It's Going to be a Good Day

So far today...

I stepped barefooted onto a cat vomit land mine left by Miss Thing

It actually rained on my way to work

I discovered upon arriving at work that I'd left my wallet and watch at home

...and it's only 8:20AM

Confessions of a Car Guy

Had dinner last night with my friend Dan who with his best friend opened a used BMW cars sales outlet.  They specialize in unique performance end BMW products and sell to those who buy the cars for their capabilities rather than their status value.  As is typical, Dan met me at the restaurant with his latest toy.  In this case, a 2004 Rennsport modified BMW 330i.  "Anything strike you as odd about this car?" he asked.  Knowing that I was being tested, I commented that the car was an M3 (BMW's top-of-the-line 3 Series car) that had had some serious body work done to it.  New front and rear, lowered, humongoid tires.  But there was still more.  Dan's smile told me that I'd missed something.  Wait, it was a 4 door but they didn't make the latest M3 in a 4 door!

Over a very filling dinner, Dan explained that this was a one-of-a-kind project car that had been customized at great cost by Rennsport to showcase the firms capabilities (he'd bought it used off of EBay from one of the company's owners).  It had been featured on the cover of several enthusiast magazines.  Some $12,000 was invested in cosmetic bodywork so that only the front doors and roof were original.  The result was a spectacularly pretty 4 door BMW that looked like an M3, but wasn't.  Inside, the transmission had been modified with a short throw six speed manual shifter (supposedly faster gear changes).  The suspension had been changed to a "coil over" layout (honestly, I'm not sure what this means in technical terms).  A supercharger had been added to the engine (it had been removed before Dan bought the car) to add a mere 100+ horsepower to the stock car.  Dan, of course, insisted that I take it for a drive after dinner.  I didn't refuse.

And how was it?  Driving a irreplaceable vehicle on dark unfamiliar roads isn't my idea of an ideal venue, particularly with my failing night vision.  What I did learn (and not for the first time) is that this was a car that was much more capable than I was a skilled driver.  "Driving on rails" is very apt.  Yet I didn't fear the loss of fillings when I hit a pothole.  You weren't just on the road, you were a part of it.  See a corner coming up?  Don't slow down, you don't have to.  Violate speed limits in surprising comfort and safety?  You betcha!  Enough power?  Hell yes.  With the supercharger, the beast must have been scary fast.

For most sane folks, this car is ridiculous.  Painted a brilliant "Arrest Me Red", it must be the darling of radar traps everywhere.  Unless you have money to burn (and Dan's customers often do), it makes zero sense.  It's not super economical, although it's probably better than you'd imagine.  Jeebus save us if the lovely bodywork got damaged.

But I'd happily include it in my dream fleet.  Go figure.