Skip to main content

To save his Bimmer from a hurricane, this guy parked it in his living room

BMW E30 M3
jalilsup/Instagram
BMW drivers are a passionate bunch. The Bimmer (and Beamer) communities contain some of the most dedicated and spirited car fans in all of the automotive world, with countless racing teams and annual meetups being held around the globe. That being said, few love their ride as much as Randy Jalil does.

Jalil resides in Port St. Lucie, Florida, which was originally thought to be in the destructive path of Hurricane Matthew. Like any passionate gearhead would, Jalil garaged two of his vehicles (also BMWs, by the way), but still needed a spot for his E30 M3 to take refuge. That’s when he took note of his wide front doors and went hunting for a tape measure.

After measuring, Jalil realized he’d have plenty of room to park his M3 right inside his living room, and that’s exactly what he did. Safe from the gales Hurricane Matthew but not too far from the kitchen, we can’t think of a better place for an M3 to hibernate, and we’d say it livens up the room quite nicely.

BMW E30 M3
jalilsup/Instagram

“I’ve owned my E30 for about eight years now and the last few years there was a spike in value with these cars. I wasn’t risking anything!” Jalil told CarBuzz. “This car is absolutely my pride and joy and I will own it for years to come.”

Read more: BMW, Toyota, and Allianz invest in Nauto to learn about driver behavior

Thankfully, Matthew didn’t hit Port St. Lucie as hard as it was first predicted, but in Jalil’s mind, you’re better safe that sorry. As for the vehicle, it’s mostly stock (Jalil refers to it as OEM+), with only a few choice mods and a handful of miles separating it from factory condition.

I currently daily drive the car and enjoy it as much as possible. Most people nowadays will keep them tucked away in their garage to keep the value up. Cars are meant to be driven and I will always live by that.”

For more pictures of the car, check out Jalil’s Instagram page.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more