If you had the money, would you still drive BMW's? [Archive] - Bimmerforums

325i Vert

11-14-2005, 09:03 PM

As the title reads. If you had the money would you still drive BMWs? Do you drive these cars for the heritage and pride of ownership? Or do you drive them just because many of them are a good value for the money and just a car to drive till you can afford something else? I guess my question is, if you had the money to go out and buy a new Ferrari or Bentley or any high-priced car, would you always come back to BMW? If you had endless amounts of money would you ditch the roundels and move on to something else? I think that I will always own a BMW no matter what tax-bracket I am in. They will most definatly have to share a garage with a couple of Italian stallions but I am 100% positive my heart will always be in BMW's:D .

Josh K

jetmech3421

11-14-2005, 09:18 PM

SilverBeam

11-14-2005, 09:24 PM

I would. You can't beat them for fun dailys. I'd kill for a E60 daily driver.

Gregg

11-14-2005, 09:26 PM

I don't have the money and still drive a BMW.

xDMx

11-14-2005, 09:29 PM

I don't think most people regard BMWs as cheap/discount cars?

Mitch

11-14-2005, 09:34 PM

If I had the money, I'd probably have a few exotics in the garage--> right next to a 2002 with a turbo s14 swap :D

madsedan

11-14-2005, 09:42 PM

We had this question come up at a BMW club meeting one night and everyone was talking about the new M3 they would buy or the Dinan E39 M5, and I was like, "Screw that, if I was a millionaire I'd drive nothing but Italian V12's!" The everybody was like, yeah, I'd probably drive Ferrari's.

TCossuto

11-14-2005, 09:47 PM

I would never sell/trade my current e30 for anything. i would however get a few nice cars such as listed ^^. i would drive the bimmer as much as any of the others, but I Dunno if i can say i'd drive it all the time.

betta2bme

11-14-2005, 10:37 PM

645ci = daily driver
360 Modena = panty dropper

iCeDmAn

11-14-2005, 10:46 PM

well i mean think about it you really cant park anything higher then a bmw without having to worry about getting a serious amount of attention...you cant park a ferrari in a shopping mall etc. you need a bmw which is slightly lower key, and they are great cars so i would

Sform576

11-14-2005, 10:52 PM

im pretty sure that id egt a few of the exotics. but mostly it would still be bimmers and vintage exotics. im thinkin like 10 or so bimmers might satisfy me :).

vintage is where its at IMO. if i had the money id get old porches, ferraris, etc. down and dirty race cars; no cd players, cruise control, air conditioning.who needs that crap anyway?

rmani

11-14-2005, 10:55 PM

Honestly no, I wouldn't own one anymore with exception to an e30 M3, e36 M3, and an e46 M3.

I dislike all of the new designs and I would rather spend the money elsewhere. I probably wouldn't find the same driving package all rolled into one but if I had money I'd go for more niche cars.

Sports Car = Ferrari 575
Daily Driver = Sl55
Luxury Cruiser = Merc S55
Truck = Range Rover Sport
Track Car = My current e36 M3
Weekend Toy = Ducati 998

Ahh maybe someday.:cool

325i Vert

11-14-2005, 10:58 PM

im pretty sure that id egt a few of the exotics. but mostly it would still be bimmers and vintage exotics. im thinkin like 10 or so bimmers might satisfy me .

I agree. I would love to have a nice collection of old BMW's. Id like all of them from a 2002 Vert to 507's to 3.0's and the whole lineage of the M cars. I think that would be a perfect collection.

Josh K

Daved

11-14-2005, 11:02 PM

If I had the money, I would already have an E60 M5.

Yuen

11-14-2005, 11:02 PM

If I had the money, I'd buy a huge garage that would need to fit all the different BMW models ever produced - and if an M version was produced, it would represent that particular model.

It would also have a lift so I could work on all my cars in comfort. With every single tool produced.

Of course, I'd have some Ferraris and Lambos, maybe a Zonda...

Doesn't hurt to dream :D

JTFormula

11-14-2005, 11:11 PM

I would always have a BMW. I would buy some older models - 507, Turbo 2002, & 3.0 CSL - I would also buy an M5 from 88 and maybe a e39 M5 too.

