1M has Arrived!! My story

[griz31]

Proud and ecstatic new owner of a BSM 1M!!!

First, some of you may recognize this vehicle. I purchased from a fellow forum member craina. I wanted to take a minute to say Thank You. A Texas to Virginia sight unseen purchase is a difficult task, and it could not have gone smoother. Alex - Thank you for making it such an easy transaction. I know it was difficult to let go, but am so grateful to get a chance to experience this wonderful vehicle. I'm sure we will be in touch over the years and if you ever find yourself in the DC area we'll grab a beer - Jon


After almost a year, I decided to pull the trigger on a 1M! Here's my story.

I had come from a 2011 WRX STI, and landed on a 2011 BMW e92 335i. The big wing and manual gearbox was starting to lose its appeal, especially in DC traffic. The 335i was great. I had almost zero issues, and it was extremely reliable. But it got boring. I missed rowing through the gears, but enjoyed the refinement of the BMW. In April of 2016, the itch bit me again, hard. After riding in a co-workers 911, I knew it was time for a change.

I landed on a e90 M3. Beautiful car, and that V8 I purchased the car from a local Carmax (first red flag). After a day or two, I started to notice a "whistling" noise between 60-70 mph. I could replicate it every time and I could almost "play" the noise with the throttle. I let a friend take it for a spin and he also noted some other potential problems. I purchased the Carmax warranty, so I went in and described my symptoms and asked to have it checked out. After about a week, A WEEK, they come back with "This is normal for this type of vehicle." I was irritated and nervous. If this is "normal" in accordance with their 200 blah blah point inspection, what else could be wrong? Carmax offers a 5 day money back guarantee. Because the vehicle was under maintenance, they extended this guarantee. As hard as it was to let go, I decided it was not worth the potential hassle it would cause down the road. A lesson learned.

I found myself in a bit of a bind as I traded in the 335i for the M3 and now was without a vehicle. I came upon a beautiful m235i manual (hard to find in the DC area) at a local BMW dealership. After test driving the car, I really enjoyed it! I decided to go ahead with a lease. In hinds sight, I wish I would have done more preparation - another lesson learned.

The m235i is a great vehicle, but after coming out of the m3, it just lacked some emotion. I am reaching the point in my life where I will have to start thinking about less selfish purchases, and knew this would be my last hoorah for awhile. The m235i is great, but it didn't fit what I was looking for. Enter my obsession with the 1M.

I started to do more research on better condtion m3's, and came upon the 1M. It was love at first sight. Small, nimble, manual gearbox, aggressive, BEAUTIFUL. While vacationing in Florida I had an opportunity to test drive one. (Posted about this in another thread). This pretty much sealed the deal for me. Due to my past experiences (see I learned my lessons!) I went and test drove many other vehicles, from Porsche's to newer M3's. Nothing seemed to check all the boxes like the 1M. I knew it had to be the 1M.

I know its uncommon here, but I LOVE BSM. All the colors are great, but the BSM was the right choice for me and my personality. I started my search.
From a financial perspective, I was in a bit of a bind. I just started a lease and they are pretty much a done deal once you sign the dotted line. Along with finding the right car, I had to find the right time financially. I communicated with another forum member, Cursed1, on his beautiful BSM 1M, but the timing just wasn't right financially for me.

In the new year, I found myself in a much better position to make my move should the right vehicle come along. Most of you know BSM is hard to find, so wasn't expecting to make a move anytime soon. I posted about one that had an accident, trying to gather feedback from forum members.

As luck would have it, craina saw this post!! What are the chances that his vehicle fit my exact search criteria. If that's not fate that this was meant to be, I'm not sure what is. I could not pass on this, and after a few weeks of coordinating paperwork and shipping, it has arrived. Without further ado:














I am beyond excited for this experience! So far, the car has exceeded my expectations. Looking forward to whats to come!

Jon


P.S. I will be getting rid of the m235i. If you know anyone that would like to take on the lease, please send them my way. Willing to offer some great incentives!

[Dee Pee]

Congrats man! That is a great story and I'm so glad the car is staying with an enthusiast and forum member.
Now get out and drive your new baby!

[StreetCredShifter]

Congratulations on your 1M! I just got one recently, also in BSM. While I like the VO, I prefer to be more under the radar. Sorry to hear about the M3 story and enjoy your 1M!

[Dackelone]

Cool 1M. BSM is the most rare of the three colors. Welcome to 1Addicts.

[Shroom]

So Awesome! I have a BSM also and think it is a outstanding color! How many miles on your new M? I'm thrilled for you...it's the most exciting car! Welcome to the club!!!!!!

[Ric in RVA]

Congrats. My 135 is BSM. Good choice.

Ut Prosim!!! VT class of 1987

[c1pher]

Nice! Where in NOVA are you?

[1and1]

Nice find!

And everybody knows BSM is the fastest color!

[CarJunkie]

Congrats and welcome!

[Mdawood]

Congratulations man! Great story as well. Happy for you. Enjoy!!! Unfortunately though, VO is the fastest color.

[griz31]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Pretty much can't stop driving it and looking back at it when I park. I've kept the radio off pretty much the whole time.

The color comments crack me up. It really looks fantastic in all the colors, but I too feel black is a little more stealthy and under the radar, which appeals to me the most.

And Black is the fastest......

Originally Posted by Shroom

How many miles on your new M?

Just under 30,000

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Ut Prosim!!! VT class of 1987

Another VT grad, awesome!

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Nice! Where in NOVA are you?

Northern Virginia, right outside DC (Springfield)

[1'M Blue]

Nice purchase hope you enjoy it !

BSM is rare indeed !

[Chaotic317]

I live in Nova close to Fair Oaks. Hope to see this thing on the road. Closest one to me is around Burke.

[digwm1]

ooh i know which one this is, congrats!

[FrostyDC4]

Congrats!

[eeghie]

Great that the 1M continues to draw enthousiasts, welcome and congrats.

I get you color motivation: BSM is the color for when you've got nothing to prove 👍. Possibly i'll evolve to that preference one day 😄

[c1pher]

I live in Quantico if you ever want to meet up. Would be cool to have a 1 series meet up in this area.

[craina]

Boy, this car was hard to let go. I didn't think I would ever sell the car. I am sure we all say stuff like that but in reality sometimes it is the prudent thing to do at a certain point in time. I kept the car long after I had purchased its replacement - it was really hard to let go. I wasn't driving it as much but every time I did it made me giggle. I wish I had deeper pockets and more garage space so I could keep them all.

Jon's excitement about the car made me feel better about the decision and reminded me of myself when I first got the car. I know that he will take good care of it. He has got passion for the car so I know its in good hands. Very smooth sale and he was very patient with me when some unexpected life circumstances came up.

Congrats and enjoy!

[buddalun]

Welcome! Beautiful 1M.

[IZSL07L]

Congrats to both the buyer and the seller! Seems like the car is in good hands! What a beauty!

[atl_1M]

Congrats! Agreed, BSM is best (when clean)...

[Stoney80]

Originally Posted by ssiddiq1

Congrats! Agreed, BSM is best (when clean)...

I cleaned mine yesterday! Let's see if we can get all 220 BSM 1M owners to say it's the best color...welcome to the club.