Is it just me or has the 3-series become a dime a dozen

82theZ · 05-01-2009, 10:35 AM

So this may not be the case everywhere, but here in Northern VA, it seems like every other car I see is a BMW 3-series. I know its a good car and all, but I don't even get remotely excited anymore when I see one. I feel like even though I see a good number of Z's, they were purchased under a different mindset. Its like I am buying a BMW just to say "Hey look at me, I have a BMW". But with the Z, yeah you get the looks but its like "Hey I bought a sports car because I am an enthusiast". Granted there are those who bought the Z for some kind of wow factor from others, but I digress. Anybody else see this, especially other NoVa peeps?

smurfblu13 · 05-01-2009, 11:12 AM

I agree with you, there are lot of 3's running around. But they're usually 3.28i if its an e92 or a 3.28i/3.30i for the e90's. 335i's are quite a bit less frequent and i still don't see very many M's.

I'm not from NoVa though and I know there is good amount of money running around there, so my statement may not work for there.

Anatoray · 05-01-2009, 11:15 AM

I'm willing to bet the majority of people who bought Zs did it for wow factor, not because they're enthusiasts :/

I agree with you on the 3 series thing, and I don't find it surprising. The middle class has grown much richer over the past decade, and alng with those riches comes higher class purchases.

CrownR426 · 05-01-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smurfblu13

I agree with you, there are lot of 3's running around. But they're usually 3.28i if its an e92 or a 3.28i/3.30i for the e90's. 335i's are quite a bit less frequent and i still don't see very many M's.

I'm not from NoVa though and I know there is good amount of money running around there, so my statement may not work for there.

M's put a big hole in our wallets thats why!

Crash · 05-01-2009, 05:53 PM

I live in Los Angeles. You're nobody if you don't have a BMW! LOL

No, but really, we got more 3 series cars here than mustangs. If you go into the ghetto areas of LA, you'll see crap loads of 3s parallel parked in front of the crappiest most low budget rent apartments... My best friend is like that too. Refused to buy an economical car - something she could afford without there being crap loads of problems. She bought a 323i because "you ain't nobody without a bmw." Now I'm constantly fixing her car because she can't afford to fix it herself. LOL

m4a1mustang · 05-01-2009, 06:03 PM

It's Northern VA. BMW's are one of the most popular cars around here, and the 3 series is probably the most popular one.

Just like 911s in McLean. Every other car in McLean is a late model 911.

Hell, I was out there for lunch today and was at a light with a Vantage and an orange Murcielago.

Greg · 05-01-2009, 08:30 PM

For as long as I can remember 3 series or bmw's in general were always a dime a dozen at least where Im from. Wannabe rich people and posers aside.. They are very popular cars that... lets face it, most people could afford (there's a bimmer for any budget).. Imo Bmw's like the GM of Europe.

molamann · 05-01-2009, 10:07 PM

I must say I always wondered how companies like GM, Hyundai, Chrysler stayed alive while living in Los Angeles. Then my question was answered once I got stationed in Oklahoma.

Asheth · 05-02-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

For as long as I can remember 3 series or bmw's in general were always a dime a dozen at least where Im from. Wannabe rich people and posers aside.. They are very popular cars that... lets face it, most people could afford (there's a bimmer for any budget).. Imo Bmw's like the GM of Europe.

I have grown numb to BMW's from living in Germany they are like the GM of Germany for sure. Porsche would then be the Cadillac I guess you get use to seeing them too and there is some wow but not much anymore. Most military people leave Germany with a Bimmer cause you get them cheaper. When I was on R&R in germany a couple months ago there was 6 135i's parked outside the PX all 09's!

05-01-2009, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
82theZ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: VA Posts: 25 Drives: 2009 370Z T/S Rep Power: 16	Is it just me or has the 3-series become a dime a dozen So this may not be the case everywhere, but here in Northern VA, it seems like every other car I see is a BMW 3-series. I know its a good car and all, but I don't even get remotely excited anymore when I see one. I feel like even though I see a good number of Z's, they were purchased under a different mindset. Its like I am buying a BMW just to say "Hey look at me, I have a BMW". But with the Z, yeah you get the looks but its like "Hey I bought a sports car because I am an enthusiast". Granted there are those who bought the Z for some kind of wow factor from others, but I digress. Anybody else see this, especially other NoVa peeps?

05-01-2009, 05:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 589	I live in Los Angeles. You're nobody if you don't have a BMW! LOL No, but really, we got more 3 series cars here than mustangs. If you go into the ghetto areas of LA, you'll see crap loads of 3s parallel parked in front of the crappiest most low budget rent apartments... My best friend is like that too. Refused to buy an economical car - something she could afford without there being crap loads of problems. She bought a 323i because "you ain't nobody without a bmw." Now I'm constantly fixing her car because she can't afford to fix it herself. LOL __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

05-01-2009, 06:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	It's Northern VA. BMW's are one of the most popular cars around here, and the 3 series is probably the most popular one. Just like 911s in McLean. Every other car in McLean is a late model 911. Hell, I was out there for lunch today and was at a light with a Vantage and an orange Murcielago. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-01-2009, 08:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Greg Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Age: 56 Posts: 551 Drives: 06 350 ZR CS Rep Power: 299	For as long as I can remember 3 series or bmw's in general were always a dime a dozen at least where Im from. Wannabe rich people and posers aside.. They are very popular cars that... lets face it, most people could afford (there's a bimmer for any budget).. Imo Bmw's like the GM of Europe. __________________ Chef Greg At Your Service

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05-01-2009, 11:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
smurfblu13 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 2,584 Drives: cars Rep Power: 380	I agree with you, there are lot of 3's running around. But they're usually 3.28i if its an e92 or a 3.28i/3.30i for the e90's. 335i's are quite a bit less frequent and i still don't see very many M's. I'm not from NoVa though and I know there is good amount of money running around there, so my statement may not work for there.

05-01-2009, 11:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	I'm willing to bet the majority of people who bought Zs did it for wow factor, not because they're enthusiasts :/ I agree with you on the 3 series thing, and I don't find it surprising. The middle class has grown much richer over the past decade, and alng with those riches comes higher class purchases.

05-01-2009, 10:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	I must say I always wondered how companies like GM, Hyundai, Chrysler stayed alive while living in Los Angeles. Then my question was answered once I got stationed in Oklahoma.