When did this forum become so anti-BMW?

ArphaRima

I have a 320d and it's far from boring.

ya ya. Sensible choice for me. Good mpg. Not the fastest.

Too sensible. A BMW by numbers. I think you'll agree it's at least an unoriginal and uninspired choice in Ireland today.

And yes it is a solid car.

JohnCleary

fluffer wrote: »

. I think you'll agree it's at least an unoriginal and uninspired choice in Ireland today.

Yes the 320d is a common car in Ireland today, about as common as the A4, Passat etc. - I don't see why you're making a point of this though?

For me I wanted a diesel with decent power, decent looks and nice spec. The look of the 3series E46 really took my fancy (over say a passat or A4) hence went for it - I don't see what else, for the spec I wanted I could have gotten to be more 'original' and 'inspired choice'

Anyhow, gonna hang onto my little 320d for as long as possible, i've no intentions to even try and sell it. Just spent the few quid getting the turbo and a few other small things re-done so she's going mighty - let's hope it stays that way

pclancy

People who are BMW lovers and not subscribers to the 'class seperation branding' and status crap of BMWs would love New Zealand. There are loads of fantastic conditon E30, E36 and E46 models driving around here in great condition even though some are over 25 years old. The snob value isnt as bad here with BMWs they're just seen as a cool european import with anyone from any walk of life buying and owning old but well looked after cars.

There just arent that many brand new cars over here to create the 'ive got a new number plate' ****e. My 94 320i cost me about 1800 euros and its immaculate with leather, heated seats, sunroof aircon etc. As above i seen some friends in Ireland buying brand new 318s without any extras or options at all just for the badge. Muppets.

Seweryn

pclancy wrote: »

As above i seen some friends in Ireland buying brand new 318s without any extras or options at all just for the badge. Muppets.

Not just the badge, but for the number plates. Many people talk this way: "I've got a zero-eight... whatever". And if you say to other BMW owner that you drive an E39, they wouldn't know what kinda thing is that.

Biro

ned78 wrote: »

But take for example our recent addition to the Forum - LoveDucati2, the guy obviously has a seething passionate hatred for BMW and doesn't own one, and he's not alone. There are users here who don't own the cars, and use them solely as examples for the rip-off-republic, and yet don't do it for other marques.

Wow... how the hell did you arrive at that conclusion?
Some guy is annoyed at how much cheaper BMW's are in the UK than here and you conclude that he has a "seething passionate hatred for BMW".
I'm baffled.

Owen

Biro wrote: »

Wow... how the hell did you arrive at that conclusion? =

Because the day he returned from his ban, he started and contributed to three different threads, knocking BMW in each and every one.

Darragh29

ned78 wrote: »

Because the day he returned from his ban, he started and contributed to three different threads, knocking BMW in each and every one.

I'm not far behind him. I despise BMW as a brand. But I hate conformism in any shape or form. The whole Irish thing in recent years makes me feel sick sometimes, people buying a BMW to make a statement about themselves, it is the most insecure and to my mind, pathethic thing you could possibly do.

I've a friend who lives in an estate in Sandyford and after he bought a house there, he didn't feel like he could live there without a BMW because all the neighbours drove marque cars, so he had to go out and get a 3 Series. How sad is that I ask you??? A whole commmunity of people so utterly insecure in themselves, that they have to buy a certain make of car to tell the folks living on the same street that they are someone??? If I lived there, I'd buy an 1981 f*cking Lada just to p*ss them off.

Voodoomelon

Seweryn wrote: »

Well, if you wish to pay more for the same service (than you would pay if you own a cheaper car), you can.
I service my cars myself (I am not a mechanic) and recently I changed the engine oil (about €70 for fully synthetic oil + €5 to dispose the old oil), air and oil filter (about €15 for both), etc. I also replaced two faulty parts - the engine coolant thermostat (about €11), thermostat housing (about €15) and the outside temperature sensor (about €20). Whichever way you look at it, the parts and oils are not dearer than for any other cars, the labour for the above works would take about 2 hours. So why would you pay extra for the same service or why would you pay €500 for 2 hour of labour including €100 for parts and oils?