As for the Italian F cars and Lambos, over rated, too finicky and way too expensive to maintain. How about $17,000 for timing belt replacement and $15,000 clutches? I don't care how rich I am, that's just outrageous!

I'd buy a Porsche Turbo and a Viper for the same cash as a F-car or Lambo!

seven217

11-14-2005, 11:15 PM

My M3 will always be mine...right next to
Ducati 999
E30 M3
Ferarri
Ferarri
Ferarri
Aston Martin Vanquish

jetmech3421

11-14-2005, 11:18 PM

\]As for the Italian F cars and Lambos, over rated, too finicky and way too expensive to maintain. How about $17,000 for timing belt replacement and $15,000 clutches? I don't care how rich I am, that's just outrageous!

Hell, when you're rich, it's bragging rights to be able to say a new timing belt cost you $17,000. It adds to the car's charm.

cmasrfr15

11-14-2005, 11:23 PM

The italian and exotic cars are really no different than bmw's in that you can still do routine maintnence by yourself if you have any mechanical savy. $15,000 clutch? I helped my dad with a 355 clutch. I like to work on my own cars anyway. Not really difficult and parts were only a few hundred. I'd still rock the roundell. It's hard to beat the performance and reliability of bimmers. they're just solid cars.

static667

11-14-2005, 11:29 PM

I'd have to stick with BMW as my main car. I'd make the ultimate sleeper out of my e36 (or turn it into a race car),have a e39 M5 for a daily driver and a Saleen S7 for the weekend destroyer.

Don Nguyen

11-14-2005, 11:49 PM

If I all of a sudden got a nice lump of money I'd probably keep my M3 but get something nicer, like an AM or Ferrari F430 :)

NickM3

11-14-2005, 11:53 PM

Nope.

I'm not a huge fan of having a huge stable of cars either. So I would likely daily drive my exotic and perhaps have something for the snow like an RS6 Avant.

E53BimmerJunkie

11-14-2005, 11:58 PM

Wolf in sheep's clothing, nuff said.

STL Avus M3

11-15-2005, 12:06 AM

Where I come from, driving a BMW is a sign of "having money."

With that said, I doubt Ill ever earn enough skrill to buy any sort of exotic. I would rather have a nice house and send my kids to college.

Mr.M

11-15-2005, 12:10 AM

I'd take a Porsche for a focused track car, but for a practical sports car, nothing beats BMW.

shawn5096

11-15-2005, 12:26 AM

i will always drive a bmw, i might buy a new m3 and just mod it like crazy, but the only non bmw car i want is the porsche gt2 :)

Eddy@ApexRaceParts

11-15-2005, 12:36 AM

if i had endless amounts of money bmw would not be my first pic, id be out raging the newest thing that comes out every month from some different company, and i would drive whats hip that week. its easy to blow a million on one car.

but i could also look at it as, if i had the money would i have the nicest collection of bmw's? yes i would. id want perfect examples of classic bmw's. and anything of great value. heck with the M3 alone i could own so many. e30 m3 evo III. e36 m3 ltw, e36 m3 ptg, e46 m3 csl, e46 m3 gtr. and anythign that comes up in the future would go into my huge garage.

IchLiebeBMW

11-15-2005, 01:16 AM

This is not even a question for me. If I had money I would have several BMW's, but if I had tons of money I wouldnt mind in adition having a porsche, mercedes, and audi.

ozbmw

11-15-2005, 03:02 AM

I do have the money and yes I'll stick with the Bavarians.

ozbmw

11-15-2005, 03:12 AM

Just kidding about the money...........but yes If I had the money I would still drive the Bavarians.........my first choice would be a 1957 BMW 507 or an M1 followed by 3.0CSL in full Heidegger trim. Only blue and white blood in my veins.

liigod

11-15-2005, 05:37 AM

If I were spending over 15 grand on a car, it would not be spent on a BMW. That said, I think used e36 m3s are a fantastic deal.

