The best part about driving a BMW 128i....

[Kayven128i]

Is that 90% of people think we drive a 60-70,000 dollar car. It's funny because I get comments literally all the time from people saying "must be nice to be driving a beamer".....and crap like that. When in reality their fully loaded SUV, mini-van or Truck cost more than my car. And this happens all the time.

If you drove a VW GTI, people would be like "oh cool"....but the BMW coupe...."Omg I hate you, I want your car".

Not that impressing people matters, but if you can buy a car that you love, that turns heads (and they do), and it doesn't cost a fortune....you can't beat that.

Agree?

[queese23]

I feel the same way bro!!! People go crazy when I pull up anywhere lol

[ejm3]

Its a double edge sword though. When I bought my new 135 convertible last year everyone thought (even my own family) I apparently made too much money.
I tell them its a $50k car no big deal.

Had I paid that for a Grand Cherokee or a fancy minivan or something no one would give it a second thought. But a BMW convertible now I'm suddenly rich and show-off-y.

Ugh its just a car please don't judge it (or me) for anything more or less.

[cooler2442]

Those comments never happen here in Los Angeles, everyone and their mother drives a luxury car here. Only if you have an exotic car then you may get something.

Also welcome to the BMW tax. I was calling around for an alignment and a place I called a few weeks back that told me $60 but never asked what car I drove. Then I called again later and they told me $120 after asking me what car I drive after the new call.

[TheBingoBalls]

This pretty much debunks the "BMW is watering the brand with X model" argument. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, they're all well established brands that even if they make more entry level cars, they're still perceived as premium. This was all always the case but it's the enthusiast crowd that bring up these topics.

[Zombie1]

I get looks but 98% don't give me any but when I get on it then I get alot more heads turning

[vertebra]

I actually have a soft spot for a nice GTI.

[Bmwbreed]

It's mostly only car illiterate people who don't really study them or constantly looking at new things coming out so they know the price of things. It's just those people with old fashioned thinking that believe if its a BMW it's expensive if its a Benz it didn't cost less than 100k it's like come on people google something. Do you know what a c class cost let alone a used one. Don't be so ignorant just because what badge you see on the hood.

[Zombie1]

Originally Posted by Bmwbreed

It's mostly only car illiterate people who don't really study them or constantly looking at new things coming out so they know the price of things. It's just those people with old fashioned thinking that believe if its a BMW it's expensive if its a Benz it didn't cost less than 100k it's like come on people google something. Do you know what a c class cost let alone a used one. Don't be so ignorant just because what badge you see on the hood.

So true

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by Kayven128i

Is that 90% of people think we drive a 60-70,000 dollar car. It's funny because I get comments literally all the time from people saying "must be nice to be driving a beamer".....and crap like that. When in reality their fully loaded SUV, mini-van or Truck cost more than my car. And this happens all the time.

If you drove a VW GTI, people would be like "oh cool"....but the BMW coupe...."Omg I hate you, I want your car".

Not that impressing people matters, but if you can buy a car that you love, that turns heads (and they do), and it doesn't cost a fortune....you can't beat that.

Agree?

I get the same thing bro...I think the design is aging extremely well and reality is the 128 looks ALOT more expensive than it costs (my 2012 was $29400 brand new)...especially in certain colors and coupe (black, white ect)...the plus side is with a manual it actually performs more expensive than it is too

[ejm3]

But really this is exactly what BMW (and other luxury brnads) want.
Its called cache. A $50k BMW or Benz gets comments from your friends and family but a $50k GMC Acadia doesn't.

People want to buy BMW's because it makes them seem wealthier/more important/more status than they deserve.

Car companies spend millions cultivating exactly that image.

[Kayven128i]

Exactly, I mean you can easily spend 30-40k on tons of vehicles...Nissan Maxima, Honda Accord, tons of mini vans, tons of SUVS.....but none of the cars get the compliments like the BMW, not even close.

Even if you get like a mustang or camaro, people will think it's cool but they don't really associate it the same way as they do with a BMW.

