[SJNESH]

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

[LODOSS]

Most BMW drivers are just driving the car because they have it.. people don't get one so they can say HI to other BMW drivers and feel like they are part of a Car enthus group.

[SJNESH]

really? I totally got mine to wave at other 3 series owners

[lkn]

do you ask them what they think?

[bimmin]

Originally Posted by lkn

do you ask them what they think?

+1

I try to not even look at other drivers let alone interview them.

[Roowah]

Originally Posted by SJNESH

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

What do you mean "give props" to the younger drivers on the road? I'm in my mid 30's and I don't resent a younger 3 series driver. If you work hard and can afford one early on, I admire that. I think this forum is a little skewed toward what the norm age is for these vehicles. Remember, the amount of people that can afford a ~$40K vehicle is actually fairly small, and it is typical that the ones that can buy them are generally more established, hence older. If you live in some of the larger cities (like Boston for example), there is a higher concentration of affluence, so the cars reflect that. The flip side is that for the most part, no one cares what you're driving around here, as a 3 series is very commonplace.

Also, I think that older drivers are just not into giving "props" to anyone on the road. We're past that stage. Sure, if someone ever asked me about my car while I was stopped or parked, I would be happy to talk to them and share my enthusiasm. And yes, if the opportunity presents itself, I do admit to giving a bit more courtesy to a fellow BMW driver, regardless of age or model.

When you say that us older people (God did I just call myself that? ) should leave the 3 series to the younger crowd and get a "grown-ups car", I have to disagree. Could I have gotten a 5 series? Sure. But to be honest, I feel that it is too large, and not nearly as much fun as the 3 series. Now if it was the M5....... The 3 series fits me perfectly. Great fun, perfect size, and an all around amazing car that I can look forward to driving every day.

[HyperM3]

Around here theres no appreciation to other BMW drivers. Unless theres a mod of some sort on it, you know they wont give you a wave.

The only thing Ive seen(and it scares the hell out of me) is when Im driving my friends Mini. They damn near do everything they can to wave, say hi or flash at you. Now those owners are a tight group.

[Zeeman]

Originally Posted by SJNESH

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

Did it ever occur to you that maybe those of us that are 30+ are really fixated on who is driving another 3 series. Man you need to see a psych. I mean really...you're getting wound up about other BMW drivers not acknowledging you.

[Crazy Bimmer]

You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everyone else, and we are all part of the same compost pile.

[DrGP]

Being 57 yrs old, I hate to admit that I AM one of those "older guys". Yes, I wave back to those that wave to me but don't go out of my way to wave to others. Its no big deal one way or another. No "resentment" we just don't care about waving. BTW, if you check the demographics of BMW 3 series ownership, you will NOT find that it is a 20 something car.

BTW, my Sapphire Black 335i Coupe has Coral red interior. I have replaced the amber reflectors, have an M3 spoiler on order. New 19" Moven wheels with General Exclaim UHPS. Put the Turbo tuner on my Xmas list.

Not to shabby for an "older guy". Gear heads come in all ages. Appreciation of fine cars is not wasted on the those who have accumulate some years. BTW, when I was in my early 20s, I could not have afforded a car like this. Thank your parents for providing you with the means or education that enables you to actually be driving a BMW rather than a GM car or Honda. BTW, Don't tell me what kind of car I should be driving! I've EARNED the right to decide that for myself!

[LODOSS]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Around here theres no appreciation to other BMW drivers. Unless theres a mod of some sort on it, you know they wont give you a wave.

The only thing Ive seen(and it scares the hell out of me) is when Im driving my friends Mini. They damn near do everything they can to wave, say hi or flash at you. Now those owners are a tight group.

The Mini drivers are usually the people that want to feel different than everyone else. Just look at the amount of options/acc on the car. <eco-friendly, small, lightweight, 4 seater, handels good.

It is like the EVO drivers, although they are a whole different crowd than the mini but just about all the evo drivers likes AWD/Turbo cars that can handel like a dream.

[samwoo2go]

i wave and nod to other BMW drivers in my 89 volvo just because mine is coming in 2 months. They think im crazy...

[RedGT3]

Its just a car.

[XS4]

I wave and nod to other BMW drivers when I am in my wife's Passat - they also think I'm crazy

[IND-Distribution]

In my Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 every time I have seen another one on the road I have given and recieved the wave of respect. Maybe the new 3 series is becoming too much of a "dime a dozen car". I wouldn't sweat it though.

[GoRedSox]

Doesn't it get old pretty fast to wave at every single 3 series driver. On my trip today to a local grocery store I saw at least 10 E90 3 series in less then 20 minutes - actually at least 4-5 with the same colour. Even my 2 sons who where with me pointed it out to me. Maybe not all of the cars were 335s, but how can one really tell the difference without looking at the back.
So relax, my friend, I don't think it's a gender gap. Maybe you were overthinking this thing a tiny bit.
BTW, I am 43 but I look not a day older than 41.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by SJNESH

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

Are you looking for someone to throw you a sign? Some kind of hand gesture?

I hate to break it to you, but the 335 is a grownup car. Most run about ~$45k - hardly an entry level car. I bought my first bimmer at 26, now I'm on my second at 32. If you want to drive a grown up car, don't expect other drivers to act like a kid and throw you "props".

Sure, I'm always interested when I see someone in an e9x, especially a 335. They're not common around here at all. 323 / 325 / 328 is very common, 330's are hitting the used market and becoming more common.

I hate to burst your bubble, but you bought an old man car. Look at BMW's sales data, the average age for the 335 buyer is upper 40's / lower 50's.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by SJNESH

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

I am not really clear on this. What are you expecting from older BMW drivers that you don't feel you are getting?

[DrGP]

C'mon guys, lets just tell him about the "secret" HIGH sign. Oh, I forgot. You have to be at least 30 yrs old before BMW will divulge that information to an owner.

[CnoteMD]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I am not really clear on this. What are you expecting from older BMW drivers that you don't feel you are getting?

I think he's looking for this. (sorry, I just coudn't resist)

[murellus]

...

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by SJNESH

Although I look 20 and in college, I am a 25 year old professional and I work very hard to afford my car. Since I've had my car I have noticed a trend of older 335i drivers not wanting to acknowledge or give "props" to the younger 335 drivers on the road. There seems to be some resentment towards us for driving the same car they are driving. To them I say, PFFT! get a grown-ups car! If you don't like driving the same car a 20-something year old is driving then please make your way to your local dealership and get yourself a nice 5 series, 7 series or a mercury w/e your heart desires just don't resentment ME for YOUR decision to obtain the lowest class/sportiest bmw. If I'm coming off as a jerk I'm sorry but I just think its dumb. has anyone else noticed this?

How strange that nobody waves at you, since you sound like exactly the kind of mature, well-adjusted person I'd want to be friends with. I promise not to "resentment" you.