LHD vs RHD Price Differences?

[Duck360198]

As I start to browse marketplaces for CSLs I'm finding a pretty decent sized price gap between LHD vs RHD models with similar mileage. LHD cars appear to always be more expensive. Has this always been the case with the CSL? Are you all noticing the same thing? I would expect a little difference in price but not a significant amount. Thoughts?

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by Duck360198

As I start to browse marketplaces for CSLs I'm finding a pretty decent sized price gap between LHD vs RHD models with similar mileage. LHD cars appear to always be more expensive. Has this always been the case with the CSL? Are you all noticing the same thing? I would expect a little difference in price but not a significant amount. Thoughts?

I Think RHD drive cars just haven't yet reached their potential. Still a bargain if I'm truthful.

[82CSL]

Couple of thoughts from me on this;

Generally, whilst RHD production numbers are smaller (making them 'rarer'), so too is the RHD buyer base. All other things equal, assuming manufacturers sized their production split (limited or otherwise) proportionate to expected demand, there ought NOT to be a significant price differential.

In practice, demand in the LHD and RHD countries drives the basis in pricing. Over the past 5yrs or so, we have typically seen RHD more expensive than LHD for many high end / limited edition marques: 458 Speciale / 430 Scuderia / 360 CS / special porkers --> all typically being more expensive in RHD guise.
My view is that in general a stronger UK economy and/or possibly stronger collector cult over in UK has driven much of that higher price base for RHD collectables.

So why the RHD CSLs cheaper than their LHD sisters?

Could be that whilst there are approx. 2.5x the number of LHD CSLs available, there's a far greater following/awareness of how special they are over on the continent?
From what I have seen the pricing gap (whilst still sizable) may have narrowed a little over last 6-8months, with most RHD CSLs sub 25k miles looking to sell £5-10k above original list price. which I don't think was the case in the UK a year ago.

Just my thoughts. Other views welcomed!

[digi]

I'll cut to the chase. Richer buyers that know their cars.

Just look at the German classified. A CSL can be price more than a 458. In the UK middle upper class people would just not buy it. In Germany, the fact that they can price it there or about, tells you that the market has buyers with that kind of wealth that is willing to purchase a piece of unique bmw ///M history. All things being equal, these buyers don't need to choose say between a 458, gt3 etc etc as it's probably sitting in their garage. Hence, you get pricing power.

Demographics.

Else they have a brimming speculative market.

[Duck360198]

Ask I look at the German sites it would appear that some of the cars are priced ridiculously and aren't moving. You can offer all you want but if it's not selling it's hard to truly gauge the market. The obvious explanation was touched on, in that the RHD market is smaller and so the customer base is smaller. But i don't necessarily think it could warrant a $20k difference between the same spec'd car.

[Mike R]

Originally Posted by Duck360198

Ask I look at the German sites it would appear that some of the cars are priced ridiculously and aren't moving. You can offer all you want but if it's not selling it's hard to truly gauge the market. The obvious explanation was touched on, in that the RHD market is smaller and so the customer base is smaller. But i don't necessarily think it could warrant a $20k difference between the same spec'd car.

The price disparity is why some of the UK cars are being bought by people in LHD countries and shipped out (hence why there are only just 301 cars left in the UK out of the 422 originally imported). I saw a wrapped RHD CSL at the 'ring last time I was there that was Swiss registered.

Obviously there will come a time when the supply and demand will outstrip what is left here and the prices will naturally level out.

[digi]

Originally Posted by Duck360198

Ask I look at the German sites it would appear that some of the cars are priced ridiculously and aren't moving. You can offer all you want but if it's not selling it's hard to truly gauge the market. The obvious explanation was touched on, in that the RHD market is smaller and so the customer base is smaller. But i don't necessarily think it could warrant a $20k difference between the same spec'd car.

Oh they move. I monitor the sites regularly and they sell.

Price is determined on the margin and all you have to do to bump the price for UK CSL is to have someone with a mint one, low mileage and no financial pressure to sell at a record price to set it. But then as soon as you get owners who has financial pressure willing to let go at lower prices, you are basically back to the lower price. Thus, my argument all along (previous posts). Once they are all in strong hands, kiss your cheery's goodbye in getting a cheap one!

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Originally Posted by digi

Oh they move. I monitor the sites regularly and they sell.

Price is determined on the margin and all you have to do to bump the price for UK CSL is to have someone with a mint one, low mileage and no financial pressure to sell at a record price to set it. But then as soon as you get owners who has financial pressure willing to let go at lower prices, you are basically back to the lower price. Thus, my argument all along (previous posts). Once they are all in strong hands, kiss your cheery's goodbye in getting a cheap one!

[Pooky]

Wasn't the UK also the biggest single market?

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Duck360198

Ask I look at the German sites it would appear that some of the cars are priced ridiculously and aren't moving. You can offer all you want but if it's not selling it's hard to truly gauge the market. The obvious explanation was touched on, in that the RHD market is smaller and so the customer base is smaller. But i don't necessarily think it could warrant a $20k difference between the same spec'd car.

Prices advertised on mobile.de (as an example) are frankly ridiculous for a large part. I see signal green 997.1 RS's like mine advertised at over 300.000 EUR, whilst in my opinion it should realistically be around the 150k mark.
I see CSL's advertised over 100.000 EUR.

A lot of people think their car is worth its weight in gold nowadays.
HUGE disparity between asking price and the price it is actually worth.