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therealm3
06-27-2011, 09:35 AM
Hello all,

I wanted to introduce myself seeing I am officially part of the board now. I have been lurking for about a month cause I really want to get into a ZHP sedan. My name is Alex and I live in Sacramento CA. I have been a BMW owner/CCA member since 1996 and a fan of the cars since I was like 13. Our neighbor bought a new E30 M3 back in 88 and I was hooked. Though, I didn't get to own my first BMW till I was in college. I needed something economical and fun to drive around and ended up buying a 91 318is w/ LSD. Still to this day that is probably the most fun I have had in a car. I put over 200k miles on that car, 30+ track days, and it just kept right on going. I had to do the normal stuff, Brakes, suspension, tires, belts, fluids and the occasional little thing here and there, but the darn drive line was always solid. Anyhow, after graduating collage and landing my first "real" job I bought my dream car: 1989 M3. It was the best "drivers" BMW I have owned to date, but also quite a headache. For some reason that thing just never ran at 100%. There was always something little that had to be done. As frustrating as it was, I never could get myself to part with it till last year. With a growing family and a hectic work life, there just wasn't time for track days, rallies, Sunday cruises, etc. anymore. So she left the fleet to happy new owner in NY. In-between then and now I have had 2 E36's, another E30 318is, An E46 325, X3 (wife's car), and my current car an E90 335 6MT. The current car has the BMW performance suspension, M3 front control arms and tie rods, and PS2's (non RFT). It's a great car and fun to drive, but I just miss something about the NA BMW's of the past.

In the past year or so I have directed 3 friends to an E46 zhp as the perfect BMW for practicality and fun. And, well, I think I need to take my own advice and get one too. I have a friend who owns a BMW shop and over the years has taught me a lot so I try to do as much work as I can myself. I also have become a bit of a detail addict after being introduced to detailedimage.com (http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=13407&url=detailedimage.com). These guys are awesome and the stuff I have learned and used over the past 3-4 years makes me wish I could go back in time and put the skills to use on past cars. Anyhow, I plan to sell the E90 at some point soon and my dream ZHP is a low mileage, enthusiast owned, Mystic blue sedan with Black leather, black cube trim, 6 speed MT, HK audio, and heated seats. I'd also take a coupe with the same options but prefer a sedan. It's easier to get my two kids in and out of. I like what I have seen on the board so far and the people seem like a good group. I kept the same screen name I have had for years on other boards (bimmerpost, E46fanatics, etc.) even though it doesn't apply much anymore (the - real - M3). Figured it was just easier than having to be creative or remember a new login. ;-) Hopefully I haven't bored anyone too much with my post and look forward to contributing in the future.

Take it easy.

Alex

Marcus-SanDiego
06-27-2011, 09:42 AM
Alex, thanks for the introduction. Please make yourself at home.

Welcome.

billschusteriv
06-27-2011, 10:21 AM
:hi Welcome Alex!

Nice introduction! Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and tapping some of that knowledge! Good luck with your search and aquisition of a ZHP. There are deals posted here almost daily and there is a strong knowledge base among the members.

It also sounds like you have quite a breadth of experience across the 3 series. Once you get settled in here and get your ZHP, we'd love to hear and share in your experiences over at BMWMafia.com (http://www.BMWMafia.com), too.

Do you have past and present pictures of the fleet to share?

DirtyPillows
06-27-2011, 10:38 AM
Yay another mystic blue lover! :D

BimmerRules!
06-27-2011, 10:55 AM
Welcome Alex and thanks for the tip on the detailing.

I am also like you, new member hoping to get one soon. This is a wonderful site and I am sure you are soon going to find the car you are searching for.

danewilson77
06-27-2011, 11:39 AM
Welcome to the Mafia Alex.

quikryptonite
06-27-2011, 11:42 AM
Welcome aboard. I too, love the Mystic Blue. Good luck to you. I went down to Dallas to get mine.

kayger12
06-27-2011, 12:56 PM
Welcome to the Family.

Great intro.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

mimalmo
06-27-2011, 02:34 PM
Welcome Alex!

static667
06-27-2011, 05:03 PM
Welcome, Alex. I'm sure that you will find that perfect ZHP before too long.

johnrando
06-27-2011, 06:26 PM
Welcome NorCal. Looks like you know exactly what you want, hope you get it!

therealm3
06-27-2011, 09:09 PM
thanks for the warm welcome fellas. I am really hoping I can make this happen and get the "right" car for me. Looking forward to contributing where I can. Seeing some of you asked for some pics of previous cars, I pulled up a few quickly and will attach them here.

The E30 318 is the car that started it all for me. Most of my cars have been modded a bit but nothing too crazy. the M3 was the most. Oh and I forgot to mention my wife's new ride in the intro. A sweet E91 M sport with 6 MT. yes she rolls manual cars too. And no she does not have a sister. ;-)

Oh and the obligatory zhp content is my brother's 04 Silver Grey sedan. It's a very cool build with sunroof delete. We drove it out from Colorado two years ago. Got a check engine light going over the Rockies and a wheel bearing decided it was on its way out with 800 miles to go. we limped it home though taking it easy on right hand turns. Good adventure.

Marcus-SanDiego
06-27-2011, 09:41 PM
Excellent cars. Love the pictures. Thanks for posting them.

HokieZHP
06-28-2011, 05:31 AM
Welcome Alex. As a relatively new member myself I can tell you that you'll definitely learn a lot here and the guys and girls here are very helpful and a great group of people!

Mtnman
07-01-2011, 05:08 AM
Welcome. Good luck with the search!