2005 BMW M3 Convertible - Bankrupt

I don't know how long this BMW M3 convertible has been sitting on the third floor of the parking garage next to the gym I go to in a mixed-use, retail-residential, open-air mall about twenty minutes west of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. I believe it's a 2004 to 2006 "Bimmer," so let's split the difference and call it a 2005.

These things aren't my cup of antifreeze, but since it's still sitting up here after months and months, maybe even more than a year, I figured it was about time I took a closer look. Beats staring at the gaggle of Hyundai Palisades and Kia Tellurides that clog the oh-so-narrow parking spaces in this garage.

 

Probably hard to tell but his tire is flat. Car is filthy although it has papers sitting inside and the plates are still on it so how "abandoned" is this thing? I wonder if the owner told the mall they're leaving this here "for now". 

Sigh. And I feel it's wrong to park one of my cars up here when we get a heavy snowstorm so it's easier for me to clear my driveway. Who's the shmuck? Rule following me or the douche nozzle who owns this thing? 

Ah, the sense of entitlement that BMW drivers have. Or the sense of entitlement us plebians who don't own one believe they have. I get as many sneers from people when they see me driving my 1991 Corvette as I get thumbs ups, so, yeah, I get it. 

Although BMW was already in the SUV business by the mid-2000s, with the original X5 arriving for the 2000 model year and the X3 following in 2004, the company was still better known for its lineup of sporty coupes, sedans, and convertibles.

At the time, the German automaker's core lineup revolved around the 3-, 5-, 6-, and 7-series cars. The 6-series was available as a coupe and convertible, while the 5- and 7-series were offered only as four-door sedans. 

The 3-series, BMW's volume leader, came in just about every geschmack (flavor) imaginable, including a coupe, sedan, convertible, wagon, and hatchback, depending on the market.

The "M" in "M3" refers to BMW's performance division, BMW M, formerly known as BMW Motorsport. The group reworks engines, suspensions, transmissions, brakes, interiors, and exterior styling, transforming already capable vehicles into machines many enthusiasts consider the best versions BMW has ever built.

BMW M was established in 1972 as BMW Motorsport GmbH to oversee the company's racing efforts. Before long, the division expanded beyond the racetrack and into road cars, creating a brand identity that took hold with enthusiasts during the 1980s and remains one of the most recognizable performance badges in the automotive world.

Then, as now, BMW charged a serious premium for the coveted M badge. This car new in 2005 could easily have stickered for more than $60,000, while a standard 2005 BMW 3 Series convertible started at roughly $42,000.

If you loathe BMW drivers, no doubt you double up on the Haterade for those that drive M's. However, if someone just wants to drive a BMW, most would opt for lesser expensive models. The original owner of this thing was, hopefully, really into the car although serious performance buffs scoff at convertibles (says the pretty girl who drives a Corvette convertible). 

So what we have here is what's left of a rich person's toy, or perhaps the former pride and joy of someone who stretched their budget because they simply loved the car. Let's hope it's the latter, although neither scenario sits especially well with me.

That's why I take issue with how something so expensive and desirable in its day could end up so downtrodden now. Then again, we're all familiar with stories of lottery winners and multimillionaire athletes who somehow wind up broke.