[///MPhatic]

I hate to admit that I'm that guy, but I am. I have an Excel spreadsheet with every penny I've spent on all my cars, including gas receipts. The only thing is, I never total it up, I just reference the info when selling parts.

Last year after installing my CCB I had an internet friend (never met him IRL, but we have chatted for a few years, super cool dude) tell me that he'd buy me out of my M2 for what I had in it because it was exactly what he wanted to build. As stupid as you're going to think I am, I declined for the simple reason that there is literally no other car I'd rather have for the same money, which means I'd be spending more money to level up. It sounds like a good idea until I look at my mileage and see that I put a whole 1,952 miles on my car last year, 1,018 of which were to The Dragon and back. Spend quite a bit more money for a car I hardly drive? That's a nope.

Anyway, his offer sort of forced me to really total things up, and honestly, it's worse than I thought. Why? Because I've done 99% of the work myself, and have gotten a deal on just about every part. If I have to pay retail for anything I consider it a failure (sorry, I'm an imposter in the BMW world).

Anyway, ready for this?

I have just shy of $90K in my M2.

*gulp*

Now, about $1500 of that is in tools I needed to do various jobs, $6500 is in paintwork/PPF, and $15K is in staggeringly stupid wheels/brakes (which I stole), but that doesn't make me feel any better.

The car is pretty much exactly how I envisioned it (the Perl lip and M2C mirrors are yet to go on), other than the G-series carbon buckets I will never have, so I'm very happy with the car, but $90K for a car I barely drive is sobering.

I can't be the only one. Tell me some of you guys know what you truly have in your cars.

Living a boy's adventure tale. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

Holy Trinity. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

[philth]

Your car looks SPECTACULAR. Worth every penny, and, more importantly, every smile it puts on your face [in my opinion].

I’ve been able to avoid doing that with any of my cars/projects. You only live once and none of this non-sense follows you anywhere, so just enjoy what you’ve worked hard to acquire and take it to the max if you’re able to.

[DanG]

I have lots of M Performance parts on my car. I am too afraid to add up what it costs so far. But I love the M2 and it has been paid for since day one. So I don’t worry about the cost.

[murderspice]

Love makes you do crazy things.

[Macphisto]

MSRP: $53,245.00 (delivery on June 1, 2016 and now with 86K miles)

Mirror caps: $350
Painted reflectors: $175
M Performance side gills: $200
M Performance front grille (using just the black surrounds from M235i): $140
Silver Vision bulbs: $25
Total on parts: $890

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by philth

Your car looks SPECTACULAR. Worth every penny, and, more importantly, every smile it puts on your face [in my opinion].

Thank you, and I agree. I think my issue stems from the fact that I already have a toy that I drive even more rarely (Lotus Exige), and the car I drive most is my 2015 RDX. So my nicest cars are the ones I enjoy the least amount of time. This has let me to consider selling the RDX for an '18 F85 X5M, which I would enjoy much more often because it'd be my daily. But then with an X5M I'm not sure I have a need for the M2.

I'm a bit stuck I think.

My Boys. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

[gphung]

Take this with a grain of salt, and a bit off topic, but I've read at least a few times on here or in group chats that some previous owners regret having an X5M/X6M as a "daily", simply because the ride was way too harsh. That's subjective of course, but I do recommend you maybe test drive one or sit in one before giving it too much more thought. It might not be what you want to deal with on a daily basis, which it sounds like your RDX is doing really well at.

Not that you need validation or anything, but yeah I agree with others, your car is probably the cleanest example on this forum (functional and form). If you love it, don't get rid of it. Just find more opportunities to drive it (and then clean it again right after).

[omasou]

I have a G06 non M, that is used for winter and fishing trips. It gets crazy good mileage for something so large and handles fantastic.

Previously, I owned a E70 V8 NA, that had 300HP, the G06 w/turbo has ~350? I drove the E70 to 128k+. I will NEVER own another V anything. Everything that requires maintenance comes in 2's. Two value cover gaskets, two timing chain covers gaskets, etc. Also look at the design of the "hot V8" the turbo sits in the middle and by design the turbo oil inlet and outlet tube will eventually leak oil, just from natural torque of the engine stressing the joints. Then add-in the dreaded valley pan. My point, I don't feel it is worth the hassle. Not to mention the gas the M SAVs suck ~14 MPG.

My M2C sat and received very little love last summer, mainly b/c I have 2 motorcycles. I too thought this poor thing is just siting here and really should be driven.

That said when I do drive the M2C it continues to put a smile of amazement on my face. The only other vehicle that came close was a convertible but for other reasons.

A M SAV is not equivalent to a M2.

In fact my previous E36M3 was not equivalent to the M2.

[(K)]

I was about $20k into the car with parts and labor. I probably had another $10k-$15k to go before I could call it quits lol.

In the pipeline was suspension, wheels, tires, a tune, a GTS hood, maybe a red caliper swap and probably some other bits and bobs.

All-in I was looking at almost a $100k car. But we don't mod because of reason or value, do we?

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Thank you, and I agree. I think my issue stems from the fact that I already have a toy that I drive even more rarely (Lotus Exige), and the car I drive most is my 2015 RDX. So my nicest cars are the ones I enjoy th

How attached are you to the lotus?

