Ten Years Gone

"Tripper" (tripe46) 01/26/2017 at 11:13 • Filed to: None

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10 years ago today, 22 year old Tripper called a man about a car. I had only seen pictures, and had plans to go and see the car. However, the salesman with whom I had been talking with called at almost 9pm and said something to the effect of “I have a guy from Michigan who wants to fly in tomorrow and drive the car home. So if you want it I need a deposit.” My brain immediately called BS on someone flying in to get the car, but it didn’t matter I wanted that car. I told the guy I would call him back in 30 minutes. I then had a short discussion with my father, his advice was (paraphrasing) “This is a big purchase for such a young guy, and it’s a bad deal. The price of the car is good, but you’re underwater on a car that you have only owned for six months. On top of that you haven’t owned a car for more than 15 months, and you can’t keep doing that. However, if this is really what you want then do it, it’s an awesome car and when you’re young is a perfect time to have an awesome car. Minutes later I called the guy back with my deposit.

(M3 circa 2007/my best friend’s 2006 STi limited)

When I put the deposit on the M3 I was driving a 2004 STi. I had recently driven that STi into a deer and the “insurance” shop that fixed it did a terrible job. We’re talking a noticeable color difference on a silver car. It was so bad that when I sent pictures to the dealer with the M3, they said “what’s with the two tone car?” They salesman called and reluctantly informed me that they would have to hack our agreed upon trade in number by 2k if I traded in the car like that. So I called the body shop back and told them they had to fix their fix. They were not going to do it, and said that I was being “over the top” about it. They caved once I told them the situation with the M3, but the manager just kept saying “you should buy a house instead”. I didn’t need a house at 22, I needed an M3.

I worked long hours for Circuit City’s home theater division at the time, Monday-Thursday 8am-10pm most days. Friday-Sunday I worked for a Valet company, and in the hours in between I ran my side hustle (A/V PC consulting/install). I did all the paper work for the M3 via fax/snail mail, but it was looking like I wouldn’t be able to get the car for weeks. My dad had offered (with a shit eating grin) to go an pick the car up for me several times, but I said “no” wanting to be the first to drive it. Since I bought the car sight unseen, the dealer was willing to let me get a “post purchase inspection” done to make sure that the car checks out. After a few days the dealer grew impatient (understandably so), so I let my dad go and get it. I think it was into February before I actually had the car. I remember just staring at it out of the window of my apartment barely believing it was mine!

The car also has a production date of 2/02. So it turns 15 as it celebrates 10 years in my driveway. I have taken painfully good care of this car. Receipts total nearly half of the purchase price at this point. Any interior bit that was scratched, I bought a new one. Any rubber piece that looked faded/cracked I bought a new one. I’ve replaced badges, had seats re stitched. Each time I have had to take a door card off. I have replaced every plastic clip with a brand new one... The cars only mods are a set of competition package wheels, and a short shifter (UUC EVO3 + a stiffer connecting rod, and a ZCP weighted knob).

I wish I had better pictures! You would think I would over 10 years, but I’m the type who would rather stay in the moment when it’s time to pull out the camera.

It didn’t happen all at once but a Phoenix Yellow M3 transitioned me from a jackass kid to a man child adult. The Fall after I bought the M3, I met my the woman who would become my wife and the rest is history. Other than the M3 I have not owned a car for more than 20 months in my 16 years behind the wheel.

TL;DR I bought an E46 M3 10 years ago sight unseen and I still have it, even drove it to work today.

Happy Thursday!

Nothing > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:19

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That is awesome! Congrats on a nice car, and for keeping it as long as you have. I’m 45, and the longest I’ve kept anything has been 4 years, and it wasn’t nearly as interesting of a vehicle (‘96 Yukon).

E90M3 > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:21

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Buying an M3 in your early 20s is the way to go.

fintail > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:21

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Fun read. It’s a “forever car” now.

I bought this when I was 18:

Just over 20 years later, I still have it. Also a “forever car” (which I’ve spent a few times more than the purchase price to keep on the road, and no regrets).

Also amusing to see an M3 parked in the fire lane ;)

OPPOsaurus WRX > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:23

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classic BMW

Tripper > fintail 01/26/2017 at 11:31

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Damn dude, I love your Merc! That is gorgeous. Haha my apartment (where that picture was taken) had a really cool garage underneath the building. People would always park there to load/unload, hence the sign. I agree though perfect car to be in front of a sign like that!

Tripper > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/26/2017 at 11:32

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Building manager was also a car guy, and made the same comment as I was taking the picture!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:35

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What an awesome car. It’s great to see cars like this that have been both enjoyed and obsessively maintained.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > fintail 01/26/2017 at 11:36

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This is the first I’ve ever actually seen of your car. It’s a stunner for sure.

