The one that got away...

I remember it was around March when I first wrote that the work was nearing completion. Now, more than half a year since, I am reporting that it is still the case. Almost but not quite done.

My fellow members of the BMWCCP have always mentioned that when they did their own projects, it inevitably took longer than even their worst-case scenarios. Lack of parts, mid-course adjustments (some necessary, a number not so), undiscovered faults, remedying unintended results were the more usual contributors to the delay. And of course, the need to also restore financial resources cannot be overlooked. Others will get fed up at some point and decide to sell the car to the next guy who optimistically thinks he is the one chosen to finish the job.

What accounts for my delay is the lack of a long enough continuous stay in Manila these past few months. For the time being, I have only been able to parcel work in short stages as I would like to be present to oversee the last few areas of improvement. Until I can be sure of my time allocation, I will not start on them.

But its not all bad news from my end. While there is indeed some frustration at not being able to get everything done by now, there are a number of positives to take note of.

First of all, compared to most of the other project cars I have come across, I am proud to say that my progress is in a much more advanced stage. Fact is Sergio's actually in very good running condition instead of just being laid up in some repair shop. I have been able to enjoy use of the car most of the time and it only goes back to the shop for one-off adjustments or repairs rather than more large-scale work. As proof, there was the memorable Subic track day, a few out-of-town fun runs, and my regular daily use. All these make me realize in a practical way that the efforts I put in have been worthwhile.

Second, I am no longer worried about Sergio's reliability. The possibility of any mechanical trouble can never be totally eliminated but I am reasonably certain that it will not suddenly happen while driving down a road in the middle of nowhere on a dark rainy night.

Third, others have really noticed the big transformation on both inside and outside and have commented on how fresh looking the car is. There is no doubt in me that the aesthetics side has been very well addressed and one of my great pleasures is sitting in the garage at home to admire my handiwork. Recently, someone who until then had only seen Sergio in pictures, told me afterwards that it definitely looked better live. I found that to be the ultimate compliment because almost all of the time, the reverse is true. I recall during my search phase, the images posted in ads often were not representative of the actual car being sold. To the point that I played a guessing game as to how long ago were the pictures taken and in the more extreme cases, of whether it really was the same car!


Sergio's most recent pic


Lastly, there have been a couple of feelers sent my way by other BMWCCP members to find out if I am planning to sell the car. They have asked me how much I have spent on the restoration and I have given them a ballpark figure. To which they told me to let them know if I do decide to sell. I cannot vouch for the seriousness of their intent until such time money actually changes hands but it cannot be emphasized enough that my total restoration cost will put Sergio way above the current market price for his "batch". Only somebody who understands this aspect can appreciate the added value put into the car and therefore its a transaction unlikely to be suitable for the typical used car buyer. For now, this angle does not matter as I want to enjoy Sergio's company a bit longer.

Which brings me on to an unexpected development.

Last month, I came across an ad for a 1981 E24 635CSi. It was in absolutely fabulous condition inside and out for an almost 30 year old car, obviously lovingly taken cared of by a fellow enthusiast. This level is something which you cannot achieve by bringing it to a detailer just before deciding to sell; its only possible through a consistenly high standard of maintenance and careful use over the life of the car. And above all, this is a model which does not come into the market too often as they are truly rare in the Philippines. The seller was asking for what I thought was a reasonable price and I was lucky enough to be the first one to have a shot at it. I did a test drive and could not find any faults.

Inspite of having enough cash in my wallet for a deposit, I hesitated because I was thinking of other variables such as:

-not having enough garage space; as it is one car already needs
to be left out in the sidewalk
-acquiring another "maintenance headache"
-attracting unwanted attention from criminals
-etc...etc...etc...

In the end, I asked the seller to give me a night to think it over. Later that afternoon, I got a text from him to let me know the car had been sold to the person who saw it after me.

I still regret not having taken that CSi...