“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.
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.
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.
OK, so here’s what I got so far on why we should buy the BMW i3 display car:
- 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.
- 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!
- The car is for sale in California — that’s local!
- The car has caster wheels for easy(ish) repositioning.
- The i3 display car is made of fiberglass, so it won’t rust and it’s lightweight and thus easy to move (ish)
- There are real, actual wheels and tires on the car. And given how much i3 tires cost, we could actually save money buying this
- 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.
- It’s pretty much a hollow shell, so we could store things inside it
- The lighting on the i3 doesn’t work, but I think it can be made to work, which would be awesome
- 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]
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…
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
Just buy it. It is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.
Said every divorced man ever…
But real talk: this situation is why you need to sit down and discuss how your finances will work and what the limits are with your partner. Honestly you should have done this before you ever got hitched.
I live in a state of marital and automotive bliss because long ago, we set the rules for our finances and personal choices. There is a very clear line between mine, hers, and ours regarding money.
As long as the money that is supposed to go into “ours” each month we can each pretty much do whatever we want.
This goes beyond money, it’s about space in the house. And that needs to be discussed no matter the finance situation.
Compromise on a really-nice 1/18 scale so you can stay married.
I was going to say consider 1/43 like me, and you can have 100 cars. Or 1/64.
Was tempted to go with a washroom conversion. As it is not driving, what is the purpose?
Your marriage hoarding starts here?!?!
Congrats! Promise her you’re going to turn it into your future kids bed. Promising babies wins all arguments. And who wouldn’t want an I3 bed? I built my boys a VW Bus bunk bed with lights and steering. This would even be more realistic.
It could also become a fully enclosed crib, which is the sort of idea that only someone who’s already had kids would appreciate…
11- David could live in it when she eventually kicks him out for car hoarding.
Rare does not equal valuable. It just means rare.
Perhaps if it was slightly oversized, you could use it as the worlds most accurate car cover.
I’m a one of one unique thing. Literally as rare as anything that actually exists could be.
I am not valuable, ask anyone.
Congratulations! I like to bank what I call “spousal collateral” – all the things I can say that I could have but did not buy when something really, really good comes up that I very much want to buy (it works for museum volunteer collecting trips as well). This is 100% one for the bank, not for the garage.
Congrats on the wedding, DT! I think you should continue your journey into responsible adulthood by NOT buying this, even though you want it, and it’s neat.
Well, it probably won’t rust as much as the usual DT purchase, that’s a positive.
But I’m agreeing with your wife. (Congrats BTW). I’m usually for wild automotive purchases but this is a little much.
Reason 11:
You know if you suppress a compulsion, it eventually erupts into something much more unmanageable. Does she want a full-size Jeep chandelier? DOES SHE?
Genius!
There’s about a 100% chance that you will regret this purchase within a matter of days, or ever hours after you stuff those into your garage.
Yeah congrats but no on the static vehicle. Just submit to her in hopes of building your war chest for something that you can actually use.
Congrats on getting married! I know you got engaged in September, but had no idea you tied the knot!
Does Beau own a BMW dealership you could store it at, maybe in the show room?
Better yet up on a pole like that Viper in a previous story.
No.
Came here to say this.
If David buys it Beau can use it as the center of the shrine after Elyse (real name Alice) kills David.
Yeah, marriage will bring its own stuff accumulation, you don’t need to actively feed it.
13 years ago, when we bought our house, my wife and I had entirely empty rooms and had no idea how we would make the house look lived in. Fast forward to today, and the house is bursting at the seams. Not in a hoarder way, but kids, pets, hobbies, etc all slowly eat into the finite space.
You don’t need these, and it sounds like deep down you know that.
Fast forward to today, and the house is bursting at the seams. Not in a hoarder way, but kids, pets, hobbies, etc all slowly eat into the finite space
Good insurance + lit match = freedom!
David, I will make a reference that will inevitably not get.
That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out argument.
Overruled.
Do not buy these unless you are mounting them to your roof to be pulled by 8 tiny reindeer.
Darn Yutes today don’t know good movies
What’s a grit?
Whats timing on a 1960 bel air with a 327 and air conditioning?
That’s a bullshit question
^ Yesss! A reference you know. The autopian staff can make fun of you no longer.
I am just over 94% sure you are kidding.
If you are in the 6%; I have no help for you.
This is a terrible idea.
Here is why:
Stuff.
You will now start to accumulate ‘stuff.’ It will end up controlling your sanity. Didn’t get ahead of the non-stop amazon boxes? ‘Stuff’
Mail sitting in a pile on that half-table in the hallway? ‘Stuff’
You will end up trying to find ways to get rid of stuff. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will be free.
It is also possible I am projecting a little bit.
DT: Its a full size i3 model and I can buy it for….
Elise: No
DT: Ok
DT: <picks up phone>
Hey Beau, I’m going to pick up some new office furniture. Is that cool?
This would hurt you in the long run. All of your project cars have the POTENTIAL to run. Buying this will be a constant reminder that you own cars that DO NOT RUN. Being reminded of the current status of the vehicles instead of the potential status of the vehicles will mean less opportunity for more project vehicles. Don’t do it.
Also, congratulations.
And as I told my wife… everything that happens now is her fault. SHE said yes twice (once for the engagement, and then once at the wedding).
I feel like this article breaks the fourth wall of believable DT shenanigans
Fingers crossed.
Propose it as a nursery that can be wheeled into your bedroom for co-sleeping, although she’d be justifiably concerned that you’d be the one in it instead of the (for now) theoretical baby.
It’s a losing battle. Just walk away and try again later my magic 8 ball says.
Despite the solid and obvious, compelling research, I can’t back you up on this bud, you’re on your own.