Jim_75Sahara

Not sure any more!

2002 visors are white on both sides unless I wasn't paying attention somewhere along the way.

Here in Ohio, we are no longer required to have our cars pass an E-check inspection (environmental/pollution level check). Even then, the state was not inspecting cars for rust or serious body damage. Lars, you'd be shocked by what passes for a usable vehicle here in my part of the world.

I'm up for another drive/gtg, especially since you have 2 of them eager to go now!

There are a lot of people who know nothing about the states of Iowa and Ohio. Many confuse the states or conclude that they are purely agricultural, fly-over states...

Karl Hendrickson of Yellow Springs, OH is putting his 1973 Malaga tii up for sale. Earlier I had mentioned this on the Facebook RGB page. Soon, he will be placing an ad in the FAQ classifieds as well. So, the VIN is 2762709. It was built in October of 1972. It was purchased by Karl in 2000. This tii is a four-speed manual with a numbers-matching engine. It is a non-a/c, non-sunroof car. It came from the factory in Sahara with a tobacco interior. A previous owner had it repainted in Malaga and swapped in a black interior. Karl has a spare tobacco interior to go with this car, btw. Mechanically it is quite sound and has received very good care with Karl. He has always kept it garaged. The paint job is showing its age, however. The paint is cracking, though I could not detect any obvious rust spots. It has its original wheels and wheel covers. Asking price: $23K. Karl can be contacted at #937-610-8287 or at email: a54atii@gmail.com.

I was asked by my friend, Farshid ("Buckeye" - owner of a '76 Siennabraun '02), why the various models weren't separated at this year's Vintage. I told him that we had done that in the past. I see advantages & disadvantages with separate areas vs a random mix of models. It is great to be with your group of like-minded folks. However, some people won't bother to look at the grouped models that they're less interested in. We could end up with an unintentional sense of rivalry between "my group" (the BEST!) vs other groups of BMW owners ("not the best!"). I have owned an '02, an E46 and an E30 - - I lust for others that I'm yet to own, so I'm flexible. Pros and cons either way.

Mine was while on our Spring RGB drive a few years ago (2011?). I was following Jason Gipson (& doing my best to catch up to him) as he blasted up a long incline and disappeared from view. I was quite unaware of the sharp left turn just after the crest of the hill. Frantic, I tried to brake and turn. Futility. I aimed my '02 so as to careen through the gauntlet of trees, down the hill and into a mucky cow pasture. Dieter was axle deep in mud and manure. My passenger, John Blake and I were pale and shaky, to say the least. I endeavored to drive my way out of the pasture. More futility. Some one got the attention of a farmer who volunteered to use his John Deere to tow my '02 out of the slop. After some nervous laughter and unconvincing bravado on my part, we continued with the drive. I took last place in line and drove more cautiously the rest of the day. I have been razzed ever since by those in the know. It was my mistake and I own it.

Sorry, Jason. No disrespect intended. Dene now has a forlorn 02 that he is rehabilitating as well. His is a late model Fjord with lots of surface rust/patina. Mike Self had been after the owner to fix it up or sell it. Mike had watched it deteriorate on the man's driveway for quite a few years.

I have got to learn more about your Pastelblau F-bomb wannabe, Jason.

This year, my vintage BMW events will include the Spring RGB drive (4-23), Mid America 02 Fest (4-30 weekend), The Vintage (5-21 weekend), Vintage at Saratoga (7-9 weekend) and the Fall RGB drive, sometime in October. I'm very much looking forward to seeing y'all.

Oops.

It's hard to believe, but I haven't attended since 2012. Will ride down with Andrew Wilson in the Self-motivated caravan. There are a lot of people I am eager to see once we get there.

A very collectible and certain to be enjoyable BMW to own and to drive. Thumbs, fingers and toes up on your purchase!

Hope to see you and the F-bomb in Asheville this May. I did the Carmel/Monterey car events on the cheap a few years ago, so I'm not willing to spend a fortune to do the same thing in 2016. My free place to stay and the free-to-use black E39 will be no more since Mary's Aunt Aggie is moving out of Carmel soon! I will attend Mid America 2002 Fest and Vintage at Saratoga this year.

