Do people have a problem with Beamers or what?

IMHO.....used 3 series BMW's attract more of the "dark side" of the automotive driver's out there than the other European makes mainly due to their relative cheapness, supply and tuneability when 5+ years old.

People who are disposessed ricers buy them as a result.....and act accordingly.....making it difficult for those who drive the cars responsibly and for their other merits to be seen in public......as you just experienced.

I don't sell ordinary BMW's as a result (just Porsches, MB's and newer M cars or 7 series to past clients).....as a general rule I simply can't stand the type of customer that these cars bring in to the showroom.....or they way they tend to drive.

 

Well, first of all, it's "Bimmer", not "Beamer", unless yo are talking about a motorcycle.

Anyway, I have an E36 M3 Sedan and I never get any attitude from anyone, as far as I can tell. That is not to say people don't do dumb stuff around me, but I attribute it to normal idiocy, in no way associated to them reacting to my car.

YMMV.

 

Actually....it is BMW....not "Bimmer", not "Beamer" or anything else....it is BMW, full stop.

 

I recently sold my BMW 3 coupe (for a good cause - to raise cash for the first-Ferrari fund ;-). It was a sensational everyday driver, comfortable and the sportiest thing short of a sports car. It was also fairly reliable and looked sharp, IMO. BMW really does know what they're doing.

It did seem to attract its share of animosity, including a smash-and-grab in a parking lot (passenger window), and I got cut off in traffic a fair amount. A lot of people don't realize (1) that these cars aren't super expensive and (2) that some of us bought them to have fun driving and not to rub everyone's noses in our money. I'm not rich anyway. While people on this board tend to know what cars cost, most people don't. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've dated a few girls who were seriously impressed by my '02 325Ci. (And also my charm, etc., <cough> ...)

FWIW, I think BMW has kind of lost focus, making SUVs (like the X3) and sticking their badge on cars like the 318ti. They appear to sell snob appeal and set themselves up as a lust object, and in southern California everyone has one. Among the non-exotics, Porsche has done a better job - people seem to genuinely respect 911's and even Boxsters. The Cayenne hasn't ruined the brand, just diluted it, but Porsche needed a breadwinner.

I guess I've shied away from getting another BMW because the new ones aren't as good looking (IMHO). But, with a Ferrari in the garage for the weekend, I'd probably select something less ostentatious for an everyday driver.

Jon

 

beamer, Bimmer, beemer, b-mer, it's all the same thing. "Bee Em Double-u" is just an acronym for Bavarian Motor Works.

No, you are not alone in that regard. I've had the experiences since driving. I do not know, for the life of me, what it is about that damn make and their owners/drivers. It's as though the dealership gave them an unrevokable license to be the most snooty, uptight, rude, "Holy than thou", superioristic ego-maniacs on the road. I don't understand this self proclaimed right they give themselves to think that they entitled to drive as thought they own the damn road and to hell with everyone else using "their" road. I can only conclude that the make attracts a$$holes, pure and simple. The victims here are innocent, ordinary people forced into BMW loaner cars or barrowed only to find that it is the same thing as having a "kick me" paper taped on their backs without their knowledge.
About the only exception is the 8 series driver. They seem to have their head on straight.

 

I have a 2003 M5 as my daily driver, my wife had a M3 until recently. I find where I live that everybody tries to race you in the M3, not so much with M5. Oddly enough most of the people that mess around with the Stradale are in regular 3 series, it happened twice today alone. I do think that there is a certain stigma associated with BMW drivers, which is not altogether unfounded. I used to be real active with BMW clubs, and percentage wise there were more dicks than any other car club I've known. That being said I've always loved BMW's for the way the drive and feel, not crazy about any of the new designs though. I'm on my second M5, still have a M3 and an X5, but I think this is the last round.

 

Ive never recived any animosity driving my friends 330ci. Maybe its b.c BMWs are a dime a dozen here.

 

Well, as an owner of a 2002 M3 convertible I cant say that I have experienced such feelings toward my vehicle. Granted its a special BMW and I dont drive it to and from work.

People with these types of cars tend to really beat them up like they are riced up hondas. Recently BMW has had issues with connecting rod bearings on all M3's. I have been told that this is the result of abuse to the car.

When my recall was done I made it my business to check the bearings one at a time at the dealer. they looked fine. I dont torment the car like some people do, I drive it like a High performance sports car should.

I always had BMW's,an e36 and an e46 they are a special breed of cars.

