It never gets easier. Even after years in this business, seeing an M-badge car roll onto the dismantling lift stings a little.
Just this week, we had to process two legends: a 1998 E36 M3 and a newer 2002 E46 M3. To the uninitiated, it looks like a crime. Why would anyone crush such incredible machines?
The reality of the salvage business is a bit more complex. Usually, these cars come to us with heavy collision damage. Maybe the frame is twisted beyond repair, or the cost to fix the bodywork exceeds the value of the car. But the heart of the beast that S50 or S54 engine is often still beating strong.
We look at it as the circle of life for BMWs. By dismantling one wrecked M3, we harvest enough organs to keep ten other cars on the road. The engine might go into an E30 project car. The transmission might replace a blown gearbox in a daily driver. The interior trim, the brakes, the suspension bits all of it gets a second chance.
So, if you are looking for parts, give us a call. We have fresh inventory from these cars right now. It’s sad to see them go, but it’s good to know their parts will be tearing up the asphalt for years to come.