Thinking of selling the BEAST? Advice pls? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

AndyMenard · 13th January 2002, 19:31

Folks,

I know I am going to get flamed on this... as I have been very active on this forum and I certainly love the M5 to *****... But I am actually contemplating selling the BEAST.

The main reason is practicality. I don't drive it nearly as much as I used to since I am working mostly from home, and I find myself getting deeper and deeper into the track scene. Ever since I bought the Cobra R, I am addicted to becoming more and more involved in track events. As such, I yearn for a "real" truck and a nice decked out trailer to haul the R around in as I go to track events.

For this reason, I am contemplating selling the M5 and getting a deisel p/u (probably a Ford F-250 SuperDuty 4 door all decked out) and a real nice Haulmark 24' car trailer (enclosed). This is not a financial issue, as my M5 is paid for, and I can afford to keep it and get the truck and trailer. It is really a practicality issue. I don't have room (at least right now) to keep so many vehicles. Addtionally, the money I would get from selling the M5 would pay for a real nice truck/trailer rig, as well as some racing enhancements I am planning for the R.

I know you guys will try to talk me out of it, and I certainly have not made up my mind either way yet. I also know that I will miss the BEAST if I do sell it. However, I figure I could always put my name on the list to get the next model in the coming 3-4 years. By then, hopefully the stock market will rebound and I can afford to get a large garage to store my toys.

Anyway, I need some advice on an asking price? I know I will never recover all the money I have spent on this car, but I would like to find someone who is willing to pay a premium for an M5 that is modded and has been very well maintained. All of you guys who know me personally, know how anal I am about the car and how well it has been maintained.

My car is a 2000 model (5/00 build - June 2000 delivery) and now has 14,500 miles on the clock. As you guys all know, it has never been on the track, although with all of the mods on it, it would certainly be a worthy competitor for someone who wishes to track it.

I have added up all of the mods and that figure comes to about $17K or so. I figure I could realistically ask for $.50 on the dollar for these mods. Again, I understand that not just anyone will want a modded M5 AND be willing to pay the premium. Since there is no financial burden involved here and I am not in a big hurry to do anything, I am willing to wait for the right buyer.

I am thinking of asking in the mid to high 60's.

Ok, let the comments begin....

BostonRocket · 13th January 2002, 19:46

Andy,

Say it ain't so!! Please no!! If you do, please keep track of the M5 board, you are too knowledgable to leave us!

'Rocket

Paul S · 13th January 2002, 19:46

i have a comment...

why didn't you sell a few months ago!! i would have bought that car before delivery of mine. i respect your posts and mods... clearly you are a class act and i've learned a lot from your experiences, thank you. i think a lot of us are passionate about our cars and our lives and tend to want to move on to the next challenge just when we've achieved our goals... it's what's made us successful. good luck and kick some a#@ on the track!

p.s. i believe that is a very fair price.

greg · 13th January 2002, 19:57

Sooner or later almost all of us are going to sell our cars. I wish I could have kept every car I ever owned. I still miss my VW. But we can't. I would love to keep every car I buy from now on, knowing they'll probably all be cool cars - but I doubt I can do that either.

On the other hand, there is always a storage solution - I keep one of my cars in a warehouse in which I rent space - not cheap - $200/mo - but it is secure, its less than 10 minutes from my house and I have 24 hour access. I'm guessing in most parts of the country you could get the same for a lot less.

Andy, I hope you find a way to keep the car - because I know how much you'll miss it, and I know how much energy you've put into making it really and truly yours. Either way, you have my personal support, and my hope that you'll check in with us once in a while. You're a car guy - and as far as I'm concerned, even prior M5 ownership makes you welcome here in perpetuity.

/Greg

alpywhite · 13th January 2002, 20:01

Wow...hope you don't...

Bart Carter · 13th January 2002, 20:20

I agree with Greg. Get storage for your hauling rig. Shouldn't be too much in Texas, but I could be wrong.

The M5 for me is my everyday car. I would keep it no matter what because of the pleasure it gives me every time I get in.

blue max · 13th January 2002, 21:35

aaarrrghhhh!

Why do I have the feeling that you'll be back?

Dallas Spikes · 13th January 2002, 21:57

I'm in shock!! Never thought it would happen this soon! Do the storage thing.

What are you going to drive around town when you do need to go out? That big ole P/U? My advice, buy a used P/U and trailer and put them in a nearby storage facility and keep the BEAST!

If you do decide to sell the BEAST, I think your price point in about right for the correct buyer. I would shoot for mid 60's and be satisfied with something slightly less.

Best of luck and let us know!

Chris

EBMCS03 · 13th January 2002, 22:59

Oh no! Really what will you drive after selling the beast when u need to go out? It can still be kept as your weekly car. Good Luck with the decision!

DrRob · 13th January 2002, 23:33

Andy,

Keep the M5. Obviously, the Cobra isn't a daily driver. Selling the M5 and limiting yourself to driving a P/U daily will become mundane. You'll be craving to drive a performance car more than just your track excursions will allow.

I know, I've driven a P/U as my DD for 17 years, and have always had some type of a performance car to rely on for a spirited drive or a trip. You'll miss that.

Track time alone, although exhilarating, won't satisfy your daily competitive nature for driving performance cars (I don't mean street racing stoplight to stoplight, but just the enjoyment of driving the greatest performance sedan ever built).

Plus, I say selfishly and I'm sure many others will agree (we're "family", after all, you know), ownership implies identity with this board, and parting with the M5 will probably mean reading fewer of your informative posts.