As the founder of 8seriesparts.com, my personal values shape the company culture, and that affects the quality of the experience you have when you buy.

I used to be a contractor at the Hewlett-Packard company in the late 1990s, before the merger with Compaq, and when David Packard was still alive. I based much of my own company’s culture on “The HP Way” and Lamborghini’s company culture in the 1960s.

My first language was German, and I was raised German. My family has always been into German cars. I have been a BMW enthusiast ever since my mid-teens. The dad of my childhood best friend bought a 1977 BMW 3.0L and I came to appreciate how well-built these cars were.

One of the models I’ve always wanted to own was a 2800 CS, or 3.0 CS, or 3.0 CSi. In the late 1980s, my career as a software developer took off, and I could afford to buy a 1971 BMW 2800 CS. I loved that car.

Next, I bought a 1987 325, with all of its joys and challenges. One fine day, my mechanic announced that the 20-year old car would need a new steering rack. The price, as I recall, was $432. I had been muttering “I should be in the BMW parts business” whenever an event like this occurred, and for whatever reason, that event was the last straw. And so, I actually DID start a used car parts company in 2003, focused on 1980s BMWs. It was named OCLES, Inc. which is an acronym for Old Car Life Extension Systems (as in, keep ‘em on the road). 8SeriesParts is a division of that company.

In 2007, I flew to Europe, and I visited Munich and the BMW museum. While I was there, I bought a book on BMW company culture and how BMWs  are built, so that I could appreciate them even more. With a focus on being methodical, the company has grown slowly, but well.

Several years ago, a friend of mine bought an 850 CSi, a lovely car. I fell in love with it, and I’m saving up to buy it from him. I’m relieved that the drive-train has much in common with the 7-series cars of the same era, so that I will be able to provide parts for not just myself but other 8-series owners too.  I also own a 750iL, and I love the power and smoothness of the V12.

If, like me, you like the looks of the 1980s and 1990s BMWs, you’ll want to keep your classic BMW reliable, fun and safe as long as you viably can.

I intend for my company to make your mission more viable.

~Tanya Charbury, Boss Lady