1998 BMW M3 Convertible "Matt"

I started buying BMWs in the 1980's. I remember the thrill of buying my very first new car—I test drove Saab, Volvo, a Mazda RX7 and a BMW. The performance of the BMW was last on the list but I can still remember the feeling of craftsmanship I experienced with the BMW and I was sold. My first BMW was a E30 318i in Cosmosblau Metallic. I used to love detailing that car and relishing in the quality of the construction and engineering. When I moved to Germany in the late 80s I had a E30 324d in Gazellenbeige (a truly hideous color) as a company car. I remember driving it at 100 mph (top speed) on the autobahn—it took it forever to go that fast but cruised there for hours on end.

Upon returning to the US in late 1989, I picked up a Bright Red (Brilliantrot) E30 325iS from the factory in München (Munich) and had it shipped back to the US after driving it for a couple of months in Germany (think Autobahn). This was the last year for the E30 which was being replaced by the E36.

I saw the first E36 M3 a couple of years later. The first ones they sold in the US were definitely targeted as track cars since they had few options, manual windows, etc. While I was intrigued, he really enjoyed the 325iS but thought to myself that if they ever made the E36 M3 in a convertible I would buy one. Fast forward several years to 1998 and I had moved to Atlanta. I read somewhere that BMW was, indeed, going to make the E36 M3 in a convertible trim. I visited Global BMW in north Atlanta and drove one - and was hooked.

I decided to do it right an order exactly what he wanted - bright red with light gray interior, upgraded sound system, no power seats and no on-board computer. I wasn't interested in luxury as much as performance and figured I would be the only person to drive it. It was due to be delivered in November.

About the middle of October 1998 I got a car from the dealer—“Your car is here!” Surprised I told them I thought it was going to be another month. Well, the dealer said, not the car you ordered but your colors. Turns out they had just taken delivery on a car that had spent the summer on display at different locations including shopping malls. I took a look at the car—which had every imaginable option—and told the dealer I would take it for the price he was paying for the car he ordered. The deal was done. (A couple of months later on a trip back to the dealer I saw the car I ordered on the lot—today I wonder what ever happened to that car!)

Matt was produced in April 1998 and is one of 62 E36 M3 convertibles produced for the U.S. in this paint and upholstery combination (one of just 23 with a manual gearbox).

I kept the car stock for the 15 years I owned it and bought a bra (rarely used), a windscreen (used all the time) and car cover (used if Matt couldn't sleep in the garage). For about 13 out of the 15 years Matt was always garaged. Over the course of ownership he suffered only a few major mechanical problems—for example a cracked radiator around 60K miles. The plastic rear window had to be replaced when the car was close to 10 years old due to cracking but the hard top worked fine through out the entire time I owned it. The light interior took a beating though and the arm rests and driver's seat were worn badly when Matt was sold.

I remember hearing once that many people regretted buying a convertible after the novelty wore off. I have to admit I ended up in that camp. The sacrifice in handling (which was very notable) and constant worry about the top going bad were the more major factors. However, I loved driving this car with the top down!

I decided to replace Matt in 2013 with a 2000 M Coupe. I had been looking at these cars for many years—they are very unusual in appearance and rare. They share many of the same components as the E36 M3—for example the engine is identical. I discovered they had become a collectors car with so few of them made. I also discovered they are the true definition of the term “Pocket Rocket.” They weigh about 500 pounds less than the E36 M3 convertible and handle like they are on “rails” with the low, wide stance and a large hardtop that makes them exceptionally stiff. You can read more about my M Coupe “Brat” at the web site below.

• 2000 M Coupe – “Brat”