And with the 1-series, I don't see many around at all. I would say I see as many 1-series as I see M3's around. Most BMW people have families so they rock the 3 series,5 or 7...or an SUV.

The only downside about impressions of BMW? People think you're loaded (which a lot of 1-series people aren't rich by any means), and if you go on a date with a chick she could sit there and totally get the wrong impression.

So I think the 1-series, of all the vehicles on the road....is pound for pound the most head turning vehicle for the price.

[Kayven128i]

Oh and if you ever tell people "I custom ordered my BMW", AKA....just ordered one and got the stuff you want and waited 8 weeks for it to be delivered, people are like "Wow that must of cost a fortune!".....

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Those comments never happen here in Los Angeles, everyone and their mother drives a luxury car here. Only if you have an exotic car then you may get something.

+1, no one cares up here. BMW's and priuses are probably the most common newer cars on the roads of SF. My car only turns heads because it is loud.

[bimmerfile]

Back in 1998 - 2002, I had a 1998 silver Pontiac Firebird ragtop and there was hardly a day that went by when we didn't heard "nice car" and thumbs up from kids aged 6 - 70.
Then in 2002 I bought a silver Z4 and in 2008 my current 128i cabrio and I probably only hear 1 "nice car" or thumbs up per year during the past 11 years.
Maybe my hearing or eyesight is failing.

[drFUNK]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

+1, no one cares up here. BMW's and priuses are probably the most common newer cars on the roads of SF. My car only turns heads because it is loud.

Ditto for the DC area. EVERYONE has a 3er, A4, or C-Class. I'm sure I see more 3ers than Toyota Camrys on some days.

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Those comments never happen here in Los Angeles, everyone and their mother drives a luxury car here. Only if you have an exotic car then you may get something.

Also welcome to the BMW tax. I was calling around for an alignment and a place I called a few weeks back that told me $60 but never asked what car I drove. Then I called again later and they told me $120 after asking me what car I drive after the new call.

Really? I get them all the time. I get thumbs up when I am driving my car, peace signs, winks from girls hear and their, and the occasional... nice ride man.

But I do agree with you 100% on the bmw tax and it is not just for alignment.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by vertebra

I actually have a soft spot for a nice GTI.

+1

German hatchbacks just do it for me too.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Those comments never happen here in Los Angeles, everyone and their mother drives a luxury car here. Only if you have an exotic car then you may get something.

Agreed. Here on the Westside of LA every other car is a luxury import.

My 128i is probably the second cheapest car in my building's lot. The cheapest being my wife's Mini. It's all German cars and most of them a lot pricier than a 1er. I only got it to make me smile, not the neighbors.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by the_limey

Agreed. Here on the Westside of LA every other car is a luxury import.

My 128i is probably the second cheapest car in my building's lot. The cheapest being my wife's Mini. It's all German cars and most of them a lot pricier than a 1er. I only got it to make me smile, not the neighbors.

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Those comments never happen here in Los Angeles, everyone and their mother drives a luxury car here. Only if you have an exotic car then you may get something.

Also welcome to the BMW tax. I was calling around for an alignment and a place I called a few weeks back that told me $60 but never asked what car I drove. Then I called again later and they told me $120 after asking me what car I drive after the new call.

Whats with you guys in California? How could an entire state thats totally broke be filled with all wealthy people?! lol

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

Whats with you guys in California? How could an entire state thats totally broke be filled with all wealthy people?! lol

Because everyone lives way outside their means using cheap, easily accessible credit to subsidize acquiring depreciating assets they really don't need - but make them feel good for a moment.

Then they feel like crap again and remember the high the last purchase gave them, so they whip out the credit card and head to the mall.

And the cycle continues.

[Bimmer-Bob]

This thread is so spot on. I get snide comments from co-workers and stuff all the time, who think I must've spent a fortune on my car. Funny thing is, most of them probably spent 25-50% more on their pickup trucks and SUV's. Granted, some of their vehicles may be more practical for family hauling duty, but still, in absolute terms I spent less money than they did ($30,449 - definitely doesn't seem like a $30k car, even to me!)