Broke my rule about buying cars back- pretty long.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 23, 2011 9:04 AM

Many years ago, I owned a rare Alpina ti that I had brought back from Italy and restored. As I moved on to bigger and more modern BMW's, I sold the car to a young Naval Officer who had the 2002 lust. I had right of first refusal, but the owner obviously forgot that as he sold it to a guy in Atlanta who daily drove it, wrecked it and generally abused this rare 02. I bought it back when it surfaced years later, badly abused, broken and good only for the rare bits (I still have all of the Alpina parts in case I ever decide to build another 02). It was a heartbreaker for a guy who really loves cars. I had a chance to buy back another of my cars (E30 M3) a couple of years later and could not believe what poor shape it was in. I made my mind up at that point that I would never buy back a car I had sold. In the last few years, I have seen a couple of my former rides that have been treated in just the opposite fashion. Mike Gray has improved the B9 substantively (almost too good to drive Mike!) and Carl Coscia is doing the same with my E30 M3. Doc Thomas is giving the Euro M5 more love than I did. Seems to me my thesis might be wrong. I have been passively looking for another E28. After owning the Euro M5, the US M5's didn't seem to do it for me and the good ones were over my budget. I drove a really nice euro converted 535is a few weeks ago in Atlanta, but after the B9 and M5, it seemed underpowered. Oh well, I liked the E30 and decided to give up on E28's. To cut to the chase, my former 85 E28 Euro converted, Memphis Motorworks stroker popped up on Ebay Saturday. I knew the guy in Canada who owned it from 04-09 had sold it to a guy in Colorado but I had not heard of it since it sold in 09. I spent a ton of money on that car (sold it to buy the B9, sold the B9 to buy the Euro M5, sold the Euro M5 when the economy crashed and I went to Europe to work, etc.) and it was pretty quick (at least for an E28), was cosmetically about as good as my cars get, and handled like it was on rails. Many times I wished I had not sold it. Anyway, it seems again that my thesis has been tested. I talked with the owner, who turned out to be a real enthusiast (also has an E46 M3 and a couple of early P cars). He had taken care of all the open issues that the last owner neglected and has continued to improve and care for the car. It took me about 5 minutes to buy it back. I hope I do not have selective memory. Anyway, it's funny how things happen and when. I am really looking forward to getting the car back. Tim K and I will be flying to Co. and roadtripping back through NM, TX, and NO later in June for those of you on the travel path who may be thirsty. Pics and posts to follow. Yeah!

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » May 23, 2011 9:15 AM

You mentioned Tejas!
Congrats on the re-score.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » May 23, 2011 9:27 AM

I'll be in Denver the first week of June. Perhaps we'll just miss each other. Congrats and I'm very happy you found what should be a suitable car for you! Good luck!

Post by **tsmall07** » May 23, 2011 9:42 AM

Good story. I hope it works out for you!

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » May 23, 2011 9:42 AM

m-racer wrote:Tim K and I will be flying to Co. and roadtripping back through NM, TX, and NO later in June for those of you on the travel path who may be thirsty. Pics and posts to follow. Yeah!

ROAD TRIP!

[Damn, I'm jealous. Not of the car ...

]

rlomba8204 · Post by **rlomba8204** » May 23, 2011 10:01 AM

Sounds like it will be an awesome summer road trip. Make sure you bring a camera and take some good photos.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » May 23, 2011 10:06 AM

Cool story! I wish I had the means to buy a coupla my old cars back, mainly my '57 Bug, and '72 FJ40...

cfalco · Post by **cfalco** » May 23, 2011 10:28 AM

Some rules were meant to be broken. Enjoy the trip and the car! I would buy my '68 Dart convertible if it came on the market.

Coldswede · Post by **Coldswede** » May 23, 2011 11:08 AM

That seems to be a great car Tim, and after seeing your present car, I know you have high standards. Great looking paint on that beast!

Congrats!

I have a couple I'd buy a second time myself.

Rich Euro M5 · Post by **Rich Euro M5** » May 23, 2011 11:21 AM

Great story about your various purchases and sales.

How far south in Tejas are you coming, I-20 or I-10? If it's I-20 maybe we can meet up in Dallas.

Rich

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » May 23, 2011 11:24 AM

Great story! I'd buy back my 92 Honda Accord Coupe if it showed up in good condition but it would have to be pretty well cared for. I would also consider buying back my father's Lexus SC300 if it showed back up.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 23, 2011 11:40 AM

Rich Euro M5 wrote:Great story about your various purchases and sales.

How far south in Tejas are you coming, I-20 or I-10? If it's I-20 maybe we can meet up in Dallas.

