Ok let me first say that this writeup isn't meant to say that BMW's or their drivers are better than anyone, or that lower value cars such as Hondas and Acuras are inferior or worse than anyone else. This is purely a constructive outlook.
Oh yeah, and by the way, I AM NOT SAYING MY CAR IS FAST ANYWHERE IN THIS ARTICLE (going to be difficult for people to flame me now =/ )
Anyway, couple nights ago I was going to Carls Jr., but I heard the farmiliar noise of a turbo spool coming up behind me, and I turned my head in time to see a 240sx fly by with the usual WHIRRR of a turbo. He slowed, I fly by him, you know how it is. We both dropped down to 15, did a rolling honk start, we were about dead even from 20-100mph. We got stuck at a light and were talking about our cars...yadda yadda, turns out he had an intake, exhaust, chip, turbo boosting 9lb. We decided to take it to the freeway...good stuff, but he did beat me. We did a rolling from 60, he had me by about 3 lengths by 130mph.
I was pretty bummed out, but well, what the hell, that's what happens when another car has a turbo latched onto it. And you know what, good for him, it's obvious he's put a lot of work into the car, and it's cool that he can take me. I was starting to get pissed (like I always do when I lose a race), when suddenly a thought dawned on me. He DID beat me in a race, but isn't that all he beat me on? Isn't there more to owning a vehicle than being able to move from 60-130mph?
I know the haters are going to say I am trying to justify the fact that I lost, and blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE driving fast, and the fact that my car is a tad bit faster than most of the stuff on the road is definetely one of my favorite things about it, there's just more to it than that. There's more to owning a BMW than having that perk of speed.
What is it? Well, there's a lot of things really. Number one, the image. Hell, who doesn't like BMW's? That little pinwheel is damned awesome! Even my mother, who is an RN, and who is the most pratical person on the face of the planet (also whom can't even tell the difference between my car and a red civic on the outside) said to me, "You know Kevin, I have to admit, driving a BMW is like nothing else." Believe me, coming from my mom this says something. It's just a whole new experience. I don't know if it's the ride harshness, or the hardened steering, or the comfortable and practical layout, but without argument driving a BMW isn't like driving a Honda or a Nissan.
When you're talking to a chick you just met, what would you rather tell her when she asks you what you drive, a BMW or a Honda? When you're meeting new people, or whatever, it's just so much more fun to own a bmw. When your friends go out with you, whose car are they gonna want to ride in? The BMW, duh. It's cool becuase whenever you're out driving, you know you've got a positive image going.
Well made cars, enough said. The maintance may be expensive, but that's what you get for Deutschland engineering. And yes, to touch on it again, the speed is above average (although these days making cars so powerful is so easy our cars are starting to fall behind).
I guess what I've been trying to say through all this is that although I lost the race, it really doesn't bother me that much. He has a 240sx that whooped me in a freeway race, he put a lot of time and money into installing a turbo on his car, good for him, he should be proud. But I can tell you one thing, I'd sure as hell rather have my BMW than a Honda or an Acura that can walked me on the freeway.
i agree, theres somthin about a bmw that you cant explain.
Before i bought my car my mom always thought that bimmers were over rated and completely an image thing.. while the emblem on the hood helps alot, its more than that.. they are just rock solid cars, mayb not the fastest out there but they are def solid.
Slam the door on any azn import, then go do it on your bmw.. you can tell the difference between the 2 immediatly.
Hahaha i like the Disclaimer at the top of your post Deloriant! Also i agree with the entire post nice solid cars that seem to carry a certain mystique. nice post.
-Hutch-
__________________ <span style='color:red'>Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body. But rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totaly work out, loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride!!".</span>
<span style='color:blue'>If life passes you by......downshift</span>
Very well written! That should seriously get published for all to see somewhere (other than here, obviously). My thoughts and feelings exactly - even of my previous 318i (which we all know is NOT the speed freak we want it to be, stock). Very mature outlook and overall - perfect! Seriously, that is the best post I've read yet here.
nice write up. very mature outlook on the whole thing. I have loved my bmw's ever since the first time I drove my dad's 87 L6 when i was like 12. There is nothing else like it. "The Ultimate Driving Machine", you can't put it any clearer than that.
jk... nice to see ya buddy... good outlook.. I agree... and have thought the same many times.. I've gotten my doors blown off.. by many well worked cars... but not BMWs...
There is more to driving a car than going straight at 100+mph.
Take that guy on a road course and he's likely toast.
In addtion to all the quality/status points you made, the handling is why I bought my car. If I wanted just pure speed I would have bought something a lot cheaper.
