Home » Help Me Convince My Wife That Spending Thousands On A Full-Size BMW i3 Display Car That Doesn’t Drive Is A Good Idea

Help Me Convince My Wife That Spending Thousands On A Full-Size BMW i3 Display Car That Doesn’t Drive Is A Good Idea

Unrealdeal Top
ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s a historical artifact!” I just told my wife, Elise (Not Her Real Name). (Yes, I recently got married, and over the next two days I’ll be telling you more about how the wedding went; it was epic). For now, it’s time I enlist your help, because for some reason Elise seems entirely unconvinced that this BMW i3 display model’s historical significance is reason enough for us to buy it and store it in our small garage. How my argument didn’t work is beyond me, so we’re going to have to come up with some other clever way to convince her.

It’s been about a week since I got married, and things are great. She’s the greatest woman I’ve ever met, and I don’t even like driving to work anymore because that means I can’t hang out with her. But as great as things are, it’s become clear that married life is going to be very, very different than DT-single-life. Namely, I now have to get buy-in when I buy things.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

Elise has actually been quite supportive of every car purchase I’ve ever made. In fact, she didn’t even have an issue with the entirely superfluous BMW i3 I nearly bought a few weeks ago right before our wedding — or that diesel F-250 that same week. Elise knows I’m passionate about cars, and she loves to see that passion blossom.

But this right here is going to be a tough sell.

Screen Shot 2024 12 23 At 9.32.50 Am

ADVERTISEMENT

For auction right now on Bring a Trailer are two full-scale display models — one of the i8 (which I’m not interested in, as cool as it is), and one of my beloved BMW i3, the Carbon Fiber Wonder from Leipzig. Apparently BMW sent full-size models of these two cars to dealerships around the world to get buzz going before the vehicles debuted. Here’s a blurb from Bring a Trailer:

These full-scale display models of BMW i3 and i8 vehicles are said to have been produced by BMW for promotional use in the company’s dealerships. The fiberglass bodies are finished in Ionic Silver Metallic with black and Frozen Blue accents, and they are mounted on metal frames with inboard swivel caster wheels. The i8 model has LED lighting, and both models feature black-finished simulated glass, side mirrors, a faux shark fin antenna, and alloy wheels. The models do not have an interior or running gear. These BMW display models were acquired by the seller in 2022 and are now offered at no reserve in California with a bill of sale.

Screen Shot 2024 12 23 At 10.30.27 Am

OK, so here’s what I got so far on why we should buy the BMW i3 display car:

  1. This is a historical items for sale right as the BMW i3 is having its moment in the sun. I believe the i3 will become a collector’s item in the future, meaning this display car will make us rich! Maybe. Possibly. Probably not.
  2. We can sell the i8 display car to recoup whatever we spend on these display cars. Current bid is at $1000. That’s a bargain!
  3. The car is for sale in California — that’s local!
  4. The car has caster wheels for easy(ish) repositioning.
  5. The i3 display car is made of fiberglass, so it won’t rust and it’s lightweight and thus easy to move (ish)
  6. There are real, actual wheels and tires on the car. And given how much i3 tires cost, we could actually save money buying this
  7. There’s no battery or compressor (no “Black Death!“) or any powertrain at all that could fail. This will be my most reliable car ever, by far.
  8. It’s pretty much a hollow shell, so we could store things inside it
  9. The lighting on the i3 doesn’t work, but I think it can be made to work, which would be awesome
  10. This could be used as a decoy for when someone inevitably tries to steal my “Holy Grail” i3. I’m not entirely sure how that would work, but come on — this thing screams decoy.

[Editor’s Note: I wonder if David should mention that he has had many and currently has a few cars that are equally immobile and non-running as these two display models, and these have the advantage of not leaking fluids everywhere. Maybe that would just be opening a can of worms? – JT]

Img 7267 59059

ADVERTISEMENT

You know, those 10 make for a pretty dang convincing argument. And you know…I don’t even think this needs to take up a garage space. I think this should be the centerpiece of our living room; think of all the attention it would get from visitors. Fancy paintings, nice sculptures, beautifully-framed photographs, gorgeous art-deco furniture — none of that has anything on a full-size engineering masterpiece sitting in the middle of a living room. Heck, I wonder if I could reconfigure some of the metal structure underneath to create a small office in there…

I3model 7227 04370 Copy

I3model 7150 53201 Copy

I3model 7270 04566 Copy

I3model 7273 04580 Copy I3model 7286 04637 Copy

ADVERTISEMENT

Anyway, I think I’m pretty close. Between those 10 extremely compelling reasons for us to buy the i3 display car and whatever couple of reasons you can help me out with in the comments, I think I’ll be towing a fake i3 to our abode in no-time!

