[arcticcat522]

That is a sour point indeed. The discussion would be entirely different if it was a 1M.

Oh ya. Wouldn't be a conversation

[Disoblige]

Hmm.. hard to say what will happen in 15-20 years.

Question is if you are ok if it gets sold for ~$30k if you try to sell today. I can't see it going more than that.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Also if you’re still saddled with the stock open diff in the car that sucks. That’s was my largest single complaint with my 135i. It wasn’t an overly cheap car to run for auto x but I never had it on the road course either. If you have the ability a single seat car is the way to go down the road.

[rc2002]

That mod list doesn’t look that extreme, I thought it was going to be unlivable for a daily driver.

Given that you have two small kids and your car is a 2 seater, and that there are no longer any tracks nearby that are convenient to go to, and that it’s a PITA to deal with winter storage and constantly switching insurance coverage, I’d personally just get rid of it.

If you’re holding the car because you think it will go up in value, a stock example would probably be worth more. Not sure if you have an option to put it back to stock and sell the aftermarket stuff? If you can put it back to stock yourself and then sell the parts, that would be the ideal solution from a money perspective (if you have the time). Paying a shop to uninstall the parts probably won’t be worth it.

I’m not sure how much of a market there is for aftermarket performance parts for this vehicle, but the longer you wait the fewer buyers you might have for those parts.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

That mod list doesn’t look that extreme, I thought it was going to be unlivable for a daily driver.

Given that you have two small kids and your car is a 2 seater, and that there are no longer any tracks nearby that are convenient to go to, and that it’s a PITA to deal with winter storage and constantly switching insurance coverage, I’d personally just get rid of it.

If you’re holding the car because you think it will go up in value, a stock example would probably be worth more. Not sure if you have an option to put it back to stock and sell the aftermarket stuff? If you can put it back to stock yourself and then sell the parts, that would be the ideal solution from a money perspective (if you have the time). Paying a shop to uninstall the parts probably won’t be worth it.

I’m not sure how much of a market there is for aftermarket performance parts for this vehicle, but the longer you wait the fewer buyers you might have for those parts.

Pretty valid points all around. You’ll likely come out further ahead returning it as close to stock as possible and selling parts. I might have to consider this when I sell my C5Z.

[arcticcat522]

That mod list doesn’t look that extreme, I thought it was going to be unlivable for a daily driver.

Given that you have two small kids and your car is a 2 seater, and that there are no longer any tracks nearby that are convenient to go to, and that it’s a PITA to deal with winter storage and constantly switching insurance coverage, I’d personally just get rid of it.

If you’re holding the car because you think it will go up in value, a stock example would probably be worth more. Not sure if you have an option to put it back to stock and sell the aftermarket stuff? If you can put it back to stock yourself and then sell the parts, that would be the ideal solution from a money perspective (if you have the time). Paying a shop to uninstall the parts probably won’t be worth it.

I’m not sure how much of a market there is for aftermarket performance parts for this vehicle, but the longer you wait the fewer buyers you might have for those parts.

It's very close to a perfect car for my 20yr old self. Agree the mod list isnt over the top, but it's hella fun. N54 has gobs of torque and suspension is ± M3. Getting the car to stock isn't really an option. I've been to a few autocross practise days and up to the road course only once. If I end up keeping it, stoptech big brake kit, MFactory diff, Mishimoto Radiator...ughhhh

[bjstare]

Keeping this car as an investment shouldn't even be a point of contention. It's not special enough, and the opportunity cost of having that 20-30k not just sitting in the stock market for that long is too large to ignore. i.e. if you want to invest 20-30k, don't use this car as your investment vehicle (haaaa), just throw it in an index etf and sell it in 20 years to buy something way nicer.

[A790]

Keeping this car as an investment shouldn't even be a point of contention. It's not special enough, and the opportunity cost of having that 20-30k not just sitting in the stock market for that long is too large to ignore. i.e. if you want to invest 20-30k, don't use this car as your investment vehicle (haaaa), just throw it in an index etf and sell it in 20 years to buy something way nicer.

If you already have seven-figures in liquidity and are looking for an alternative investment, a car may make sense I guess assuming you have somehow exhausted all your other options (which I don't think would be the case, even with high seven-figures of liquidity).

[arcticcat522]

Keeping this car as an investment shouldn't even be a point of contention. It's not special enough, and the opportunity cost of having that 20-30k not just sitting in the stock market for that long is too large to ignore. i.e. if you want to invest 20-30k, don't use this car as your investment vehicle (haaaa), just throw it in an index etf and sell it in 20 years to buy something way nicer.

I'm not thinking of this car as an investment. The main hangup is the money sunk into it (and I said I would never sell it). Think I'm going to list it for a unicorn buyer. Still not sure if one does come along, that I could give up the keys.

As another discussion, having a car sit in storage for 5-10yrs has its own issues. Best way to minimise things like seals drying out?

[Type_S1]

I'm not thinking of this car as an investment. The main hangup is the money sunk into it (and I said I would never sell it). Think I'm going to list it for a unicorn buyer. Still not sure if one does come along, that I could give up the keys.

As another discussion, having a car sit in storage for 5-10yrs has its own issues. Best way to minimise things like seals drying out?