Originally posted by Green17@Mar 20 2005, 09:56 AM There is more to driving a car than going straight at 100+mph.
Take that guy on a road course and he's likely toast.
In addtion to all the quality/status points you made, the handling is why I bought my car. If I wanted just pure speed I would have bought something a lot cheaper.
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Agreed.
Also, I bet you felt alot more comfortable at 130 than he did. I bet his car was rattling around and he was fighting the wheel the whole time. That is the difference between German and Japaneese made.
deloriant why do you always say your car is faster then everyones?
__________________ I hate: people who haven't died yet that I hate. L337 Co-Founding Assistant Executive Director Product Maker of Sunset Sig's Inc. 2000 BMW M Coupe - Dakar-II - S52 "You gotta fix the nut behind the wheel before you fix the bolts on the car"
He DID beat me in a race, but isn't that all he beat me on? Isn't there more to owning a vehicle than being able to move from 60-130mph?
This is the single best point ever made on these boards.
There is more to a car than freeway racing, auto-xing, road racing or drag racing. There is more to each medium of racing (exept maybe fwy n ) than meets the eye and the more involved you get, the more you can appreciate the skill required therin.
There is also more to what makes a car cool than the roundel (pinwheel) on the hood and trunk.
Just as you are happy with you car, even though you lost, I'm sure the guy in the 240 would still be happy with his had he lost to you.
Not everyone aspires to have a BMW, and not everyone finds them to be the pinnacle of automotive excellence. Yes, they are nice cars that handle pretty well and a relatively fast. But there are cars that are faster and/or handle better.
I'm sure that that statement will get me flamed, but it doesn't change the fact that its true. BMW is forced to make some concessions on performance because people expect a certain amount of luxury car (read: soft) feel from them, even the M cars.
Quote:
When you're talking to a chick you just met, what would you rather tell her when she asks you what you drive, a BMW or a Honda? When you're meeting new people, or whatever, it's just so much more fun to own a bmw. When your friends go out with you, whose car are they gonna want to ride in? The BMW, duh. It's cool becuase whenever you're out driving, you know you've got a positive image going.
Now this part just makes me laugh. I'm sure people will disagree, but I prefer to NOT tell people that I drive a BMW. Most of my friends prefer the Mustang to it, unless they get stuck in the backseat.
I know everyone is different, but most people see the BMW and just think $$. That's why chicks like them, because they're expensive and they recognize the name. I have yet to have a girl go for a ride in the Mustang and not be impressed. The car is immaculate, and there is something about the rumble of a v-8 that gets the girls going. (similar to a ride on the motorcycle. ) This is something that just doesn't happen with the german straight 6.
I can already see the responses coming about my not being smart enough to appreciate a 'great' car or whatever else the 'BMW's are the greatest car ever' camp comes up with. I'm not trying to convince anyone that one of my other cars (of which I've owned 10, all paid for by me alone) were the greatest ever, that would just be silly.
Everyone who is into cars has some reason that they are sold on the brand they are. It is those reasons and the passion with which we all defend our own that makes it so much fun. How boring would it be if everyones cars looked alike and had exactly the same mods?
__________________ 2002 BMW 530i
1997 Ford Mustang GT
1995 Honda VFR 750 (For Sale)
1964.5 Ford Mustang
Originally posted by The Deuce@Mar 21 2005, 10:14 AM
Quote:
He DID beat me in a race, but isn't that all he beat me on? Isn't there more to owning a vehicle than being able to move from 60-130mph?
This is the single best point ever made on these boards.
There is more to a car than freeway racing, auto-xing, road racing or drag racing. There is more to each medium of racing (exept maybe fwy n ) than meets the eye and the more involved you get, the more you can appreciate the skill required therin.
There is also more to what makes a car cool than the roundel (pinwheel) on the hood and trunk.
Just as you are happy with you car, even though you lost, I'm sure the guy in the 240 would still be happy with his had he lost to you.
Not everyone aspires to have a BMW, and not everyone finds them to be the pinnacle of automotive excellence. Yes, they are nice cars that handle pretty well and a relatively fast. But there are cars that are faster and/or handle better.
I'm sure that that statement will get me flamed, but it doesn't change the fact that its true. BMW is forced to make some concessions on performance because people expect a certain amount of luxury car (read: soft) feel from them, even the M cars.
Quote:
When you're talking to a chick you just met, what would you rather tell her when she asks you what you drive, a BMW or a Honda? When you're meeting new people, or whatever, it's just so much more fun to own a bmw. When your friends go out with you, whose car are they gonna want to ride in? The BMW, duh. It's cool becuase whenever you're out driving, you know you've got a positive image going.
