What's the most interesting car you've had as a loaner? 

"E90M3" (e90m3) 01/21/2017 at 11:45 • Filed to: None

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For me it was this 320i. Normally a 320i isn’t exciting at all; however, this one was a little different.

I had taken my car to BMW of Corpus Christi for an alignment or something like that. I had just gotten off of night shift and had made the appointment when I was in the field and I requested a loaner; I just wanted to go back to my apartment and sleep. So I bring my car in and when the service guy starts looking for a loaner for me. That’s when he says, your car is a manual right? Of course it is. Well do you want the manual loaner? For a minute I’m kinda shocked, a manual loaner? Yes please, I didn’t even realize that a manual loaner was still a thing. This dealer seemed to be run by car people. I was talking to the service guy and apparently a few years before that they had a manual X3 loaner. This car was pretty well equipped, maybe it sat around for a while before it was pressed into loaner service.

So in a world of boring loaners, what’s the most interesting thing you’ve gotten as a loaner?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:46

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Personally? A Jaguar S-Type.

E90M3 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/21/2017 at 11:53

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Was it some random Jag they had lying around, or you take it to a third party shop?

Captain of the Enterprise > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:56

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I had a base model 2012 focus that’s the only loaner I’ve ever had got it when my crown Vic was being recalled

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:57

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My most interesting loaner was a 1986 Volvo 740 Turbo, manual (4-speed with overdrive), 1/2 cage, boost turned up, IPD/Koni suspension, straight pipe, limited slip. It was the shop’s old hill-climb car, it got pressed into loaner duty on occasion for those customers who the shop owner deemed could be trusted with it. It was beat to hell and back, the engine was very lose and smokey, but it was still quite entertaining.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:58

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United BMW always gave me Enterprise rentals. Sadly the best one was a Maxima (the one with the funny sunroof)

My Ex did get a Boxster once.

404 - User No Longer Available > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:59

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Technically not my loaner, but it was most certainly “interesting”.

Quite a few years ago, friend took his 325i in for service, and he got a E90 328i xDrive with a manual as a loaner. This was before I learned how to drive a manual, end up stalling at a left turn and got back out.

Ending to the story though, when it was one of my friend’s turn, he mis-shifted it on the highway, end up blowing the engine. Barely had enough power left to get to an offramp and off the highway to wait for a flatbed.

I suspected, however, the engine was already partially blown before we got it, it smell funny when it was my turn. And no, it was not the clutch.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 11:59

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When had my Sonic, it had a coolant leak. They gave me a Verano turbo as a loaner. It was even a manual. That was fun.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:00

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Third party shop.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/im-driving-a-jaaaag-1761155397

wafflesnfalafel > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:02

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I ended up with a secret service-esque black Tahoe loaner when I had my little Mazda in for service several years ago.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/21/2017 at 12:04

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They didn’t have one when my TPA went out. They’ve given my dad a 3, 4, and a 5. Not a fan of the steering in the new BMWs, but they still drive pretty nice. I guess I could get used to it if I got one.

E90M3 > wafflesnfalafel 01/21/2017 at 12:06

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Did it come with any secret service agents though?

E90M3 > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 01/21/2017 at 12:07

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Those Veranos seem kinda interesting, I mean I’d never buy one, well any GM product for that matter.

E90M3 > Captain of the Enterprise 01/21/2017 at 12:07

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Most boring and most interesting at the same damn time.

E90M3 > 404 - User No Longer Available 01/21/2017 at 12:07

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They make him pay for it?

E90M3 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/21/2017 at 12:07

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That might win.

Amoore100 > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:08

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They gave us a Civic from the local Enterprise or something when our Odyssey was in the shop. I didn’t even think rental companies would willingly buy Hondas of their own accord, but apparently the local dealer forced them to. Odd.

E90M3 > Amoore100 01/21/2017 at 12:09

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Rental companies seem to be all over with what cars they buy, the dealer could have given a deal they couldn’t refuse.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:10

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Nothing too crazy for me. The first time I took my Outback in for warranty work, I got a base Santa Fe Sport from the Subaru dealers sister dealer. Second time I got a loaded Outback. Probably the weirdest loaner I’ve gotten was when I took my moms 2013 Volvo XC60 T6 in for an oil change and warranty work. Went in expecting a brand new Volvo from the dealer, left with a 1999 Volvo S70.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:11

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Yeah it’s pretty numb. I could live with the X5 I think.