Chariotoflove > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:42

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It’s like a marriage to an internet bride working out. I’m kinda tearing up here. Wishing you two a lifetime more of happiness!

fintail > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 11:58

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Hey thanks. It’s an unrestored car, but has held up pretty well. I assume your M3 still lives in a garage (as does my old car).

Do you have any data about the production number for that color? Has to be uncommon.

fintail > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/26/2017 at 11:59

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Hey thanks. It definitely turns heads now and then, which always amuses me as it isn’t perfect. But it’s hard to find one more photogenic.

fintail > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/26/2017 at 11:59

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Hey thanks. It definitely turns heads now and then, which always amuses me as it isn’t perfect. But it’s hard to find one more photogenic.

Tripper > fintail 01/26/2017 at 12:21

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It lives in my parent’s garage as I don’t have one...yet. It usually stays at my house for a week at a time. My whole family is nuts about cars, so my dad is understanding about letting the rag tops have the garage. My mother DD’s a cooper S but just bought a C5, so it shares their garage with the M3.

Not sure about production numbers for Phoenix Yellow, but I know that it’s about as rare as Laguna Seca Blue (similar enough to your Benz). Most people (non-car people) don’t believe that it’s a factory color.

fintail > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 13:27

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I live in a damp climate, a cloth top car scares me - I don’t even want my closed cars out in the wet.

If you keep it stock and keep taking care of it, you’ll have a collectibble, maybe another 15-20 years off.

Tripper > fintail 01/26/2017 at 13:38

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If were being honest I wanted a coupe. Still do, but like you said “It’s a forever car now.” When I bought the car I didn’t understand the sacrifices that come along with a rag top, more weight/less rigidity. Even if you told me I wouldn’t have listened.

The top has held up really nicely, it’s in a garage now, but it was not for a lot of years (most of the time that it was my daily driver). Still the color has held and there is barely any creasing. My parents neighbor has a 3 year old mustang convertible and the top looks terrible!

bobbe17 > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 13:57

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I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I love Phoenix Yellow so much.

How many miles were on it when you bought it and how many now? My M3 just had its 15th birthday in December.

Tripper > bobbe17 01/26/2017 at 14:08

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Yea it’s a hate it or love it color for sure, but I’ve got the hots for it. I had it inspected last week and they parked it right next to an Austin Yellow M4. I like PY slightly better.

It’s an 2002 that I bought in 2007, 24k miles on the clock at purchase just under 90k now. Most of those miles were 2007-2012, I then retired it from daily use.

fintail > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 14:30

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German style canvas material is well known for durability, it is even used in restorations of non-German cars. Keeping that car stock will pay off in the long run.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > Tripper 01/26/2017 at 15:33

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Great story. As someone who also constantly switches cars, I hope I will find my “forever car”.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 01/27/2017 at 09:50

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I’m glad this story didn’t go the way your dad thought it might.

10 years is an awesome milestone. I’m halfway there with my M3 - hope I get there.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 01/27/2017 at 09:51

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I’m at almost 100k on mine; bought with just below 40k.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > fintail 01/27/2017 at 09:52

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Beautiful.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 01/27/2017 at 09:54

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Unless, of course, it’s not. =)

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/27/2017 at 10:10

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Seem to work out pretty well for Tripper and myself. It’s more of, if you’ve got the means, go for it.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/27/2017 at 10:12

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He’s glad too. He always mentions the “overnight” change in me after I bought it. I didn’t attend to the few responsibilities I had, spent all my money partying, no girlfriend etc... It was so hard to make the payments when I first bought it, that I just had to cut that shit out and I wanted to!

That scenario alone is what made me keep the car after I finished paying for it. Now it’s just part of the family.

I’m sure you will. In my eyes the E9X is the last truly “special” M car. Also probably the most special with that S65. Sure the new ones are impressive, but it’s a different formula now.

I only intended to drive the E46 to work on Monday before I wash it and stick it back in the garage, but here we are on Friday, and I haven started the Audi since last Friday.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 01/27/2017 at 11:36

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Haha! I hear you. It was sub-30 here this morning, and I should’ve taken the Pathfinder (my M3 is still on summer rubber), but guess what I chose?

That’s really cool that the car helped you grow up and be more responsible. If I’d bought mine right after I started working, I think it would have messed us up financially - was definitely better, in my case, to wait until I was 34 like I did (when I could truly afford it).

They are definitely special cars. Puts a grin on my face every time. The E9x is definitely an “end of an era” car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 01/27/2017 at 11:37

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Yup, and I definitely didn’t have the means when I first started working!

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/27/2017 at 11:47

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Well you’ve got one now and that’s all that matters!

George McNally > Tripper 02/01/2017 at 15:13

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Way cool.......when I was 19, I bought a brand new 1980 Ford Fairmont Futura with “0" options.

I woulda rather had your car :-)