I'm about to buy a car (maybe a used one) and am researching online. I'd quite like to get a BMW (3 series most likely) but for some reason it seems people who bought a BMW in the past chose a different brand next time around. So that makes me think maybe they're not a great as I thought?
2007-02-06 20:41:26 · 16 answers · asked by Elkie L 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
I think a lot of this is down to peoples perception of BMW drivers.
Here in the UK, its common for the words BMW Driver and To$$er to be used in the same sentence.
There's nothing wrong with the cars, but there is a stigma that goes with them. BMW drivers are "assumed" to be arrogant to$$ers who would cut you up as soon as look at you.
I suspect this came about in the early 90s when BMWs were only driven by "city workers" who had more money than sense and an "I'm richer and therefore better than you" attitude.
The cars are now more affordable by everyday people, they are better engineered and therefore more reliable, they have maintained their prestige brand (helped no-doubt by the city money men continuing to buy BMW), but they've also kept the stigma that goes with them.
Joe Punter who saves up for years to buy his BMW then suddenly gets tarred with the same brush. He's a TO$$ER! It comes automatically whenever you park your bum on the Bavarian seat.
So no matter how much he loves his BMW, he's not going to get another because he can't stand being associated with the brand.
There's nothing physically wrong with the cars. They are as reliable as any other car out there. They are not much more expensive than comparable cars. They look very nice and go very well. But if you drive one, everyone else who isn't driving a BMW will be thinking you are a to$$er!
If you can live with that, then go ahead and buy BMWs until the day you die. If not, then have a long hard think about it.
2007-02-07 19:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by wally_zebon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most BMW dealerships report extremely good resell percentages so I am not sure how you came by the data above. Mercedes have a well known quality control issue and have lost sales but in my experince the only BMW technical problems tend to be electronic. However, the image of the cars leads to vandalism and theft. I had a company 3 series that was broken into 5 times in two years so changed to something anonymous - a Honda. It was never touched. Maybe not the same image or performance, but peace of mind sometimes is all. Maybe that is why others, like me, are going elsewhere.
2007-02-06 21:16:39 · answer #2 · answered by lynxd67 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
BMW's aren't bad cars, but they aren't particularly better than many other marques either. They do seem to attract a certain amount of "badge snobbery" which is probably what makes them somewhat overpriced.
It's a bit like Audi's, which are little more than overpriced Volkswagens, which a little more than overpriced Skoda's.
What you have to decide is how much you want to spend on the badge!
2007-02-06 21:15:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I find that very odd. In the U.S. bmw is rated as the highest in residual value for luxury makes. It is number 2 overall, bested only by honda.
As for customer retention, bmw boasts an over 50% rating is customer retention here. Like i said, very odd.
2007-02-10 03:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by jay 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm loyal to BMW .... when I was 18 I got a 330 convertible for my birthday, and am now on my 2nd M3 though I don't like the new style so might move on to a Lambo .....
I think BMs have served me well, I love them - as reliable as any Japanese offering, so ignore the guy below
2007-02-06 20:43:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Had a BMW 5 series got rid of it and got a Volvo S80 and have never looked back. these days BMWs' are so common that any prestige there used to be has gone.
2007-02-06 20:54:05 · answer #6 · answered by paul m 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best answer ive read so far is Gingers.
Nice one!
You wouldnt catch me without a BMW
2007-02-09 09:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by e30dan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My last 3 cars have been BMW's. they have been reliable nice motors. I currently have a 3 series convertible and can say it's the best car iv'e owned
2007-02-06 20:51:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe 'cos the owners don't seem to look after them, it seems that most of the BMW cars on the road are covered in dirt etc.
2007-02-06 20:44:54 · answer #9 · answered by garlicjnr2001 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
get somthing different. seems like more 3 series than mondeos on the road now
2007-02-09 11:01:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