[dmboone25]

An M2 to the stable.

But it's not for me, it's for my dad...

Let me explain...

My love for BMWs (and many of the other important things in life, such as family and baseball ), started with my dad (and my mom too of course). He had an E46 328i back in 1999/2000, and that is when we both fell in love with the brand. It was truly different than anything either one of us had ever driven. And so we began to understand what all of the fuss was about, and why the brand had such a dedicated following.

What started with the E46 hit a peak in 2007, when he became the owner of a 2007 Z4MC. Same sort of story here, in that we once again realized for the first time why ///M matters and why having one is so special, because the 328i had felt so special too. Obviously, the Z4MC was on another level. I was working in Chicago at the time, and my dad had found one on a lot in the suburbs that he wanted to check out. Instead of him making the trip, I went to drive it at lunch one day - and I was sold immediately (having my own first BMW, an E92 328i at the time). After that test drive and a lengthy phone call, my parents came up from Indianapolis to get it the next day.

Fast forward a couple of years, and we are in the midst of the recession...circumstances changed and he was forced to give up the Z4MC...sad day doesn't describe the way we both felt with enough context, but that's what it was...and so, unbeknownst to him, I made a deal with myself. I was going to start saving, and I was going to put money towards a replacement whenever I could, because I did not have the means at the time he got rid of the Z4MC to do anything about it. And once that account became robust enough, and the right car came along, I was going to get it for him. And it wasn't just about replacing the M coupe...it was also about showing appreciation for everything he and my mother had ever done for me (which cannot be measured)...

I considered so many cars over the years (especially another Z4MC or E46 M3, which we never got the chance to own when it was new), in fact too many to list to be honest. But there are specific attributes about the M2 that made it a worthy successor to the Z4MC in my eyes...more of a back to basics approach...relatively few of them around...small, short wheelbase, potential to be crazy...and a sense of being something special.

As luck would have it, our local dealer (Bill Jacobs BMW, Naperville, IL) seemed to always have a few M2s around. And so I began coming by to look at them, usually at night when I could look as long as I wanted. I met a great sales advisor there (Bill Earnest), and started talking through what I was trying to accomplish and what kind of a deal I could get. We got to a good place last week, and preparations began on creating the surprise for my dad.

The plan was pretty simple...I had begun laying the trap a couple of weeks ago when I took the LBB M2 for a test drive (I started a thread on that experience for discussion purposes, but my mind was pretty much made up by then). I had sent pictures to my dad, with the premise that I was considering trading my F80 for the M2 (my relationship with the M3 has been up and down, depending on my mood, as the regulars on the forum will know all too well ). He seemed to really like the car, and responded in a way that confirmed that it was the right choice for my plan.

So I brought my mom into the secret, and she used the excuse of having not seen my new place in Naperville as a means to get the two of them up here for the weekend. My fiancé made reservations at a cool new breakfast place in town, and we would simply stop by the dealership afterwards, so I could get my dad's opinion on the M2, especially the LBB. All of this was, of course, a farce, as the car was purchased already (as long as he liked it).

Mr. Earnest, our SA, had also brought others into the plan, and it seemed like the whole dealership was in on the surprise. They would have the LBB M2 prepped and sitting right inside the front door (locked, of course ), as if anyone could check it out or buy it. When we were walking up to the building, my dad was asking if I knew where it was...and I said that I wasn't sure, but that it was usually inside. We got to the door, and he said something to the effect of "oh shit, there it is"....after a couple of minutes of showing him around the car, he said that I should just trade my F80 for it on the spot. I responded that I had a slightly different plan in mind....

Needless to say, he was pretty surprised...and it took numerous folks from the dealer confirming that I had purchased the car for him before he realized that I wasn't pulling his leg. It was one of the best moments, and day, of my life.

Thought you guys might get a kick out of that. without further ado, here are the pics:

[ORIGIN M.]

I absolutely love the post.

Congratulations !

[IND-Distribution]

Love hearing stories like these!

[qnet]

Congrats.

[SteveGiant]

Congratulations on being a great son but even more to your dad for raising you the way he did! My dad has been gone for four years now and I can only wish I had the opportunity to do something this awesome for him before he passed away. Such a great story!

[Aloha Joe]

dmboone, "I am your real father"

Great story and what a great son, I'm sure your dad thinks the world of you

[griz31]

Awesome story and congrats, enjoy!

[Tag]

I usually don't get moved by sappy stories, but this really got to me and put a lump in my throat. Ya done good, son!

[Aronis]

Excellent story!

Mike

[DanG]

Wish my kids would do that for me.

You are a great son.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Awesome

[F87_LCI]

Glad I decided to read this post. Nice to know that there are still some younger people on this planet that "Get it." Nicely done OP.

[AndrewC1989]

I'm not crying, you're crying!

[uniqueMR]

Congratssssss !!!

[2M]

Thats awesome ! Respect!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats

[voyagergab]

Good job man!!! Congratulations

[dmboone25]

Thanks for all the nice replies guys - it was one helleva day.

And trust me, I am the lucky one in this whole story.

[qnet]

Wow, that was awesome. I was lazy and didn't read your entire post, I'm glad I did now. My dad passed away a few years ago, and I remember thinking, while at the performance center, how cool it would have been he was there sharing the experience with me.

[DETRoadster]

Damn! I saw the "So I'm keeping the M3 but I decided to add...." title and thought for sure it was going to say "I'm keeping the M3 but decided to add an M2 and I need to find someone who will keep my M3 at their place and drive it periodically as I only have room for 1 car." Sigh. It was a nice though....

Congrats man!

[Artemis]

Prefab Sprout - "Moving The River" (1985)
You surely are a truly gifted kid | But you're only good as | The last great thing you did | And where've you been since then | Did the schedule get you down? | I hear you've got a new girlfriend | How's the wife takin' it? | If it's uphill all the way, you should be used to it by now | You must know me, father it's your son | And I know that you are proud of everything I've done | But it's the wonders I perform | Pulling rabbits out of hats | When sometimes I'd prefer | Simply to wear them | If it's uphill all the way you should be used to it and say | My back is broad enough, Sir | To take the strain, and it's... | Hello mother, it's your son | And aren't you proud of all I've done | But I'm turkey hungry, I'm chicken free | And I can't breakdance on your knee | But it's stay right there son, baby do | While I is itchin' for something new | So watch me hawkeye, understand | The force of will, the sleight of hand | Movin' the river | I'm turkey hungry, I'm chicken free | Movin' the river | And I can't breakdance on your knee | Movin' the river | Bucket by spoon | And do you think that they'll like me when they learn what I do | Movin' the river | Money for jam, but it takes such an effort to stay where I am | And it's... | Stay right there son, baby do | While I is itchin' for something new | Watch me hawkeye, understand | The force of will, the sleight of hand | Movin' the river | I'm turkey hungry, I'm chicken free | Movin' the river | And I can't breakdance on your knee | Movin' the river | Movin' the river | Movin' the river | Movin' the river | Movin' the river.

[S1monQc]

Amazing story!! Congrats man