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by gphung

Take this with a grain of salt, and a bit off topic, but I've read at least a few times on here or in group chats that some previous owners regret having an X5M/X6M as a "daily", simply because the ride was way too harsh. That's subjective of course, but I do recommend you maybe test drive one or sit in one before giving it too much more thought. It might not be what you want to deal with on a daily basis, which it sounds like your RDX is doing really well at.

Not that you need validation or anything, but yeah I agree with others, your car is probably the cleanest example on this forum (functional and form). If you love it, don't get rid of it. Just find more opportunities to drive it (and then clean it again right after).

I would put a suspension on the X5 and soften it a bit for sure, and my commute is only 3 days a week, and very short. I think the biggest problem with me owning an X5M is the 20 days or so that I'm on the road for 6-14 hours. Cars just take a beating under those conditions.

The RDX fits the bill flawlessly, except that it's not very special, so I feel like I'm wasting my largest driving experience on something that isn't special.

Thanks for the kind words.

Originally Posted by omasou

I will NEVER own another V anything. Everything that requires maintenance comes in 2's. Two value cover gaskets, two timing chain covers gaskets, etc. Also look at the design of the "hot V8" the turbo sits in the middle and by design the turbo oil inlet and outlet tube will eventually leak oil, just from natural torque of the engine stressing the joints. Then add-in the dreaded valley pan. My point, I don't feel it is worth the hassle. Not to mention the gas the M SAVs suck ~14 MPG.

Wise words. Thank you.

Originally Posted by murderspice

How attached are you to the lotus?

I've had the Lotus 15 years, she's my baby. I only drive her 5-10 times a year (the rest of the time she sleeps climate-controlled in my basement), but every time I do I'm like, just wow, this car. My plan is to sell it (hopefully for a lot) when I'm 70 (17 years from now).

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by Macphisto

MSRP: $53,245.00 (delivery on June 1, 2016 and now with 86K miles)

Mirror caps: $350
Painted reflectors: $175
M Performance side gills: $200
M Performance front grille (using just the black surrounds from M235i): $140
Silver Vision bulbs: $25
Total on parts: $890

An OG, OG. Whats your 86k mile review?

In San Diego no less. Asshole.

[philth]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

So my nicest cars are the ones I enjoy the least amount of time.

I feel the same. I have two motorcycles and the M2 that get put away for winter. I can only stare at them.
My girlfriend and I go down to one vehicle (her single cab F150) and my work truck (Ranger that’s not used for personal). The sense of appreciation I have during that first rip of the season is like nothing else LOL All three of my most loved vehicles get enjoyed the least. I’d LOVE to get a ‘winter beater’ but as it stands, we’re comfortable where we’re at — is the justification I use for not getting something like an X3MC, which I would inevitably start ‘making my own’ with upgrades… and then feeling guilty driving it in the slop of winter… it’s a vicious cycle.
I’m not allowed to throw mods at her truck, and the work truck is a work truck, so that helps to keep some money in my pocket LOL

[swampfox94]

I keep an excel sheet of my track costs including upgrades and even after 2ish years it’s getting ugly lol

[3t3p]

Erm I have a rough idea in my head but in terms of fully optional things not crucial to the base car I'm likely past £12k by now, I think. Eek!

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by philth

The sense of appreciation I have during that first rip of the season is like nothing else LOL

Ain't it tho? haha

[jefe2000]

After reading through this, I’m really appreciating living in a climate where I can daily the M2. Will she wear out a lot faster. Sure. Will I have enjoyed all the drives in the meantime? Oh yeah! (Not much help for the OP’s quandary, I know.)

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

After reading through this, I’m really appreciating living in a climate where I can daily the M2. Will she wear out a lot faster. Sure. Will I have enjoyed all the drives in the meantime? Oh yeah! (Not much help for the OP’s quandary, I know.)

It does suck to park my 2 toys for 3 months, but it is what it is.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

It does suck to park my 2 toys for 3 months, but it is what it is.

You need to live in a warmer climate. My M2 is driven all year long. It may sit for a day or two if snow is on the ground but it melts quickly.

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

It does suck to park my 2 toys for 3 months, but it is what it is.

In Sweden my car is parked from september - may so stop whining

[captain slowly]

I think if someone is willing to give you the $90k you're into this car, you'd be silly not to take it. While I love my M2C, at that price point I'd rather be in 6 cyl Cayman or a number of other cars, but you do you.

[allinon72]

A lot of motifs in this thread that I would consider to be paradoxical enthusiast scenarios, most of which I've experienced. I went from an M3 to an X3M thinking, why not enjoy an M car daily and have it be the "do it all" vehicle? Sounds nice on paper, but it just isn't the same. I had no connection to the car at all, it became a numb daily appliance. Because of the frequency of being driven, it just became normal, not something I looked forward to driving on the weekends.

And that's the important thing to remember as an enthusiast...part of what makes each drive special is the scarcity in which those moments happen! So while it may seen like the car is just sitting in the garage collecting dust, it makes each rare drive that much more special. M SUVs are awesome, but it cannot take the place of or replicate that.