Time will tell but the market has slowed a little and its very seasonal. But they can only keep going up, there was a point where owners were starting to get rid of cars 60-70k 8 years old as the cars need attention outside of their service schedual from that point on which isn't cost shattering but at the time cars of that age were 10-11k (roadsters) cost to sort is between 1-2k so a decent investment (10-20% value)
Being a buyer its a good idea to be aware of consumables like engine mounts, loose/rusty bolts, bearings, belts, inspections etc
I have called pretty much every dealer on autotrader about the cars for sale. Currently 90% of the cars for sale on Autotrader need most of the above or have missed important service intervals. With current costs of 14-20k if it needs an inspection 2, half shaft bearings, engine mounts your out the best part of £2.5k. From negotiating with dealers most are unaware and not willing to deal and it can leave you with costs you don't really estimate for. All is fine really as the cars still aren't expensive really and are getting old but worth bearing in mind as buying to jump on the quick buck bandwagon might not work out.
Perfect example :- currently looking at Boxster S's too similar age etc. Went to see a lovely car with 30k on it. Bolts etc tend to rust and need replacing no big job. Also the front radiators are quite exposed and have a shelf life of 6-8 years, if the aircon is not ice cold then it generally doesn't need re-gassing as the aircon is on by default all the time, its more likely there is a leak. The car was reasonable at £17,500 08 30k with a really great spec. I got it up on a ramp to look around and the front rad had a leak, when one goes the other follows quickly. The exhaust was about to fall off as the bolts had rusted through.
When a rad goes you need to replace as a pair, with the age the pipes will need replacing too as well as the AC rads so 4 radiators and pipes about £800 +Vat. Needed new tyres all round £800-1000, full wheel refurb, needed a service within 6 months and a drive belt £500. So best case was £2300 another 400 for a wheel refurb. Dealer wasn't willing to entertain anything but the bolts, they had knocked £200 off the car so they wouldn't negotiate with that either.
All in the car would have been £20200. I left it with the dealer to make a decision or I would walk away.
Went over a few days later to be told the car had a deposit dropped unseen. The guy had a shady credit history so they were waiting for him to prove his worth etc so it might still be available to me... But at the end of the day the dealers aren't bothered they will sell the car with minimal effort and issues. So I left with the thought that to this guys its probably his dream car, hes had issues with money in the past and has maybe turned a corner and bought this car and maybe doesn't have the knowledge to look over the car in the same way I did and will find in 6 months he needs to find 3-4k as left these issues could cause significant damage to other areas of the car, like if the exhaust falls off etc.
I only know because I stupidly bought a Porsche without having an inspection first took it for one a week later because of a knocking noise and found the car had piston slap and so the guy felt sorry for me and showed me underneath and spent a decent time showing me what to look for in the future. I had to take it back as an engine rebuild was worth more than the car fortunately I got my money back.
My point is dealers don't have a clue. Especially these ones that are 'specialists' with Porsche, BMW, Merc, Ford etc on the forecourt you cant be a specialist in everything and know the ins and outs of all cars. If your to buy, buy from a specialist that deals with one brand and your more likely to get a better car.
Best advice is just do some homework or it can land you with money you don't expect to spend and that's mostly the things you can see not what you cant. Or best case is get it looked at by a specialist but in the BMW world its not easy to find an M specialist.
Being a buyer its a good idea to be aware of consumables like engine mounts, loose/rusty bolts, bearings, belts, inspections etc
I have called pretty much every dealer on autotrader about the cars for sale. Currently 90% of the cars for sale on Autotrader need most of the above or have missed important service intervals. With current costs of 14-20k if it needs an inspection 2, half shaft bearings, engine mounts your out the best part of £2.5k. From negotiating with dealers most are unaware and not willing to deal and it can leave you with costs you don't really estimate for. All is fine really as the cars still aren't expensive really and are getting old but worth bearing in mind as buying to jump on the quick buck bandwagon might not work out.
Perfect example :- currently looking at Boxster S's too similar age etc. Went to see a lovely car with 30k on it. Bolts etc tend to rust and need replacing no big job. Also the front radiators are quite exposed and have a shelf life of 6-8 years, if the aircon is not ice cold then it generally doesn't need re-gassing as the aircon is on by default all the time, its more likely there is a leak. The car was reasonable at £17,500 08 30k with a really great spec. I got it up on a ramp to look around and the front rad had a leak, when one goes the other follows quickly. The exhaust was about to fall off as the bolts had rusted through.
When a rad goes you need to replace as a pair, with the age the pipes will need replacing too as well as the AC rads so 4 radiators and pipes about £800 +Vat. Needed new tyres all round £800-1000, full wheel refurb, needed a service within 6 months and a drive belt £500. So best case was £2300 another 400 for a wheel refurb. Dealer wasn't willing to entertain anything but the bolts, they had knocked £200 off the car so they wouldn't negotiate with that either.
All in the car would have been £20200. I left it with the dealer to make a decision or I would walk away.
Went over a few days later to be told the car had a deposit dropped unseen. The guy had a shady credit history so they were waiting for him to prove his worth etc so it might still be available to me... But at the end of the day the dealers aren't bothered they will sell the car with minimal effort and issues. So I left with the thought that to this guys its probably his dream car, hes had issues with money in the past and has maybe turned a corner and bought this car and maybe doesn't have the knowledge to look over the car in the same way I did and will find in 6 months he needs to find 3-4k as left these issues could cause significant damage to other areas of the car, like if the exhaust falls off etc.
I only know because I stupidly bought a Porsche without having an inspection first took it for one a week later because of a knocking noise and found the car had piston slap and so the guy felt sorry for me and showed me underneath and spent a decent time showing me what to look for in the future. I had to take it back as an engine rebuild was worth more than the car fortunately I got my money back.
My point is dealers don't have a clue. Especially these ones that are 'specialists' with Porsche, BMW, Merc, Ford etc on the forecourt you cant be a specialist in everything and know the ins and outs of all cars. If your to buy, buy from a specialist that deals with one brand and your more likely to get a better car.
Best advice is just do some homework or it can land you with money you don't expect to spend and that's mostly the things you can see not what you cant. Or best case is get it looked at by a specialist but in the BMW world its not easy to find an M specialist.
