So I'm heading out to work this morning for my regular 40 minute commute and had just pulled onto the 15/501, a long 2 lane cow road heading toward Sanford from Pinehurst (NC). As I slowly ramp up my speed and begin to taste my morning 55 shimmy for breakfast (outa-round tire I hope), I catch a familure glimpse out the rearview. Off in the distance, a few cars back and around a turn, I see the sides and fogs of what appears to be early BMW. At that distance, it could have been a 3 series so I brush it off and kick it back into 6th.
I soon have to slow it down as I approach a small town an I spot it again, a few cars closer, black, and definately an e34 - but not wide grill like mine. Minutes later, its on my tail and I noticed something queer, his sideviews aren't square - and I doubletake when I see the pretty colored emblem on his left kidney. Whoa, I gotta M on my ass.
We soon get back on the 2 lane for another 20 mile stretch, which just happened to have been freshly blacktopped just a few weeks ago. Since I travel this route every weekday morning, I happened to know the twists, turns, and hills pretty good - so the advantage is mine.
We passed the first bit of traffic like it wasn't there, first me, then him, without so much as a downshift or pause - like we were stuck together. Cruising up and down each hill, and around each curve at between 60 and 80 in the fresh 65F morning air as the sun was rising in front of us..exhilerating. Soon the inevitable happens, just ahead of me is small convoy with a minivan at the lead, followed by some big truck and another domestic sedan. We slow to 50-55 and here comes my shimmy - I hate this speed.. and I'm hoping Mr. M can't see my passenger seat vibrating like a cheap motel-room bed. I soon realize where I'm at and start to cross my fingers in anticipation. YES, as we come over a ridge, I'm elated to see no oncoming headlights down or up the long following hill off into the distance. I drop 2 gears into 4th and wind up my M62 and begin to pass the first of 3. Just then I see headlights, but I know I have it easy, but my friend behind me sure won't - HA. As my pace approaches 90, I slide back into my lane after the minivan with room to spare. As I look back, I once again catch that familure glimpse out the rearview a few cars back.
We soon get back into town and I immediately get into the right lane and slow to the posted 45 speed limit, a lesson I learned the hard way. Right then the M5 passes me by at 60 - with a thumbs up.
We end up side-by-side at a stop light and he prompts to to bring down my window. He was a rather dapper gentleman with white hair and a smile on his face. He complimented my ride, and I his, and he was a bit surprised to find out about my 6 speed. Little did he know that I was burning with jealousy over those beautiful throwing stars staring back at me. He said he got his 5 on Ebay with 60K on the clock, now it has 90K. Then the light turned green and off he sped, as I turned into the gas station - just realizing I was on fumes - oblivious.

-jack
95 540/6
Pinehurst, NC