Regards.

I agree 100% with what you're saying. Which is why I do the same as you for a number of reasons, including cost, the fact that I enjoy doing it and perhaps most of all, I know the work is actually done and done properly.

However, what I am saying is that the majority of people do not choose to service their car themselves and they will always take it to a garage for a service.

You will be charged more for the servicing of a quality marque, whether you or I agree with it or not, and everyone else knows this too. So owners of these cars who give out about the cost of servicing them either didn't do their homework or know nothing about cars.

mick.fr

I am kinda amused by the people in this thread saying that BMW is a good and reliable car brand but that their owners are ****.
As a matter of fact BMW is far from being reliable
Lexus/Toyota would be far more superior.
Not gonna comment on the wanker part...

I am also amused at the people saying young guys are buying e30 nowadays.
Double check the values of the e30 gen, especially the M3...they are far more higher to e36...

Anyway if 70% of this thread statements were true, that would be an interresting one...

Darragh29

mick.fr wrote: »

I am kinda amused by the people in this thread saying that BMW is a good and reliable car brand but that their owners are ****.
As a matter of fact BMW is far from being reliable
Lexus/Toyota would be far more superior.
Not gonna comment on the wanker part...

I am also amused at the people saying young guys are buying e30 nowadays.
Double check the values of the e30 gen, especially the M3...they are far more higher to e36...

Anyway if 70% of this thread statements were true, that would be an interresting one...

Totally agreed on the quality point. BMW are better at marketing cars and managing a cult than they are at building cars.

I made this point before here on the forum, the one thing that drives me insane about BMW drivers, is that when they are buying or selling a BMW, but particularly when buying one, its BMWMDFSHO (That's BMW Main Dealer Full Service History ONLY).

When they are buying, only a main dealer service history, and none other, is acceptable to them. But what's the first thing a lot of them want to do when they have bought the car??? They come on here looking for a reliable independent mechanic, who wasn't fit to get under the same car a day before they bought it!!!

I had a BMW customer once come to me when I had an independent garage, and I'd have been recommended to him for the purposes of inspecting the vehicle immediately after him buying it, pull out the service history record and ask me to call each garage and establish for a fact if each garage that stamped the book was actually an "authorised" outlet, as in formally authorised by BMW Ireland, and he standing in an independent workshop!

I've had another customer ask me to call him when the parts arrived so he could see that they arrived in a BMW box or packaging, so he would know that I was actually using BMW parts, because he basically didn't accept what I had told him, that they were BMW parts being used, "if you don't mind leaving the parts unopened until I get there"...!!!

It is this type of uninformed gimp like mentality that I have the biggest issue with, and I don't care what anyone says, you don't get this kind of crap from any other make/brand owners.

robtri

ned78 wrote: »

I suppose the point of the original question has been diluted a bit. I was just asking when the Forum became anti-BMW not why people choose to drive BMWs. I meant specifically that every time there's a VRT comparisson between the UK and Ireland to show what a rip-off-republic we have, it's always BMW, etc.

IMO I would say people became more Anti BMW, when the recession hit hard...
BMW have a bit of a "rich" image to them, more than most other marques generally ( not sure why Merc never gets hauled in), so during this time of recession and cuts people are naturally rubbed up the wrong way by €40K plus motors.... and the brand image BMW puts forward of pomp and exclusivity really gets on peolples nerves at this time and is an easy target.....

Cyrus

Darragh29 wrote: »

I've had another customer ask me to call him when the parts arrived so he could see that they arrived in a BMW box or packaging, so he would know that I was actually using BMW parts, because he basically didn't accept what I had told him, that they were BMW parts being used, "if you don't mind leaving the parts unopened until I get there"...!!!

