[youthsonic]

Hey everyone!

My in-laws recently visited a friend of theirs who retired not long ago with what I presume to be quite a bit of retirement savings. This friend relocated, bought a huge house, and owns a BMW SUV (not sure which one, as I have never seen it, and my inlaws couldn’t give two shits about cars, really). Anyway, it came up in discussion that I was shopping for a new BMW, and this friend was asking my father in law, "Ooh, which one?!?" so he found my FB post about getting a new 330i xDrive and showed it to this person. Their response? "Oh, that's just the low end model. Guess he couldn't afford a real one."

FFS - I drive a 3-series because I LIKE the 3-series! This one is my 3rd. I don't really ever see myself leaving the 3's! I like the smaller cars, but I have a family, need 4 doors (as my wife drives a 370z), and my kid is 6'3", so I needed something with more headroom and legroom in the rear. I also specifically chose NOT to get a M340i, as I'll be getting an German-delivery M3 after my kiddo leaves for college in 3-4 years - and if I am going to own an M, I'd rather have an M vs an M-Sport, if that makes sense. The 5's kind of appeal to me, but after test-driving one a few weeks ago I stuck with the 3-series. They just seem more sporty, more agile, etc. The 7's and 8's are nice, just not practical for my needs right now in my life. I strongly considered a 2016 i8 (stupid impractical), and a 5 year old Aston Martin Rapide as they had them at the dealership I was at, but I really just wanted a new car under warranty. Also: I work from home, so I really don't get to get out and stretch the legs of a super fast car right now.

It's not about what I can or can't afford - I am lucky enough to essentially be able to afford any car I want within reason. I was in a situation where I needed to get a new car faster than I would have liked, so I didn't have time to custom order. So instead I set my own budget, looked around, test drove many cars, I CHOSE to drive 2 hours each way to BUY the 330i I have simply because it's the car I wanted. It had every package I wanted, and I LOVE the Blue Ridge Mountain metallic color more than I thought I would.

Anyway, some people are just asshats, I guess.

[VipinLJ]

I agree. And considering a lot of people (more than 50pc) can’t even afford a car that costs $25k+.

When people say stuff like that, I just smile and nod my head and then tune the rest of it out.

[MUFCbmwbear]

Excommunicate those type of people from your life.
I went from a e92 M3 to a M235i cause I no longer wanted to drive a fire breathing dragon in daily commute. "Oh, its just a 2 series, what happened?"
It was the right car for me and the size I prefer. The 330 is a great car

[TorontoGambler]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

I agree. And considering a lot of people (more than 50pc) can’t even afford a car that costs $25k+.

When people say stuff like that, I just smile and nod my head and then tune the rest of it out.

Yes that’s all you can do. When someone responds that way it’s more about them and you! I’m getting the car that works for me, that looks good to me, that works for my life. When I see someone in a giant car because it cost more and they feel that’s the statement they want to make I also smile, I’m sure they have their reasons... maybe.

[SteveinArizona]

They are pretentious idiots. Ask them why they couldn't afford a proper Cayenne?

[wtwo3]

With people like that it's best to just keep quiet and smile. They define their self worth based on their material possessions. But there's something to be said about someone who purchases things based on what the individual wants as opposed to what he/she thinks other people's impression of them will be. There's also something to be said about those who live within their means.

I'd like to think most people in this forum purchase BMW's (regardless of model) because we're passionate about our cars, and not because we want to show off to our neighbors or inlaws or whoever. And that's how it should be.

[upsidedownfunnel]

People like that are toxic. Worrying about what they think will only make you a worse person. Just keep your distance. After moving away from people like that in my life, I've found that I have time to think about far more important things. Now when I do see those people, I just find it amusing what they concern themselves with.

[TheRetroGuy]

The msrp on my car was around $59k... before I decided I specifically wanted a 3 series, I was considering $75k SUVs. I could have easily afforded a larger (lol) or more powerful (than I need) car, but I got the 3 series because that's what I wanted, and I have zero regrets.

