When I was in the process of buying my home I saw an e30M3 on the used car lot at BMW of Murray. This was in 92 and if I remember correctly the car was about $25,000. I really liked the lines of the car and thought it look aggressive but understated. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money when I was trying to qualify for a mortgage. If anyone gets to know me, they will learn that I spend quite a bit of time deciding before I actually act.  I have impulses but they seem to go on for what other would consider an extended duration.

It probability was a year later when we bought our home and another three before I started looking again at newer cars in earnest.  In that time I learned about e30M3.  The more I learned about the car the more I wanted one.  I also read quite a bit about other BMW's and considered buying less expensive models.  I finally started looking at e30M3 and e36's that came up in the paper every once and a while.

During this process, I talked a long time with one of the sellers who is a member of a California chapter and was going to BYU. He told me to join the car club and get educated on the cars. Well I took his advice, joined BWM CCA and continued to look for an e30M3. Over the period of a couple of years I must have looked at about 10 e30M3 and lots of other BMW's, driving my wife nuts. In 98, (see I told you it takes me a long time for me to actually act on an impulse) in the Roundel, I found what appeared to be a nicely priced e30M3 in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Its mileage was high but the mechanic who looked the car over said I wouldn't be disappointed.  Well the seller agreed to meet me in Wellington (near Price) and I drove down with a cashier's check in hand, hoping that I would end up with the car.  It was all as the seller presented it to be, a nice rather high mileage car (135,000 miles). The AC wasn't working but the seller said it just blew a fuse. I bought it and drove home from Wellington in my new e30M3 on a hot August day without AC.  On my way home, I hit 100+ MPH in Price Canyon and knew I had the right car.

I have since found out that the AC problem is a common malady in e30's. The ground wire frays from abrasion against its jacket. BMW of Murray fixed the AC problem without a hitch.  The gentleman who sold me the car said he was selling it because his wife couldn’t see over the wing, but I think it was because his mechanic couldn’t find the problem with the AC.  In any event it has been a great car.  Others have been impressed with how little beyond standard maintenance I have had to perform on the car.

I became actively involved with the car club when Sin City was asked to include Utah in their chapter. They advertised for a local liaison. Brandon and I replied to this ad, along with about 3 others.  Brandon and I teamed up over a piece of pie at Marie Calendars and brought this current chapter to life.  With the help of BMW of Murray and lots of suggestions from others, we advertised a General Meeting that BMW of Murray hosted.  This meeting lead to the nomination of our first Board, among whom were Mark Hanson, David Cianto, Kevin Heiner, Brandon Hill and me. It has been very rewarding to become part of the founding group of our current Wasatch Chapter.  I was the Wasatch chapter's first president and now the Historian. I have since met Ray Carrier and may others who were members of the old chapter, the Bonneville Chapter.  Being involved with the club has given me some close personal friendships and has led me into the club driving schools. My involvement in this chapter has been very fun and I am glad that I became involved.

O yes, I am also now making BMW of Murray a little nuts (also my wife, again); I am beginning my search for an e46-325xi. Though, this car will be for her.  Maybe this time it won't take me years to buy one.  After we get her a new one, then maybe I'll think about an e30-325ix as a daily driver, we will see, but it is fun to look. Rest assured the e30M3 will reside in my stable for quite a bit longer. Now if only we bought a bigger garage.

Tom was just appointed to the board on 8/12/10 and has not yet had a chance to write an introduction. Stay tuned.

Bob was appointed to the board recently and has not yet had a chance to write an introduction. Stay tuned.