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@pigfarmer
Paul.
I read an interesting article a few weeks ago which interviewed a prominent car auctioneer in London. All the usual 'you get to enjoy your asset while it grows' rubbish trying to create more liquidity in the market but he did have some interesting points many of which I'm inclined to agree with (obvs my knowledge and experience is negligible in comparison but I read with a level of trepidation in that knowledge of his intentions).
He discussed the E30 M3 at one point and talked about the fact that the current high prices came about because of a sudden realisation by a large number of people that these cars were extremely cheap for what they were (I'm guessing this was late nineties) regards power and handling. He went on to mention that once a car's (specifically classic) perceived value goes up it will almost never come back down. All well and good and as I read I thought of all the E30 M3's which are being used and the inherent reduction in their numbers (the very reason they boomed in price) and obviously I thought of you.
The gent went on to say that he didn't see the 'standard' E30 M3 as much of an investment these days as the only ones which still seem to be appreciating are the specials further to that marque (like the Cecotto).
I've noticed this with the LSE. I was buying the equivelent of an M3 E30 in the sense that it has a significant advantage over the standard and was built in limited numbers. However as an avid 2nd hand market watcher of cars I've come to realise that the potential appreciation in mine (which it has done so far) will be constantly negated by the cost of ownership.
When I was looking for mine I saw a Litchfield LSE version which, much like the Overfinch, had an American chevvy V8 transplant and had a few extra bits and bobs. This one I saw 2 years ago was on the market for £15K. I was unable to get insurance for it. The very same one came back on the market a few weeks ago (and sold) for £35K. Very few other places will give you that sort of return.
Further more there is a special edition CSK (of which there are more on the road today than LSE's) listed at the infamous Graeme Hunt for £75K (http://graemehunt.com/motorcar/130/1992-range-rover-csk-just-finished-complete-restoration).
Anyway I've lost my point.