I was lucky enough to end up with a relatively trouble free December 2012 built M3W, but the forums have made me increasingly paranoid that something bad is due to happen. I have been driving it less often and haven't taken it to any events yet this season. My compensator is on its way out, the rear sprocket is being eaten and chirps like a canary on occasion and every time I track down one rattle another one rears up someplace new. Not something I want to have to explain to everyone as I pull up to a group of car enthusiasts.
But this car offers a thrill that is incomparable to pretty much anything else, gobs of attention and excitement from complete strangers, many stoplight conversations, honks and waves from other motorists. Unfortunately the wife doesn't like all the attention all the time, so it has been mostly used to brighten up my commute to work and back this year.
I went out of my way, knowing the inherent dangers, to get an early production number vehicle with the thought that years down the road it could be worth more if it remained unmolested and kept up. I don't think a fraction of enough time has passed to hope for this to be a reality yet. So, I will drive it when I can with my fingers crossed that I can get through the season without any additional cost of ownership and that I don't end up on the side of the road looking like a fool for spending so much on something so unnecessary.