E90M3 > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 01/21/2017 at 12:11

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With that 1999 they probably pressed a trade in into loaner service.

No Prius Needed > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:13

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My dad managed to get a new A8L and an S4 as loaners when our Q5 had a brake failure which resulted in the loss of brakes, needed a carbon cleaning which then resulted in the car getting a new engine, and a leak in the windshield fluid tank that all happened within months of each other. The S4 was the best.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/21/2017 at 12:13

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Does your MDX have electric power steering? My mom’s 2014 RDX has electric power steering, and it’s about the best electric power steering I’ve come across. I seriously had no idea that it was electric until recently, it’s that good.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:16

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It was great to drive, handled very good but I never pay for one. $32,000 for Verano, just no.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:17

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Yep. Turns out that dealer puts their old overpriced used cars into the loaner fleet with a couple of new ones thrown in. I’m sure it saves them a huge amount on depreciation. Their fleet is probably 85% 10+ year old volvos, 15% new ones. It was just quite a shocker at the time to be dropping off a brand new SUV with less than 10k miles and getting a 14 year old car with over 150k miles.

I guess the one redeeming quality was that it was pretty mint, aside from an interior that reeked of cig smoke.

E90M3 > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 01/21/2017 at 12:19

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The only problem with doing that is some people won’t be too happy to drive around in a 15 year old car wreaking of cigarettes. Meaning that they might look to another brand when it comes time to buy another car.

E90M3 > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 01/21/2017 at 12:20

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That’s only like 24k USD, that seems really cheap.

wafflesnfalafel > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:27

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unfortunately no... but I did have fun driving around in it wearing a suit, tie and dark sunglasses. :)

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:29

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That was a coupe of years ago when our $ was more strong. So it would have been around high $20k USD.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:32

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The Volvo dealers here are kinda evil. They always put us in a car a step above ours.

Brought the S60 in? Get an S80.

V60? Get an XC60 T6.

I secretly want something to go wrong with the V60 because they have new XC/S90 loaners and we need one.

Chinny Raccoon > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:41

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Back around 2004ish my parents bought a new Defender which, surprisingly, had major electrical issues and would go into limp mode all the time. If it was at the dealer then we’d get an old Freelander, if it was recovered by Landrover we’d get an enterprise rental delivered.

We had a Vauxhall (AKA Saturn) Astra, Vauxhall Zafira (AKA Fireball of death) and after waiting ages for a car to arrive, an EP3 Civic Type R. Apparently that was the highest class car they had available, so that’s what we got.

You may have noticed that none of these are really a comparable vehicle.

We eventually got LR to replace it with a new build model, so the dealer lent us a new TD4 Freelander for a couple of months. When the new Defender was ready they were surprised to receive the keys back as they had no record of us having it.  It had nice Alcantara seats, and may have done a Road Rally...

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:45

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I bought an 8ish year old boxster from the porsche dealer and they were supposed to do some service interval but did not before I took the car, so when they had it back, as a thank you I got a fully decked out brand new boxster s as a loaner. I think it was actually a lot car and not a loaner because they made sure I was not going to do anything besides drive to work and made sure I brought it back in 2-3 days...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:45

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When the fusion had to have the gas tank dropped because my mom was complaining of a strong gas smell, we got a bright red transit connect titanium LWB. It was an awful thing but it was definitely different and interesting to get over a base model focus or fusion I was expecting.

Jack Does Cars > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 12:58

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Back in 2008, when my father lived in NC, he took his 2002 Escalade in for it’s 100,000 mile service and they gave us a Hummer H3-T Alpha. It was horrible.

Jack Does Cars > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 01/21/2017 at 12:59

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Was it Crown?

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Jack Does Cars 01/21/2017 at 13:04

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Nope. Crown has all new loaners. It was Volvo of the Triad. I think they’re now called Volvo Cars Winston Salem.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 13:05

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That was basically my mom’s reaction. She still ended up getting another Volvo from them, but it’s probably gonna be her last.

