tima10-06-2005, 02:15 AM
My E90 is the fifth BMW I've owned over many years. During that time I've seen a certain animosity towards BMW drivers develop and grow , but I don't think there is widespread "hatred" of the marque. Its more a perception about the driver.

My theory is this: the car itself is an embodiment of the automotive virtues of luxury (wealth), power, and control, but when the characteristics of the car are transferred by others onto the driver, the driver doesn't come off very well. "Power and control" connotes a certain tendancy toward manipulation for one's own advantage suggesting the means whereby advantage (wealth) is gained.

Simplistically, the very attributes that make the car attractive to many of its buyers don't map well as human attributes - at least to some people - the 'BMW haters'. While there may be a glimmer of truth here, I think its more an issue in the minds of the non-BMW owner.

Having been in IT for a long time, I've noticed that a relatively high percentage of programmers drive manuals (versus the general population). Programmers love to exercise control over a machine by writing whippy code. and a manual transmission offers a similarly greater degree of control over the performance of a car. But I can't say that programmers tend to be any more controlling or manipulative of people than anyone else - probably less so as some programmers shy away from social interaction.

In the mind of the general populace, the cost of a BMW tends to push it out of the 'nerd' car category which might have some (perverse?) cute factor and towards a more manipulative perception - not unlike that associated with lawyers. (apologies in advance to the barristers amonst us). There are very few other cars that have this type of cachet that gets mapped to the driver. Mercedes says stodgy wealth, Ferrari says rich playboy, Lexus says wealthy-but-complacent burgher, Audi ... I haven't a clue here I think its still trying to find itself, the Z says rich boy-racer, Vette - don't know here either, you tell me ... and on and on.

The BMW 'perception' wasn't always like it is today. When I drove a 2002, which was from the more boxy BMW era, most people didn't know what it was and those that did thought it was cool. As the brand has grown more luxurious, it hasn't lost its relative edge in performance - and that, coupled with its Teutonic origins and all the things associated with 'German cars' (and German machinery generally) get mish-mashed together as a description of the 'type of person' who would buy one. Its wierd. If you drive like an asshole in a BMW you foster a kind of impression about BMW drivers generally - versus driving like an asshole in a Saturn which simply doesn't translate to the brand. If you drive like like a jerk in your Bimmer you give all of us a bad name - something that simply doesn't happen in the same way with many other brands, not matter how poorly they're driven or how rude their drivers.

There are times I wish the car wasn't as head-turningly, conspicuously beautiful and was more the boxy taut performer, the geek of yester-year. That way it wouldn't draw attention to itself as much. (Don't get me wrong I love the look - the E90 gets better looking every day.)

I'll put the kevlar on now, so whack away. LOL!