Why do people tailgate? I got rear ended—

[zk]

[quote=UCGal]

I’m confused.
BMWs are status symbols,
But they’re common.
They are expensive for oil changes.
But so are a lot of other cars.
And they cost the same as a corolla.
But they’re status symbols.

[/quote]

I think he said his used BMW cost the same as a new Corolla.

Anyway, I agree with you. As I said (paraphrasing myself), BMWs are only really status symbols among BMW drivers. And maybe a (very) few others. But hey, to each his own! Give me a Camaro SS any day. For less than the price of a 328i, you get a much faster car. Or a Shelby GT 500. For about the price of a 535i, you get more than twice the horsepower and an 11.5 second quarter mile. Screw status, that’s fun!

[paramount]

[quote=zk][quote=UCGal]

I’m confused.
BMWs are status symbols,
But they’re common.
They are expensive for oil changes.
But so are a lot of other cars.
And they cost the same as a corolla.
But they’re status symbols.

[/quote]

I think he said his used BMW cost the same as a new Corolla.

[/quote]

Thank you, yes that is what I said.

I think much of the status of the German brands (except VW) is partly legacy; once upon a time Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc…really were out of reach for most people.

Today these premium brands are more attainable I suppose, I’m not even close to wealthy, but I have one.

But, they are still premium brand cars.

The following applies to Mercedes, Audi and BMW; but I’ll use BMW as my example since I have more experience with BMW.

A Camaro SS is an awesome car as is the Shelby, and not really comparable to a BMW (performance wise); but I’ll guarantee you this: a 328i or 535 is a much better built and much better engineered car than any camaro or mustang ever has been or ever will be (on a YOY basis).

Allow me to summarize, a BMW is generally better engineered and better built than:

Honda
Nissan
Toyota
Chevy
Ford
Dodge

and the list goes on.

Infiniti, Lexus etc…is another story.

I’d feel much safer in my 328i at 155mph (see video above) than any camaro (assuming a camaro could hit 155).

[spdrun]

Give me a Camaro SS any day. For less than the price of a 328i, you get a much faster car. Or a Shelby GT 500.

Meh, I prefer a nicely turboed Miata or MR-2 to American barges.

[CafeMoto]

I like BMWs: great brakes, handling, and easy to find manual option in many models. Additionally I’ve been rear ended twice in one. The cars protected me well. Lot of good cars these days so drive what you like. Let the tailgaters bye, it’s not worth forcing those losers to weave.

[zk]

[quote=spdrun]

Give me a Camaro SS any day. For less than the price of a 328i, you get a much faster car. Or a Shelby GT 500.

Meh, I prefer a nicely turboed Miata or MR-2 to American barges.[/quote]

Yup, to each his own. For guys like me who grew up in the ’70s, it’s always been about speed. (Although the intoxicating, manly, deep rumble of a V8 was always important, also.) What your car does the quarter mile in meant more than anything. And it’s been a long time since a relatively affordable production car did the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds. That’s damn fast.

[svelte]

Paramount, don’t disagree that BMWs are fine cars.

But “better built” depends on how one measures.

As far as performance, I love great handling but to me the bottom line is acceleration. Handling curves is great until you reach the break-loose point which can literally make you need to change your shorts.

Me, I love acceleration. To be pushed back in my seat is really a rush. If it comes with great handling that is fantastic. But I won’t sacrifice that 0-60 time…

[Author]

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