Several years ago, I was fascinated with owning an E31. I thought I was early to this party, but I quickly realized everyone else suddenly became fascinated with owning an E31 too. When I recognized that finding a reasonably priced solid E31 was not going to happen, I changed direction and began the pursuit of finding an E39 M5.
I still recall my epiphany moment when Jim Brebner, our Blue Ridge Chapter Vice-President, at a monthly meetup said, “you don’t have to wait for the next issue of Roundel to show up in the mailbox instead you can simply go to the BMW CCA website to find what is for sale.”
I took Jim’s advice, and it was like a genie coming out of a green lantern / iPhone giving me three wishes. I was granted 1.) a low mileage pristine black carbon E39 M5, 2.) a local Virginia area code listing, and 3.) a graduate of EAG’s Rejuvenation program!!! The car is now proudly sitting in my garage, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. So, who or what is EAG?
Eric Keller and his brother Evan own EAG, Enthusiasts Auto Group, in Cincinnati.
This premier “M” BMW dealership has grown exponentially over the last two decades which began when Eric sold his first BMW, a 1992 525i, to his college professor as a freshman at Xavier University. Since that first transaction, Eric and his brother have sold nearly 10,000 BMW’s and, in the process, have become the quintessential source for BMW preservation and restoration of BMW “M” automobiles.
Their roots go back even deeper growing up in northern Indiana and southern Michigan farm country working “tirelessly hard” at the family-owned farm equipment dealership. (One of the most valuable lessons I learned about cars was also from a farmer, who grew tobacco in South Hill Virginia; wax protects the paint, paint protects the primer, and primer protects the metal, and good storage protects it all!)
EAG’s procurement philosophy is to buy nice “M” automobiles which typically represent the top 10% of what remains on the road. Their trademark “Rejuvenation” process will take very nice to absolutely near new. This “future-proofing” insures turnkey readiness and reliability. Their proven repeatable business philosophy is to buy cars that they would own and drive, which are typically best in class, and make them better in all aspects of the car.
Jeff Netherton, a Blue Ridge Chapter Member, and I were treated to a private tour of EAG’s Super-Secret Warehouse No. 1 and Super-Secret Warehouse No. 2. Blindfolds were not required but I was politely asked not to share their addresses, so I purposely deleted all history from my Google maps. When we pulled into the parking lot, Eric and a repeat client were standing over a storied immaculate 1979 E26 white over black M1 for close inspection and a rigorous road test!
Both warehouses were full of M cars ready for sale.
Afterwards we were given a tour of EAG Headquarters (HQ) and Main Workshop No. 1 where the EAG magic happens. Even more EAG magic happens at Workshop No.2, which has a Paint Corrections bay, a Photo Studio, and Body Repair Bay but unfortunately time ran out.
One thing that never runs out is Eric Keller’s” ENTHUSIASM” for the BMW “M” brand!
So, I will end as Eric Keller always ends his You Tube videos – SEE YAH!