What BMW/Mini pride is about

Jd886 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 02:20 PM

This is rather random, and I'm just throwing this out there, but I think something that a lot of us on the the forums are starting to forget about is our pride in BMW.

I am constantly hearing flame wars about what BMW is or isn't, why "e30 M3's are the only true m3's", how bangle is screwing everything up etc etc... But I'm just going to share this.

Driving home today in my Dads Mini Cooper S, I pulled behind another Mini Cooper S in a lane. We were in traffic for a little bit, then out of nowhere, the guy in front of me guns it. I of course follow and keep up speed with him...

He then slows rapidly and goes to turn into his complex, and as I pass.. I hear that wonderfull music to my ears that reminds me of everything that BMW is:

"Beep Beep"

I wave my hand, put a smile on my face and chuckle.

Two people, who haven't even seen each others face just connected and bonded in such a simple way, that is so gratifying it's not something you can completely explain through words. That connection is a bond through pride in a company, and the history behind it. There is nothing like driving in a Mini, E36, E46 or whatever, and pull up next to an old vintage BMW and just get that smile from a person you've never met.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. Leave your comments.

cpain49176 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 07:33 PM

i know that is... too bad most of the bmw owners here have no clue about bmws past and only drive bimmers becuase they are status symbols, however i do get a wave every now and again

motorsports_3 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpain49176

i know that is... too bad most of the bmw owners here have no clue about bmws past and only drive bimmers becuase they are status symbols, however i do get a wave every now and again

Thats how it is down here, but you do find the occasional BMW fan. When you do i cant agree more with JD886

Villanuevas_BMW · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 08:38 PM

One time I was at a friends house in a ritzier part of the city I live in. His neighbor pulls into his driveway and walks over in excitement looking at my 2002. I was suprised that he even knew what it was. I guess I was stereotyping because I thought the only reason he would ever buy a bimmer is because of the name. He then explains to me that his favorite car that he owned was his E21 when he was in New York. He was also telling me that "those were the days" when we would stick with each other and flash our headlights when we saw each other. He said he never really knew them but it was a bond that proud bmw owners shared.
Every once in a while when Im on the freeway another bimmer would pick up the pace in front of me then id follow for a while then we would give the thumbs up, wave, and jet off.
Its not the kind of racing about who versus who, or what versus what, or even wanting to win...its just enjoying the ride in an ulitmate driving machine along with another ulitmate driving machine..I just hope that pride and camaraderie never dies

KC_MPWR · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 08:46 PM

i agree with you guys totaly...most people these days just see BMW's as a status icon....

Iain · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 09:19 PM

Gotta agree with you guys.

In the part of Australia I live in, it's rare to see anything older than an E36 on the road, but lately I've been seeing a whole bunch of E30s while I've been cruising around.

Normally, I'll flash the lights and wave/thumbs up and they'll return the gesture. It's always nice when you see another enthusiast out there...

Zerrus · #7 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 09:43 PM

I usually look for other BMW owners, but being 17 and in a M, no one thinks I have any clue as to what I'm doing, and so far the only camaderie I've gotten is from a BMW bike owner, and like two other owners in the area.

PS. Villanuevas_BMW I want more pictures of your 2002, asap... (so sexy)

Jd886 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-04-2005, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorsports_3

Thats how it is down here, but you do find the occasional BMW fan. When you do i cant agree more with JD886

I noticed you're in Miami. Do you go to any meets around here?

Or better yet, know any good places to go DRIVING... I moved from Virginia, and there definetely hasn't been a replacement for the Shenendoah Mountains as far as I've seen...

motorsports_3 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 12:17 AM

I went to a meet last week it was pretty good. But besides that for german cars/ BMWs there is not much going on that i know of. I want to get a meet put together or something we just need people.

67GoatPimp · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 05:53 AM

I know exactly what you are talking about. People always ask me why I continually invest money in a car that's over 20 years old. I always tell em "Because it's almost 20 years old and still better engineered than your car." I usualy flash other BMW drivers when I drive by and give em a thumb, but it's rarely returned or a I get a glare. I'm so sick of this from point A to point B bullshit, the car IS the point.

astor · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 02:49 PM

well, whenever i see another bmw i try to keep up with it, it just feels really good to drive in company with other bimmers. mine is completely stock so its not such a special car to most drivers. plus, around here the business people are driving around their bimmers with cell phone in hand not really paying attention..

nondescript · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 04:59 PM

Yeah, this thread has got it right... I actually (thankfully) still see a fair amount of the car guy wave (

), but I know exactly what you mean... As the cars got safer and bigger and more luxurious, they attracted a different buyer. But, I can't say I blame them - driving enjoyment aside - as a safety vechicle for a family I can't think of a car I'd rather have (someone chime in with Volvo if you want, I know they are safe cars too...

)

The good news is - the car fans are still out there too... It doesn't have to be a vintage BMW driver, we still come in many flavors!

I've gotten to know many in this area through local sports car clubs, the SCCA and the BMWCCA... But like you said - we've all found others just randomly on the road - and we all know what it feels like to hook up w/another and not really race through traffic, but just play on the way...

Guess I don't blame BMW owners that don't have the same interest in cars and driving fun that I do, but when I find them, I sure do enjoy the ones that do...

Oh yeah, Villanuevas_BMW - details.. details!

ZedX3Foci · #13 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 09:33 PM

This is cross brands too

There is a guy around town who has a spotless techno violet M3 and one night i was driving through a car lot and saw him driving through too.

When I left, he pulled out fast behind me and so then I went on to a back road with a bunch of twistys (I go there a lot

) and he came flying up behind me. We were moving along at a pretty good clip (up to about 55-60 mph on 20mph turns) and it was really fun.

We got up to the light and gave each other the thumbs up.

So how did a M3 and a run of the mill Focus ZX3 connect? He was obviously an enthusiast because a "regular" BMW owner would not have even noticed my car, but this guy saw the various Ford Europe parts on my Eibach Pro System'd Euro inspired hatch

One 328is · #14 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Villanuevas_BMW One time I was at a friends house in a ritzier part of the city I live in. His neighbor pulls into his driveway and walks over in excitement looking at my 2002. I was suprised that he even knew what it was. I guess I was stereotyping because I thought the only reason he would ever buy a bimmer is because of the name. He then explains to me that his favorite car that he owned was his E21 when he was in New York. He was also telling me that "those were the days" when we would stick with each other and flash our headlights when we saw each other. He said he never really knew them but it was a bond that proud bmw owners shared.
Every once in a while when Im on the freeway another bimmer would pick up the pace in front of me then id follow for a while then we would give the thumbs up, wave, and jet off.
Its not the kind of racing about who versus who, or what versus what, or even wanting to win...its just enjoying the ride in an ulitmate driving machine along with another ulitmate driving machine..I just hope that pride and camaraderie never dies
Yesterday 10:04 PM

very well said.

I often tag along with other BMW's on the freeway, often notice one will catch up with me and run with me for a while.
When people ask me about the money I put in my car, you can always here me say its about the enjoyment of driving the car.

delatlanta1281 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorsports_3

Thats how it is down here, but you do find the occasional BMW fan. When you do i cant agree more with JD886

I agree in south Fla it is like that especially Miami (I'm there on business alot), up here I can't pump gas or get a cup of joe with my girlfriend without talking to somebody about BMWs. When I'm on the highway, I get paced alot and in return pace. The feeling is here in Atlanta, I wish it was everywhere. Move to Atlanta if you wnt, the more the merrier!