1998 - M3 Sedan - White/Black - Sold
1993 - 325i Sedan - Black/Black - Retired
For anybody who declares soup cans to be works of art or suggests closing a whole department store
and keeping it as a museum, considering a car as a rolling work of art is more typical than unusual.
The reviews of the new E39 M5 in the enthusiast's magazines in the fall of 99 were unanimous: this was one very special ride. I'd never owned a BMW but just new that I wanted in on an M5.
$1500 deposit + 9 mos. wait = new Carbon/luxury black M5
Delivery day was a nightmare! After squelching some attempted dealer games with my trade value (99 C5 Vette), the salesmanager went out to put plates on the M5. He came back in white-faced 5 mins. later stammering that he had LOCKED BOTH KEYS INSIDE THE CAR. I watched in horror as they attempted to 'slim jim' the lock unsuccessfully. They then sent me back home in the Vette and assured me they'd be back with the M5.
When the salesmanager showed up an hour later at my house I was in the midst of an animal crisis...a rabid bat was terrorizing my daughter's pool party. Eventually, the salesmanager and I managed to capture and kill the deranged bat.
4 mos. later I hit a deer...$2500 damage.
But, it was all worth it. This car really IS special and I don't plan on ever trading it. Just too many special memories that I've never had in any other car.
Had the M3 cab, figured that was fine for a wahoo ride except I couldn't track it without a cage. Wasted potential. Meanwhile, the truck-like handling of the X5 was more and more annoying for a daily driver (truck-like compared to a car, though still superior to most every ute), so I ordered a 540iA to be my get-around-townmobile. A couple weeks before it was due to arrive I experienced profound buyer's remorse -- if that's possible when delivery has yet to be made. Of course, all this time I'd been lurking on this board (doya think BMW should kickback to Gustav for all the good word of mouth generated here?) and decided to back out on the 540, order an 03 beast, keep the X5 for bad weather/big loads, and sell the untrackable M3. As it turns out the 540 wasn't the shade of blue I was expecting anyway (whew), I've gotten more accustomed to the X5, the beast is everything it's said to be, and there haven't been any takers on the cab yet (aw, shucks ).
pw
Mine was the manifestation of a progressive disease...
...that started with the first V8 + manual transmission German sedan offered in the US...and hasn't stopped since!
It all began with an E34 530i/5-speed that I "test drove" one evening after my sales manager called me with the friendly offer (less than 27K miles on my E36 325i/5....) He was no dummy. It was amazing for a small-displacement V8; loads more torque than the M50 I6, and more room inside for my widebody. SOLD!
Then the E34 540i/6 six arrives. A bit beyond my means, but I HAD to have that car. I find one in personal service by the owner of The BMW Store in Cincinnati. Again, the guy tosses me his keys after a brief enthusiast discussion--smart man. A few months later, when he's put his 7K miles on the clock, I come back and buy it.
Of course, the E39 540i/6 was only the next logical step. Pure automotive bliss! Not quite as sharp as the E34 (still miss the E34 M5 seats and M-Technic suspension tuning), but a fine machine. And THEN I start hearing murmurs about the E39 M5.
All the enthusiast press reports looked very good. [In my best Homer Simpson voice:] "Ooooh. Pancakes! Duff beer. Look at that torque curve!!" So I wander into my dealer and drop off a deposit in April 99. And then I wait. And wait. At that point, I was #5 on their list. "When did you say that first allocation hits?"
I remember when I got the call to spec out my Beastmistress. I first went with Anthracite (had previously gone Calypso Red (X2), Cosmos Black, and Montreal Blue). Then I hear about Carbon Black. Never saw it; only heard about it. But my Cosmosschwartz E34 was simply the most stunning color I've ever owned, so I figured I'd give the Carbon a shot.
End of story? Three years and 53K miles later, I can't imagine letting her go!! Of course, now I'm #1 on my dealer's E60 "list," but I'm not so certain I'll exercise that right. I know, 500 BHP can overcome an awful LOT of ugly, BUT.... Every spyshot I've seen to date contains more ugly than 500 HP. They've still got my money, however....
