[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by b92

As much as I love talking about cars, I hate talking about cars with non-car people. So I'll usually try to keep it short with just "BMW" or "3-series" and if they inquire further I'll carry on to "335" or "E92 335".

I think I've only used "335is" once or twice; this is usually reserved for fellow N54-enthusiasts since the 335is distinction doesn't mean much outside that crowd.

Agree 100%. Talking cars with non-car people is a minefield. There are some people out there who hate driving, hate cars, and hate people who like driving or cars. Talking to them is about cars is like talking to a rabbi while wearing a swastika lapel pin.

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Lol it’s been 15+ years of brand and model dilution, and cheap leases. Who still thinks BMW’s are “next to exotics”?

Most people... lol

“BMW wagons”

If they inquire further,
“E46 and F31.”

If they look puzzled after that
“BMW WagonSsss.”

And then they say They saw a Audi/Mercedes wagon the other day

“Cool” *turn and walk away*

[Moflow]

2-series. I honestly don’t want to have any sort of conversation with most people.

If they’re a car person, I may be down to have that conversation and car people will usually ask for specifics, so I’m that case, I tell them it’s an M2.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

Do you pronounce it "coop" or "coopay"?

I thought "coopay" was only reserved for the Grand Coupe. Unless you're British or French.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

“A lease”

[fabregas]

A "bimmer".

[thebmw]

When they ask me what I drive, I say "my wife". Pause for a second. Then I say "everyday, non-stop". Then I pause again and I say "up a wall".

[ByeFelicia]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Lol it’s been 15+ years of brand and model dilution, and cheap leases. Who still thinks BMW’s are “next to exotics”?

Non car people. Im sure you're a guy who has coworkers. Maybe...Maybe not.

Some talk to you and go 'oooh you drive a beemer' Ooooo it looks so new.
When it's 2011 328i Sulev that's more clean rather than not.

You (we) only have this mindset cause we like BMW so much that we join an internet community to talk only about BMW. We know the difference between a 15 year old BMW that has 90-150K and can be bought 2nd hand for less than a new honda accord.... But it has a BMW badge and that alone makes non car people wonder how much you make compared to them.

[Thadius]

I say depends on the day ;]

[ShocknAwe]

"an old BMW" for my 1er

"A truck" for my cayenne.

Happy to talk cars with folks who are interested but genuinely couldn't be less involved in the my car is newer or more expensive than your car game.

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by ByeFelicia

Non car people. Im sure you're a guy who has coworkers. Maybe...Maybe not.

Some talk to you and go 'oooh you drive a beemer' Ooooo it looks so new.
When it's 2011 328i Sulev that's more clean rather than not.

You (we) only have this mindset cause we like BMW so much that we join an internet community to talk only about BMW. We know the difference between a 15 year old BMW that has 90-150K and can be bought 2nd hand for less than a new honda accord.... But it has a BMW badge and that alone makes non car people wonder how much you make compared to them.

This x1000. Both of my cars combined cost me significantly less than a new Honda Civic. And yet, the moment you mention "BMW" people automatically feel some type of way.

[Darth One]

Yes, I have coworkers. A decent number of the entry level analysts have new BMW's. It's all good, the whole department enjoys talking about them whether they are car people or not. no one's a snob for or against BMW, but I'm certain no one views them as exotics or even super prestigious. But maybe it's also a matter of geography, because there are days in South Florida that I see more BMW's than new Civics

[Bingham]

Merc.

[NorthCountryGuy]

If a stranger or someone I am only vaguely familiar/associated with, “...why do you want to know”
If someone I am familiar with...a BMW.
If someone I know/who knows me...they already know.

[blackbird_f32]

Usually I just say bimmer coupe

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

For me, it depends.

If it's a regular non-car person, I say "2 series."

If it's a car person, "M235i."

If it's a hardcore BMW enthusiast, "just a 235" lol.

If it's someone that wants to race me, "stock."

Using your scenarios:

If it's a regular non-car person, I say "BMW"

If it's a car person, "BMW 3-Series"

If it's a hardcore BMW enthusiast, "F80"

If it's someone that wants to race me, "You'll find out when you see the back of my car in a few seconds"

[big_ol_litres]

I just upgraded from a buick rendezvous to my 09 550i but to non car people I say BMW 5 series, or I say 5 series with a big honkin' engine. To someone who knows cars I say e60 550i and maybe add in 4.8l V8

[tdott]

An old BMW.

[Feddersen]

In general I try to avoid the topic. Simply because cars are expensive in Denmark and BMWs (and other luxury brands) are extremely expensive. So most consider a car to be a necessary transport item and that’s it. Average size of cars in Denmark is about a Ford Fiesta/VW Polo to Ford Focus/VW Golf sized cars. Also many think that cars have to have the lowest possible carbon footprint so the average sized engine is about 100-120hp. We have decided to have our cars as our hobby but that is a very visual hobby when you arrive in a shiny Sunset Orange BMW so the first comments are normally “Wow - that must be expensive!”, “Why do you drive such a big car?” or “Why don’t you care about your carbon footprint?”. So people in general often judge us purely by the car and blame us being rich a..holes and the single cause to the climate Armageddon. But for us it is a matter of priorities and in fact our carbon footprint is below avarage for the Danish population.

So when people approach me with the question I try to say “BMW” as unenthusiastic as possible hoping for no further questions. Only if they reveal themselves as car interested I open up for further information.

Just to give you an impression of the prices in Denmark I just sold a fully loaded F30 335i, 8 years old and almost 200.000km for more than 35k € / 40k USD.

[The Libertine]

A BMW. If they want to know more, they can ask.

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

I say it's a BMW Z4M sports car; if they ask for more I tell them it is a convertible; if it's a motorhead, I tell them about the upgrades.

My neighbor had a Honda S2000 and always called it "my sports car." I thought that was kind of douchey.

He definitely wasn't a "car guy" and short shifted it all the time to the point that it was constantly lugging. He probably had more carbon buildup in the heads than I have on my BBQ after a full summer of drilling.

A Honda can mean many things: a utilitarian sedan, an SUV, a hybrid, a pickup... or a CBR1000RR-R, the $30,000 World Superbike homologation special. If people care, they will ask.

[ASAP]

I always say an old BMW...

... Technically it's true... its a 5 month old M2 Comp.