NJ BMW CCA Newsletter 11-10

What have I done?

 If you love something, set it free. Then try to buy it back a week later. I made a colossal mistake over the past month or so. The tan e21 that has had been in the hands of many NJ CCA members then made its way to me last year is gone. I was its keeper, its savior, its chance to become a glorious car it once was. And I sold it.  I felt like its arrival into my driveway was by some of divine Bavarian intervention and it was up to me to take this once forgotten soul that sat idle for years and restore, or at least improve it. In a moment of weakness it was all gone.

 The Sierra Beige 1977 320i that came into my life was far from perfect. It has surface rust in areas, the battery was shot, the paint was faded, the clutch master cylinder gave way, the tires were dry rotted and belts separating, it was filthy, but it was an e21 with Recaro Seats and it whimpered “help”. I took this car in like a stray cat in a rain storm. I had seen its potential. I had plans – New paint, new tighter suspension, a set of 15x7 Panasports, engine improvements down the road, new carpet, plus numerous other enhancements and maintenance items. I started with tires, then the clutch master replacement. I buffed the existing paint which made a huge improvement in looks. It was getting there. I started to use this e21 everyday and it was becoming a confident driver. Almost a year later I decided to do a full tune up. That made a HUGE improvement in power and running quality. I wasn’t afraid to take it on the highway at distance. Oh yes, it lived again.

 Then for some bizarre reason I listed it online for sale. I think it was shortly after I attended the Jersey Shore BMW Riders Club meeting and was thinking of buying a Beemer for some two wheeled fun. If I sold off a couple cars, I can get a nice motorcycle. Perhaps a R1200GS or even an older R90A Airhead in Café style. Of course I already have four motorcycles and no room inside for a 5^th so maybe getting a Beemer would have to wait. Sandy has shown some interest in learning to ride a motorcycle but doesn’t want to ride any of the ones I have. She has requested me to find her a quality 2000-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 in Red to start off on. Where the heck is she expecting we put that? And you all thought it was just me with the need to buy internal combustion machines. I really need to expand that 24x24 garage I was planning on building to something more like an airplane hanger the size to fit the Spruce Goose. Does anyone know of an abandoned warehouse going into tax sale in the Ocean County area?

 Around this time I also had dropped my 1983 Mercedes off to a Benz specialist to get checked up, gone through, and made reliable. The bill was an unknown factor but I told him to keep it to the minimal with the work that I requested. Famous last words huh? Every time I called the shop owner Bob, he would say “I’ll figure out where I am at and call you back.” – I never got that call. He would also inform me “while I was there I did this or that” which sounds expensive.  Did I owe $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $First Born? I had no clue. I was hoping the cheaper the better but experience told me otherwise. My plans were to get the car sound, use it for a couple months then sell it for a profit, or so I hoped. You can all guess where this is going. After a month of him checking systems, ordering parts, and repairing issues I wasn’t aware of I had finally got the car back – and my bill - to the tune of $1,700+ for all repairs. WOOF – that’s not what I wanted to hear. It was a good thing I was sitting when he told me my bill because I might have needed a defibrillator. This car was worth it and I have to admit the money was well spent because the ol’ 300D ran and drove beautiful.

 Unfortunately, since toys pay for toys, the sale of the e21 was now imminent. I had one interested party (or clown) who asked me to drive the 320i all the way to Manhattan so he could look at it instead of coming down to see it himself. I declined his oh so generous offer. It’s not like I had a Ferrari 365 GTB for sale for $950,000 and he wanted an expert to look at it. This was a dirt cheap 77 BMW that was cosmetically challenged. I actually took the car offline for awhile as I was torn on selling it but my brain malfunctioned and I relisted it again. With all the fools and ridiculous blind offers I received I did however find the perfect buyer for the e21. His name is Derek and his brother is restoring a 2002, which helped pique his interest in BMW’s. This would be his first BMW and it seemed like I was passing the torch to the right guy.

