Are you shy to tell people you drive a BMW?

icedragon · 11-29-2005, 10:58 PM

Is anyone else shy to tell people you drive a BMW?

Whenever a stranger asks me what I drive, I don't want to seem stuck-up, so I often whisper, "a bimmer". They'll usually reply with, "A BMW?!

What year?" Then I'll whisper, "06". And they usually reply with, "A BRAND NEW BMW?!

"

I feel so ackward when this happens. I really don't like showing off and causing a scene. I know most people my age can't afford a BMW. I'm grateful for my situation but I do try to keep it to myself.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Nikki · 11-29-2005, 11:00 PM

Yeah, I don't tell anyone unless they specifically ask, and when they do I kind of whisper it also lol. My mom doesn't know that I drive this car.

shimshimhada · 11-29-2005, 11:02 PM

I tell them I drive a '96 Mercedes-Benz. I feel bad sometimes because I'm so fortunate.

yu · 11-29-2005, 11:18 PM

Yeah, I don't tell anyone unless they ask. If you ask me, I think that it's pretty hard not to show off a brand new BMW if you're a teenager. But I can't speak for everyone. I am always grateful for what I have whether it be something really nice or something not as nice. I don't like flaunting my belongings, because I feel that if I do, people will think that I think I'm better than they are which is never the case.

mikeman · 11-30-2005, 12:01 AM

yeah i feel the same way man. im 16 and even though people at my school have wayyy better cars than mine i still feel weird saying i have a bmw.

ward · 11-30-2005, 12:05 AM

nope, been driving BMW's (used/old ones till recently) exclusively for 10 years or so, so everyone that knows me already knows

I'd be embarrased to drive a toyota, certainly not embarrased to drive a BMW

Enroutte · 11-30-2005, 12:08 AM

I say it. HAha. LOUD AND PROUD. No, I'm kidding. It really depends who I'm with.

If I'm with my friends and people who aren't "rich," I don't ever mention I even have a car unless they ask. If they ask, I just tell them, "Oh I have a [add color here] car."

If I'm with my friends who are insanely rich and have stuck up friends, I have NO PROBLEM telling them I drive a BMW. They all drive like, SLK roadsters and 5series BMWs anyway. It's not a big deal I have a 3.

Xens · 11-30-2005, 12:43 AM

Same here, I try to not get the reaction "OMFG you drive a BMW OMG OMG OMG OMG~~~~" Yeah I'm exaggerating it but you get the idea. I usually answer by saying I drive a sedan, due to manners, most people don't ask more than that.

I did, however, hide all my intentions and plans of getting a new car from my best friend until the day I took delivery and went straight to his house with my gf to show him the car. He's known me for years so he's one of the few that I share my happiness with, needlessly to say he was pretty shocked, in a good way.

northerncalguy · 11-30-2005, 12:50 AM

I tell them politely, look at my key.

maq · 11-30-2005, 12:56 AM

I don't think I get asked what I drive very often. And people seem to react normal when I say BMW. BMWs are not like Porsches or Ferrari's after all, they are everywhere and not all of them are in good shape.

shimshimhada · 11-30-2005, 01:05 AM

Technically, now I can say, "I drive an old 3-series." SWEET!

CALIF65GM · 11-30-2005, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedragon

I really don't like showing off and causing a scene. I know most people my age can't afford a BMW. I'm grateful for my situation but I do try to keep it to myself.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Yep, I tried not to tell people what car I was buying either. Also I tried to avoid telling people that I was going to Germany to pick-up my new BMW.

Mikey3 · 11-30-2005, 03:03 AM

i tell them if they ask.

I dont go around yelling out " HEY!!!! GUYS!!! I DRIVE A BMW! LOVE ME!!!!!!!1!1!!11"

and reactions are mixed. Some of the girls are like "woooooooooow take me for a ride"
some of the guys are like "damn rich boy."

so im pretty reluctant to tell anyone now.

shimshimhada · 11-30-2005, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

i tell them if they ask.

