What made you a BMW M enthusiast?

[Merlin_83]

For me, I saw a 1988 E30 M3 driving down Hwy 1 in California in 1988, I was 22 and I was a stupid very poor college kid. Seeing (and hearing) it fly by left a serious memory and told myself that I would own (any M3) someday.

It took a while, but finally happened in 2013 - been in love ever since with my '12 E92 ZCP 6-speed.

Cheers,
Merlin

[Helmsman]

After many Volvos and a couple of SAABs I went wild and crazy and got a E91 325i company car. Remember that funny feeling when turning the steering wheel, the car immediately turned as well. Slow compared to my tuned Volvo/SAAB tuned turbos but jee that handling.
Worked my way through E91 335i and E60 550i, somewhere here I wanted more of the same. E90 M3 since.
So wasn't me being dead focused to get an M car really but more of a evolution.

[SunnyD]

College buddy of mine got a brand new 2003 m3 6spd, and owning a G35 Coupe at the time, it was heaven on earth with that 8K redline.

[bipp]

I was around 12 or 13 when I became obsessed with the E9x M3 - I used to lurk on these forums looking at people's builds (especially Powerbeast's yellow E90). always used to say that I'd get one as soon as I graduated college, and ended up buying one early this year with my sign-on from my new grad job - feeling of a dream come true every time I drive it still hasn't gone away.

[PACarGuy]

After buying myself a used '86 Mazda Rx-7 (my first RWD car) I figured I needed to learn how to properly drive a sports car, so I treated myself at age 20, using all my summer job money, to Skip Barber/BMW Advanced Driving School at Lime Rock Park in 1991. Fell in love with the E30 M3's and 325i's they had as the school cars. The E30 M3 was sublime and like no car I'd ever driven to that point...the handling, the engine, the wing. Knew that I had to own an M3 someday. Other priorities got in the way over the years, but finally jumped aboard in 2017 with what I felt was the best generation M3 BMW made since the E30.

[MineralWhiteF80]

The year was 2004, I looked out my front window waiting for my friend to pick me up because ALL FIVE of my cars (90's JDM/import) did not run at the time for various reasons, which was just ridiculous. We pulled up next to a E39 540i with an aftermarket exhaust that sounded sooo good. That night I started researching the E39 and couldn't believe how much car you could buy for such an inexpensive price.

I realized I could consolidate from five down to one car that was faster, nicer, more luxurious, and equally as fun. So I sold all my cars and bought an E39 540i Sport 6-speed manual. From that point on, I was HOOKED.

My love of ///M cars evolved from that experience plus my friend shortly following my lead and buying an E36 M3 coupe, which solidified my forever love for BMW M cars.

[CTMike]

BMW always resonated with me growing up, more so than other German brands… the E39 M5 was my first dream car… hmm perhaps that’s why I’ve always favored the V8s. But it was learning how to drive stick in my late uncles 525 that made me a lifelong Bimmer fan. From there… if I had to pick one BMW engine to marry for life, I knew it was the S65. No regrets.

[LKN624]

It was 2001 for me...when (okay albeit it wasn't an M Car) The Transporter came out and Jason Statham was just being a badass in the 735 with a Manual going through the streets of Nice. Ever since then...its been M cars for me.

That movie and specific scene actually inspired me to buy my Jerez Black 2008 E90 M3 with a 6-Speed (with 359M Wheels)...a modern version of The Transporters car (in compact form).

[amrazM]

watching hpf e46 m3 videos when I was 10 and telling myself im gonna do that one day. different chassis but still going fast while sounding good.

[gnx]

This.

[lagunablue1]

I grew up wrenching on E28 5's, E24 6's, and 2002s with my old man.

When I got my license I was more of a "JDM" guy (had 3 S2000s) but I soon saw the light, and might have over-corrected.

[Obioban]

I like low torque, high revving NA engines, steering feel, manual trans, rwd with a limited slip, and good feedback and handling. For a car that is practical enough to DD, there isn't any other choice (and now, there isn't any choice).

[GinTonic]

Growing up, my father worked as a tech for BMW, amongst other brands. Needless to say, I grew up in his garage, and around cars. For Christmas I used to get all sorts of 1:18 scale BMW cars. Then in 2001, 13 year old me was at his dealership. They always did something for bring your child to work day. There was an e46 m3 that was either in for PPI or in service for something. Another tech was taking it out for a test drive and me and my buddy got to go with the tech for a test drive. That was the day I got hooked.

[Bmw 911]

Couldn’t afford a Porsche.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by Bmw 911

Couldn’t afford a Porsche.

Inspiring!