Rich

Rich, The most direct route, believe it or not even to Fl., is through Kansas, but I have driven that boring stretch before, there is no adventure in that path (except for BBQ in KC). I have not mapped it yet, but I would like to make a stop in NM, Dallas and NO for old times sake. Depends on Dr. Tim's and my professional schedules as well, but would say Dallas for sure. Thanks to all for the comments.

johnnye23 · Post by **johnnye23** » May 23, 2011 12:09 PM

Tim if you come thru Memphis please give me a shout. My buddy works at Memphis Motor Werkz if you want to go by. Johnny

gray635 · Post by **gray635** » May 23, 2011 3:25 PM

Tim:

Congratulations on getting your old car back! Sounds like it was "supposed to be", based on how it all fell together.

Please keep us posted on your plans for the trip. If you and TimK are coming within 200 miles of middle GA on the trip back, I'd like to make arrangements to meet up with you guys. The meal's on me.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 23, 2011 9:45 PM

johnnye23 wrote:Tim if you come thru Memphis please give me a shout. My buddy works at Memphis Motor Werkz if you want to go by. Johnny

Thanks. I am coming to Memphis later in the Summer for business. We will do that for sure.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 23, 2011 9:46 PM

gray635 wrote:Tim:

Congratulations on getting your old car back! Sounds like it was "supposed to be", based on how it all fell together.

Please keep us posted on your plans for the trip. If you and TimK are coming within 200 miles of middle GA on the trip back, I'd like to make arrangements to meet up with you guys. The meal's on me.

Will do. Heck Mike, if you want to drive 200 mis, we will meet you in Fl.! I need to make a trip to Perry to see the final touches to the B9.

BMWgiant · Post by **BMWgiant** » May 23, 2011 10:27 PM

Stop by Denver on your trip in Co, I'd love to have a beer with you and Tim K.! It's been a while! Congrats on getting the old car back!

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » May 24, 2011 12:03 AM

Good story Tim. I remember past references to that car here. I am happy to hear that you are back in an E28.

Regards,

Leonard

Post by **Justin_FL** » May 24, 2011 7:39 AM

Tim, is this the car? I remember seeing you there and the car at 5erFest 2003 but didn't know you were the owner. Don't remember anyone else from Florida being there except for Adrian, Devin, and another guy in a blue E28.

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 24, 2011 7:43 AM

Justin_FL wrote:Tim, is this the car? I remember seeing you there and the car at 5erFest 2003 but didn't know you were the owner. Don't remember anyone else from Florida being there except for Adrian, Devin, and another guy in a blue E28.

That would be it.

Das_Prachtstrasse · Post by **Das_Prachtstrasse** » May 24, 2011 8:13 AM

And this is why the only cars i've sold have been empty shells when i've finished with them.. Couldn't bare to see something i'd poured so much time, love and moula, in the hands of someone who couldn't guarantee the same treatment. This golden poo i've got at the moment will never be sold.

Cool story, nonetheless!

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » May 24, 2011 11:03 AM

m-racer wrote:That would be it.

Very nice!

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » May 24, 2011 12:43 PM

Das_Prachtstraße wrote:And this is why the only cars i've sold have been empty shells when i've finished with them.. Couldn't bare to see something i'd poured so much time, love and moula, in the hands of someone who couldn't guarantee the same treatment. This golden poo i've got at the moment will never be sold.

Cool story, nonetheless!

That is one problem I have with selling my 535is, but I doubt I need to worry about it since I have no interest.

Ted in T.O. · Post by **Ted in T.O.** » May 24, 2011 3:33 PM

m-racer wrote:
Justin_FL wrote:Tim, is this the car? I remember seeing you there and the car at 5erFest 2003 but didn't know you were the owner. Don't remember anyone else from Florida being there except for Adrian, Devin, and another guy in a blue E28.

That would be it.

I lost track of that car once the Canadian owners sold it. They never got back to me when I asked them if they sold it to some one else on Canada.

Bav Auto October 10,2004

m-racer · Post by **m-racer** » May 24, 2011 3:39 PM

Thanks Ted. I was just thinking about how many times I had that front spoiler refinished after scraping/cracking it. See you Sat. if the weather holds up.

Eddie in TO · Post by **Eddie in TO** » May 24, 2011 5:36 PM

I saw that car in 2005. It was a superb shape. At the time, it was one of the very few alpineweiss E28's I have seen in person.

One of our Canadian friends was pursuing that car which was located in Elora, Ontario. Now we know why he didn't call him back.

Congratulations Tim! I'm glad to see it's going to a good home!

Here she is at the 2005 BMW Pilgrimage

MyE28.com DEV

MyE28.com DEV

Broke my rule about buying cars back- pretty long.

Broke my rule about buying cars back- pretty long.

Re: Broke my rule about buying cars back- pretty long.