The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers!

Yesterday brought a mix of highs and head-scratchers in the auction world. A Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach stole the spotlight at the top, while a well-loved 1998 BMW M3 couldn’t quite find its buyer. With some platforms struggling to move inventory and others showing their strength, there’s plenty to analyze.

Let’s break it all down.

MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc… All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ vehicles in the chart below.

Not the greatest day for most auction sites yesterday (total sales $4.7m) with many failing to sell much. Our poor market leaderboard looks empty. Here’s hoping today is a better day for all platforms.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

Nearly Sale of the Day

Why Didn’t This 1998 BMW M3 Sedan Sell?

There’s always a story behind a no-sale, and this one is no exception. The seller bought this Arctic Silver 1998 BMW M3 sedan for $20,600 in 2023, put some effort into personalizing and improving it, and logged about 3,000 miles of joy. But when it came time to sell, the bids capped at $19,200—just shy of their original purchase price.

Personal Touches vs. Market Expectations

During their ownership, the seller focused on cosmetic and maintenance updates to bring the car up to snuff. Key changes included re-dyeing the interior upholstery, repairing a dent in the passenger door, installing new Goodyear Eagle Sport tires, and replacing smaller items like the washer fluid sensor and sunroof switch panel. They even restored the original steering wheel, although the airbag light issue remained unresolved. These updates undoubtedly improved the car’s condition but may not have added enough perceived value to attract higher bids.

Aiming for Break-Even

It’s easy to imagine the seller hoped to recover both their purchase price and some of the money spent on these improvements. But the auction market can be unpredictable, and yesterday’s bidders weren’t willing to meet that valuation.

The Labor of Love Reality

We’ve all heard the adage: you rarely get back everything you put into a car. It’s a labor of love, not a financial guarantee. This M3 represents a fantastic driver’s car, but that doesn’t always translate into auction-day success.

What’s Next for This M3?

The seller mentioned they needed to sell, which raises an interesting question: will we see this car pop up on another platform, or will the seller adjust their expectations and try again here in a few months? Either way, the E36 M3 community will be watching closely.

This no-sale highlights a familiar auction challenge—balancing personal investment with market realities. Sometimes, the love we pour into a car outpaces what the market is ready to give back.

Hagerty Feedback

In yesterday’s edition I asked you “Do you think Hagerty cares about their online auction business?” You voted in your droves and you can see below what the majority of you thought, which is… they don’t care. Below the vote results are a selection of your comments.

People have strong opinions about Hagerty these days, don’t they? It wasn’t that long ago they were the cool kids in the collector car world. You’d spot Hagerty caps everywhere at events. Now? Not so much. That little detail feels like a metaphor for something bigger.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Hagerty’s approach to online auctions hasn’t hit the mark. It feels like they’re just checking a box, thinking a seat at the table is enough to stay relevant. But here’s the thing: in this game, just showing up doesn’t cut it anymore.

What’s maddening is that they’ve got everything they need to crush it—brand power, resources, and a loyal following (or at least they had one). So the big question is: are they going to step up and really go for it? Are they willing to roll the dice, innovate, and make their mark? Or are they just going to keep coasting on the fumes of their past success?

Let’s be honest, coasting isn’t a strategy—it’s a slow fade into irrelevance. Hagerty could set the standard for online auctions if they wanted to. They could take this space and make it their own. But right now, it feels like they’re standing at a crossroads, and the whole car community is watching to see which way they’ll go.

Auctions To Keep An Eye On

911r, one of BaT's standout sellers, is back with a phenomenal collection tied to Arizona Car Week. This time, they’re offering 10 exceptional vehicles directly from their own facility. I’m not diving deep into these cars today—BaT has done an outstanding job showcasing them, as always. So, sit back, take a moment, and explore the collection for yourself. Just click here and enjoy the ride.

They just don’t make wagons like this anymore. The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300TE-24 3.4 AMG is a masterclass in blending performance, luxury, and practicality—and it’s a rare breed at that. This isn’t just any S124; it’s AMG-modified from day one, with a stamped engine block and the coveted 990 AMG code on the datacard to prove it.

What makes this wagon special is its sheer audacity. AMG took the factory M104 inline-six, enlarged it to 3.4 liters, and transformed a utilitarian hauler into something capable of outrunning many “sports cars” of its era. Add in that Brilliant Silver Metallic finish, authentic AMG body kit, and 17″ Evo wheels, and you’ve got a wagon that looks as mean as it performs.

But it’s not just about the numbers—this car oozes personality. The heated sport seats, third-row seating, and burled walnut trim remind you that it’s still a Mercedes, offering a level of refinement that’s increasingly hard to find in today’s performance vehicles. And let’s not forget, it’s a wagon with headlight wipers. Yes, headlight wipers—because why not?

The $20k spent on recent maintenance is a testament to its current owner’s dedication, ensuring it’s ready to be driven and enjoyed. This isn’t a car that’s been tucked away in a garage; it’s a labor of love, made to turn heads and ignite conversations wherever it goes.

So, if you’re into wagons that defy convention, this one’s a no-brainer. It’s not just one of the last great wagons; it’s a piece of AMG history that deserves to be celebrated. The only question left: are you ready to embrace the wagon life?

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