DutchieDC2R > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 13:12

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As a European, its a tie between a GMC Yukon (during my 2 week holiday in Miami) and our Mazda Flair in Japan.

The Yukon was just.......f*ckin awesome. In sheer terms of the way it sounded, the way it looked (we had it parked next to a BMW X5 and it made the X5 look like a Mini).....

The Mazda because it was just a weird car. It worked great for a city like Tokio. In general, I’d never even opt to own a car like that, but for the city we were in, it just worked so damn good.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 13:13

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it got TERRIBLE fuel economy and burned a ton of oil too. It might have been cheaper to rent something new from Enterprise or whathaveyou, as I was expected to return it full of both oil and gas, and it absolutely needed super. No mention was made of how much tread the rear tires should have left though ;)

AfromanGTO > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 13:32

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When I got my first GTO back in 07 from the dealer. They had to fix one thing, and do window tint. So they gave me an 06-07 Grand Am GXP with the LS4 V8 in this dark purple.

I wanted to put the polished wheels on my GTO so bad. lol

I remember it had the hud on the windshield like the Vettes, and now my SS has. It was a fun car that broke the front wheels loose at 85.

E90M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/21/2017 at 13:41

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They just know it makes you want to upgrade.

E90M3 > Chinny Raccoon 01/21/2017 at 13:42

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Sounds like you should’ve just kept that LR4 until they noticed.

E90M3 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/21/2017 at 13:43

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That sounds like a really strange loaner. Car in service? Here have a work van.

E90M3 > DutchieDC2R 01/21/2017 at 13:46

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I guess I should have specified that loaner meant a car you got from a dealer when your car was in service. In the US, we’d call the cars as you described rentals.

But yeah, it’s always cool to drive cars that you don’t get in your own market. I had a Mercedes B180 when I was in Germany in 2013. I really liked it, best part was it was a manual; and it was before I had mine own manual. Good luck finding a manual rental car in the US.

Chinny Raccoon > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 13:48

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Too honest for that...

They did go broke a couple of years later.

E90M3 > AfromanGTO 01/21/2017 at 13:48

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The one thing we Americans can do when it comes to making cars is to put a V8 into everything.

E90M3 > Chinny Raccoon 01/21/2017 at 13:49

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I mean I would’ve done the same thing.

404 - User No Longer Available > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 14:17

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No idea what happened afterwards. It did appear on their used car page later though.

E90M3 > 404 - User No Longer Available 01/21/2017 at 14:18

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If he really blew the engine by overrevving, he probably messed up the valve train, put a new head on it and it should be good.

DutchieDC2R > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 14:41

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I figured I made a mistake when i read the other comments. I started reading your article but I got distracted and wanted to post a comment before I forgot.

In terms of actual ‘loaners’, I really have no stories to tell. Never had an interesting loaner really...

E92M3 > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 14:42

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No it’s hydraulic. I’m having a hard time finding a canidate to replace it. So far the 2011-14 Cayenne with (hydraulic w/ electric assist) is the only one in the running. I still need to drive a Macan though. The 2017 MDX is pretty good for an electric power steering, but it feels 25% bigger than my 2009. I’d prefer to downsize, but it IS the best value proposition.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/21/2017 at 14:55

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I don’t really know what else you’d consider. I’d be interested in the Macan, I think they look pretty good. If the MDX is too large, maybe look at the RDX?

John Dyste > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 15:56

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Our BMW dealer has a few i3 loaners. Loved it. We drive too far for it to be a reasonable option but if I could operate in range I’d totally buy one.

AfromanGTO > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 15:59

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That’s The American Way!

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 19:38

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I once got a black 435i with x drive, m sport and pretty much every other option available. I priced it out at the time it was above the starting price of an M3.

My last loaner was a ‘17 330i with M sport, track pack, nav and cold weather package. Aside from the color(white) and the lack of a manual it was almost exactly how I’d spec it. They gave it to me with 17 miles. I gave it back with 530.

E90M3 > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/21/2017 at 19:46

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I’m always surprised by new BMW prices, it seems they’ve gotten more expensive. My M3 was 65k new, with most of the option boxes checked.

