Hi There

[Ecliptic]

Originally Posted by myBailey07

Just wanna say hi! Been lurking for a few months but finally felt like saying hi. In San Antonio, Texas, and love my 2011 DCT Mineral White M3. I have always been a super healthy fitness nut with many Ironman’s under my belt and I have never smoked a single cigarette in my life. Ever. In August of last year, at age 42, I was diagnosed with stage 4, terminal lung cancer as a result of a very rare genetic mutation. As a result, I have a very limited life expectancy. BUT, been living like crazy since then. The only material item on my bucket list was to finally drive a classy, fast, yet tricked out car and that’s where the M3 and EAS came in. This is in process with the M3 and recently had the interior "tricked out" a bit:-)

Last week I was able to knock out three items on my bucket list. While spending time with my brother from South Africa (item 1), doing a looong cross country road trip (item 2), I stopped by EAS in LA for a day. I piled on the work for them to do in one day and they never blinked to get it done for me that day. Every part got there in time and in addition to the interior I also dropped a late minute alignment and OEM exhaust mod on them. They just smiled and said they’ll get it done that day. After staying late that night the guys finished "tricking my car out" (item 3) and I was on my way to the next stop of my journey.

Cheers. Talk later.

Mike (Michiel)

My response to fellow members' posts:

Wow! I shared this post on bimmerpost.com about some mods to my car and mentioned the fact that since I have cancer it was on my bucket list. I wrote this post in less than five minutes and did not even think much of it as I am very open about the challenge I face in the hopes that it might educate, inspire or help someone, somewhere in the process. More than anything I just wanted to share the cool beemer pics with fellow beemer fans, get some beemer self validation,and thank the guys at EAS. Good service is rare these days.

THANKS for all the support and kind words guys. It has my wife in tears...

For some of you that have asked in private messages I am doing okay. I have a genetic mutation called ALK that drives the cancer and am on a clinical trial for an experimental medication targeted to that. It sort of puts the brakes on, but unfortunately cancer is clever and will eventually mutate its way around this inhibitor. So, it’s a game of hoping the medical world finds new stuff faster than the cancer mutates.

In the meantime it is about adjusting to the new reality, getting new perspective, realizing what is truly important, getting the most out of whatever time is left and also try and make a difference in the process. AND put as many miles on the M3 as I can as FAST as I can, but I guess I should rather not say that on a public forum...;-)

The biggest lesson I have learned is that waiting and fear are probably the things that hold us back most.

Have you ever found yourself waiting for the perfect moment to pursue that dream? Have you ever found yourself saying that you’ll do it in “just one more year”, that you need “just a bit more money” or “just a bit more time”? Staying in that bad relationship/job "just a bit longer"?

On August 13, 2013 a doctor ended up standing next to my bed with a heartbreaking message: “Your time is up and running out fast”. My biggest regrets are those times I could have treated people better and those times that fear and/or reluctance held me back from pursuing a dream.

Next time when you say “next year”, ask yourself what your answer should be, what will you do if you knew that next year might not be there. Will you still wait? Don’t.

So when the chance came up to own my M3, I though about it for about two seconds..;-)

For anyone interested in my progress and my musing on cancer, life, my car and other topics I post about these on Facebook. Find me under my name Michiel Espach and I will invite you to the group of folks following…

And I would love going on a cruise/meeting with those other folks with M3's here in San Antonio/ Austin.

Cheers and love

Michiel

Live Hard, Live Fast, Be Kind.

Modifications
- BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Front Splitters (EAS)
- BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Interior Trim with IND Carbon Fiber Center Console (EAS)
- BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps (EAS)
- bmwpedals Aluminum Pedal Kit (EAS)
- bmwpedals Extended Billet DCT Shifter Paddles (EAS)
- IND Painted Reflectors - Mineral White (EAS)
- IND Painted Side Marker Gills - Black (EAS)
- Matte Black Kidney Grills
- Angel Eyes Upgrade - White
- EAS OEM BMW Exhaust Mod (EAS)

Not mod per se but also Corner Balancing and Alignment by EAS (Road Settings) making the car unbelievably solid and smooth.

Attachment 983854

Attachment 983855

Attachment 983856

Attachment 983857

Attachment 983858

Attachment 983859

Attachment 983860

Attachment 983861

Attachment 983862

Attachment 983863

Attachment 983864

Attachment 983865

Attachment 983866

Attachment 983867

Attachment 983868

OMG Sir your car is a rolling orgasm

[Ecliptic]

Originally Posted by Xcelrrate

Definitely put tears in my eyes. Best to you and your family.

If you ever make it to the Vegas area with or without your car. We have a very large and lively BMW community and I'd be happy to take you around on a Cruise.

Take care my friend!

Oh yeah, Bad A$$ ///M btw

That's what I love about our community. Total strangers yet brothers and sisters united by (BMW) showing one another Kindness, Love and Respect. We stand by one another through the good and the bad.

[LOVEM]

WE should see you in 20 years on this forum so we can start a thread about getting an early social security benefits package.

BEST OF LUCK AND SPEEDY RECOVERY.
ENJOY in good health.

[skins333]

Gorgeous car!! That interior...

Best of luck my friend

[MrGroup]

Although my car (bone stock) would look like a chump next to this, I'm down for a cruise any time...any place. I live in AH. Feel free to PM me.

[miringrains]

OP you sound like a really good guy, I wish I lived in texas to go for a cruise

[Bemo]

Hi OP,

I admire you courage, willingness to share your story, and great advice on conquering procrastination and fear!