IMO the best car for the money and practicality. not a Ferrari but I wouldnt consider selling it.

-Leo

 

I've had a few BMW automobiles from that atkiengesellshaft in Germany. (At least i think they were made there).
My old 7, black/black with a scudie badge, never attracted bad attention, but it did have a sinister quality.
We have had a couple of others, and I agree that my Imola red M3 Convertible does tend to attract racer wannabes, particularly among the younger set; it also gets suprisingly positive reaction from females, and others who find it an attractive car. (During the winter, i run it with a hardroof, and it looks like a slightly more unusual coupe).
But, if you really want to attract the wrong kind of attention,

ALL the time,


people weaving across lanes to get near your car,

hanging out of their windows, screaming things (not bad things, but stuff like
"I love you" at the top of their lungs from a 20 something boy just doesn't do it for me),

drive a candy-apple red Lambo with a wing!

 

Does that really happen? Ive never seen that nor done that. Kids these days. pshh

 

It seems like the Beemer guys are the ones that given an inch will cut in front of you. I automatically will "close the gap" if I see one of those sneaks coming out of no where

 

Bayersiche Motoren Werke actually.

 

Is that sarcasm? He was just helping out. Its true, the bikes are called Beemers, the cars are Bimmers.

Yes, but if you post that you own a "Beemer" when you mean the car on a BMW forum, all hell will break loose.


There's actually a rather nice t shirt i've wanted that explained the problem. ALSO, there was an email that went around all BMW dealers telling them that a "Beemer" was the bike, a "Bimmer" was the car.


Like i said, he was just being nice. I was about to say the same thing when i read the thread

 

Sorry, you are incorrect. It's Break My Wallet!

 

What, have the Italians started building BMW's?

 

My wife and I purchased our 540i and X5 4.4 back in 2001,and drive them with passion, safety and courtesy every day. Although I can't say I've had much trouble with anyone on the roads, the vehicles attract vandals like magnets. The 540i has been vandalized five times and the X5 three times in the past four years, nearly everytime while parked at work. Damages have ranged from a torn off mirror to the trunk being stricken with a pipe. At first I thought it was us, but we never had these problems with our past cars..Volvos and Nissans.

Thus, I rarely let the 328 (F-car, not B-car) out of my sight when not driving it.

 

Damn shame.

Do 635's suffer the same?

 

Bad behavior of the driver is not limited to the 3 series.

I was driving Michael Collins' 308 in Shanghai and had a total jack@ss in a 760Li try and race me around Century Park. Drove like a lunatic (even worse than the average driver here).

 

I think part of it is that a lot of 3 series owners a young testosterone filled guys with something to prove. Stereotypically having a superiority complex about their car and everyone else on the road.

I'm an M3 owner, and I know many enthusiests who are courteous drivers and save the showboating for the track. I typially aviod the type of owners who are eger to display their cars potental by driving unsafe on public roads. Unfortunately they are the ones who set the stereotype for the rest of us.

Just like many other brands BMW has its stereotype and a lot of people in traffic will treat you accordingly.

 

I don't know what the fuss is, they're certainly nothing more than transportation. The last one I drove damn near put me to sleep it was boring!

 

The new ones are becoming more and more numb. The E30 M3 had a superb racing history and was a raw little car, the E36 started the journey toward more of a GT car, the most recent E46 is definately more of a GT car, we'll see how the next one turns out but i'm not keeping my hopes up.

Good daily cars IMO, but of course we all desire for something a little more exciting. After driving a 360CS, I doubt anything will ever measure up

 

Be prepared for a more appliance feel in all new cars. BORING! Same shape, change the grill a little, new model. Who do these car companies think they're fooling??

 

I think BMW makes some wonderful cars, but IMHO they attract some of the most inconsiderate drivers. Mostly this opinion comes from experience with the 3 series, but in the chicago area it seems like the most likely car to cut you off, use a turn lane to get the jump at a light, fail to signal or a ton of other inconsiderate self centered jerk type moves is a 3 series BMW. I have a 750il and would love to own an 850csi. The 7 series cars seem to usually drive fast and smart, but not rudely. The Z3 drivers don't seem to have the attitude either.
The lambo doesn't inspire animosity from other drivers nor does the GTO - but it could be because they are old and people seem to be more interested in taking a picture or revving their engine at a stoplight than hating me or the car. Maybe newer ones would inspire jealousy .. I dunno
Chelle