If you aren’t using it often sell it. No point leaving a car sitting for years on end...lose a ton on depreciation and cars are meant to be driven so if you leave it sitting another few years you’ll likely be paying a couple thousand in BMW maintenance just to get the thing in good working condition. Sell it, throw the $ into the market.

That being said, if you are looking to get much more then what the market value of the car is stock it will Be very hard to find a buyer for this, especially during COVID times. The parts added are nice to certain buyers but are really nothing special and aren’t worth much $$ once you take depreciation into account (nobody cares what labor cost you paid to install parts, so it’s not really “$20k in parts”).

Looks like the high-end asking for this car in Canada is $19k. Yours is low Mileage so if you think the parts justify a higher price list is some thousands over that and see if someone bites.

[beyond_ban]

Sorry if this was mentioned already, but what kind of cash are you realistically wanting to get out of it? All-in and stripped stock.

[finboy]

Part it out and move on.

This, did it when I went to university, lost tens of thousands, was still a better life choice.

[90_Shelby]

This, did it when I went to university, lost tens of thousands, was still a better life choice.

We just parted out my brothers old Daytona after failing to sell everything in one lot for even $2500, the car had been sitting in pieces for close to 15 years. Somehow we managed to sell everything for ~$7700 and I still have the 16V Hybrid long block, header, intake manifold, turbo and wastegate. It’s unassembled and needs some block machining but i’ll eventually assemble it and sell it off as well. That engine made ~480hp to the wheels back in 2005.

[arcticcat522]

If you aren’t using it often sell it. No point leaving a car sitting for years on end...lose a ton on depreciation and cars are meant to be driven so if you leave it sitting another few years you’ll likely be paying a couple thousand in BMW maintenance just to get the thing in good working condition. Sell it, throw the $ into the market.

That being said, if you are looking to get much more then what the market value of the car is stock it will Be very hard to find a buyer for this, especially during COVID times. The parts added are nice to certain buyers but are really nothing special and aren’t worth much $$ once you take depreciation into account (nobody cares what labor cost you paid to install parts, so it’s not really “$20k in parts”).

Looks like the high-end asking for this car in Canada is $19k. Yours is low Mileage so if you think the parts justify a higher price list is some thousands over that and see if someone bites.

Cost of parts is closer to 20k than you may think. Before install. Not including depreciation, which I know is huge. I think I'll put together an ad and see if anyone is interested for unicorn money. Now I have to figure out what that is. Initial thought is 25-30. But I need to do some serious thinking on the number.

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Sorry if this was mentioned already, but what kind of cash are you realistically wanting to get out of it? All-in and stripped stock.

Not sure on a price yet. Need to do some soul searching to come up with a price. Stripped stock/part out isn't an option. Any input on value from an outsider?

[Shlade]

If you got garage space, you owe nothing on it and its free and clear in your name, let it sit. You'll eventually get some motivation to wrench on it one day.

Or, you'll get that same motivation when you get rid of it, and wish you had it. IMO, id keep it.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I say in order to ever get any use out of it, you should pay someone to bolt all the bits on. That way, it actually gets done and once you have a useable car, you will find it actually gets driven and you get some enjoyment out of it.
If you wait for you to put it together, the decades will slip by.
2¢

[arcticcat522]

I say in order to ever get any use out of it, you should pay someone to bolt all the bits on. That way, it actually gets done and once you have a useable car, you will find it actually gets driven and you get some enjoyment out of it.
If you wait for you to put it together, the decades will slip by.
2¢

It's completed. All parts are installed. just no time to drive it with 2 small kids

[ThePenIsMightier]

It's completed. All parts are installed. just no time to drive it with 2 small kids

Oh, my bad. Sorry if reading > me.
Don't know if I was mixing this up with another thread where the stuff wasn't done, or what.

[dirtsniffer]

I don't think you're getting e92 m3 money whatever that is

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I don't think you're getting e92 m3 money whatever that is

The E92 market is very strong this year.

[ercchry]

The E92 market is very strong this year.

E92 w/dct... E90 w/6sp... :cry:

[finboy]

We just parted out my brothers old Daytona after failing to sell everything in one lot for even $2500, the car had been sitting in pieces for close to 15 years. Somehow we managed to sell everything for ~$7700 and I still have the 16V Hybrid long block, header, intake manifold, turbo and wastegate. It’s unassembled and needs some block machining but i’ll eventually assemble it and sell it off as well. That engine made ~480hp to the wheels back in 2005.

Between my Daytona, horizon, spirit and charger I think I ended up spending about $25k in parts and cars. I sold basically everything to another turbo dodge guy for $2500 and chalked it up as a pricey life lesson back in 06-07

[bjstare]

E92 w/dct... E90 w/6sp... :cry:

Do you still have yours??

[ercchry]

Do you still have yours??

Nope

[94boosted]

Sell it. As a track car this would be far from an ideal starting point imho, the N54 isn't known to be the most reliable of motors, add extra power and start beating on it at the track and you'll be fixing stuff every weekend. An open diff, mac strut suspension, not much room for wide wheels (iirc) not to mention it's not exactly a featherweight for its size :dunno: