I'll agree with you that most owners don't know how to maintain, or don't care to. The most common sight around the Northeast is some executive driving around his 5 or 7 series with the wheels black as night from brake dust and chassis covered in road grime.

Can't stand people who won't tip.

 

well... maybe your jaded by the fact that you've had to valet that Bimmer and not own it...

what you've stated about going to work and the mall... i take my S2000 to the mall and to work... i take my BMW to the mall and to work... i also pick up groceries and dry-cleaning.. i also probably have more track miles on my S2000 than you... i consider myself an enthusiast... im saying that the vast majority of people who buy BMW and Mercedes and Audi and Porsche and Jaguar and Lexus and Infiniti take their car to work and the mall... what you state about some people not knowing the underlying differences of engineering can be attributed to EVERY type of car... a vehicle is more than its engineering... its a sense of acheivement for people... they buy it for their own reasons... you dont have to know the intricasies of Double Vanos to appreciate the car... it can be similarly yet conversely, be attributed to the average bubba's desire to drive a "big truck" without ever really understanding the true utility of what that vehicle can provide... he just knows he got a bigger truck than bubba down the street.

maybe you should actually drive the new Bimmers... a bunch of enthusiats (similar to myself) can jump on boards and say they dont like the design... but dont let that confuse you with the fact that the newer vehicle is a more refined driving experiece...

 

That is soo true. I cant count how many times i've seen high-end autos with they're wheels covered in black dust! not to mention the body. wow.

 

Have you read anything I've actually written, or are you just reading what you think you see, someone bashing BMW?


I am not bashing enthusiasts or people who take their cars to the track or know anything about them. All I'm saying is that the vast majority of people DON'T know the difference, and are wasting their money being status whores. That you have 18 gazillion track miles and can sh!t nikasil is besides the point. Like I've said, this is not about BMW, it's about badge whores. So untwist your panties.

 

[QUOTE=PLYRS 3,Mar 12 2007, 02:48 PM]life don't work that way stacky....i'm sure a cheapo GE fridge will keep your milk just as cold as a sub-zero....but i prefer the sub-zero....it's "nicer".

an E500 is a "nicer" car than a camry.

 

[QUOTE=Chris Stack,Mar 12 2007, 03:02 PM] Have you read anything I've actually written, or are you just reading what you think you see, someone bashing BMW?


I am not bashing enthusiasts or people who take their cars to the track or know anything about them.

 

A, I resent your assumption that I can't afford a BMW...if it was what I really wanted, I could go get a $399/mo lease like anyone else. I drive a $30k Acura; hardly a status symbol, but I'm not broke, either.


Anyway, I've known enough BMW drivers (hell, I park next to 4 or 5 at work every day) to know that the vast majority couldn't even tell you if they are FWD or RWD. They're buying a badge. That's fine. I'm not necessarily making a judgement on that either way, but I do think you are fooling yourself if you think otherwise.

 

I agree a lot of what Stack is saying but i've got my own point. My mother for example does not know anything about cars. She can barely work the Navigation system in her car. She just knows what is "nice" and what is "cheap." She drives an 07 E class. My Father drives a 04 3 series. She decided to drive the 3 upstate. She quickly came to the conclusion that the 3 is a more sportier driver orientated car. She normally drives conservatively. On that whole trip upstate she was "borderline reckless." She points out that her car is much more quiet and it is easier to go faster and brake in the 3 series. I was shocked. I mean wth does she know? She was right though. I mean most people with BMW cash can buy a benz also. In my eyes Mercedes is more flashy than BMW.


By the way that guy with the tv's and expensive golf clubs. He's a tool.

 

I believe that I understand Stack's point. I just don't agree with the 95% part. From my experience, I think a lot more drivers can recognize the difference between a Camry and a 330i and are willing to pay for it (except for my g/f). They don't have to drive it at 9/10 to appreciate that difference.

On the other hand, I have also seen many drivers of bimmers, vettes, etc who drive as if they were in a Civic. I do find myself thinking that if they are going to drive like they're in a Crown Vic then they should just save their money and buy one.

I don't see BMW as quite the status symbol that it used to be because BMW's are everywhere. Anyone can buy a bimmer if they just want the Roundel as there are plenty on the used market in all price ranges. I don't know if I'll buy another one or not some day. They are terrific cars to drive but not always terrific to own.

 

95% may be an exaggeration. But you get my drift.



And I don't see BMWs as much a status symbol like a Ferrari or an Aston is, it's more like just one more piece of the "success" puzzle: I've got my BMW, my iPod, my Coach purse, my purse dog, my D&G sunglass, my stockbroker husband....I'm a success. It's not like a BMW is super special, it's just one of those things you "need" to complete the image.