A lot of Asians drive BMWs!

BMW F22 · 03-13-2006, 01:52 PM

This happened a long time ago but I just wanted to share it. A Russian friend of mine was telling me how Russians are better than Asians and blah blah blah. So I told him "notice how most expensive cars out there are driven by Asians??" That's something I've noticed a while back. The thing that really intrigues me is most Asians would say "European and American cars break down all the time, that's why we stick to Japanese cars" and yet I've seen soooooooo many of them in European cars.

I agree with EVOS4 that it's about appearances. While some dont care what they drive (even if they're rich), most Asians care about their status. They want people to know they're successful and that they have a high status in society.

HRC · 03-13-2006, 02:40 PM

For me (asian), it's status by default. I started loving BMW for the style first, how it drives was next. I never like BMW because it was a status statement, although I understand clearly the baggage that the badge carries. Range Rovers are about status and I don't like them at all. I loved the BMW's regardless if it was priced like a Honda or Jaguar. Just happens that nice stuff typically costs alittle more and in this case, I can afford to buy what I want.

Danny

ksfrogman · 03-13-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90rocks

Younger Asians may be more interested in European things. Perhaps it seems cooler for Asians to be interested in Euro things and for Caucasians to be interested in Asian stuff. If you go to a Caucasian's house, and he has, like lots of bonsai and scrolls with Confucian wisdom, he's "broad-minded and deep". If you see that in an Asian guy's house... he's "ethnic".

Interesting theory, and it's probably true. Here's my not so eloquent take:

I wondered why so many Asians drive BMWs, and the answer is probably for multiple reasons. My ethnicity is no big secret.

An American-born Chinese person in the early 20th Century probably would not choose to walk around with traditional Asian attire or sport pigtails. My ancestors in the 1940's and 1950's all had "American" names, wore clothing appropriate for the culture they were born into, and drove '52 Mercurys, Alfa Romeos, '57 Chevys, etc.

In today's environment, I find that people unknowingly equate European or Caucasian with "American" when it comes to Nationality. Ask someone who is Caucasian what his ethnicity is. He may say, "I'm American," as if to imply that I am not? Asian people, particularly 1st generation ones more often than not refer to Caucasians as "American." So I can see where younger Asian individuals who are often thought of as second-rate Americans would not want to drive anything remotely that associates them with "rice." In the late 20th Century, if you were Asian and starred in the big screen (unless you were Bruce Lee), you were cast as "Long Duck Dong" or a stereotypical geek.

Why do Asian guys like non-Asian women and vice versa? Our culture encourages broad-mindedness, freedom of choice, and respects diversity. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and we want what we don't have. Dark people want to be lighter, lighter people want tans. Here in California, some guys want to be gals. In Nature, a highly concentrated solution will equilibrate with a dilute one through a semi-permeable membrane. If you've been around SUVs all your life, you're probably sick of them and want a smaller car. It's desirable to have what you don't already have.

puck724 · 03-13-2006, 04:52 PM

im asain, i nver really thought about that. usually i see caucasians and middle easterns in bmws more around here. i see a lot of asains driving mercedes though...

BiggieJ · 03-13-2006, 05:45 PM

SSHHHHHH!!! damn you all. we all know it but now its out in the open

i know a lot of asains drive expensive cars (BMW, MB, Lexus...ect.) and for the most part its a status thing. but you also have to realize that if a white person, or any other race for that matter, were successful they would choose to drive a nice car as well. maybe its just one of those things that we only seem to recognize it because youre thinking about it. if i saw a white person drivng a BMW i wouldnt think anything of it, but if i see an asain guy, id probably think "theres another asain guy drving a bimmer."

but here in socal it does seem like much. maybe theres more asains here than say the mid-west

as for me (im asain) now i almost feel bad for driving a bmw. id hate to put myself in the "typical" catergory. and it not a status thing for me, i busted my ass working (since i was 12) and i earned this one

not because its a BMW, but because its the perfect car for me, right now. a nice balance of performance and comfort. plus i got a free trip to europe out of it

shragon · 03-13-2006, 06:01 PM

first of all, just want to state i bought my car because of the way it drives, the way it looks, and for how it was put together. this is my second bmw. i'm half asian.

anyway, i would say in cali, most luxury cars seem to be driven by asians and white people. both sides will have people that are guilty of buying it as a status symbol. but one thing i do find funny about asians is you can go to a poorer asian neighborhood, and still find asians riding around in the newest luxury car.

ksfrogman · 03-13-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puck724

im asain, i nver really thought about that. usually i see caucasians and middle easterns in bmws more around here. i see a lot of asains driving mercedes though...

I'm not sure where in California you are, but just go to one of our Southern Cal e90post meets and you'll see what we're talking about.

CALIF65GM · 03-13-2006, 10:22 PM

Asian here, but I actually think more Asians drive Toyotas oops I meant Lexuses

, Nissan's oops I meant Infiniti's and Mercedes than BMWs though.

