Modern BMWs - The ultimate upperclass chav machine
Discussion
Colleague at work was moaning about needing to replace his old Skoda.
"I'd like something with 4/5 seats, and some luxury now" he said.
Being the 'car guy' in the room, I began with some suggestions, starting with a BMW 3 Series.
He blurted out "Pah... A BMW??, No thanks! Look at the people who drive them.... upperclass chav's, they are everywhere!".
I lol'd and quizzed him about what he meant by the term 'upperclass chav', he said "basically it comes down to two things:
I started asking him if was a specific generation of BMWs, E46, E90, F30 but he looked gone out as if I was throwing food additive e-numbers at him.
We searched on google images, and it appears its the E9x generation that really got his goat.
Have to admit, around our area there are tons of BMWs on the roads. Far more than Mercedes and Audis, seems to be a decline in E46's though.
Do you agree/disagree that BMW no longer has the image it once did?
"I'd like something with 4/5 seats, and some luxury now" he said.
Being the 'car guy' in the room, I began with some suggestions, starting with a BMW 3 Series.
He blurted out "Pah... A BMW??, No thanks! Look at the people who drive them.... upperclass chav's, they are everywhere!".
I lol'd and quizzed him about what he meant by the term 'upperclass chav', he said "basically it comes down to two things:
- "Their previous car was a some s
tbox Vauxhall of some sort, and now have a clapped out Beemer to show they have made it in life." - "They wear white socks."
I started asking him if was a specific generation of BMWs, E46, E90, F30 but he looked gone out as if I was throwing food additive e-numbers at him.
We searched on google images, and it appears its the E9x generation that really got his goat.
Have to admit, around our area there are tons of BMWs on the roads. Far more than Mercedes and Audis, seems to be a decline in E46's though.
Do you agree/disagree that BMW no longer has the image it once did?
People's obsession with 'chav' just makes them look like idiots.
The reason why there are a lot of BMWs on the roads is because they are (by and large) well made cars that handle nicely, are good on fuel, are premium enough to have a few creature comforts but not out and out luxury cars. They are a kind of 'everyman' car that is a good all-rounder.
They are popular because they are good at what they do. In the late 80s BMW was seen as a sign of success because they were expensive and quite rare, and a cut above unreliable domestically produced cars, however since there are no longer any domestic car brands to be better than they are essentially the modern equivalent of Rover - a mid-range car manufacturer that makes a few premium and sporty models.
As a life-long BMW enthusiast I do miss the golden years and am a little disheartened by some of the cars they are selling these days, things like the X1 or the 2 Series AT I think are steps too far in the wrong direction. But, they do sell, so I guess I'm just an out of touch dinosaur.
The reason why there are a lot of BMWs on the roads is because they are (by and large) well made cars that handle nicely, are good on fuel, are premium enough to have a few creature comforts but not out and out luxury cars. They are a kind of 'everyman' car that is a good all-rounder.
They are popular because they are good at what they do. In the late 80s BMW was seen as a sign of success because they were expensive and quite rare, and a cut above unreliable domestically produced cars, however since there are no longer any domestic car brands to be better than they are essentially the modern equivalent of Rover - a mid-range car manufacturer that makes a few premium and sporty models.
As a life-long BMW enthusiast I do miss the golden years and am a little disheartened by some of the cars they are selling these days, things like the X1 or the 2 Series AT I think are steps too far in the wrong direction. But, they do sell, so I guess I'm just an out of touch dinosaur.
Edited by vsonix on Monday 10th September 19:35
I think they have lost their exclusivity. I remember growing up they were fairly rare and it was something of a status symbol to have them. My Dad used to get lots of attention in his M535i. With the advent of company cars becoming more widespread they seemed to become a much more frequent sight on the road and for me lost a lot of their prestige.
The Alpina B5 I had was frighteningly quick and accomplished, but I just found it a bit boring.
Each to their own, they still have a massive enthusiast following, but with the seemingly ever expanding range, they've lost that special aura for me, even the M cars.
The Alpina B5 I had was frighteningly quick and accomplished, but I just found it a bit boring.
Each to their own, they still have a massive enthusiast following, but with the seemingly ever expanding range, they've lost that special aura for me, even the M cars.
In the U.K. at least, bmw became an Everyman brand years ago. If you work, pretty much anyone can access a cheap lease if they really really want one. The same can also be said for many other historically prestigious brands. If you are a PH’er however, this shouldn’t detract from the the fact that the cars themselves are often top notch drivers cars.
I think what has changed in recent years is more visibly chavvy people having money. When I was young, posh cars tended to be the preserve of professionals, farmers etc. Chavs with a few quid bought an xr3/GTE. Super cars and Volvo aside, I don’t think any brand is “affected” massively more or less than the other.
I think what has changed in recent years is more visibly chavvy people having money. When I was young, posh cars tended to be the preserve of professionals, farmers etc. Chavs with a few quid bought an xr3/GTE. Super cars and Volvo aside, I don’t think any brand is “affected” massively more or less than the other.
Just look at the majority of BMW and Range Rover drivers. Your colleague is just speaking the truth.
Range rover, BMW, Audi and Merc are now ordinary dull cars except for the true executive and uglier classes eg 7 series, S class etc.
Just avoid the 3/4 series, A4/S4/rs4, and A class.
Range rover, BMW, Audi and Merc are now ordinary dull cars except for the true executive and uglier classes eg 7 series, S class etc.
Just avoid the 3/4 series, A4/S4/rs4, and A class.
Edited by Audemars on Monday 10th September 19:50
vsonix said:
The reason why there are a lot of BMWs on the roads is because they are (by and large) well made cars that handle nicely, are good on fuel, are premium enough to have a few creature comforts but not out and out luxury cars. They are a kind of 'everyman' car that is a good all-rounder.
Nope, there are hundreds of the damn things around because cheap lease.Edited by vsonix on Monday 10th September 19:35
delta0 said:
BMWs are a bit “council” especially in the way you describe.
Born in an East Kent village, my granddad called me ‘me old chavvy’ (Romany for boy) lived in a new village Council house. Now drive a (paid cash for) BMW F30 335d. Sorry - no white socks, but three degrees, do I qualify?Driver101 said:
What do the cool cats drives these days?
Just about every car has been ruled out due to image issues. What's left?
Anything immaculate and 15 years old. 10 at a push.Just about every car has been ruled out due to image issues. What's left?
Old E46 330, Volvo V70, Saab aero, Alfa 156 maybe a 159, E39, I'm not up to speed on Merc, so can't comment on these - all these things are classy if well looked after and well maintained, and critically, unmodified.
Any fool can buy a new car, but you need to be dedicated and / or skilled to keep an old 'luxury' car on the road.
That's my take anyway.
And for comments almost diametrically opposed to those above - see the X2 M35 thread. PH where opinions matter.
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