 About a week after selling the e21, and using all the proceeds of the sale (and then some) to help pay for the enormous Mercedes bill, I offered to buy the 320i back. Derek was not having any part of it. I guess the e21 Movement got him too. He fell in love with the Sierra Beige 320i. Derek did promise that if the car would ever go back up for sale, he would give me first rights to it. So for now, it’s just a temporary separation. I do get updates and he also contacts me for advice. I also encouraged him and his brother to become members of our illustrious club. When I sell my cars I feel like I am giving up a child in marriage. I question the buyer, screen them, and make sure they are the right new owners. I could have sold it to anyone but I wanted to make sure my cars go to a car guy, an enthusiast, who will take what I have started and finish it the way it should be.

 Since the e21 was now gone, I registered and drove the Mercedes for about a month and before I fell in love with that one, I put the 83 300D up for sale as well. With only 87,000 miles and full services just done with records to show for it, I was able to sell it fast. This one went to a Mercedes Diesel enthusiast so it made me feel good to save another one from an impending scrap yard death. I still have that darn 89 Jaguar and if the planets align correctly, I will have that one finished and sold before years end. Let’s hope for a quick release of ownership.

 Now since I’ve opened up a couple spots in the driveway, I started the hunt for a new purchase. I’ve tried to buy several e30’s like a 1991 325i, a 1989 325ix, a 1991 318is, and a couple MG’s and TR6’s. Amazingly, only a few of these owners returned an email or a phone call and the ones that did, well lets just say I just had to pass. I have also been looking at BMW motorcycles plus old vintage 70’s Honda motorcycles (another one of my passions) and recently I started having a hankering to go touring with a 1986-1991 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper – Yes you read correctly a VW Van - I have no clue how that happened but perhaps I want to get in touch with my inner Hippie. I think it would be cool to take Sandy, the two cats, a couple bicycles, and hit the highway to wacky unknown destinations. Of course we would have the prerequisite Grateful Dead dancing bears sticker, Peace sign decals and Life is Good T-shirts. Maybe a couple granola bars for good measure. I don’t think it would fair well for track days and autocross though. With the right therapy, I might be able to move on from the Van craze before any money is exchanged.

 Being the last article of the year I decided to reminisce on the year’s writings. I introduced the e21 and then its eventual sale. I made a random mention of Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities. I bought a Jaguar and found out why they are inferior to BMW’s. A Mercedes found its way to me without even trying.  I called upon Vic Lucariello of Philes’ Forum for some technical help on an e46 I had at my dealership. This man is a vital asset to the club. I planned the ultimate road trip of odd roadside attractions. I invented a self evacuating kitty litter box for RV’s. I attended the “other” BMW club meeting and found there could be a 2-wheeled Roundel wearing cycle in my future. I also bought a 740il that pleased the wife – Sandy has claimed this one as HER BMW. We also went to Vegas and found out the Mini is small but super fun, to watch for black cows at night, and last but not least beware of intoxicated Biergarten dancers on your fresh paint. Yeah, it was a full year. I am hoping next year will yield the same, if not more excitement and insanity.  

 It has been several years since I started to write for our clubs newsletter. I believe it all started off as I wrote one article about our gimmick rallies that Sandy and I attended. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of strange vacations, frustrating car finds, backyard mechanic’ing, and general amusement. I figured it is about time I actually had a name to my column so I am dubbing this “Initial Ramblings”. Initial because my friends call me by my first two initials – J.T. – Ramblings because I usually don’t have any particular subject matter to write about. I guess you can say I am a general interest writer. To my amazement, I have been approached time and again by club members telling me how much they enjoy my articles.  By popular demand, I had started a blog with all of my writings over the past few years. It will be an archive of my past articles with additional pictures and commentary since I am not limited to print space. It will take some time before I get them all listed but hopefully by the end of year I will have them all posted. I might add in a few bonus blogs as well.

 I appreciate all of the encouragement and the kind words I have received over the years and I hope to continue this whirlwind tour of insanity, barn finds, and failed decisions into the future.

JT Burkard

Comments and suggestions are welcome