BMW F22 · 03-13-2006, 10:40 PM

It's kinda wack now man. Like someone here's mentioned, I almost feel bad that I have a bimmer. Like the other day I was with some classmates studying for a test and heard some crazy sounds. I thought it came from outside and said "man I hope that's not my car". Then one dude was like "is that your BMW out there?"I was like "yeah". I somehow felt like I was trying to show it off by saying "I hope it's not my car". I can sometimes sense the jealousy/hatred radiating off of people. The typical reaction is "damn you rich or what?? your parents make a lot of money?"

All in all I just sometimes feel bad cus of the bimmer. I dont wanna brag and shit but when people ask I gotta answer.

Ethirtynine · 03-13-2006, 11:27 PM

IMO, I think many Asians try to use cars to represent their status, but it's somewhat embarassing at times. I know many Asians who buy expensive cars but live in apartments or small houses. It also bothers me when 16-18 year old Asians try anything possible for their parents to buy them expensive cars (to show off obviously). Money does not represent 'class'

GoRomeo · 03-14-2006, 12:33 AM

am i the only hispanic on this forum driving a BMW? it surely surprise me that i see a lots of asian guys here on this forum. but hey i dont blame you guys for having good taste. right guys?

HRC · 03-14-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

am i the only hispanic on this forum driving a BMW? it surely surprise me that i see a lots of asian guys here on this forum. but hey i dont blame you guys for having good taste. right guys?

I don't blame anyone that drives a BMW, except idiots.

Danny

BMW F22 · 03-14-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

I don't blame anyone that drives a BMW, except idiots.

Danny

LOL I love it when I see another BMW driver on the road. My friends and family are always like "what's the big deal??" But I think that BMW are such great cars that I actually enjoy seeing others driving them.

PS. I dont care who drives what. There are just a lot of asians in the bay area, that's all. They took over China town already.

magmd · 03-14-2006, 12:52 AM

only hispanic on this forum

Not too many of us here....you are not alone

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=ethnicity

At least 10/150 according to this poll...excluding any mix's

GoRomeo · 03-14-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magmd

only hispanic on this forum

Not too many of us here....you are not alone

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=ethnicity

At least 10/150 according to this poll...excluding any mix's

i feel better now.

salud !!

magmd · 03-14-2006, 01:05 AM

feel better now

LOL!

And...I would bet that most of us are in SoCal....LOL!

Saludos!

puck724 · 03-14-2006, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

I'm not sure where in California you are, but just go to one of our Southern Cal e90post meets and you'll see what we're talking about.

lol...i know what you mean man. i was strictly meaning the ones i actually see on the streets. its becasue of where i commute and stuff like that...

luckystrike · 03-14-2006, 05:53 PM

for me its just my dream to have a bmw (who doesnt), so when i finally did have the opportunity to buy a brand new bimmer (which i cannot buy if im in my own country) i just let my dreams fullfilled even though there are other more practical cars that i should have bought.

18LLC · 03-15-2006, 02:14 AM

maybe most of them are working harder than those lazy butts and because of those lazy butts doesn't willing to work hard, but they want $$$ or better life than asian, so they start talking about it.

castor · 03-18-2006, 07:38 PM

i am chinese born in the USA. i owned two toyotas prior to owning my first bimmer. I chose the bimmer because i am a car enthusiast. 50/50 weight distribution and the german tuned suspension comes a long way. The fit and finish on a bimmer is uncomparable to my old toyotas. I've tested driven lexuses and the test drive wasn't the same. I don't feel "connected" to the car.

For me, if a toyota had these characteristics i'd buy the car. Don't give a sh*t what badge it has as long as it's fun to drive and has ample torque for city driving.

