Non-Z BMW owners -- what's their deal?

[David70]

I can understand the problem with cars and ego's. I think some others probably think I am a *ick because of the type of car I drive or think I am having a mid life crisis (not sure if because two seater, M or BMW). I don't care but it probably keeps some enthusiasts from looking or saying anything. I also am not sure what the right response is when I am next to someone and I admire their car (could be anything interesting to me). Could be cheap car but interesting and I don't want to come across as sarcastic.

I had someone at Cars & Coffee last week ask me what my car was worth. I told him I hoped roughly $30k and he said "that's what my 9 cars cost me!". Wasn't sure what response to give to this either.

[RADRACR]

Originally Posted by David70

I also am not sure what the right response is when I am next to someone and I admire their car (could be anything interesting to me). Could be cheap car but interesting and I don't want to come across as sarcastic.

I do a simple thumb-up or biker-peace.

You know what's funny? Yesterday I thumb-upped a Z4 Roady coming from the other direction. Old white-hair couple. No response. Immediately after came a 20-something in a 1990-92 Nissan 300ZX and I thumb-upped again. I immediately got the reciprocation True enthusiasts get it, no matter the car.

[keepittrill]

Originally Posted by aestheticstorm

I do a simple thumb-up or biker-peace.

You know what's funny? Yesterday I thumb-upped a Z4 Roady coming from the other direction. Old white-hair couple. No response. Immediately after came a 20-something in a 1990-92 Nissan 300ZX and I thumb-upped again. I immediately got the reciprocation True enthusiasts get it, no matter the car.

I have never been given the thumbs up back by a fellow E89 owner. Granted, I've only seen two others on the road. Z4s are about as rare as snow in Arizona. However, I've seen a few E85/E86s and only one of them reciprocated the thumbs up. M3/M5/M6 owners almost ALWAYS reply in kind.

[elerner61]

BMW used to be very much an "enthusiasts" brand. That changed a good number of years ago and it changed to an "aspiration" brand, an achievement to signify that you've....well achieved something (income, status, coolness). A license plate I saw some months ago on a 128 coupe illustrated this to a T: "My 1st BMW".

Don't expect a car guy/girl to be behind the wheel of anything flying the Roundel anymore

[keepittrill]

I did pull up next to a TT with an elderly couple who gave me a nod as we admired each others German roadsters!

[Huz-Z]

There are quite a few E85 Z4s in my town now, and unless the car was one owned by a friend of mine, I have never received a horn toot or wave in response to my own. The E89 drivers here won't even acknowledge that an E85 exists, as if it is some how unworthy or inferior.

Two summers ago I spotted a black E85 driving in my neighborhood a few cars ahead of me. When he stopped at his house, I slowed down, tooted the horn and said "nice car". The guy looked at me like I had two heads.

[aquaman14]

I see quite a bit of Z's where I live and I see a lot more elderly people drive it. I get compliments about the car from older people too whenever I gas up or getting out of my car. I even let and elderly couple sit it because the wife didn't like the Thunderbird they had and wanted something for herself (took the keys out though. can't trust these old people j/k). Seems like there's also some sort of roadster community here because I've been waved at by people driving different kinds of convertibles whenever the weather is nice out.

[Huz-Z]

Driving to work this morning and a guy in the opposite lane in slow traffic, in a silver Z3, doing his best to ignore me.

I mean seriously!!

[wolfman1807]

They just dont understand!!

[keepittrill]

I just saw a middle aged guy in a 650i convertible. He also did his absolute best to completely ignore me. There's just no camaraderie between BMW drivers. It really is just another "luxury" brand.