people and their ignorance on a slightly old car....the E21!
Discussion
i always seem to get people asking why i drive such an 'old banger'?
getting a bit fed up of being asked by people around my age give or take a few years saying my car is crap because it's old...even if they've never been in it, let alone driven it. the fact it starts every morning, ice, rain or sun; the fact it drove me over 500miles in a day without missing a beat; or the fact it doesn't sound clattery or doesn't leak any fluids at all, to me, doesn't suggest it's an old banger. when i start talking about a basic drivers car they get confused. the person today didn't know the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive for starters....he was like...so what the rear wheels do the steering?! this person today also said (after seeing my dads E92 M3) said it was pointless because you can never use the engine.....i was like haha o yeah you can!
being only 20 i can't afford much mainly because of insurance. they drive a clapped out ford fiesta (k reg) which is in far worse condition than mine! i was like well i'd rather have something fun, rear wheel drive, lots of character and something different than a boring stupid cramped hatch back with a sh*t laid out interior with nasty cheap silver plastics everywhere with a sh*t high driving position for a small car, which sounds crap, goes crap and looks just like any other car.
they said it would drive like an old heap. i was like well i bet it would take your silly fiesta round a track! and i also added....i couldn't care less which is quicker cos mine is f*cking cool, rare, increasing in value and a damn site more fun
it boils my blood to no end when people say cars are better if they are more economical and practical and so on. i said the the beemer has a big boot and isn't too bad on fuel, but i couldn't care less, i would rather pay more to look cooler than some boring student crap heap hatch back. despite being older, mine has more bhp per litre than their car, and with a 1.8 (small i know, but i can't afford more cos of insurance!), it's got a bigger boot, more rear leg room, it's quicker, but above all....i ENJOY driving it. to me, driving pleasure is not about having the most practical car. it's not about having the most reliable car (although, touch wood, the e21 has been as reliable as a wood burning stove in terms of getting me somewhere when i need to, and starting on the icy mornings). it's not about the most economical car. it's not about choosing a car because it has air con, or a 6cd changer, or electric windows. it's not about getting to A to B, rather getting from A to B with a long detour just for the hell of it! it's not even (though it helps!) about having the best looking car. it's about going out to your car and looking forward to driving it. it's about a car being able to put a smile on your face, it's about looking round at your car after you've parked it and being happy with it. and for that, i don't want a crappy hatch back with front wheel drive, a sensible euro box. for that, for this cost i can just afford....the little, quaint E21 ticks all the right boxes.
Think i'll be keeping it for now....
rant over
and sorry for taking you're evening!
getting a bit fed up of being asked by people around my age give or take a few years saying my car is crap because it's old...even if they've never been in it, let alone driven it. the fact it starts every morning, ice, rain or sun; the fact it drove me over 500miles in a day without missing a beat; or the fact it doesn't sound clattery or doesn't leak any fluids at all, to me, doesn't suggest it's an old banger. when i start talking about a basic drivers car they get confused. the person today didn't know the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive for starters....he was like...so what the rear wheels do the steering?! this person today also said (after seeing my dads E92 M3) said it was pointless because you can never use the engine.....i was like haha o yeah you can!
being only 20 i can't afford much mainly because of insurance. they drive a clapped out ford fiesta (k reg) which is in far worse condition than mine! i was like well i'd rather have something fun, rear wheel drive, lots of character and something different than a boring stupid cramped hatch back with a sh*t laid out interior with nasty cheap silver plastics everywhere with a sh*t high driving position for a small car, which sounds crap, goes crap and looks just like any other car.
they said it would drive like an old heap. i was like well i bet it would take your silly fiesta round a track! and i also added....i couldn't care less which is quicker cos mine is f*cking cool, rare, increasing in value and a damn site more fun
it boils my blood to no end when people say cars are better if they are more economical and practical and so on. i said the the beemer has a big boot and isn't too bad on fuel, but i couldn't care less, i would rather pay more to look cooler than some boring student crap heap hatch back. despite being older, mine has more bhp per litre than their car, and with a 1.8 (small i know, but i can't afford more cos of insurance!), it's got a bigger boot, more rear leg room, it's quicker, but above all....i ENJOY driving it. to me, driving pleasure is not about having the most practical car. it's not about having the most reliable car (although, touch wood, the e21 has been as reliable as a wood burning stove in terms of getting me somewhere when i need to, and starting on the icy mornings). it's not about the most economical car. it's not about choosing a car because it has air con, or a 6cd changer, or electric windows. it's not about getting to A to B, rather getting from A to B with a long detour just for the hell of it! it's not even (though it helps!) about having the best looking car. it's about going out to your car and looking forward to driving it. it's about a car being able to put a smile on your face, it's about looking round at your car after you've parked it and being happy with it. and for that, i don't want a crappy hatch back with front wheel drive, a sensible euro box. for that, for this cost i can just afford....the little, quaint E21 ticks all the right boxes.
