“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
Price, price price. Now you are officially two, the bucks spent on your toys — unless you keep chickens and it will make a good coop, have to be matched by bucks spent on her toys if harmony is to reign.
If this idea doesn’t convince her you have Asberger syndrome nothing will. Should this idea manifest into reality then the whole world will know she has Stockholm syndrome.
‘
I found a 1:5 scale model of an BMW i8 along the side of the road while I was at work. The passenger compartment wasn’t quite done correctly, it was as if it was designed for a small human, perhaps a child, to sit in it. The headlights did work, but there was something wrong with the suspension. So I took it home and hung it in my shop. About 6 months months later I found a similar Mercedes Benz. Not only did the headlights work, but it has a working radio as well. Plus a convenient remote control so you can walk behind it as you move it around the showroom. Sadly, this one had major drivetrain issues and could no longer move under it’s own power. I hung it next to the i8 in my shop.
If you’re going to start hoarding non-running vehicles again, at least hoard something that has the potential to actually run some day. Collector’s item? You’re better off buying beanie babies and Pokémon cards. Listen to your wife.
No, shant.
You’re on your own my friend. But good luck!
Don’t do it. Spend your car money fixing something that will work. Pay attention to your wife if you want to hang on to your wife. Spend money on her.
Elise (PBUH)
These things are so awesome that someone is willing to get rid of them at no reserve. Last I heard, you have 2 beautifully running I3’s. Why take your garage space away from them for this junk?
Congratulations on your nuptials! She sounds grand! Tell your lovely wife that you won a special prize and have it delivered in a wooden crate with Fragile stamped across the side. Then, put lights inside of it and display it in your front window for everyone in the neighborhood to see- like your grandfather did with his “special prize” back on Cleveland St. On the off chance that something bad should befall it, like your wife “accidentally” destroying it, be sure that you have lots of glue handy, and perhaps a welding torch. Happy Holidays everyone and Godspeed on your travels!
I’m a car guy and I love the small and weird cars in particular, so the Rexxie ticks many boxes. BUT.
Sweetie is far more important. Perhaps on a global scale, on an internationally economic scale, the Rexxie has more weight, but you don’t live globally.
Sorry dude.
Now. That said: there’s nothing stopping you from forming a corporation and building a museum to house and showcase the small and weird.
You could wear it for a Halloween costume.
If you bring this home, it’s basically a form of birth control…
Just no.
Only if you take that garbage looking shell and put it on a jeep chassis and drive it around. Obviously you will need to add windows and maybe a door 🙂
Nobody going to mention the fact that the finish is far from perfect? I first thought I was looking at painted scale models. These are not even 10ft distance nice. One could argue that the best bit of the first generation i3 was the interior, with modern materials and vibe. Suppose this external only model was the only thing available at the time, it would have helped me -11% in ordering an i3.
In true DT style though, even the tube chassis on this display car is rusting.
Think of the number of stray cats this can house.
I didn’t read the whole thing yet,just wanted to say that this is a stupid idea and,no,you shouldn’t.
That’s just plain idiotic unless you have unlimited space.
In the mean time, I’d focus on scale models to decorated your house.
Also it’s a non-runner with a rusty “frame”. Don’t you have like 10 vehicles like that already ?
You’d be more likely to be forgiven for having a secret family.
No. Just no
Will it baby? Like can you literally turn it into a crib?
Otherwise no.
You’re supposed to have your mid-life crisis after you start your family.
Despite Elise (NHRN) supporting all your purchases so far, you do have a limited amount of wife-approval capital to spend. It will run out if you spend it foolishly. My advice from 19 years and counting of marriage is to spend your capital wisely. This is not a wise use of it.
With 30 years experience, I second this. Capital is a finite resource and someday you will need this capital more than you need this junk. Trust us, we know.
This is the type of thing you buy if you have loads of excess storage space, and apparently you don’t. Don’t waste approval of a purchase on this – save it for an actual car that (might potentially) runs and drives.
Came here to say the same. My fiancée has given me carte blanche to work on projects or import a car or three in the future, but we’ll have limited space and I wouldn’t waste it on this. Doesn’t matter if it’s history if you have no place to keep it.