Do you feel other driver's treat you differently when driving a Bimmer?

[Technic]

In my experience, it is any nice car that piss some people off. How much is determined by the brand, and BMW is right up there. Regardless if I'm in the M3 or in the GTI I will be cut off, cornered, brake light-ed on, wiper washed on or middle-fingered on at least once a month. In my case, not only my cars are tight (lowered, 19's, lips) and 99% of the time clean and shiny, but I drive around 10 to 15mph over the limit most of the time and I use my signal lights for everything.

I think that all that and then some really gets the misery out of too many drivers.

This has been going on for the last two decades for me, here in the USA as well as overseas. It is insignificant if the place average income is high or low, miserable people will be present and accounted for. Miami, Boca and West Palm are full of miserable people making millions of dollars a year, it seems, by the way the throw the car at you at a entrance ramp, while talking in the phone in one hand (although their car has Bluetooth) while they point the middle finger at you with the other hand if you honk the horn. Truly ambidextrous the mofos, pardon my French.

And yes, some miserable people drive BMW's too.

The only place that I've lived that the car, any car, is respected was in Germany when I was stationed over there in the Army. The discipline for anything automotive -the Autobahn left lane, the signaling, the traffic signs, the car condition, the cleaniness- was enough to make these miserable people in other places commit suicide -I wish, seriously.

The misery of -out of the blue, no provocation- to cut you off, key your car, try to intimidate you with big ass SUV's (my favorite mofo) is just mind boggling to me. I had seen people as early as 5:00am do some crap in the street just because they seem not to like a car or whatever they think the driver represent.

That's misery in its highest expression...

[valdeztke]

Germany is a place where ALL people follow the traffic laws.

[Ireland]

Ha Ha thats totally true i had an old toyota a few years ago and i always had the same problems as you described , but since i started driving beemers its totally different, just like you described

[valdeztke]

A few things from my perspective -

I live in Northern VA 2 in 5 cars are BMW (ok maybe not that many but there are PLENTY!)

I think you just have good and bad drivers - regarless of make of car. Unless you are driving a TRUE exotic car or something that is ridiculous looking you aren't going to be targeted.

I dont think people are targeted for driving a mid 30K sedan.

[Xeloj]

Too many people buy cars based on 'racing ability', to each their own I guess. I prefer comfort, styling, and feel of ride as my criteria. Reliability is in there somewhat too.

[Roowah]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

Where I live BMWs are everywhere also but I usually get trated with more "respect" I guess you could all because most people think I am sucessfull. This is probably a better way to put it then I did in my previous post. I also am shocked not anyone has ever asked you about your car. I did notice a lot of people ask me about the car now that I have a DINAN badge on the back.

It's true, no one to my knowledge has ever given my car a second look. It doesn't bother me though, since I didn't buy it to impress people. In fact, I almost didn't get my 1st BMW since I didn't want to be attached to the "stigma" of the typical BMW driver. That changed after I drove the car, and was swept away by the engineering, handling, and quality.

It must be interesting having people ask you about your car now that you have a Dinan badge. Not everyone would recognize the meaning of it, so I'm sure the people asking must be as involved with cars as we all are.

Speaking of badges, and a little off topic, I saw an old 528i with an //M badge placed on the opposite end of the trunk emblem. Now that's 1 "//M car" I'm sure I can beat!

[heatfan03]

Originally Posted by bimmin

I'd target you too. You're 17, drive a BMW, yet you haven't even mastered the English language. You really need to work on how you construct sentences, PUNCTUATION, and spelling.

When im on a forum site i really dont take the time to type properly. I type as though im writing an IM to someone. Not like im writing an english paper or a meaningful letter.

[KRAL21]

well im driving an e92 320d and people treat me like shit.i have to poke my nose so i can change lane otherwise i just wait with my signals on.but with my old infiniti q30 it was easier.but its worth it for a bimmer

[chromerl]

deleted.

[valdeztke]

I think most of you are full of it ...personally.

In my area BMWs are as common as Corollas and ALL people all drive like manics - regardless of your car type, cost, or comfort.

The only cars that turn heads on the road around here area are true UNIQUE cars.a ..not a 3 series BMW or a "sporty" VW (unless its an R8 of course).

Keep stroking those ego's and keep the "stigma" alive.

[uberschnell]

For me, it's usually the women who act differently. I always get these seductive stares, which is cute, but have learned to just ignore.

Huh? is there something I missed here?

If you want to know what getting treated like shit on the road is, try driving a minivan.

bunch a primadonas

[Mikewarlover]

well i guess over here in van there are just too many 3 series especially among the chinese circle. I mean here 335 came out feb this year and now there are tons on the street and i am not even gonna talk about four doors. So really bmw isn't that much of a deal. I mean unless u drive a highly modified M3 or R8 or Ferrari and lambo otherwise no one will really give a crappy about ur bmw