Negatives of BMW ownership?
Discussion
I'm seriously considering a 130i as they look great value used.
At this point, I'll hold my hands up and admit I'm a big worrier and having always heard BMW drivers have a bad reputation I'm worried my enjoyment of the car itself might be tainted by the ownership experience.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Will I get distainful looks?
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
At this point, I'll hold my hands up and admit I'm a big worrier and having always heard BMW drivers have a bad reputation I'm worried my enjoyment of the car itself might be tainted by the ownership experience.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Will I get distainful looks?
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Not particularly in my experience.
Will I get distainful looks?
Nope.
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Are you serious?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
No.
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
You're blowing it seriously out of proportion. Disturbingly.
Not particularly in my experience.
Will I get distainful looks?
Nope.
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Are you serious?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
No.
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
You're blowing it seriously out of proportion. Disturbingly.
Having driven many a BMW, I will have to say that the reaction I have had from other drivers is no different to any other main stream, mass produced box on wheels.
If you drove an M1 or Z8 you may get a different reaction, but a 1 series is just like Golf and blends into the background.
If you drove an M1 or Z8 you may get a different reaction, but a 1 series is just like Golf and blends into the background.
I drove a 130i for a couple of years (up until very recently) and did not experience any of the difficulties you mention - to your average punter it would just be an ugly small hatchback, only the afficionados would recognise it for what it is (ie fabulous rear-drive pocket rocket which will do 60 in 6, crack 150, and still return mid 30s 
(ok maybe not all at the same time 
))
(ok maybe not all at the same time ))We feared this sort of behaviour when we first got our 1 series, but I've not noticed different treatment. The only comment anyone ever passed was a young lad to who said "cor! is that your car?" to the wife
We had Renaults, Fords, Rovers etc. beforehand, but despite some expensive problems, we're very pleased with BMW. Recently we got a second one (an E46 coupe) and I didn't really consider looking at a different brand.
One thing to look at on a 1 series is to check out the DSC module. Ours failed in January and it cost us £1500 to get it sorted! Not only that, the 2 other people we know who have 1 series of the same vintage have had the identical fault on their cars. So worth asking if that has been done, and if not to make sure you get a good warranty.
Cheers,
Steve.
We had Renaults, Fords, Rovers etc. beforehand, but despite some expensive problems, we're very pleased with BMW. Recently we got a second one (an E46 coupe) and I didn't really consider looking at a different brand.
One thing to look at on a 1 series is to check out the DSC module. Ours failed in January and it cost us £1500 to get it sorted! Not only that, the 2 other people we know who have 1 series of the same vintage have had the identical fault on their cars. So worth asking if that has been done, and if not to make sure you get a good warranty.
Cheers,
Steve.
Biggest downside is the lacklustre main dealers, quality of work has been shoddy in my experience resulting in returning the car or the car not being ready in time. I'm also not to impressed with their shiney front of house servicing staff who are unable to answer any technical questions over the phone... most unhelpful!
Apart from that the cars are alright although the build quality and paint finish may not be what it used to be.
Apart from that the cars are alright although the build quality and paint finish may not be what it used to be.
Im going to do this comparing my legacy against the 3er.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Yes
Will I get distainful looks?
No
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Yes, happened twice now in the BMW.
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
No
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
Tad out of proportion.
Its more the fact that people are more likely going to notice the car more than if it was a Toyota lets say.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Yes
Will I get distainful looks?
No
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Yes, happened twice now in the BMW.
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
No
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
Tad out of proportion.
Its more the fact that people are more likely going to notice the car more than if it was a Toyota lets say.
AdamD said:
Biggest downside is the lacklustre main dealers, quality of work has been shoddy in my experience resulting in returning the car or the car not being ready in time. I'm also not to impressed with their shiney front of house servicing staff who are unable to answer any technical questions over the phone... most unhelpful!
Apart from that the cars are alright although the build quality and paint finish may not be what it used to be.
Exactly my experience with my 120. Lots of minor problems with trim mainly, each time taking 2-3 visits to try to get sorted. My 3rd BMW but had it been my first it would have been the last. Do check the paint, mine had some flaking off at under a year old and the dealer gave me a quote for the work. Last straw, got rid.Apart from that the cars are alright although the build quality and paint finish may not be what it used to be.
Wouldn't let the issues you mention put you off, I haven't noticed, or cared.
BBYeah said:
I'm seriously considering a 130i as they look great value used.
At this point, I'll hold my hands up and admit I'm a big worrier and having always heard BMW drivers have a bad reputation I'm worried my enjoyment of the car itself might be tainted by the ownership experience.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Will I get distainful looks?
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
Never had any of the above happen to me.At this point, I'll hold my hands up and admit I'm a big worrier and having always heard BMW drivers have a bad reputation I'm worried my enjoyment of the car itself might be tainted by the ownership experience.
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Will I get distainful looks?
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion?
s
tty runflat tyres and BMW's customer service seem to be the main gripes these days.
okgo said:
Grow a set chap, ffs.
The thought of people even considering buying a car based on the above questions makes me laugh uncontrollably.
LOOOL The thought of people even considering buying a car based on the above questions makes me laugh uncontrollably.
Edited by okgo on Sunday 8th March 11:43
to be honest I dont get why any of those questions should even come up
is the area you live in THAT bad, is jealously that serious in your area and have you ever seen people hurling abuse at BMW drivers
if not then NO none of that actually happens
ive never experienced it and ive never heard of anyone who has
and even so why should you care?
are you going to drive a crappy car for an extended period of time just because of the reaction of a randomn person that you'll probably never see again?
BBYeah said:
I'm seriously considering a 130i as they look great value used.
Yep, although the've been getting a bit dearer recently, possibly a bit more than general. Still, I'd have one at the right price as they can still be great value & sound like good fun!BBYeah said:
Will people purposefully not let me out at junctions?
Maybe, but then again that's pretty common these days and not really related to what car you're sat in. Also, a degree of jealousy goes with having anything that's remotely quick.BBYeah said:
Will I get distainful looks?
Might do, might not. Who knows these days?BBYeah said:
Will people hurl abuse at me as I get out the car or sit at traffic lights?
Very much doubt it unless you behave like a complete wker and even if they did, unless you're about 2 stone in your undercrackers, severely touchy or the abuse is coming from a 25 stone tooled up meathead with a personality problem (and his equally dysfunctional mates), do you really care?Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
BBYeah said:
Am I more likely to get road-raged?
No more than normal. You might get van drivers, boggo hatch drivers and Co car base spec specials trying to race you (IF they know what you're in), but you could always stick some 118i badges on the back and smile that inner smile in peace!BBYeah said:
How much anti-bmw sentiment is there, or am I just building it out of proportion
I'm sure it still exists but some of the worst of it is probably migrating across to the 4 rings of Ingolstadt these days. At the end of the day, there are cars that are going to attract much more by the way of invisible maracas lessons. Buy it, badge deflate it if you feel the need to and enjoy. Better than being 100% safe and spending your whole life in a Corsa 1.2 base because you're worried about what people might possibly think about you for about 2 seconds - you're hardly going to be chased home every evening for a bit of biff as a result of driving round in the littlest Bimmer with a big heart.
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