Posted by Gregory Szczyrbak on December 04, 1998 at 23:14:41:
In Reply to: So what other BMWs' have you owned? posted by Jim Race on December 04, 1998 at 22:32:55:
: I'm more than a bit curious what led the rest of you all to the e12.
Our choice to buy an e12 was pure luck.
"My" e12 isn't really mine. It's my wife's. About 4 years ago we went to go buy her a car. Our friend a mechanic took us to look at a Ford Taurus. It had cracked cv-boots so he said to stay away from it (Thank God!!!). He then said, well I know about a old BMW for sale, we could go look at that.
Sure, sounds good. Little did we know what a great car we'd be getting.
So we checked out our 1980 528i in the dark that night, and bought it next week for $2000. (only 70,000 miles at the time). She loved it right away. It was fast (even with an automatic), had four doors, and was considered very safe.
I didn't wake up to what a great car this was immediately, because I didn't drive it much. Also, we had a string of bad luck with mechanics who had no idea what they were doing.
Then I joined the BMW CCA and bmw digest and started attending local chapter events. I met Jack Miller, who is now our very knowledgable, respected, exclusive BMW mechanic. He's great.
Through talking with Jack and others, we realized what a goldmine (and moneypit) we had found.
Another great thing about the BMW marque in general and the BMW CCA is that there are so many loyal, friendly followers. Their passion for their cars was contagious. My passion is now evident in the daily insanity I experience in trying to keep this web page interesting, fun, current and alive.
Thanks to all of you for your many compliments, contributions, suggestions etc....
Now that we are into this car for thousands, I'm never getting rid of this one, but if I could have any other car, I think it would be a 1999 M5.