Re: bmw-digest V9 #213

["John Ward" <jtward@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I, too, have been the victim of auto vandalism on more than one occasion
>(three times) over the years.  In every case it was largly my fault for
>having left the car overnight in a less than secure location.  In all of
>these cases my car was one of several that were damaged.
>
>I resisted buying a BMW for a number of years, put off by the Yuppie
>image that seemed to go with the car.  Within a week of purchasing my
>first BMW I was again the victim of vandalism.  This time however, the
>car was singled out.  Three panals were 'keyed' in broad daylight safely
>parked in a high traffic area for less than 5 minutes.  I considered
>selling the car, not wanting to be a constant target.
>
>In the end I kept the car, it was just too much fun to drive, but I
>always wonder when it will happen again...
>
>- --Jeff
>'86 535i
>'89 325iX
>'65 TR4A

Jeff, check out my other note to Matt. I at least found out the kid's
identity so maybe I can get somewhere with his parents regarding the damages
hopefully. One way or another it's getting fixed, though it'll cost about
$150 and I'll be without my car for a couple days. I do believe you are
singled out having a BMW for vandalism in a lot of cases. I always watch
where I park and who I park next to which helps a lot. Then again when
people see that BMW on the far end of a parking lot away from the other cars
they just have to go over there and mess with it. I guess so many people are
just petty/jealous. Often they don't respect their own stuff, let alone
yours. Even if I had a Chevy or Ford instead of a BMW I would still want to
keep it clean/dent-free. In this case, I think the kid was just throwing at
anyone who passed. When he finally "got lucky" and hit me but noticed I was
stopping... he jetted. Never any fun when somebody else tears up your car,
accidents are bad enough but on purpose makes you want to have a few minutes
alone with the person even more. <g> Actually even new cars aren't exempt
from getting torn up. Back in 1990 my dad bought a brand new black 735i. It
was night time when he got home (the closest dealer was an hour away) but
the next day he awoke to notice the back bumper had been severely scuffed
and had white paint all over it. Apparently the guys backed it into a
concrete post when they were washing it up. The dealer had to eat the $800
cost of a new bumper. Shortly after that when it was in for service the guys
gouged the wood on the console around the shifter with a key. Of course all
that is just incompetence instead of intentional but the time, money and
aggravation lost as a result is basically the same. Now I understand why
there are so many trashed cars on the road.

Regards,

John

1990 750iL
1992 325iA
BMW CCA #150800

------------------------------

End of bmw-digest V9 #214
*************************