Concept for an E28 M specialist - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

legacy260 · 20th October 2009, 23:02

New E28 M Dealership thoughts

I have been in discussion with somebody about possibly funding a specialist garage for E28 M5's based in Hertfordshire, along with the possibility of dealing in 'rare Alpina's, 635 CSi's, E28 M5's, E46 CSL's and the odd E39 M5'. No E30's and no new cars!

As many of you know Munich Legends as was is no more, some would say 'great', others would be a little sadder.

My question is, would a specialist buyer / seller, with contacts for servicing, retrimming, respraying and keeping an accurate database on UK cars with photos and real history if known be attractive as a business. Would you contemplate using this service and help us market ourselves, even if not located nearby?

This idea is not to 'rob' specialists of their servicing or existing business but to help future clients appreciate the benefits and pitfalls of M ownership before destroying the reputation and value of our cars.

There is no one successful older M specialist dealership here in the UK to my knowledge and maybe it is time to create a single buying / selling showroom / garage run by owners and with some of the best mechanical knowledge close at hand.

We may if successful start buying a good selection of suitable E28's out there on the web and elsewhere and restoring these if people are interested in what we offer.

I am NOT looking at this to make real money, but more of a passionate hobby that will NOT cost silly money to begin but may make buying and restoring these rare cars somewhat more simple, honest and reliable.

Any thoughts are welcome.
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E34 M5 LE 20/50 Rosso Red

corneredge · 21st October 2009, 05:18

Great idea, and I'm here just in the USA, but it will be hard to have just a dealer for those cars that can have sustainable cashflow... you'll have to diversfy and/or have a legendary mechanic there to service all of them as well to make it work. I would LOVE to see it, but its a tough call.

legacy260 · 21st October 2009, 10:26

The idea is to support a variety of M cars, but nothin beyond the E39. The servicing is already a well established business, there are enough 'historic' specialist bodyshops to help with restorations, and there is an excellent retrimmer locally too. All I am looking at doing is creating a 'showpiece and hub' for buyers and sellers to meet, have a single point for excellence and to inspect their cars when buying from the underside....not topside.

The economic model is still a concept but I want feedback from current owners before developing an economic model.

We think E34's, E39's and M Coupes will be the bulk of our business, with good E28's, CSL,s and older M635 CSi's passing across the threshold as and when.

Andy Alpina · 22nd October 2009, 00:18

Sounds like a great plan. I would hope you can get all the parts in place that you can see it through. Best of luck.

M5Wagon · 27th October 2009, 22:36

It's a lovely idea, but certainly needs some number crunching to decide if viable - last thing anyone would want to hear is it soaking both your funds and lifeblood, i'm sure we all know how quickly "hobbies" become expensive !!

For sure - as Schumacher would say - a few cars traded would help cover the costs, defo a market for all things M after all.

In any case, best of luck, and please keep us updated