Ferdinand Adlersflügel > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 20:18

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I had a 440i xDrive convertible with BMW Individual Opal White Extended Merino leather and the Dynamic Handling Package when I was having the airbag recall performed on my X5M. I really liked the white leather.Last time I took my Panamera in I got a Macan Turbo in Sapphire Blue Metallic with color matched wheels and carbon ceramic brakes. Michigan fan special!

E90M3 > Ferdinand Adlersflügel 01/21/2017 at 20:19

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They have convertible loaners? That’s surprising.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/21/2017 at 20:21

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Nah, I’m not a fan of it’s looks (mostly the front end), but it’s the right size. Maybe that’ll change with the redesign. I have time I guess, mine has just 85k miles. But I’ve had it 5 years, and the itch is setting in.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/21/2017 at 20:26

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I feel you. Honestly I hated the Acura beak when it came out, but now that they’ve subdued it a little I don’t hate it. One of my high school friends had a 2000 3.2TL that got taken to the dealer because his dad had money, so we’d walk around the show room when it was getting serviced. I don’t think my mom’s car looks bad.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 01:08

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It looks great from behind. The beak really bothers me though.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 03:17

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I’ve only ever had one loaner... The day after I got my 350Z, the accessory belt tensioner idler straight-up fell off, and it got flatbed’d back to the tiny little used car lot I got it at...

All I remember is that my loaner was a small American sedan from the mid 2000s with a 5 speed with a really weird reverse lockout, you had to pull up on a collar on the shifter to put it in reverse.

Also, it had NO torque and I stalled it at least twice trying to get started at a traffic light on a small hill, thank the Moose-Lords I only drove it for two days

Ferdinand Adlersflügel > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 08:10

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Southern California

E90M3 > Ferdinand Adlersflügel 01/22/2017 at 09:48

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That makes sense.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/22/2017 at 09:50

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I don’t know why they’ve stuck with the beak, they sell Acuras in other markets without them. One of my friends has a TSX wagon, and wanted to get an euro grill for it because it looks so much better.

E90M3 > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/22/2017 at 09:58

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The only small American sedan from the early 2000s I’ve driven with a manual was a Ford Focus. It was years before I had my own manual car and some how managed to drive it 5 hours home.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 10:59

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They are stubborn. Soo many people have complained about it, but until recently they’ve said it was here to stay. The only car I don’t mind it on is the TLX. I think the new MDX grille is going to carry down to the other models.

E90M3 > E92M3 01/22/2017 at 11:00

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If only people would stop buying them, then they might change their mind. I do agree that the MDX grill will probably appear on other models.

E92M3 > E90M3 01/22/2017 at 13:59

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While they’ve still sold well, I can’t help but imagine how many more they WOULD of sold if the styling was a tad better.

TylerJ > E90M3 01/31/2017 at 14:18

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Definitly a Lincoln LS with the V8. I had a Scion tC at the time with a whopping 141whp. It was a nice change in both power and interior feel. 

Someone decided to run a stop sign, did $3000 in damage to the front of my tC, my aunt let me borrow her Lincoln for a few weeks until my car was fixed.

E90M3 > TylerJ 01/31/2017 at 14:20

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Well, that’s not what I had in mind when I wrote this, but that does meet the definition of “loaner” so I guess we’ll have to count it!

TylerJ > E90M3 01/31/2017 at 14:28

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I’ve never rented a car so it was the closest I had to share. I was upset when she sold it for $6k with only 60k miles on it to someone and didn’t offer it to me first, but if I had bought it, I most likely wouldn’t be in the car I have now. I absolutely love my 328i (just wish it had ventilated seats) and I’ve loved BMWs since I was a kid.

The person she sold it to is trying to sell it now and I imagine it’s because those eletrical gremlins the LS suffers are starting to show their face.

Btw, are you close to Beaumont? Or further west? I’d love to ride in a M car. I’m actually from Louisiana and none of my friends are interested in cars so no one has something interesting for me to see for myself.

E90M3 > TylerJ 01/31/2017 at 14:30

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I too loved BMWs as a kid, well teenager. I was 13 when I fell in love with the E46 M3, that had only been out 2 years at that point.

I used to live in San Antonio, now living in Roswell GA.