The 3 series has an interesting pedigree and some would say it's BMW's most important model, and the G20 is just a great vehicle overall.

[NorCalAthlete]

Gatekeepers. I've run into them on this forum from time to time too. Don't let it bother you. You do you and buy whatever you want when the time is right for you, not for anyone else.

[ByronWalter]

Your in-laws might consider a little self-reflection. Right now I'm self-reflecting too. Have I used too many hyphens?... If so, I apologize.

[youthsonic]

Originally Posted by ByronWalter

Your in-laws might consider a little self-reflection. Right now I'm self-reflecting too. Have I used too many hyphens?... If so, I apologize.

To be clear, it was my in-laws' friend they were visiting and no my in-laws that made the comment
However, they've been reflecting on their friendship with them. There were some other stuff that happened too that they were not super happy about.

[todd92]

Why do you care what a couple of tossers think?

[jstnstr]

There will always be petty idiots who need to make themselves feel superior to compensate for their own insecurities. That being said, there is definitely a group of people who get bottom-of-the-line luxury vehicle JUST for the brand and badge. These people are typically very impressed with themselves and need to tell people that they drive a BMW as badly as vegans need to tell people they are vegan. Does not sound like you are one of those... you know your truth. Fuck em!

[TTG]

Who cares and move on like others indicated.

Also, why don't you ask them how much they think your car costs? -That usually sets the tone.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by TTG

Who cares and move on like others indicated.

Also, why don't you ask them how much they think your car costs? -That usually sets the tone.

It's the base model! How much could it be, $20,000?

That's sarcasm

[AlexInChicago]

I still have two of the four 3 series I've bought. There are several reasons the 3, 4, and rwd 2-series are the real BMW's: They are the cars you want on a track day. The 3 series has more leg room and trunk space than a 5 or 7 series or even an X5 (if you count trunk space as the area behind the rear seats and under the cargo cover). And, according to a Road & Track story on 12/12/2018, the 2019/2020 330 has a different, and theoretically better, power steering setup than the M340. The 330 unit wouldn't fit in the M340 because of the engine. I couldn't tell the difference on a test drive though. People who diss the 3 series may not know what a real car can do. The lack of demand for real performance is why BMW is making fewer and fewer good cars, and more and more luxury pigs.

[xacoffeemx]

Those people are absolutely toxic and have nothing better to do than compare their own success/achievement to others.

I'm currently leasing two BMWs: F30 320i and G20 M340i shared between me and my wife. When my F30 320i lease is over, I'm planning on getting a Honda Civic or a Kia Soul EV for my daily 40-mile commute. Your 330i is so much better than that!

As long as you're satisfied with your car, people can shove their own opinions up themselves. At the very least, keep it to themselves for their own sense of entitlement.

[premier3is]

Sounds like some toxic fucks to me. Who gives a shit, you drive and buy what you like.

They sound like the type of ppl who live beyond their means and end up broke. Don't care how much you retire on, you can still end up broke any given day.

Also, I'm like you and work from a home office. A 330i is more than sufficient for me, even that technically is unnecessary. I've had the car for 7 months now and only put 3k miles on it...

[dreamingat30fps]

Seems your in-laws need better friends. Can't imagine any friends or family of mine making such a comment, shit I can't imagine anyone I know personally making such a comment. If they did they wouldn't be friends of mine for very long.

Car I drive the most is my corolla.

[eluded]

Next time tell him your waiting on your tri motor cyber truck.

Anyway these days to kill time I love to ask, how is your portfolio doing ?

[Psychotic Mouse]

Why let what other people think get under your skin. I don’t care what people think of me. Everything you do in life would be for yourself and your family not for anyone else.

I just shrug when people say crap like this. If The person is saying it to my face then I’d just calmly stare that it’s exactly what I need. If they ask for more info I go into detail.

If they start mentioning alternatives I reply with “it’s not my cup of tea”

[Dang3r]

A 3 series is just a 3 series, no more. If it fits you, thats the mainpart and I wouldnt judge the money value onto the car - but its as said before just a 3 series.