Your great attitude and refusal to surrender will defeat, if not, greatly extend the time you have left on this planet.

Enjoy that M3 beast of yours and continue making a good example of the fact that it is more important to live our lives to the fullest, not worry about how many days we have left!

The power of positive thinking, bravery, and defiance always win the game, always!

[marcva]

Michiel...how are you doing? hanging in there?

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Pauldramos

Put on some good music and roll...

put on some good music and rip it.


I find myself planning ahead, much to my dismay... I can't help it, but i need to snap out of it...soon.



My wishes are with you.

[imolam3]

Michiel is a friend of mine as we hang out at the tracks often. Sadly, he passed away last week after 3 years battle with cancer. He fought hard and never gave up, but at the end the malignancy was too much for his body.

He is quite an inspiration to me. Even during bouts of radiation, chemo therapy he is still upbeat and positive. I am still amazed he has that sort of positive outlook knowing the end is near and the disease is terminal.

Please say a prayer for him and his loved ones, he's an amazing individual and good friend.

[jiggz]

What terrible news, so sorry to hear about your friend. Now that I re-read his initial post I recall this thread.

Good to know he got to enjoy his M3 for a few years.

[InsanePineapple]

I've been following his treatment progress on Facebook (though that FB group seems to have disappeared). He's been an inspiration. Rest In Peace Michiel.

[imolam3]

He sold the M3 and bought a GT4 last year. Called him a traitor but he laughed it off.

We got invited to the BMWCCA instructors training school at COTA last year. It was quite an accomplishment for him especially he's only been driving for 3 yrs. Going to the track every weekends did help the process...

[marcva]

It sounds like he enjoyed his seat time. Hopefully the rest of his days were as complete. My thoughts are with his wife and family members.

Rest in peace...

[M'EM]

Originally Posted by imolam3

Michiel is a friend of mine as we hang out at the tracks often. Sadly, he passed away last week after 3 years battle with cancer. He fought hard and never gave up, but at the end the malignancy was too much for his body.

He is quite an inspiration to me. Even during bouts of radiation, chemo therapy he is still upbeat and positive. I am still amazed he has that sort of positive outlook knowing the end is near and the disease is terminal.

Please say a prayer for him and his loved ones, he's an amazing individual and good friend.

I read your last few posts and kept back tracking till I spent the last 1.5 hrs reading every single post in this thread and I am glad I did. Unbelievable story and unbelievable guy . Hey Michiel I know you are out there somewhere though not physically - You and your words have been an inspiration to me and had a big impact on me in a positive way. Your family and friends will be in the prayers of mine. RIP and may you enjoy more M's if indeed there is more than one life.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by myBailey07

Don't worry. Some folks already working on that for me ;-) If I accept all the help folks offered to get the ///M faster I might have to go get a flying license :-). Everybody should just pleeaaase stop talking about it as I am getting really tempted to put a blower on. The idea of a 600hp+ sleeper sounds soooo good. But we know what that means - that means bigger brakes, upgraded suspension and down the mod rabbit hole we go. Man, it can so easily become a money black hole with no end in sight.

And I can just imagine my oncologist's face if I tell him that I can no longer afford chemo, but that I have a real nice new set of Brembo's LOL!

I am selfishly sad yet happy to post that Michiel is no longer suffering. He passed away on January 6th 2017. Michiel was a fucking warrior. He was an inspiration to everyone that crossed his path. I was honored to have known him for a few short three years. To give you some cliffnotes of the past couple of years, Michiel drove the piss out of that white M, he did put on a BBK (Stop Techs) and of course then slicks. He was frustrated to learn that for his first time at COTA he couldn't drive because it was a solo event. In true to form Michiel style, he hired an instructor and quickly moved up the ranks to become a solo driver. His next goal was to run in the fastest 'advanced' groups. By this time he truly loved the M but thought it was holding him back so he purchased a brand new (one of the first in San Antonio 2015 Zo6 Corvette with the Zo7 package of course black on black). He drove the piss out of that too but because the Porsches were passing him at most of the TWS/COTA events he bought a Porsche. It was a gray GT4 cayman with black HREs. Michiel moved up to the advanced groups which meant he had to set another goal, he wanted to "instruct" but I think it was more so getting the license/credential to instruct. Don't get me wrong, I think he spent his life teaching everyone that came across him but I like to think it was just a goal he set to achive. Michiel received his instructor certification in November of 2016. He did all of this while receiving cancer treatment which in his own words 'kicked his ass' for three weeks out of the month. On his good days or weekends he was at the track. I have no doubt he could go wheel to wheel with the pros in the Pirelli Challenge or WEC etc......

Cliffnotes: Live Fast, Live Strong, Live Fearless, Be Kind.
Godspeed Michiel Espach




plaque was from the Porsche club friends

[nycplumber]

Well I shouldn't have read this while I was in public. Honestly had to leave physical therapy because the story was too much. As a 28 year old man I can't help but take away so much from his journey. May he rest in peace.

[Boo-E]

RIP Michiel. Truly amazing and inspiring. Prayers to Janet and the whole family.

[M3LISSA]

Wow. I wrote this whole message then read he passed. He sounds like an amazing man. Sending strength and love to his friends and family.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by M3LISSA

Wow. I wrote this whole message then read he passed. He sounds like an amazing man. Sending strength and love to his friends and family.

He was a warrior.