I had always loved BMWs but never owned one. I used to travel to Germany on business alot and often rented BMWs, mostly 3-Series but once they upgraded me to a 728i, slush box, though, and I was taking it into Amsterdam! (Of all places, you don't want a large car.)
In mid-1999 my thoughts turned to the new millenium and an approaching 50th birthday, so I went to the local BMW dealer thinking 540i. We discussed the M5, which was coming to US shores in a few months' time. I thought about it for awhile and decided in December to go for it. My June 2000 build was delivered on July 1, 2000. I've put about 32K miles on it since then and have loved every millimeter!
__________________
Tom
'00 Anthracite/Caramel/Burl Walnut
Hey Pierce,
Great idea for a thread... My saga started about 5 years ago. I was living in Europe at the time, and was considering purchasing a new car over there, driving it for a year or two, and then brining it back as personal property (no tax). I really couldn't find the car that I wanted...at least any of the ones that I could have shipped back to the US.
When I moved back, I purchased a SAAB 9-5 Aero. It was really for the wife, but I made sure that I bought the most powerful car they made for me Well, long story short, we split, she got the car...
What to do??? Buy another new car I looked around and talked to many BMW owners, and decided to look at the BMW. I looked at the 3 series and 5 series, and really wanted a 4-door car, but not without power Then, I found the M5. Since you can't test drive an M5, I just had to take it for granted that the power was unmatched. I did test drive a 540i 6-speed, and it was really, really nice, and powerful. The dealer tried to talk me into the 540 last August, but it was my girlfirend who said "you know you'll never be happy unless you have the "M"". (I think it's just because SHE wants to drive it ). Of course, she was right...aren't they always? Especially when she lets you buy your "dream" car?????
As a long time M3 fanatic, I had the M5 in my sights but never wanted the 4 door family car look. I even had one on order..
So I blow through my M3's.. and decide that a change of pace is in order - I am now married with a son on the way and I buy an Audi 2.7 Turbo.. Yes, I hear the groans.. It was n't even the 6 speed since Mommy cannot drive a stick.
Luckily she hates the car, I sell it to buy an X5.. and also order the M5 at the same time. The dealer likes me
Anyway, she is waiting at the port in NJ.. Has yet to enter the vpc and I am tearing my insides out trying to be patient.
Originally posted by hornsch Performance Center Delivery March 4. (next time Euro Delivery)
M5 Driving Experience March 5,6!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice bit of logistics, there, hornsch!!
I did both the PC Delivery (4/1/00) and M5DE (5/20-21/00), but had to make two trips to do it. Of course, from Atlanta that's only two hours by Beast!!
Both experiences were top notch. My beast (and the PC Delivery process) was professionally filmed for an internal BMW dealer video on this 'new' offering. Now I've got VHS version of me rolling out of the delivery pod for the first time....
Originally posted by Teutonaddict Nice bit of logistics, there, hornsch!!
I did both the PC Delivery (4/1/00) and M5DE (5/20-21/00), but had to make two trips to do it. Of course, from Atlanta that's only two hours by Beast!!
Both experiences were top notch. My beast (and the PC Delivery process) was professionally filmed for an internal BMW dealer video on this 'new' offering. Now I've got VHS version of me rolling out of the delivery pod for the first time....
I get weepy just thinking about it!
WHO DEY!
-Dave
Wow! That is great! I am going to have lots of pics but would love to get something on video....
WHO DEY is right!! This will be the year of the Tiger!!!
).
My saga started about 5 years ago. I was living in Europe at the time, and was considering purchasing a new car over there, driving it for a year or two, and then brining it back as personal property (no tax). I really couldn't find the car that I wanted...at least any of the ones that I could have shipped back to the US. 
Well, long story short, we split, she got the car...
Then, I found the M5. Since you can't test drive an M5, I just had to take it for granted that the power was unmatched. I did test drive a 540i 6-speed, and it was really, really nice, and powerful. The dealer tried to talk me into the 540 last August, but it was my girlfirend who said "you know you'll never be happy unless you have the "M"". (I think it's just because SHE wants to drive it 
). Of course, she was right...aren't they always? Especially when she lets you buy your "dream" car?????
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