BMW stigma still exist?
Discussion
This is related to my other question here (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1158341)
Would you say the BMW "stigma" still exists? Would it stop you buying one, or if you have one has it caused you any issues? Like having abuse hurled at you?
I'm probably over thinking it, but I can't decide whether to pull the trigger or not, and for some reason this is bothering me - especially with how things are financially at the moment; it's made people a bit bitter towards anyone seemingly having money (even though they aren't that pricey second hand especially the E46).
So just after some thoughts.. The weird thing is I did not think anything of it when I had my A3, but I never thought the stigma really applied to Audi for some reason.
Would you say the BMW "stigma" still exists? Would it stop you buying one, or if you have one has it caused you any issues? Like having abuse hurled at you?
I'm probably over thinking it, but I can't decide whether to pull the trigger or not, and for some reason this is bothering me - especially with how things are financially at the moment; it's made people a bit bitter towards anyone seemingly having money (even though they aren't that pricey second hand especially the E46).
So just after some thoughts.. The weird thing is I did not think anything of it when I had my A3, but I never thought the stigma really applied to Audi for some reason.
You care enough about people you don't know to buy a car you don't want so you can please them?
Who cares what they think. I've had 10 years of various BMWs and had no real issues, the Audi Q7 I have just now gets about the same level of attention (most people like it). You get the occasional mouth breather spouting crap but you'll get that with any car.
I do however live in Aberdeen and due to the oil industry X5s and Q7s are almost as common as Range Rover sports.
Who cares what they think. I've had 10 years of various BMWs and had no real issues, the Audi Q7 I have just now gets about the same level of attention (most people like it). You get the occasional mouth breather spouting crap but you'll get that with any car.
I do however live in Aberdeen and due to the oil industry X5s and Q7s are almost as common as Range Rover sports.
I had a convertible E46 M3 up until last month, never got a single bad comment about it, much the opposite in fact. The only negative comment was some bint saying she didn't like it, but nothing abusive or overly irritating. I got more stigma when I bought my classic Mini, people telling me it was a death trap and a rust bucket and I'd die in it very soon. Perhaps more so now it's got a VTEC in it 
It would never both me, they make good cars regardless. Never had any negative comments towards mine either. I do know people that won't buy a BMW though.
If you're going to be constantly uncomfortable driving it, I wouldn't buy one. You shouldn't feel that way though, I'd be surprised if anyone ever said or did anything. BMW's are everywhere after all!
If you're going to be constantly uncomfortable driving it, I wouldn't buy one. You shouldn't feel that way though, I'd be surprised if anyone ever said or did anything. BMW's are everywhere after all!
i dont think it should bother you to be honest. I used to be like that but the only person you are upsetting is yourself.
if you want to drive a bmw you drive a bmw and be proud of it, if you have worked hard and been able to afford it then thumbs up to you my friend and if anything thinks your a knob then keep your chin up and take it on the chin and know they are just jealous.
when i drive my bmw and people look at me as if im a knob for been in one i look at them and smile and think have a lovely day sir/madam and rock on my merry way
if you want to drive a bmw you drive a bmw and be proud of it, if you have worked hard and been able to afford it then thumbs up to you my friend and if anything thinks your a knob then keep your chin up and take it on the chin and know they are just jealous.
when i drive my bmw and people look at me as if im a knob for been in one i look at them and smile and think have a lovely day sir/madam and rock on my merry way
Definitely still exists amongst the masses (Non petrolheads)
I remember getting really annoyed when I moved into a new place, and my girlfriend commented on a car outside that belonged to one of the guys I was sharing with. She said that's a really nice car, he must be doing very well for himself. It was worth £2k max and just weeks before I took delivery of my new company car which didn't attract a single comment. I thought I was doing OK!
I remember getting really annoyed when I moved into a new place, and my girlfriend commented on a car outside that belonged to one of the guys I was sharing with. She said that's a really nice car, he must be doing very well for himself. It was worth £2k max and just weeks before I took delivery of my new company car which didn't attract a single comment. I thought I was doing OK!
HBFS said:
Definitely still exists amongst the masses (Non petrolheads)
I remember getting really annoyed when I moved into a new place, and my girlfriend commented on a car outside that belonged to one of the guys I was sharing with. She said that's a really nice car, he must be doing very well for himself. It was worth £2k max and just weeks before I took delivery of my new company car which didn't attract a single comment. I thought I was doing OK!
Sadly, a lot of non-petrol heads still buy BMWs because they think others will assume they "are doing well" - ie because they (mistakenly) think it will enhance the image others have of them. Petrolheads would buy a BMW because it is a good car and not care about image.I remember getting really annoyed when I moved into a new place, and my girlfriend commented on a car outside that belonged to one of the guys I was sharing with. She said that's a really nice car, he must be doing very well for himself. It was worth £2k max and just weeks before I took delivery of my new company car which didn't attract a single comment. I thought I was doing OK!
alienmuppet said:
Would you say the BMW "stigma" still exists? Would it stop you buying one, or if you have one has it caused you any issues? Like having abuse hurled at you?
I don't know or care if the 'stigma' still exists. If someone I didn't know (or anyone I did know for that matter) didn't like my choice of car they can f
k off. I'm surprised anyone would consider not buying something they want because of a fear that some strangers might not like it. Very strange.
Except for chavs in stbox Corsa's driving up my trumpet and taking a while to get out of junctions 90% of the time, I don't appear to be treated any different now then I was in my old Fiesta. I don't care about image, I like my car and anyway at 13 years old it isn't particulary flash.
tbox Corsa's driving up my trumpet and taking a while to get out of junctions 90% of the time, I don't appear to be treated any different now then I was in my old Fiesta. I don't care about image, I like my car and anyway at 13 years old it isn't particulary flash. sparks_E39 said:
...and taking a while to get out of junctions 90% of the time, I don't appear to be treated any different now then I was in my old Fiesta.
Agree with this sentiment. Have been in and out of BMW ownership a few times and the only thing I noticed was an increased reluctance to let you out of a junction, but having moved up North again, where drivers are generally more polite, even that isn't noticeable anymore.Certainly wouldn't stop me buying one and they're not the jealousy magnet you'd think. Used to park my old Fiat and bmw on a public road behind each other. It was the Barchetta that got keyed and vandalised twice.
I find driving mine gets unstereotypical reactions
I get let out of junctions, if I am making progress on dual or M-way roads other cars in the main move over and I've never found an issue with the indicators not working although a while back I had a problem with the lights which was a fun problem to track down
I get let out of junctions, if I am making progress on dual or M-way roads other cars in the main move over and I've never found an issue with the indicators not working although a while back I had a problem with the lights which was a fun problem to track down
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