About Me

From a Beater to a Business: How My Love for BMWs Built BavTek

My love for BMWs began at 13 when my dad brought home a discolored green, beat and rusty 1981 E21 320is he had bought for just $300. To him, BMWs were the best because the German Engineers built them. Then he said something that changed everything:

“This will be your car if you can fix it.”

At that moment, I started dreaming of how it would look and drive once we were finished.

But we had no idea how costly, frustrating, and time-consuming it would be to restore this clunker into a daily driver. The internet in the early 2000s was still in its infancy—there were no online forums, local meetups, YouTube channels, or specialized repair shops we could trust. With limited knowledge and an even smaller budget, we barely got the car running by the time I turned 16. Through my high school years, I built a love-hate relationship with that BMW. Every morning felt like a coin toss—would it start, and would it get me to work on time? Finally my senior year, I was forced to let it go after a blown head gasket left it beyond my ability to repair. A part of me died inside as I watched it leave, because at that moment, it felt like my dream of owning a BMW had come to an end.

You’d think that experience would have ended my love for BMWs, but instead, it fueled a dream—I hoped that one day, I’d be able to own another.

Fast forward a couple years and as a broke college student, I somehow managed to save enough to start searching for my next BMW project. By then, the internet had exploded, making it easier to find good deals. With the help of my father-in-law’s expertise, I dove back in—and my passion reignited with a 1992 E30 325i Convertible. Still working within a limited budget, I had to get creative in sourcing affordable parts and repairs. This time, I had a secret weapon: unlimited information online. I just had to dig through the noise and educate myself.

But there was one massive problem—finding the right parts at reasonable prices. Even when I found what I needed, I wasn’t always sure if it would fit. Fortunately, by then, I had learned enough to do my own repairs, and all I needed was a reliable source for parts. When I finally discovered one, I couldn’t believe it. Not only did I find everything I needed, but I realized that other BMW enthusiasts were likely struggling with the same problem.

So, in September 2007, while still in college, I opened an eBay store. Suddenly, BMW owners worldwide had access to switches, modules, seats, radios, amplifiers, speakers, and countless other used BMW parts—many of which would have otherwise ended up getting recycled.

Instead of job-hunting after graduation, my wife and I knew we had something special. We weren’t just selling parts—we were providing a resource that the BMW community desperately needed. Customers didn’t just want another parts supplier; they wanted a real person—someone who would take the time to answer their questions and understand their needs.

Listening to our customers has always been central to our work. Over time, we’ve developed trusted partnerships with specialized BMW repair shops, BMW dealers, and have had the privilege of turning customers into friends.

This is how BavTek was born. What began as one person sourcing parts for a daily driver has grown into supporting hundreds of BMW owners, helping their cars run for years to come—united by the same passion and values.

You are not alone in restoring your prized possession. At BavTek, we’re here to keep your love for BMWs alive—whether you’re a dedicated DIYer or a shop specializing in the Ultimate Driving Machine.