I dont go around yelling out " HEY!!!! GUYS!!! I DRIVE A BMW! LOVE ME!!!!!!!1!1!!11"

and reactions are mixed. Some of the girls are like "woooooooooow take me for a ride"
some of the guys are like "damn rich boy."

so im pretty reluctant to tell anyone now.

It's opposite for me

Xens · 11-30-2005, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northerncalguy

I tell them politely, look at my key.

Speaking of the key, do you guys find your friends (or people in general) fiddling with your key? I've been asked "How does this key work?" for at least a couple of time already.

F32Fleet · 11-30-2005, 09:21 AM

Okay..I'll bite. At my age it shouldn't matter, but it did. My parents think it is a poor use of cash and I should've saved the $$ too either bought a larger home, or go to grad school. My sister, who lives like a pauper but her husband makes over $200k+/yr, gave me the "Well, we've decided sacrifice those "luxury items" and have kids as well as continue to save as much as we can for retirement, so we'll retire sooner than you" look. Imgaine how hollow it sounds to have a sibling say "I can't believe someone would pay $500/mo car payment" when you know she could stroke a check for $15k at the drop of a hat. Let's see..honda accord for say $25k / 48 mos = $520/mo

To be honest, I feel guilty. I'm not trying to be a poser. Hell, my lease payment is less than what it could cost to finance a $25k car over 3 yrs, and BMW's are all over the place in Atlanta, so they're hardly "exclusive".

Not sure what I'm going to do when my lease is up on my E46. I hang out on this site to track problems and opinions on the E90, but one never knows. I could probably find some cheap used F150 and be done with it.

vladinecko · 11-30-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedragon

Whenever a stranger asks me what I drive, I don't want to seem stuck-up, so I often whisper, "a bimmer". They'll usually reply with, "A BMW?!

What year?" Then I'll whisper, "06". And they usually reply with, "A BRAND NEW BMW?!

"

i second that. my family also doesn't know exactly what i drive or how much it was. i soon will have 2 bimmers, until i sell my E36, and that's gonna be a tough one to answer when my friends ask me, which one is my car...

i just don't like when people automatically assume i'm making a lot more money than them and yet, they're spending all their money on stuff i'd never pay for. people just don't realize that BMWs really are affordable as long as you're not throwing money around like a psycho.

BMW0 · 11-30-2005, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icedragon

....I'm grateful for my situation but I do try to keep it to myself....

You bet

yu · 11-30-2005, 02:50 PM

I live in a pretty small city, especially compared to where you guys live. There are a lot of BMWs here, but nothing really nice... Well all BMWs are nice, but not many people have one as new as mine. Usually I have the nicest car in the parking lot wherever I am. And at my college, I definitely have the nicest car in the lot, but I don't like to show it off. People go up to me asking me about my car, but I don't go around telling people that I drive it. I just think people would feel as if I'm degrading them.

RyBMW · 11-30-2005, 03:43 PM

I don't like telling people what kind of car I drive. If they ask than I'll tell. I'll tell them really fast and with a low voice and hope they don't ask anymore questions and make a big deal out of it.
If one person knows than everybody that knows that person will know eventually. People talk.

Car enthusiasts buy a car for the performance aspect of the car. Some people will just think that you bought it for the name. They just don't understand. I rather not deal with them.

the*saint* · 12-04-2005, 01:14 PM

What an interesting thread. I thought I was alone in being discreet about it!

At work, I've been reluctant to tell people, even when pressed with probing questions. I've described my e90 as "a baby bimmer" and i've even fibbed "it's an older one." The upside to this anonymity is that my car gets mistaken for management and I'm then able to get away with parking in Visitors and other reserved spaces.

Frankly, I find there are far more posers than enthusiasts of this brand. Most people do think bimmers are unreasonably expensive and have a hard time getting past the value proposition; hence, they see it as a status symbol and go into questioning your salary, worth, etc.

I'll admit that i enjoy it very much when i'm in a conversation with someone who can discuss the technical/mechanical/artistic merits of BMWs past and present.