It is this type of uninformed gimp like mentality that I have the biggest issue with, and I don't care what anyone says, you don't get this kind of crap from any other make/brand owners.

maybe you should just be thankful you had the business and do what the customer asked you, if you are using genuine bmw parts what did you have to hide?

JohnCleary

Darragh29 wrote: »

The whole Irish thing in recent years makes me feel sick sometimes, people buying a BMW to make a statement about themselves, it is the most insecure and to my mind, pathethic thing you could possibly do.

Hold on there buddy, go easy with the tar and the brush. I bought myself a 320d because it's what I wanted, not because it's what I felt I should be driving. I had people my own age thinking I want mental buying a 'boring oul mans 3 series'... had I of conformed to my peer's id be driving a Silvia/Evo/Skyline

So far i'm delighted with the car as I do pretty high milage (When I had an Evo I was filling the tank up every day, can't remember last time I filled the 320d). To be safe I tried my best to resolve the known issues by removing the swirl flaps and getting the turbo refurbished (was a slight oil weep from the seals) and got my hands on the vortex type crankcase breather filter. After that it was just the usual cop on, I change the oil every 6k (ott maybe but it's my choice) and tend to use OEM oil filters. Happy days

Darragh29

Cyrus wrote: »

maybe you should just be thankful you had the business and do what the customer asked you, if you are using genuine bmw parts what did you have to hide?

I had nothing to hide. BMW don't make service components, if I'm servicing any other type of car, the customer trusts me to use OEM quality components and stand over the parts and workmanship and to get the job done successfully. There is nothing more cringeworthy than having to listen to a BMW driver demanding that you use "genuine BMW" parts, pretending that they actually have a clue what they are talking about. There is no such component as a "genuine" BMW air filter, spark plug, fuel filter, oil filter, oil, etc. BMW don't, won't and never have made these components.

How come I've never have a Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Honda, Ford, VW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover, or any other make of driver argue with me about "genuine" parts being used??? Why is it just BMW drivers that carry on like this??? It's because a very large proportion of them are completely and utterly brainwashed by a manufacturer that wants to keep them uneducated and uninformed. This is what cults do, they brainwash people and indoctrinate them into a false belief system.

JohnCleary

Darragh29 wrote: »

How come I've never have a Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Honda, Ford, VW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover, or any other make of driver argue with me about "genuine" parts being used??? Why is it just BMW drivers that carry on like this??? It's because a very large proportion of them are completely and utterly brainwashed by a manufacturer that wants to keep them uneducated and uninformed. This is what cults do, they brainwash people and indoctrinate them into a false belief system.

In fairness no manufacturer hands a new customer a big bible giving a complete breakdown of the car components. With ANY manufacturer, it's up to the customer to educate themselves, this is not the responsibility of the manafacturer. Maybe these BMW owners want to use 'genuine' BMW parts in the event of warranty issues? Have you ever asked them why they're so insistent on having the BMW stamp on the box? You're jumping to conclusions.

The only 'genuine' BMW bits I buy are bits that can only be bought from a dealer, with the exception of oil filters (thanks to plenty of reading on sh1te spurious filters) - Other than that I do my research online or go straight to the manafacturer of the part (ie. Pierburg PC's)

Again, you're tarring everyone with the same brush. As said above, be greatful you have the work. Maybe if it bothers you so much you should stop accepting work on BMW cars?

Darragh29

JohnCleary wrote: »

In fairness no manufacturer hands a new customer a big bible giving a complete breakdown of the car components. With ANY manufacturer, it's up to the customer to educate themselves, this is not the responsibility of the manafacturer. Maybe these BMW owners want to use 'genuine' BMW parts in the event of warranty issues? Have you ever asked them why they're so insistent on having the BMW stamp on the box? You're jumping to conclusions.