03-13-2006, 01:52 PM	#23
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	This happened a long time ago but I just wanted to share it. A Russian friend of mine was telling me how Russians are better than Asians and blah blah blah. So I told him "notice how most expensive cars out there are driven by Asians??" That's something I've noticed a while back. The thing that really intrigues me is most Asians would say "European and American cars break down all the time, that's why we stick to Japanese cars" and yet I've seen soooooooo many of them in European cars. I agree with EVOS4 that it's about appearances. While some dont care what they drive (even if they're rich), most Asians care about their status. They want people to know they're successful and that they have a high status in society.
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03-13-2006, 02:40 PM	#24
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	For me (asian), it's status by default. I started loving BMW for the style first, how it drives was next. I never like BMW because it was a status statement, although I understand clearly the baggage that the badge carries. Range Rovers are about status and I don't like them at all. I loved the BMW's regardless if it was priced like a Honda or Jaguar. Just happens that nice stuff typically costs alittle more and in this case, I can afford to buy what I want. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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03-13-2006, 04:52 PM	#26
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	im asain, i nver really thought about that. usually i see caucasians and middle easterns in bmws more around here. i see a lot of asains driving mercedes though... __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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03-13-2006, 05:45 PM	#27
BiggieJ Second Lieutenant 62 Rep 239 Posts Drives: e92 335 ZSPZPPOPP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	SSHHHHHH!!! damn you all. we all know it but now its out in the open i know a lot of asains drive expensive cars (BMW, MB, Lexus...ect.) and for the most part its a status thing. but you also have to realize that if a white person, or any other race for that matter, were successful they would choose to drive a nice car as well. maybe its just one of those things that we only seem to recognize it because youre thinking about it. if i saw a white person drivng a BMW i wouldnt think anything of it, but if i see an asain guy, id probably think "theres another asain guy drving a bimmer." but here in socal it does seem like much. maybe theres more asains here than say the mid-west as for me (im asain) now i almost feel bad for driving a bmw. id hate to put myself in the "typical" catergory. and it not a status thing for me, i busted my ass working (since i was 12) and i earned this one not because its a BMW, but because its the perfect car for me, right now. a nice balance of performance and comfort. plus i got a free trip to europe out of it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-13-2006, 06:01 PM	#28
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	first of all, just want to state i bought my car because of the way it drives, the way it looks, and for how it was put together. this is my second bmw. i'm half asian. anyway, i would say in cali, most luxury cars seem to be driven by asians and white people. both sides will have people that are guilty of buying it as a status symbol. but one thing i do find funny about asians is you can go to a poorer asian neighborhood, and still find asians riding around in the newest luxury car. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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03-13-2006, 10:22 PM	#30
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	Asian here, but I actually think more Asians drive Toyotas oops I meant Lexuses , Nissan's oops I meant Infiniti's and Mercedes than BMWs though. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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03-13-2006, 10:40 PM	#31
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	It's kinda wack now man. Like someone here's mentioned, I almost feel bad that I have a bimmer. Like the other day I was with some classmates studying for a test and heard some crazy sounds. I thought it came from outside and said "man I hope that's not my car". Then one dude was like "is that your BMW out there?"I was like "yeah". I somehow felt like I was trying to show it off by saying "I hope it's not my car". I can sometimes sense the jealousy/hatred radiating off of people. The typical reaction is "damn you rich or what?? your parents make a lot of money?" All in all I just sometimes feel bad cus of the bimmer. I dont wanna brag and shit but when people ask I gotta answer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-13-2006, 11:27 PM	#32
Ethirtynine Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2004 Honda S2000 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado iTrader: (4)	IMO, I think many Asians try to use cars to represent their status, but it's somewhat embarassing at times. I know many Asians who buy expensive cars but live in apartments or small houses. It also bothers me when 16-18 year old Asians try anything possible for their parents to buy them expensive cars (to show off obviously). Money does not represent 'class'
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-14-2006, 12:33 AM	#33
GoRomeo Brigadier General 962 Rep 3,850 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	am i the only hispanic on this forum driving a BMW? it surely surprise me that i see a lots of asian guys here on this forum. but hey i dont blame you guys for having good taste. right guys?
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03-14-2006, 12:52 AM	#36
magmd Major General 160 Rep 5,271 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	only hispanic on this forum Not too many of us here....you are not alone http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=ethnicity At least 10/150 according to this poll...excluding any mix's __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Step Auto \| Navi with iDr \| Sports Pkg \|OEM Rear Spoiler \| 3M CS35 Tint \| H&R Sport Springs \| Koni Yellows \| Advan RS Racing Hypersilver: 19x9 et22 19x10 et20
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03-14-2006, 01:05 AM	#38
magmd Major General 160 Rep 5,271 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	feel better now LOL! And...I would bet that most of us are in SoCal....LOL! Saludos! __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Step Auto \| Navi with iDr \| Sports Pkg \|OEM Rear Spoiler \| 3M CS35 Tint \| H&R Sport Springs \| Koni Yellows \| Advan RS Racing Hypersilver: 19x9 et22 19x10 et20
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03-14-2006, 05:53 PM	#40
luckystrike First Lieutenant 18 Rep 349 Posts Drives: X3 F25 MSport Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: austria iTrader: (0)	for me its just my dream to have a bmw (who doesnt), so when i finally did have the opportunity to buy a brand new bimmer (which i cannot buy if im in my own country) i just let my dreams fullfilled even though there are other more practical cars that i should have bought.
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03-15-2006, 02:14 AM	#41
18LLC Major General 148 Rep 5,104 Posts Drives: e89 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	maybe most of them are working harder than those lazy butts and because of those lazy butts doesn't willing to work hard, but they want $$$ or better life than asian, so they start talking about it.
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03-18-2006, 07:38 PM	#42
castor Registered 4 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 06 E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	i am chinese born in the USA. i owned two toyotas prior to owning my first bimmer. I chose the bimmer because i am a car enthusiast. 50/50 weight distribution and the german tuned suspension comes a long way. The fit and finish on a bimmer is uncomparable to my old toyotas. I've tested driven lexuses and the test drive wasn't the same. I don't feel "connected" to the car. For me, if a toyota had these characteristics i'd buy the car. Don't give a sh*t what badge it has as long as it's fun to drive and has ample torque for city driving.
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