Topic: Transitions, passages, and changes....!!

[ovr50]

I have been rather quiet on here lately. That is mainly due to a number of things going on in my life that have had me a bit distracted; and secondarily due to a lack of interest on my part in the endless arguments on CTC. 

There are 3 things that have transpired in the past number on months:

1. Although my wife & I built a new house in 2008, that house was not our original first choice of a house to build. We could not afford the home we really wanted back in 2008, so built our second choice. Sometimes, you do get a second chance at your first choice, and this happened to us. Our builder in 2009 built a spec home, just as we wanted. We priced this house in early 2008, and it was too expensive --- but by April of 2010, after our builder carrying several higher end houses for up to a year, he decided to accept our "low-ball" offer we made. So, we got our first choice for considerably less than 2008 pricing. We did then have to sell our 2008 house, and we knew we take a loss, but in the end, our loss on the 2008 house was less than our saving on the new/spec house, with the location, bells & whistles that we wanted. So, we did that and it kept us very busy from Apr to Sept this year.

2. My mother, who is in her 90's, has terminal bone cancer, and likely will not see the end of this year. I have been involved in family trips over to Alberta, and meetings there to visait her, and tie up loose ends of her affairs. Stressful and time consuming. Fortunately she has had a good and healthy life up to now.

3. To be outlined in next post following shortly.

[rrocket]

I have been rather quiet on here lately. That is mainly due to a number of things going on in my life that have had me a bit distracted; and secondarily due to a lack of interest on my part in the endless arguments on CTC. 

There are 3 things that have transpired in the past number on months:

1. Although my wife & I built a new house in 2008, that house was not our original first choice of a house to build. We did not we could afford the home we really wanted back in 2008, so built our second choice. Sometimes, you do get a second chance at your first choice, and this happened to us. Our builder in 2009 built a spec home, just as we wanted. We priced this house in early 2008, and it was too expensive --- but by April of 2010, after our builder carrying several higher end houses for up to a year, he decided to accept our "low-ball" offer we made. So, we got our first choice for considerably less than 2008 pricing. We did then have to sell our 2008 house, and we knew we take a loss, but in the end, our loss on the 2008 house was less than our saving on the new/spec house, with the location, bells & whistles that we wanted. So, we did that and it kept us very busy from Apr to Sept this year.

2. My mother, who is in her 90's, has terminal bone cancer, and likely will not see the end of this year. I have been involved in family trips over to Alberta, and meetings there to visait her, and tie up loose ends of her affairs. Stressful and time consuming. Fortunately she has had a good and healthy life up to now.

3. To be outlined in next post following shortly.

Yea, I remember that story.  Glad it worked out for you.  Bummer about your mom though.

[dorin]

...due to a lack of interest on my part in the endless arguments on CTC. 

I ditto that.

Great about the dream house.  Sorry about the mom situation.  And please do tell.

[ovr50]

3. The M3 is gone. In late Sept, the local dealer offered me a decent price on a move-down trade. I had the M3 for just over a year, loved it, and am glad I had it. I am a "been there, done that" kind of guy, so took the opportunity to trade it back to the dealer for a good sized cheque and a lease-return 2007 328xiTouring with a 6M tranny, and 59Ks. It is Barbara Red with Lemon leather interior. A rather unique car in both color and the fact it is a Touring, and in that it is a manny-tranny car. It is immaculate, has 9 months of original warranty left, plus 2 more years of CPO warranty. I am putting winter tires on it this week, and will drive it until something else comes along to catch my attention. It has 230hp/200lbft in the N52 engine so has much less power than my M3 was, but the manual helps to bring back some driving fun. I would not want this engine with the auto tranny that comes with the 328s. I don't have pix as yet; but here is a link to a BMW forum that shows the color well (top of the page 6 is a Barbara Red w Lemon (but a sedan), and the last post on the same page shows the Touring in Barbara w Beige interior.

With advance apologies to John Genx, once you have summitted Everest, the lesser mountains are more mundane. I have had a V8 M3, and don't need to do that again. The M3 will, no doubt, be the pinnacle of my car ownership days.

My wife is now retired from teaching, and I am cutting work way back, so future cars will have a more practical "bent" to them.

That about sums it up.  

EDIT - added link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58370&page=6

[rrocket]

Man...bummer about the M3 too.  Glad you can get over it.  For me, it's near impossible going back down to a "sedate" car.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Big changes indeed.

Very sorry about your Mum.

[Flinter]

Glad to hear that things have worked out well with the "first choice" house for you and your wife. Good things come to those who wait.

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother's health problems. I can imagine these are still difficult times for you. I have a close relative that recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and news like that kinda darkens the lives of the whole family.