The only 'genuine' BMW bits I buy are bits that can only be bought from a dealer, with the exception of oil filters (thanks to plenty of reading on sh1te spurious filters) - Other than that I do my research online or go straight to the manafacturer of the part (ie. Pierburg PC's)

Again, you're tarring everyone with the same brush. As said above, be greatful you have the work. Maybe if it bothers you so much you should stop accepting work on BMW cars?

I got out of the business because I found it was driving me into the ground on several different levels, dealing everyday with cynical customers with their heads full of conspiracy theories. If I stayed in that business I'd have had a nervous breakdown by now.

TomMc

I think what Darragh29 is saying is that there is no fanboy, like a BMW fanboy. He is probably right as only VW Tdi owners might run them close. While most BMW's are excellent cars in their own right, they have become the (automotive) embodiment of conspicuous consumption, in modern society. I know of a few people around me who have little interest in cars, yet they are still the first to have a new model BMW before anyone else.

JohnCleary

TomMc wrote: »

I think what Darragh29 is saying is that there is no fanboy, like a BMW fanboy. He is probably right as only VW Tdi owners might run them close. While most BMW's are excellent cars in their own right, they have become the (automotive) embodiment of conspicuous consumption, in modern society. I know of a few people around me who have little interest in cars, yet they are still the first to have a new model BMW before anyone else.

I think the whole point of this thread is "So what?" - It's their money, let them spend it how they feel fit. What damn effect does it have on anyone else? If anything (Let's assume they're paying upfront cash, not on credit) at least they're contributing to the economy with VAT etc.

TomMc

The OP's original question was why the anti-BMW sentiment. People can spend their cash/credit how they like, but rightly or wrongly it will still influence other peoples perceptions. A lot of people are put off buying a particular marque by the image it portrays. And if BMW's attract a higher proportion of johnny come lately brash owners along with badge snobs, well then that will put others off the marque altogether, not the actual car itself. Some people have the attitude "if you have got it flaunt it" (regardless of whether they actually have it or not), while others prefer to be understated, discreet, unpretentious or at the very least embody "stealth wealth".

ArphaRima

BMW have a bit of a "rich" image to them, more than most other marques generally ( not sure why Merc never gets hauled in), so during this time of recession and cuts people are naturally rubbed up the wrong way by €40K plus motors.... and the brand image BMW puts forward of pomp and exclusivity really gets on peolples nerves at this time and is an easy target.....

I think it's not quite that. I believe that there are some who think there is a pomp and exclusivity involved in BMW still. However they are generally the very people who are making sure there is no exclusivity or originality in choosing BMW these days. They are stretching to buy 5yr old base-model 3-series, then think they are in the big boys club.

People who like cars are the ones reacting, along with the usual bitter hippy types who never like cars and cant understand why anybody would ever want more than a secondhand Toyota Corrola. And of course Audi drivers (rivalry). Those groups combined ensure plenty of banter against BMW drivers for some time to come.

ps The only nice BMW's these days are the 6 series, M3, M5, and Z4 imho.

Seth Brundle

Eric Cartman wrote: »

what is the e30 obsession by the 17-22 year olds at the moment, i just dont get it , and the prices reflect, a 89-92 e30 316i is the same money as a 97-98 e39 318i

They are a fantastic car to drive! I really miss my E30 320i! There is also less to go wrong on them electrically and for this reason they may appeal to the yoof! I do plan on getting another one!

maidhc

kbannon wrote: »

They are a fantastic car to drive! I really miss my E30 320i! There is also less to go wrong on them electrically and for this reason they may appeal to the yoof! I do plan on getting another one!

The 190E ticks the same boxes (IMO), but is quite unloved at the minute.

unkel

maidhc wrote: »

The 190E ticks the same boxes

Not sure where you are coming from - the 190E was a me-too reaction from MB in desperation to the huge success of the 3-series. Before then, BMW were only a marginal (niche) player. BMW have had to build their reputation from the ground up (starting with the cheap small cars) as opposed to MB who did build their reputation from the top down (S-class, etc.)