I guess I don't really like telling people what i drive unless i think the person is also an enthusiast. I can appreciate how aspirational a brand this is; but I prefer to avoid situations where people do freak out and stereotype.

Xens · 12-04-2005, 01:23 PM

The above 2 posts pretty much nailed it.

11-29-2005, 11:00 PM	#2
Nikki Major General 1073 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Yeah, I don't tell anyone unless they specifically ask, and when they do I kind of whisper it also lol. My mom doesn't know that I drive this car. __________________ Nikki
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11-29-2005, 11:02 PM	#3
shimshimhada Brigadier General 498 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	I tell them I drive a '96 Mercedes-Benz. I feel bad sometimes because I'm so fortunate.
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11-29-2005, 11:18 PM	#4
yu Captain 122 Rep 757 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	Yeah, I don't tell anyone unless they ask. If you ask me, I think that it's pretty hard not to show off a brand new BMW if you're a teenager. But I can't speak for everyone. I am always grateful for what I have whether it be something really nice or something not as nice. I don't like flaunting my belongings, because I feel that if I do, people will think that I think I'm better than they are which is never the case.
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11-30-2005, 12:01 AM	#5
mikeman PAINISINEVITABLESUFFERING ISOPTIONAL. 48 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 Escalade Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	yeah i feel the same way man. im 16 and even though people at my school have wayyy better cars than mine i still feel weird saying i have a bmw. __________________ RIP E90 2006 Jet Black 325i\|Pioneer AVIC-N3 w/Pioneer GEX-P10XMT XM Nav Traffic\|Black Grill\|H&R Race Springs\|Blacklines\|ACS Roof Spoiler\|5% Rear Tint 10% Front Tint\|Maya RM1 Diamond Black 19x10 rear 19x9 front on Toyo T1R 265/30/19 rear and 235/35/19 front\|
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11-30-2005, 12:05 AM	#6
ward Major General 163 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	nope, been driving BMW's (used/old ones till recently) exclusively for 10 years or so, so everyone that knows me already knows I'd be embarrased to drive a toyota, certainly not embarrased to drive a BMW
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11-30-2005, 12:08 AM	#7
Enroutte Private First Class 172 Rep 160 Posts Drives: ;D Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Undecided. iTrader: (0)	I say it. HAha. LOUD AND PROUD. No, I'm kidding. It really depends who I'm with. If I'm with my friends and people who aren't "rich," I don't ever mention I even have a car unless they ask. If they ask, I just tell them, "Oh I have a [add color here] car." If I'm with my friends who are insanely rich and have stuck up friends, I have NO PROBLEM telling them I drive a BMW. They all drive like, SLK roadsters and 5series BMWs anyway. It's not a big deal I have a 3.
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11-30-2005, 12:43 AM	#8
Xens Eh 117 Rep 653 Posts Drives: Is Turbo'd Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Same here, I try to not get the reaction "OMFG you drive a BMW OMG OMG OMG OMG~~~~" Yeah I'm exaggerating it but you get the idea. I usually answer by saying I drive a sedan, due to manners, most people don't ask more than that. I did, however, hide all my intentions and plans of getting a new car from my best friend until the day I took delivery and went straight to his house with my gf to show him the car. He's known me for years so he's one of the few that I share my happiness with, needlessly to say he was pretty shocked, in a good way.
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11-30-2005, 12:50 AM	#9
northerncalguy Throw your hands in the air, if you's a true playa. 79 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2014 435i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I tell them politely, look at my key. __________________
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11-30-2005, 12:56 AM	#10
maq Lieutenant 12 Rep 469 Posts Drives: MTA Monthly Pass Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I don't think I get asked what I drive very often. And people seem to react normal when I say BMW. BMWs are not like Porsches or Ferrari's after all, they are everywhere and not all of them are in good shape.
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11-30-2005, 01:05 AM	#11
shimshimhada Brigadier General 498 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	Technically, now I can say, "I drive an old 3-series." SWEET!
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11-30-2005, 03:03 AM	#13