Think i'll be keeping it for now....
rant over
and sorry for taking you're evening!Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 25th May 19:37
Nobody You Know said:
Got any pics?
Just say this: "p
s off and let me enjoy my car you ignorant tosser" to anyone who criticises.
only pic i have is the one on my profile. just imagine the car 60mm lower than it is there though! looks like it's on stilts a bit! put a spax psx shocks/springs kit on it a while ago...handles a lot better! got some E30 15" bbs alloys which will be going on there in the near future as well which will look smart. nothing bling!Just say this: "p
s off and let me enjoy my car you ignorant tosser" to anyone who criticises.i will try and take a picture of the car soon actually, as i don't have any pics of it recently. it's in very good condition for it's age!
Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 25th May 22:03
I guess there are 2 types of people. Those who are bothered by others comments and those who are not.
I have had the same comments regarding my M3 Evo and my M5. To those who dont know they are simply old BMW's. The simple answer is yes they are, but if that is your opinion then there is no need to elaborate as cars are clearly not of interest to them so why convince them otherwise.
You would look more foolish by saying (and Im not saying you do) 'yes but...' and then rattling off all the individual featutes that make it special.
We all know we could get a brand new Astra, Megane, Panda but wow, how exciting...
The conversation normally goes something like,
'Why do you spend all that money, its an old BMW'
'Yes it is and because its my money'
'You could have got a new car with a warranty'
'Yes you're right'
'Its got a drug dealer image'
'Don't care, bye'
LOL.
If people pass judgement on your car Ross then motoring is obviously something they know nothing about. Someone I know hates cars and is always poking fun at his friends who drive Impreza's and R26 Meganes. His interest is guitars. For whatever reason he loves guitars. Of course no interest to me so I dont, and can't pass comment. I dont feel myself qualified to do so
and I am not knowledgeable in the field of guitars so would find it rude and ignorant to make judgemental remarks. Perhaps a trait you wish some of your friends could return.
Thankfully we are not all of the same ilk and I love old BMW's.
Neil.D
I have had the same comments regarding my M3 Evo and my M5. To those who dont know they are simply old BMW's. The simple answer is yes they are, but if that is your opinion then there is no need to elaborate as cars are clearly not of interest to them so why convince them otherwise.
You would look more foolish by saying (and Im not saying you do) 'yes but...' and then rattling off all the individual featutes that make it special.
We all know we could get a brand new Astra, Megane, Panda but wow, how exciting...
The conversation normally goes something like,
'Why do you spend all that money, its an old BMW'
'Yes it is and because its my money'
'You could have got a new car with a warranty'
'Yes you're right'
'Its got a drug dealer image'
'Don't care, bye'
LOL.
If people pass judgement on your car Ross then motoring is obviously something they know nothing about. Someone I know hates cars and is always poking fun at his friends who drive Impreza's and R26 Meganes. His interest is guitars. For whatever reason he loves guitars. Of course no interest to me so I dont, and can't pass comment. I dont feel myself qualified to do so
and I am not knowledgeable in the field of guitars so would find it rude and ignorant to make judgemental remarks. Perhaps a trait you wish some of your friends could return.
Thankfully we are not all of the same ilk and I love old BMW's.
Neil.D
Neil.D said:
I guess there are 2 types of people. Those who are bothered by others comments and those who are not.
I have had the same comments regarding my M3 Evo and my M5. To those who dont know they are simply old BMW's. The simple answer is yes they are, but if that is your opinion then there is no need to elaborate as cars are clearly not of interest to them so why convince them otherwise.
You would look more foolish by saying (and Im not saying you do) 'yes but...' and then rattling off all the individual featutes that make it special.
We all know we could get a brand new Astra, Megane, Panda but wow, how exciting...
The conversation normally goes something like,
'Why do you spend all that money, its an old BMW'
'Yes it is and because its my money'
'You could have got a new car with a warranty'
'Yes you're right'
'Its got a drug dealer image'
'Don't care, bye'
LOL.
If people pass judgement on your car Ross then motoring is obviously something they know nothing about. Someone I know hates cars and is always poking fun at his friends who drive Impreza's and R26 Meganes. His interest is guitars. For whatever reason he loves guitars. Of course no interest to me so I dont, and can't pass comment. I dont feel myself qualified to do so
and I am not knowledgeable in the field of guitars so would find it rude and ignorant to make judgemental remarks. Perhaps a trait you wish some of your friends could return.
Thankfully we are not all of the same ilk and I love old BMW's.