My former 1975 Sahara 2002 (VIN 2365006) was purchased new in Birmingham, AL. Perhaps it came from German Motors too?

We drove from Cincinnati to Dayton on Sunday night after a Super Bowl party at my sister-in-law's house. I had 2 beers at the beginning of the evening, but none later on. I was rested, alert, etc. as I set the cruise control just under the speed limit. I figured that there'd be a number of speed traps, but I certainly didn't see one. Managed to stay wide awake/alert/safe. UPDATE: I am still awaiting my repaired Mini. It seems that the The Mini Store in Cincinnati is sending the wrong parts and sometimes leaving out parts ordered for the repairs. If I am lucky, I will pick up my car on Tuesday. I had a rental car for about 10 days. I liked it more than I thought that I would.... a 2015 Ford Focus 4-door, automatic, with leather seats. They've definitely improved the Focus. I am considering getting one for my daughter. Her 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara is working okay, but scares us a bit. It leaks a lot of oil. Plus it has a dead a/c, a dying radio and poor MPG figures. My son's 2001 Taurus wagon went belly up. He's buying a 2014 Nissan Altima and he is very excited about that. So...... at long last, the Taurus era is over, since our niece sold off the ailing 2001 Taurus wagon that we gave to her. Holding back the inevitable tears.... haha UPDATE: I picked up the Mini today, finally. (2-24-16) It appears to be in super condition. The original estimate was low by at least $5K, but even I knew that the estimate was far too optimistic. Glad to be in one piece and very glad to have my Mini back.

I get my Mini back next Friday. I finally picked up a rental car today. (It's a 4-door 2015 Ford Focus - I like it better than I'd imagined.) The last event we went to, Mary was my stone-cold sober driver. Both of us sometimes forget to factor in stress and lack of sleep when driving late at night after dining out. Thanks for your concern. Maybe I can save a life here, right?

I recently fell asleep at the wheel of my Mini. Mary and I ended up in a ditch along I-675 after a horrific ride through the grass, mud, reeds, and gravel -- into a creek. Neither of us was injured. The Mini is in the body shop getting repaired. In fact, I was able to drive it home after the tow truck winched it out - ever so carefully. They were amazed at how far we'd gone without serious consequences. So, what happened? I had worked 3 twelve hour nights. Then, on my first night off, we drove from Dayton to Cincinnati for dinner and drinks with very dear friends. If you've ever worked night shift, you know that having a few drinks and a pasta dinner when you're more exhausted than you realize is not so wise.(especially if you're going to be driving) I fell asleep at the wheel and I KNEW BETTER than to do this. It was very foolish and I am embarrassed as hell. - - - - Consider this a PSA for driving sober, rested, alert and smart!

The Hoosier BMW Club is working on scheduling a gtg at Reggie's Motor Works on Saturday, April 9th in Noblesville, IN. Mike Self of Roundel fame is to appear and give a talk. The Hoosiers are hoping to assemble 5 - 7 02's for display inside Reggie's shop for the event. Time: 2- 5 PM Snacks/Drinks: provided by the club, but BYOB for ETOH... (beer/wine/booze) Dinner: afterward for further talk and tire-kicking. Which restaurant? - TBD. Questions/Concerns: Contact Ben Younce.

On January 9th, 2016, we met at Mecklenburg Gardens German Restaurant in the UC area. It was the last balmy day before winter got started in earnest. Attendees: Jake and Liz Metz, Mike and Carol Self, Scott and Stacy Aaron, Ben Younce, yours truly, etc. It certainly was a good time with a good beer selection, German cuisine, live music and vintage BMW friends. Afterward, some of us went to the Highland Coffee House catty-corner to the restaurant for one more beer and more conversation before we broke it up. Eager to see everyone in April when we have our annual GTG at FUEL followed by a Jason-led drive through the twisties of northern KY. Auf Wiedersehn until then!

The very best to you, Esty. I greatly appreciate your work. I won a free carpet set at Mid America 02 Fest one year. I opted for a custom made trunk mat for my Sahara 2002. I've since sold the '02, but that trunk mat resides in Simon's pumped-up, rejuvenated version of Dieter. Thanks and recover asap - - if not sooner.