My last day with the M3...

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 09/30/2020 at 08:00 • Filed to: drive something you love, E90 M3

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As you read this, I’m driving to Austin to place my beloved M3 in the care of my brother, and to take delivery of my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The M3 has been with me for over 8 years and roughly 90k miles, as a daily driver the first six of those. I bought it four years used with about 40k miles; I was 34, and it was the first time I’d spent any significant money on a car, or owned anything close to a sports car (my car previous to it was an ‘05 Mazda 3s hatch, which I drove for 7 years). As a dad with two young kids (and one on the way, although my incredible wife waited to tell me until after I bought the car - she really does love me...), the M3 was The Answer. It was, and is, for me, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I enjoyed telling people that I bought a used family sedan, but the real car guys & gals knew that I’d actually bought a RWD, great-handling, 400+ hp ubersedan with an engine with individual throttle bodies that soared past 8000, directed by good-old-fashioned hydraulic power steering. It is truly an end of an era car. The following M3 was turbocharged with EPS, gaining performance, but losing feel in the process. My M3 opened up a world of active automotive enthusiasm to me, often challenging to access for guys with a dad-mobile. I took her to the track (Hallett & MSR-Cresson) many times, building my speed and confidence, sometimes strapping in one of my kids’ dolls in their car seat as a joke for the corner workers. There are few joys greater than passing a “real” sports car on the track in a family sedan. I ate my humble pie as well, giving point-bys to modified Miatas with fast drivers. At 3700 lbs, she’s a big girl, but she can dance...

For the past  eight years , she was my companion on biannual !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! with friends in the Ozarks of NW Arkansas. “Confidence-inspiring” is all I can say about this car - its limits were always way beyond my own, and the long, slow process over years of gaining confidence and ability on miles & miles of tight & twisty backroads was just joy. These trips are therapy to me. You can’t have any other thought in your head when you’re driving quickly in these places; your entire mind must be focused on the task as hand. Radio off, windows open, relishing in a symphony of mechanical sounds as the engine soars to redline again and again...

Ownership wasn’t without drama, of course: I caught a bad AC evaporator under warranty early on, had some sensors go bad, and ran the car out of gas once and burned up its fuel pump. It’s needed a flat-bed tow more than once. But I’m not going to remember those times. I’m going to remember the joy it gave me. I’m going to remember the kids asking to go for a ride in “Daddy’s fast car” and taking them for ice cream on a particularly beautiful evening. I’m going to remember the friendships I made in some of the places I went because of this car.

Today, my car shows the scars of a life well-lived. She looks good from afar, but upon closer inspection, the paint on the hood and front clip is far from good. Thankfully silver hides a multitude of rock chips... I cleaned out the interior today, and I’m happy to say that it looks just as good as the day I bought it (it’s always had some unfortunate wear on the passenger seat from the previous owner’s wife/girlfriend) - remarkably nice for a 12 year old family car.

Like I mentioned elsewhere, I’ve told my brother that I reserve the first right of refusal if he decides to sell this car in the future. He’s completely informed of the expensive maintenance items that will probably need to be addressed in the next few years (I’m going to split the cost of a rod bearing service with him soon, for peace of mind), but even considering what he’s giving me for the car plus the cost of the maintenance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better car for the price.

I hope he loves the car as much as I have, and it gives him as much joy.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Farewell, faithful friend.

Cash Rewards > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 08:16

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Great write-up!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 08:36

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Very well said.

Truly the end of an era not just for car design but you. You’ve all ‘Murican/’ Stralian on us now.

Its amazing how well a vehicle can work its way into your heart. Especially over a timeframe as large as 7 years and seeing your kids grow up in the back of it.

May your new SS be just as good if not better. 

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 08:38

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Danny Korecki > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 08:56

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Oh no, what have we done.

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 09:20

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Sad to see it leave, happy it’s still with the family. Such a fantastic looking car and mine remains very dear to my heart. So much so, I told the GF that a garage for it is a non-negotiable in any future living arraignments.

phenotyp > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 09:41

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Bittersweet day. But the best kind of outcome— passing on to good hands, and not an end, rather a transition.