MP525i

11-15-2005, 10:40 AM

if we're talking an endless supply of money, hell yea i would still buy bmw's.

just my small list:

1. '06 m5
2. '01 m coupe
3. '01 m roadster
4. '05 m3
5. '98 m3/4
6. '90 m3 - w/ s52 swap
7. '01 740i sport
8. '03 540 6 w/ m package
9. '95 m5

just to name a few. :D

-mike

e30325ic

11-15-2005, 11:13 AM

E60 M5

along with other cars of course.

Artikgrau325is

11-15-2005, 11:16 AM

Nah, If I had money I would get an 88 Toyota Tercel and pretend I went bankrupt.

But in the mean time, I would molest my poor 325is into total 1337-dom...:devillook

mose121

11-15-2005, 11:26 AM

645ci = daily driver
360 Modena = panty dropper

Updated: 650ci, not a 645 anymore. :D

If I all of a sudden got a nice lump of money I'd probably keep my M3 but get something nicer, like an AM or Ferrari F430 :)

My M3 will always be mine...right next to
Ducati 999
E30 M3
Ferarri
Ferarri
Ferarri
Aston Martin Vanquish

Why do you guys like AM's so much? have you ever driven them? They are overweight, softy, poor handling FORD pigs. I have one word for you...

PORSCHE! And yes I'd still rock bimmers...Z8, all gens of M's, 6 series, 7 series as a trip car, etc.

five3five

11-15-2005, 11:28 AM

I was thinking about that the other day. I would definately find the best lineup BMW ever made and have them in my garage:
507/2002turbo/M1/3.0csl/E30Evo,36Euro and 46csl M3s/s54 Mcoupe/E34,39 and 60 M5s/E24 and E65? M6 and of course a Z8...heck I would have my own personal bimmerfest in my garage everyday...
hamada

dm635

11-15-2005, 12:05 PM

yes,and my new garage would be bigger than the house,stuffed with new/old toys.i'll never forget the 1st mile in the 1st bmw i ever drove.bought it on the spot.it's not about the status,it's about the car.

seven217

11-15-2005, 12:48 PM

Aston Martin just for the style. Hell, that was the short list. As far as Porsche...I thought that was a given.

NickM3

11-15-2005, 01:43 PM

F40 - Daily driver
RS6 Avant - Snow/Hauling stuff that doesn't fit in the F40's passenger seat.

Midnight Shark

11-15-2005, 02:22 PM

I would make my current E36 into the ultimate muscle car & pocket rocket destroyer!

And add the following with all possible applicable perfomance/show mods available:

1. Ferrari 575
2. Merc SL65
3. Porshe GT2
4. BMW M6
5. Porshe Cayenne Turbo (daily driver)
6. E39 BMW M5 supercharged (daily driver) .. I just love the E39 looks better.

and maybe a few other exotics after that.

Off topic: I remember reading about a Morgan Stanley exec. that makes $54,000.00/hour. I wish I was making that kind of money at least every 6 months.

madddskillz

11-15-2005, 03:40 PM

i just want a white 997 carrera s and a white e46 m3

Dej4y

11-15-2005, 03:58 PM

Mmmmm If you had the money would you still drive BMW... I forgot BMW's are cheap in America.

I have been to Dubai and the Serious money Still Drives BMW's Merc's as a definate favourite. You dont need to prove anything when your rich.

Maybe you should put If YOU had money would you still Drive a 3series!

In the cases of most E38 Drivers that have had theirs from new they have lost enough money to buy several 3series Yet they still love them. Now thats having money :lol:

95325i

11-15-2005, 05:06 PM

I don't have the money and still drive a BMW.

Same here... I own money to people to be able to drive one.

I don't think most people regard BMWs as cheap/discount cars?

I used still own a cheap car a Cavalier Z24, A BMW is not a cheap car at all. I think of a BMW as a sign of having some type of financal wealth.

If I had an end less amount of money I would have a few Rare GM J body cars. A few nice new and older BMW's and some nice Italian cars as well.. Oh and some nice American muscle cars aswell.

Effervescent

11-15-2005, 05:31 PM

Okay, let me see if I have the question right: if I had money like alanhenson, what kinda cars would I buy?