See, marriage — it’s not so hard!

All Images: Bring a Trailer

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on reddit
Reddit
Subscribe
Notify of
97 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Marc Miller
Marc Miller
13 minutes ago

There are two words that pave the way to marital bliss: “Yes dear.” Will still be married 46 years at the end of December. That’s how I know the magic of these two words!

Utherjorge
Utherjorge
16 minutes ago

is this like trying to buy an old Old Navy pickup and display it? I tried to do that once.

Once.

Michael Oneshed
Michael Oneshed
27 minutes ago

This is hubris and will end in Greek tragedy.

Jmfecon
Jmfecon
37 minutes ago

Elise is right. Always. Sooner you understand that, easier will be your life. And you need that new appliance. You don’t know, but Elise does.

Dodsworth
Dodsworth
46 minutes ago

In your mind it’s already moved from the garage to the living room. I look forward to Jason’s article on your intervention. I know, you can stop any time you want to.

05LGT
05LGT
46 minutes ago

Check age code on tires, then admit you’re wrong.

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
54 minutes ago

Well, at least you’d have no problem making emissions…

TimoFett
TimoFett
1 hour ago

Dear Elise (not your real name),

Be firm and advise David that this is not a prudent purchase as you begin your life together. You may want to suggest a much smaller pair of BMW models for David to tinker with such as this set of BMW LEGO’s:
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/bmw-m4-gt3-bmw-m-hybrid-v8-race-cars-76922

In the meantime best wishes and good luck managing his impulses to collect non-functional automobiles.

Jmfecon
Jmfecon
35 minutes ago
Reply to  TimoFett

Wait until he discover chinese Lego knock-offs from AliExpress.

Shooting Brake
Shooting Brake
1 hour ago

No.

Mantis Toboggan, MD
Mantis Toboggan, MD
1 hour ago

Chop the top, turn it into a king size bed and then you can have a racecar bed that you sleep in with your wife. Milhouse’s dad would eat his heart out to see someone have their cake and eat it too.

Fuzzyweis
Fuzzyweis
1 hour ago

In Future News, David Tracy gets to spend another week living in the Pontiac Aztek!

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
1 hour ago

You know David I think you need to curtail your impulsive nature until your wife tells you her real name. This wasn’t a green car marriage (car was intended) was it?

PaysOutAllNight
PaysOutAllNight
1 hour ago

You must buy this.

Make them both into enclosed trailers you tow behind your i3.

Argentine Utop
Argentine Utop
1 hour ago

First: Congratulations, David! All the best wishes for you, guys!
Second: France.
Third: Ehh, I’d suggest not to overdo it. Elise (Not Her Real Name) is incredibly supportive, but it may be better to respect her (generous) limits.

Regarding your points:
6. is not completely unreasonable.
7. I cried a little.
The rest are, well, a bit inconclusive to me.
But what do I know, I’m not even married.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
1 hour ago

David I like you and wish you nothing but the best in your marital endeavors. Here are some pointers.
1. Before marriage Elise and after marriage Elise are two totally different people. I doubt their DNA matches.
2. Now that you are married it isn’t reasons for it is bargaining for. I will get rid of all my crap cars by February 1st if I can buy it. Even if it means the crusher.
3. It is fiberglass so maybe the backyard or at the dealership where she isn’t enraged many times a day seeing it.
4. My suggestion is enter rehab, learn this is a bad idea and find ways to enjoy the honeymoon period than pissing off the wonderful gal you married.
I should know I have never been married so just like a childless couple knows how best to raise a kid the eternal bachelor knows how best to survive a marriage.

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
1 hour ago

Mercedes will immediately appropriate it and turn it into a camper.

Michael Oneshed
Michael Oneshed
26 minutes ago

I wish I could like this twice.

Knowonelse
Knowonelse
1 hour ago

Looking at the underside . . . there is some rust, so there is something resembling familiar territory . . .

Mr E
Mr E
1 hour ago

As a male married person, I can personally guarantee that giving your wife an ultimatum will never cause any adverse relationship issues. She will eventually see the error of her ways.

Follow me for more (horrible and possibly life-threatening) marriage advice.

Lumpy Tapioca
Lumpy Tapioca
1 hour ago

And you now begin your journey to understanding.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
1 hour ago
Reply to  Lumpy Tapioca

True from here on our it is a never ending wonderland of her teaching you that everything you know, did or thought is wrong and you should never make decision or have a separate thought without checking with her. Normally a bad situation but considering your life choices to date yeah ask her about everything ahead of time even about if you should poop. Really you made some hilariously bad life choices that we have all enjoyed. But now you have to consider someone else. So unless either one of you can say we have too much friggin money we need to make bad buying decisions or just burn a few thousand dollars don’t do it

97
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x