Godspeed, and wish we had a chance to hang out while you’re in austin. 

mhr555 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 09:56

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“ Whatever it is, drive something you love. ”
Car enthusiast words to live by. #thumbsup
Where’d you get the oppo decal? I need.

BrokenMostWeeks > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 10:39

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Excellent post!

And a truly wonderful machine. When we all say ‘they don’t make them like they used to’, this is what we’re talking about. Like you said, this is the last of the mechanical, naturally-aspirated BMWs, and this car is a high point.

Congratulations on the new super sedan, and glad you’ll still have this one in the family! 

krustywantout > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 11:04

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Thank you for sharing your feelings. We have all had that emotional connection with a car that we “ let go ” but keeping it in the family will hopefully let you keep “ in touch” with it and maybe there will be reunion in the future . Enjoy the SS.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 12:08

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Sad to see it go but I love that it is staying in the family and you are sampling the American version of the german super sedan. Looking forward to updates.

90K miles is a whole lot of memories!

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 13:22

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Beautiful farewell note - hope having it so “close” with your brother won’t be too tough on you. And here’s to hoping the SS provides many beautiful memories as well - will certainly be different, but all indicators suggest it will be a lot of fun too. 

jeepoftheseus > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 14:10

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Well written... looking forward to SS content!

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 14:15

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I shopped for SSes continually before buying a Lexus (twice) - they’re good machines, I still see them out in the wild from time to time. That LS3 can do quite a bit. And I agree - drive what you love, love what you drive. 

marcva > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 15:15

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If my e 36m3/ 4 door ever die s (?!) , that will be my next stop

PatBateman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 15:45

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HEY NEW BABY CONGRATS!!

As the father of three wonderful children myself, I offer you this piece of wisdom:

Go get a vas ectomy.

But congrats!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 16:16

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When I am in Austin next, to visit my brother, will you take me for a ride in your SS?

Vicente Esteve > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 18:59

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Awesome fa rewell!

Enjoy the SS!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BrokenMostWeeks 09/30/2020 at 22:38

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Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/30/2020 at 22:41

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It’s such a beauty and sounds so good... Got a different perspective following my brother as he drove it some today.

Said he had a smile on his face the whole way home.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 09/30/2020 at 22:41

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Thank you!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 09/30/2020 at 22:42

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Thankfully, hopefully, it’s until we meet again. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/30/2020 at 22:42

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Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > krustywantout 09/30/2020 at 22:42

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Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 09/30/2020 at 22:42

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Amen. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 09/30/2020 at 22:43

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Such a great car. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > phenotyp 09/30/2020 at 22:44

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Thanks! Was a really quick turn this time - would love to carve out some time during a future trip. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2020 at 22:44

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Hope the SS will give you new experiences worthy of your decision to trade!

Thanks for sharing.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PatBateman 09/30/2020 at 22:45

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LOL

Yeah, it’s probably about that time.

My “new baby” is 7 now. =)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mhr555 09/30/2020 at 22:48

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Not sure if the guy I bought from is still selling. Ping me again on Friday and I’ll see if I can track him down. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Cash Rewards 09/30/2020 at 22:49

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Thanks! It came from the heart. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Danny Korecki 09/30/2020 at 22:50

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Not saying I haven’t had some of these feels. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > jeepoftheseus 09/30/2020 at 22:51

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Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 09/30/2020 at 22:52

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Well, my brother’s in Austin - I’m heading back to Tulsa tomorrow. But I’d gladly give you ride!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Vicente Esteve 09/30/2020 at 22:52

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Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 09/30/2020 at 22:53

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I hope so, too!

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/01/2020 at 08:07

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Sounds like it couldn’t have gone to a better home!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 10/01/2020 at 08:22

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So glad it worked out the way it did. Great car, and I’ll miss it, but glad he gets to enjoy it for a while, and thankful for the possibility it will come back to me one day. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > marcva 10/01/2020 at 08:24

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You will not be disappointed. 

PatBateman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/01/2020 at 12:06

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Oh. OOOOOOH.

Still, get a vasectomy.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PatBateman 10/01/2020 at 22:05

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Haha! 

mhr555 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/02/2020 at 06:07

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whispers...”it’s Friday” 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mhr555 10/02/2020 at 10:37

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https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/164362550/oppo-vinyl-sticker-opposite-lock-decal