Good answer for typical, sarcastic "oh, u have a 1 series"

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by pinmagic

I tell them - "Why did I buy a 1-series over a 3-series? Because I like cars that are small. Like your manhood."

you like small manhoods?

[mac128ic]

same engine, smaller, lighter and faster car.
128,328,528???

[Hokie135Hi]

I've got nothing but looks from other BMW owners, usually the 328 everyday owners. Couple of 335i's around, but they usually don't move their neck far enough to look over and take a glance. My boss has a 545 and loves my 135i. Although he now thinks he pays me too much...which is B.S.

However, COMPLETELY different story when I let my lady drive it. She says she gets compliments from people rolling down their windows all the time. Sigh...scared of the Black guy?

[jraymond]

my favorite answer is that "typical Americans thinking that a bigger car is better"

I modify the wording depending on how polite or rude i want to be

[fboutlaw]

I've never had anything but respect.

Favorite one:
Girl: "What kind of car do you have?"
Me: "A 135"
Girl: "What?"
Me: "A BMW"
Girl: "OH! Those are 3 letters a girl understands!"

[wgs426]

You feel like you have to respond? Really?

[Raine]

My answer is usually "I like the look of the 1 more. Plus it's smaller and lighter."

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Jayda

Here's where gender is handy. I'm a small shapely woman and I wanted a small shapely car Actually only one person has asked me that question. Overall I find that other BMW owners often comment positively, give a thumbs up, etc. (even to a 128i)! My intent was to get a 3 series coupe but I loved the size of the 128i.

I've always received positive comments.
I even got a thumbs up from guy driving a sweet Maserati GranTurismo.

No one has questioned me on why I got a 1 instead of a 3, and my SA was very enthusiastic about my purchase. He had just recently got a 335i coupe and he really liked and appreciated the 1 series.

BTW, I'm far from looking like a small shapely woman.

[Riley1524]

I have always received positive attention from my 1'er also. It seems like anytime I stop at a store or drive through, someone always has something good to say about my car. (Could be because it's modded to though) Around here, everyone drives a 3 or 5 series and you rarely see a 1'er. If you drive through downtown Atlanta, all you see is 3 series everywhere.

[fboutlaw]

[mackeroni]

You could use the old 'answer-a-question-with-a-question' trick by asking, "Have you ever driven a 1 series?"

[FDM68]

Across the pond here I don't get any of these ignorant questions. There are so many different models and BMW's running around. Most the people I'm around with 3er's or M cars have a good respect for the 1er's. The kind of people that drive a Bimmer or Merc etc... just for the badge are few and far between. I have a strong like myself for the 335i I just had a stronger like for the 135i so that why I got it.

[GerryL]

Originally Posted by fboutlaw

Autocross times are great stuff! I love it.

[llowlife]

It all depends on how they asked it,

If its innocent I will usually ignore them or ask them if they have driven a 1 series

If its to be offensive I tell them "I am a driver not a poser, if you care to see why I bought this car then show up here ( I always know when the next autocross event is) with your driving shoes". If they actually show up you may earn their respect. (never had one show up yet).

Or "hop in" ...........

[Jeef Beef]

Never get asked that question here. The 135i is around $75k while the base model 3er is about $55k.

I guess the 135i due to its price is considered to be much more of a 'halo' model than it is in the states. Get nothing but respect for driving it

[pinmagic]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Never get asked that question here. The 135i is around $75k while the base model 3er is about $55k.

How bizarre. Why would the 135 be so much more than the 3 series?

[Oofie]

Originally Posted by pinmagic

How bizarre. Why would the 135 be so much more than the 3 series?

Maybe that base 3 series he's talking about is a 318i or 320i.

[panoz7]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Never get asked that question here. The 135i is around $75k while the base model 3er is about $55k.

Are all cars in Australia that much more expensive than in the US? If so, I feel for you. $75k AUD is about $80k USD, which could get you a Porsche 911 here.

[AW128i]

You know, it's funny, when I tell people that I have a 1-series I get two distinct and opposite reactions. One is the seemingly typical, "oh, that's the cheap one" reaction. The other, which has actually been more common in my personal experience, is the "oh, they're so small it must be fun to drive, and you don't see many of them." In fact, my boss (drives an E60) admitted he was jealous that I have the "more fun" BMW when he found out that I have a 1-series. I've also encountered a lot of people that don't even know the 1-series exists and so they're intrigued by its small dimensions and perceived fun-to-drive aspect. I purposefully steered clear of the 3-series because they're like Corollas in my area. I only encounter maybe one or two 1-series cars a week here. Heck, there are only two 1-series cars (including mine) registered to the parking office at my work, and there are literally almost a hundred 3-series.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by panoz7

Are all cars in Australia that much more expensive than in the US? If so, I feel for you.

Yup. Ridiculously so.

BMW 135i M Sport (base - no options):
USA: $39,050
AUS: $82,471

Subaru WRX STi - Spec R:
USA: $37,345
AUS: $70,841

VW Golf GTI
USA: $23,695
AUS: $50,000 (approx)

Porsche 911 Carrera (base model)
USA: $79,000
AUS: $237,816

That last one REALLY pisses me off...

- Harlequin

[TMR013]

Holy crap!!!

"Porsche 911 Carrera (base model)
USA: $79,000
AUS: $237,816"

Guess this rules out that move to Australia.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by Oofie

Maybe that base 3 series he's talking about is a 318i or 320i.

Yes that'd be the 320i.

Originally Posted by panoz7

Are all cars in Australia that much more expensive than in the US? If so, I feel for you. $75k AUD is about $80k USD, which could get you a Porsche 911 here.

It seems our small cars are about the same price, the differential only increases as you move up the pricing brackets. How much is a Honda Fit over there? It's about $18k in Aus.

Yes, that's why BMW drivers here are considered baller If only I could get a 911...

Originally Posted by TMR013

Holy crap!!!

"Porsche 911 Carrera (base model)
USA: $79,000
AUS: $237,816"

Guess this rules out that move to Australia.

You will cry once you get here. Don't think you'll ever get used to paying triple for cars, don't even mention property prices.