Neil.D
you have an e30 m3, and an e39 m5. 2 of my top few favourite cars ever. particularly the M5. you lucky man!!I have had the same comments regarding my M3 Evo and my M5. To those who dont know they are simply old BMW's. The simple answer is yes they are, but if that is your opinion then there is no need to elaborate as cars are clearly not of interest to them so why convince them otherwise.
You would look more foolish by saying (and Im not saying you do) 'yes but...' and then rattling off all the individual featutes that make it special.
We all know we could get a brand new Astra, Megane, Panda but wow, how exciting...
The conversation normally goes something like,
'Why do you spend all that money, its an old BMW'
'Yes it is and because its my money'
'You could have got a new car with a warranty'
'Yes you're right'
'Its got a drug dealer image'
'Don't care, bye'
LOL.
If people pass judgement on your car Ross then motoring is obviously something they know nothing about. Someone I know hates cars and is always poking fun at his friends who drive Impreza's and R26 Meganes. His interest is guitars. For whatever reason he loves guitars. Of course no interest to me so I dont, and can't pass comment. I dont feel myself qualified to do so
and I am not knowledgeable in the field of guitars so would find it rude and ignorant to make judgemental remarks. Perhaps a trait you wish some of your friends could return.
Thankfully we are not all of the same ilk and I love old BMW's.
Neil.D
here is a pic of the E21 taken about 3-4 months ago just after it had been lowered...and then driven 504 miles in 1 day
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/DSC...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/robjobuk/DSC...
could have done with a clean. as said...i soon have e30 bbs alloys to go on there soon. it's that car, or a 1 litre K reg ford fiesta
(the car the person i was speaking to has got)
hmmm tough call.....maybe not
Edited by E21_Ross on Tuesday 26th May 16:33
thanks for the comments guys i like it it is a good driving experience for the money and insurance group etc. it is erm....interesting in the wet to say the least! had some great times in it already, only had it 1 year/11k miles.
will let them keep their eurobox i'll keep the E21. driving it...still feels like it's got many years left in it yet. the motor especially seems bullet proof. 27 years on and it still takes a thrashing around brecon beacons 
i like it it is a good driving experience for the money and insurance group etc. it is erm....interesting in the wet to say the least! had some great times in it already, only had it 1 year/11k miles.will let them keep their eurobox
i'll keep the E21. driving it...still feels like it's got many years left in it yet. the motor especially seems bullet proof. 27 years on and it still takes a thrashing around brecon beacons E31Shrew said:
Get the same comments about my 8 series. Lucky I dont lose £2000.00 a month on it!
just seen ur profile pic. what a car. 11 years on and it still looks like it left the factory 5 minutes ago. lovely 4.4 V8 in there. those engines just keep going on and on. and on some more! cracking looking cars the 8 series.
E31Shrew said:
Get the same comments about my 8 series. Lucky I dont lose £2000.00 a month on it!
I saw your car beginning of the month and it does indeed look very nice!I enjoyed my E21 323i - was great fun on the bends - only problem I really had was the old front brake hoses. Cheaply fixed.
Shropshiremike said:
E31Shrew said:
Get the same comments about my 8 series. Lucky I dont lose £2000.00 a month on it!
I saw your car beginning of the month and it does indeed look very nice!I enjoyed my E21 323i - was great fun on the bends - only problem I really had was the old front brake hoses. Cheaply fixed.
Shropshiremike said:
I presume it's not giving anything away to say it was opposite a tyre fitters? 
Just getting some new rubber for the wife's Mini
It was a Sat morning at the beginning of this month - they were " tuning " a big V8 Yank pick up truck next door to you
Just behind the 'luxury television emporium'! You should've popped in. Just getting some new rubber for the wife's Mini
It was a Sat morning at the beginning of this month - they were " tuning " a big V8 Yank pick up truck next door to you
E21_Ross said:
i always seem to get people asking why i drive such an 'old banger'?
I get this too, as I choose to drive my own 7 yr old e39 in the company of a lot of others that are in 36mth lease / company car schemes.They say:
"It's old"
"It's not got a new plate"
"Old cars are slower than new cars"
"Doesn't it break down all the time?"
"It looks dated and old-fashioned"
"Bet it's awful on mpg"
I say:
"Agreed, it's an oldie but a goodie"
"True, but it's not depreciating at £600 a month either"
"It has a glorious 231bhp straight six, an engine that can still hold it's head high, even by modern standards. How is your Audi A4 1.9tdi S-Line by the way?"
"Most reliable car I've ever owned, feels like it's hewn from granite. There are some know weaknesses, but BMW knew what they were doing with this one. I look after it, it looks after me".
"That's a subjective point. In my eyes, the e39 and e46 Sport models are still the most handsome and well proportioned sports saloons on the road"
"It can be when driven hard, much like any car. But it can also be surprisingly frugal on a run"
Each to their own, eh? Ignore what others say and enjoy your car
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