Now this part just makes me laugh. I'm sure people will disagree, but I prefer to NOT tell people that I drive a BMW. Most of my friends prefer the Mustang to it, unless they get stuck in the backseat.
I know everyone is different, but most people see the BMW and just think $$. That's why chicks like them, because they're expensive and they recognize the name. I have yet to have a girl go for a ride in the Mustang and not be impressed. The car is immaculate, and there is something about the rumble of a v-8 that gets the girls going. (similar to a ride on the motorcycle. ) This is something that just doesn't happen with the german straight 6.
I can already see the responses coming about my not being smart enough to appreciate a 'great' car or whatever else the 'BMW's are the greatest car ever' camp comes up with. I'm not trying to convince anyone that one of my other cars (of which I've owned 10, all paid for by me alone) were the greatest ever, that would just be silly.
Everyone who is into cars has some reason that they are sold on the brand they are. It is those reasons and the passion with which we all defend our own that makes it so much fun. How boring would it be if everyones cars looked alike and had exactly the same mods?
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good point..everyones different..but i must agree with Deloriant...its different behind a BMW steering wheel. Even if it is a 135hp 318.
Originally posted by Numark318i@Mar 21 2005, 05:56 PM good point..everyones different..but i must agree with Deloriant...its different behind a BMW steering wheel. Even if it is a 135hp 318.
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Exactly. There is something special about the cars. I've done things in my 525iT that I can't imagine doing in another mid sized wagon. My ex-g/f's old 320 was a hoot to drive as well.
There is however, something about neck snapping, tire melting torque that I just can't get enough of. That's why I've got two v8's and am looking for a '65 mustang to build up to about 450 hp/500 tq.
If everyone thought like me, I wouldn't be able to afford the cars I have.
There'd be room in my garage for 2002tii if the funds were there.
__________________ 2002 BMW 530i
1997 Ford Mustang GT
1995 Honda VFR 750 (For Sale)
1964.5 Ford Mustang
Originally posted by The Deuce+Mar 21 2005, 07:49 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Deuce @ Mar 21 2005, 07:49 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Numark318i@Mar 21 2005, 05:56 PM good point..everyones different..but i must agree with Deloriant...its different behind a BMW steering wheel. Even if it is a 135hp 318.
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Exactly. There is something special about the cars. I've done things in my 525iT that I can't imagine doing in another mid sized wagon. My ex-g/f's old 320 was a hoot to drive as well.
There is however, something about neck snapping, tire melting torque that I just can't get enough of. That's why I've got two v8's and am looking for a '65 mustang to build up to about 450 hp/500 tq.
If everyone thought like me, I wouldn't be able to afford the cars I have.
There'd be room in my garage for 2002tii if the funds were there.
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a guy on my local board is selling 2 2002s... one turbo witha bunch of mods which is fast as shit (needs some minor work -- doesnt run right now), with a ok body...
the other is in excelent condition but the drivetrain is stock.
Especially the one about there are faster cars, better handling cars, and yes... *sigh* even better looking cars. Sure a Porshe 911 will kick the crap out of our cars in every single type of motor sport out there, Yes a Corvette gets the you same/slightly better performance and less cost, Yeah a turbo'd civic with "T3h N0ZZ" will kill us in the 1/4 mile. However, there is something about a BMW that drivers of most/all of those other cars still repsect.
The problem is that a lot of BMW drivers forget to respect the other cars. Yeah BMW's are great, but look on this board. When ever some one mentions another car it/they are usually flamed. Keep in mind that we find our cars to be the best balance of everything involving going from point A to point B on tarmac that has ever been concieved. But there are admirable qualities in almost ever other car in the world (the ones in Korea do not have any admirable qualities in the car... but the sticker price doesn't look to bad j/k)
So just remember that. Everybody loves the car that they drive, and yet still respects and perhaps covets another car. It just so happens that most people covet BMW's B)
Also as a final point: Even Furious Drives a Civic... And we all know Furious has good taste in everything automotive. So even though he drives a BMW, there are qualities in the Civic that make the car appealing to him (at least during the colder parts of the year).
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:wink B) 
n ) than meets the eye and the more involved you get, the more you can appreciate the skill required therin.
) This is something that just doesn't happen with the german straight 6.
And we all know Furious has good taste in everything automotive. So even though he drives a BMW, there are qualities in the Civic that make the car appealing to him (at least during the colder parts of the year). 
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