Mikey3 Private First Class 10 Rep 133 Posts Drives: e90..... soon.... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia - Perth iTrader: (0)	i tell them if they ask. I dont go around yelling out " HEY!!!! GUYS!!! I DRIVE A BMW! LOVE ME!!!!!!!1!1!!11" and reactions are mixed. Some of the girls are like "woooooooooow take me for a ride" some of the guys are like "damn rich boy." so im pretty reluctant to tell anyone now. __________________ Tell me what you eat And I will tell you what you are.
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11-30-2005, 09:21 AM	#16
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3932 Rep 10,635 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Okay..I'll bite. At my age it shouldn't matter, but it did. My parents think it is a poor use of cash and I should've saved the $$ too either bought a larger home, or go to grad school. My sister, who lives like a pauper but her husband makes over $200k+/yr, gave me the "Well, we've decided sacrifice those "luxury items" and have kids as well as continue to save as much as we can for retirement, so we'll retire sooner than you" look. Imgaine how hollow it sounds to have a sibling say "I can't believe someone would pay $500/mo car payment" when you know she could stroke a check for $15k at the drop of a hat. Let's see..honda accord for say $25k / 48 mos = $520/mo To be honest, I feel guilty. I'm not trying to be a poser. Hell, my lease payment is less than what it could cost to finance a $25k car over 3 yrs, and BMW's are all over the place in Atlanta, so they're hardly "exclusive". Not sure what I'm going to do when my lease is up on my E46. I hang out on this site to track problems and opinions on the E90, but one never knows. I could probably find some cheap used F150 and be done with it.
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11-30-2005, 02:50 PM	#19
yu Captain 122 Rep 757 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	I live in a pretty small city, especially compared to where you guys live. There are a lot of BMWs here, but nothing really nice... Well all BMWs are nice, but not many people have one as new as mine. Usually I have the nicest car in the parking lot wherever I am. And at my college, I definitely have the nicest car in the lot, but I don't like to show it off. People go up to me asking me about my car, but I don't go around telling people that I drive it. I just think people would feel as if I'm degrading them.
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11-30-2005, 03:43 PM	#20
RyBMW Major 80 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 [0.00] 2008 335i [0.00]	I don't like telling people what kind of car I drive. If they ask than I'll tell. I'll tell them really fast and with a low voice and hope they don't ask anymore questions and make a big deal out of it. If one person knows than everybody that knows that person will know eventually. People talk. Car enthusiasts buy a car for the performance aspect of the car. Some people will just think that you bought it for the name. They just don't understand. I rather not deal with them. __________________ New: 12 X5 xDrive35i Premium Alpine White/Cinn Brown Old: 08 E92 335i\|Space Gray/Coral Red/Gray Poplar Old: 06 E90 330i\|Black Sapphire/Black /Burl
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12-04-2005, 01:14 PM	#21
thesaint Private First Class 3 Rep 132 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (1)	What an interesting thread. I thought I was alone in being discreet about it! At work, I've been reluctant to tell people, even when pressed with probing questions. I've described my e90 as "a baby bimmer" and i've even fibbed "it's an older one." The upside to this anonymity is that my car gets mistaken for management and I'm then able to get away with parking in Visitors and other reserved spaces. Frankly, I find there are far more posers than enthusiasts of this brand. Most people do think bimmers are unreasonably expensive and have a hard time getting past the value proposition; hence, they see it as a status symbol and go into questioning your salary, worth, etc. I'll admit that i enjoy it very much when i'm in a conversation with someone who can discuss the technical/mechanical/artistic merits of BMWs past and present. I guess I don't really like telling people what i drive unless i think the person is also an enthusiast. I can appreciate how aspirational a brand this is; but I prefer to avoid situations where people do freak out and stereotype.
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12-04-2005, 01:23 PM	#22
Xens Eh 117 Rep 653 Posts Drives: Is Turbo'd Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	The above 2 posts pretty much nailed it.
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