they are just great. i always liked em but once i owned mine i was also obsessed, or a bmw geek or however it was put. and no, most people dont understand it. and no, it doesnt matter. i dont care if something is newer, faster, more expensive, whatever... theres somethin about the bmw that is head and shoulders above the other makes. so, NO johhny you're not alone. you said you bought yours for $9,500 and put another %3,500 in? i paid only $7,500 for mine 3 years ago (guy didnt know what he had) and have since put $4-5k into it and like dinan540 said "well worth every dollar"