My doctor let me drive his E46 M3! [Archive] - M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

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Zoso
03-17-2006, 12:34 PM
I had an allergist appointment this morning at 8:30AM.... fun fun fun. We talk for a few minutes and I tell him my allergy conditions and he listens to my breathing, blah blah blah.

I asked him a few questions regarding allergies and my soon to be born son. We get talking about family cars and I mention that my old BMW is just way too small to haul the wife, dog, luggage, and a baby/baby accessories so I may need to add an SUV to my driveway.

He says "Oh, which model is it."
Me: "It's an old 318i. I got it because it handles great, gets 30MPG, and is easy to work on."
Doc: "What chassis series is it."
Me: "E30".

We chat a bit and I mention that I also have an E36 M3. He lightens up even more and points out the window to his new E46 M3 Convertible. It turns out that he used to have a 1999 M3 that he loved and put over 100K miles on before trading for this one. He's a BMW enthusiast and we talk about the E46 M3's engine, extra weight, handling, 6-speed vs SMGII, etc. He says that he liked the E36 M3 handling better but the S54 is an amazing engine.

Doc: "Have you ever driven an E46 M3?"
Me: "Not yet.. I hear they're a blast to drive."
Doc: "Do you want to take it for a ride."
Me: "Are you serious!?!?!?"

As I contemplate whether I should take my doctor's expensive, new car for a drive, he whips out the keys and give them to me.

Wow. I've only had 2 previous visits with this guy and they've never had much personal conversation in any of them. You know the visits - very impersonal and sterile conversation.

So I go to the car, knowing that he's in his office with the next patient looking past the patient to me getting in his car. I take it out letting it warm up before hitting it. It only has 4666 miles on it!

My impressions - wow. The engine is fantastic. It revs forever. The exhaust note is great and the car feels so tight. I didn't throw it around too hard, but the extra weight does make it feel less tossable. The power is just fantastic. I love the car... I'm glad he had the V1 hardwired in there!

I parked it back where is was - parked in a huge spot, crooked and I brought the keys back inside. He told me I could give them back to the receptionist.

Me: "Would you please give these keys to Dr. X. Tell him it's fantastic and thank you very much."
Receptionist: Eyes pop WIDE open. "He let you drive his new car!"
Me: "Yeah, I have an older M3 and he wanted me to feel how the new one drives."
Receptionist: "Oh my god" Eyes still poping out of her head.

Another receptist is coming back to the desk. The first receptionist shows the keys to the second one and says Dr. X let him drive that car he's in love with. The second receptionist's eye bulge out and her jaw drops. I wave as I leave the office.

I'm still in shock he trusted me to take his new M3 (his baby) out for a drive alone. Needless to say, I'm keeping this allergist!

dude8383
03-17-2006, 12:57 PM
haha wow..sick story! im assuming it was a 6-spd too. man those cars sound beautiful when higher up in revs

bmwman91
03-17-2006, 02:06 PM
Nice! I am envious. Someday I will meet someone to let me drive theirs (oh hell, I will just get my own).

Zoso
03-17-2006, 03:38 PM
It was just a random event. I've only been to that allergist 2 times before today and our conversations have never been anything other than about allergies.

Yeah, it was a 6-speed and it sounded great. I didn't rev it very high because it is so new and it's not mine. I was too nervous.

In a way I owe it to my E30. It was the E30 that first got the conversation about BMWs started. I just called to leave him a message thanking him for the test drive, but he doesn't have voicemail. How can I give my impressions of the car through the receptionist!?!?!? :(


After driving that car, I want to put new shocks in my M3 and do an engine transplant or FI. Maybe I can find a crashed up E46 M3, put the S54 in my E36 M3, and put the S52 in the 318i. Trickle down effect. :)

thumper3ld
03-17-2006, 04:14 PM
Man, great story. Where in Massachusettes is your Dr. I'm leaving tonite to head to natick. Contemplating whether or not I should take the e30 or my other car.....The hyundai. Maybe i'll pay your Doc a visit and see if he'll let me drive it. The only time I got to drive other people's expensive cars is when JDNo.5 and I used to valet park. Most fun job in the world:)

Febi Guibo
03-17-2006, 04:48 PM
ferris bueller's day off is playing in my head now... thanks...!

e9nine
03-17-2006, 04:57 PM
Hah, I drove my buddies e46 coupe 6sp a while ago. I am not gonna lie and say the car isn't fast, nice, comfy etc; but it's just not to my liking overall. It feels VERY HEAVY at first but you get used to it. Same for my brothers 330i. You need a different driving approach as the car's communication is not like the e30 in any manner at all (duh!)

I used to valet park when I was in college as well. I got to drive many cool cars. The ones that come to mind now are the e39m5, e34 540i 6sp, Acura NSX, Porsche 911TT, Old School AMG w124 M.Benz, Corvette's etc.
Getting to drive all these cars back to back and around the block was almost the best comparison I have ever done. You immediately noticed the differences in the cars.

I almost got the chance to valet a z8 and a Ferrari once but the guys opted to park their cars themselves on the street :confused:

It was a shitty job but the tips were awesome, my buddies I worked with were car dudes as well and some of the owners were really cool or total asses with no care for their OWN cars.

PS: NEVER valet park your car Period!

thumper3ld
03-17-2006, 05:03 PM
Hah, I drove my buddies e46 coupe 6sp a while ago. I am not gonna lie and say the car isn't fast, nice, comfy etc; but it's just not to my liking overall. It feels VERY HEAVY at first but you get used to it. Same for my brothers 330i. You need a different driving approach as the car's communication is not like the e30 in any manner at all (duh!)

I used to valet park when I was in college as well. I got to drive many cool cars. The ones that come to mind now are the e39m5, e34 540i 6sp, Acura NSX, Porsche 911TT, Old School AMG w124 M.Benz, Corvette's etc.
Getting to drive all these cars back to back and around the block was almost the best comparison I have ever done. You immediately noticed the differences in the cars.

I almost got the chance to valet a z8 and a Ferrari once but the guys opted to park their cars themselves on the street :confused:

It was a shitty job but the tips were awesome, my buddies I worked with were car dudes as well and some of the owners were really cool or total asses with no care for their OWN cars.

PS: NEVER valet park your car Period!

I must agree. Valet parking should be avoided at all cost. And if you must, leave nothing valuable in your car and do a thorough inspection before leaving.

dude8383
03-17-2006, 06:18 PM
i just don't like giving them my car at all...im afraid they'll rip the shit out of it and not really care because its an "old" car..

Zoso
03-17-2006, 11:26 PM
The doctor is in Concord, MA. Swing by and take it for a ride! :)

I agree with the valet... I've never been one and don't know anyone who got damage from one personally, but the concept is scary. I also don't let people pump gas for me.

kowalski
03-17-2006, 11:52 PM
I agree with the valet... I've never been one and don't know anyone who got damage from one personally, but the concept is scary. I also don't let people pump gas for me.

neither do i. i avoid them at all costs. and i forgot the rest of what iw as gona say