I would need one "eff you" car. Something ridiculous. Maybe a big black Phantom Rolls Royce.

I would need a very fast flashy car: oh, that convertible 550 Ferrari Baccaretti .

One ride for hauling tons of folks: turbo, moddied Cayenne perhaps.

A blown low 11 sec MonsterMiata, just cause!

A real 95 LTW.

-Eff

Effervescent

11-15-2005, 05:35 PM

Actually, if I had alanhenson dough, I would just be happy to have the LTW's cf center console!

-Eff

s0crates82

11-15-2005, 05:42 PM

Honestly, I'm just biding my time until I can get a clean e39 M5.

It's my dream car, and it's becoming more and more acheivable every day.

sirtiger

11-15-2005, 07:49 PM

I would still get a bunch of ///M as my daily beaters.

LongHairedHippy

11-15-2005, 11:48 PM

If I had the funds to buy some hyper-exotics, I would likely not buy them. Instead, I would rather have a very extensive collection of classic, rare, and notable BMWs. M1, all M3s, DTM M3, 850CSi, 3.0CSL, 507, 2002 Turbo, etc.

Irish03

11-16-2005, 12:09 AM

The people I know who have enough money to buy exotic cars usually seem to drive Cadillacs or Lincolns. I'd MUCH rather drive a 3-series than one of those cars.

madness

11-16-2005, 12:16 AM

Of all the people that listed cars, I'm surprised very few mentioned the M6... I thought that was clearly the new real uber powerhouse of bimmers today, and besides, it looks damn sweet.

I'd like some exotics too, but I'd be scared to park them places. I would get exotics, then hire uber sexy models to pose with them and I'd take pictures all day (and get to know them :D ) and have an internet site where people can dl the pics and set them as backgrounds for minimal fees. that way, I'd keep making money... :devillook

I'd stick with bimmers to drive around as daily, and I'd probably have fun with modded ones for racing.

One thing I don't understand is... the question really makes it sound as if bimmers are cheap and that the people here that have them are settling for them because they can't afford better. There are cars of the same era's as the ones people here own that are equally reliable and comparable as practical cars, though probably not nearly as fun to drive, while being much cheaper to buy (hondas, toyotas, acuras). Going with bimmers already is a choice for a lot of these people, one they had to sacrifice for, save money another few months before they were ready to buy that car. The reason they seem relatively cheap often is because people here are smart and buy used.

LamboBuilder

11-16-2005, 12:24 AM

I can buy what I like.. and I drove the M6 prior to getting the M3. The big Bimmer's don't drive like the 3 series. Love the look of the Lambos and want to be able to actually drive one around, which is why I'm doing the replica. I can get parts for my 383 430hp SBC anywhere, anytime. Let teh poser flaming begin..:confused

bimmerbuddy530i

11-16-2005, 09:02 PM

I can't ever see myself not having a BMW ever. If I became very very wealthy I would like some of the guys mentioned above get as many old vintage ones as I could afford incl some like 507, 3.0CSL, E30 M3 Evo1,2,3., E28 M5s, e34 m5 3.8s, e36 m3s incl LTW The list could go on and on and on. I would still have other cars though like porsche 996 GT3, Ferrari 430/f40, and others. I still try to figure out why people drive anything but BMW.

Mblaster

11-16-2005, 09:53 PM

If I had big money I still have a BMW.
new M6 would be my daily driver.
I'd keep my E34M5 since it's so much fun
F430 to drive to the wine country
F40 garage queen just because it's my favorite car ever
GT3 for track days

That's a start on my dream garage.:)

papo

11-17-2005, 08:28 AM

I did not beleive how additive a BMW could be....until I purchased my first one about a year ago now. Yah, I really like the new M5, but since I have been converted:D , I like most BMW now:buttrock

325i Vert

11-17-2005, 08:31 AM

Everyone seems to be giving the "Semi-same" answer to this question. I feel the same way most of you guys do. I would absolutly love to have a collection of the classic BMW's as well as a the full like of M cars. Something to shoot for:)

Josh K