The M3 in gone. Say it ain't so.     I do hear what you are saying with your "been there, done that" comment. I'm sure it was a heck of a fun year that you will remember fondly for many more. The replacement 328xi Touring does sound like a very nice ride. The Barbara Red w/Lemon is a pretty rare combination. Add in the fact that it's a Touring model with a manual gearbox and becomes a very rare combo. While it is no M3, I'm sure it's still more than capable of putting a smile on your face.

[HeliDriver]

Sorry to hear about your mother. Still, nobody's here forever, and it doesn't get much better than living a good and healthy life into your nineties. Hopefully the coming months aren't too tough for you and your family.

I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on the 328xi Touring. I was shopping for one a year or so ago, but in the end decided that while it was a great car, it wasn't worth $25,000 more than a GTI (to me, anyway). I wonder how you'll compare it, value-wise, to the much more expensive M3. (My guess is that you'll find the M3 to be worth every extra penny, but I guess we'll see...)

[ovr50]

Thank you all for the comments regarding my mother. Not to be too harsh about it; but she has had a good life, and to get into the 90s with no problems up until this one (albeit now a very serious problem), is about as good as it gets. Our only hope for her, as family, is that the medical ppl can manage the pain and let nature take it's course.

HeliD - I would agree that the M3 is worth every penny of the high price it carries. It was and is a truly remarkable car, and I feel lucky to have been able to drive it and enjoy for the year I had it. It was an awesome experience. If I had really deep pockets, I would have liked to retain the M3 as a sunny day fun car only. But, in the end, I had it, it was neat, and I'm glad I did it. I can live with more practical and pedestrian "rides" going forward.

The upcoming and new X3 with the N55 twin-scroll turbo interests me on paper. We will see how that looks in the flesh in early 2011 or so. If BMW dumped the N55 engine into the Touring body, that would be of interest as well (but I don't really see that happening).

In the meantime, I am enjoying driving the stick again. BMW gearboxes are among the best.

[quadzilla]

Our only hope for her, as family, is that the medical ppl can manage the pain and let nature take it's course.

I was trying to think of a way to say something like this without offending but you said it for me. Sending you guys some good vibes.

As to the M3, at least you had the fun of driving one for a year and its not like you are slumming it now with the 328xi.

Enjoy your toys and new house!

[CatsEye68]

I understand the many feelings you must be going through. Congratulations on the house and car purchases. My condolences on your mother's situation. I know how difficult that can be.

[dr_spock]

Sorry to hear about your mom.  

Happy motoring with the 328xi.  How many cars is that now?

[ovr50]

Only 58, but hey, I'm old.....

[Loudpedal]

Sorry to hear of your mom's illness ovr.   

On a lighter note, it sounds like this spec house was meant for you and your wife.  Congrats.   

[MKII]

Sounds like you Mom has had a wonderful long & healthy life, I hope days ahead are as painfree as possible.

Congrat on your new home.

And my favorite colour combo plus body type & tranny of a BMW vehicle sounds delicious. Enjoy a very rare car I would think  in Canada , happy shifting 

[ovr50]

And my favorite colour combo plus body type & tranny of a BMW vehicle sounds delicious. Enjoy a very rare car I would think  in Canada , happy shifting 

Actually, it has taken me several weeks to get onto the smooth shifts again; but now, I find it fun to drive it smoothly and make the proper shifts. One gets a bit rusty when away from a standard tranny for some years (about 5 years for me). I miss the M3 a little bit, but not that much, all things considered (dollars invested, winter driving, etc). The Touring goes in today for winter shoes. 

[UmroAyyar]

Thats quite a bit of changes, events in life. You have a dream home, your car is changing.

Sorry about your mum. Hope she spends rest of her life as much painfree as possible. Possibly around her loved ones.

[Angry Chicken]

Thanks for checking in, ovr50.  I think the board is starting to swing back to a friendlier place to be.  A slow process, perhaps, but worth the effort so hopefully you'll hang around. 

So sorry to hear about your mom.  Cancer touches so many lives.  Sounds like your mom is a bit of a survivor and so, too, are you. 

On another note, nice wheels, BTW.  Also, that's kinda cool how things worked out with your house.  Some things are just meant to be!

[Shnak]

Sorry about your mom, ovr.

Congrats on the house, and congrats on the car. Glad to see you back in a fun to drive car with a proper transmission! 

[DockMan]

Very sorry to hear about your Mom, nothing tougher in my estimation than losing your mother.

I'm glad I got the opportunity to get a ride in your M3 whilst you still had it. I understand about the been there, done that thing...I think that if 6 month leases were at all reasonable (or available, or I could afford it  ) I would love to switch rides that often. The M3 was lovely but the new ride is very unique as well. Have fun my friend.