Respect shown to a BMW but not to Mercedes on road!

[car2tref]

Just drove my brother -in-laws BMW 535i down the A12 / M25 to Enfield and back up to and past Colchester today and cars in the outside lane were showing amazing respect to the BM by allowing me through- all the time, why? I never get this when I drive up behind people in the C43!!
I know I bought the C43 for it's wolf in sheeps clothing image but this is ridiculous, what do you think, does this happen to you?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Ignorant gyts on the M27 never give way to anyone BMW or MB, though i will say when i,m in the 43 i never get any cars up my a**e like I get in the C230K, they keep their distance, the AMG badge must be some sort of deterant.

 

[car2tref]

I dont think anyone here in Essex respects anything with AMG on the boot and they seem to especially ignore or try and block what looks like a C class merc. behind them, they only seem to think about moving over when they find that it does'nt matter how hard they accelerate I still keep the same gap and pace them!!!

 

[popuptoaster]

essex boys mistaken impression that any BMW is insanely fast i reckon, i find people move over for my benz though, guess they are suprised to seeit moving still let alone out in teh overtaking lane.

 

[Juddian]

Is you BIL's car a new shape 5 series.....if so they probably thought it was an unmarked plod.

 

[corradoman]

Most people just think MB drivers are uperclass to**ers with more money than sense around N wales, I get abuse all the time just for overtaking, But in reality my 320 clk wouldn`t pull you out of bed! My Audi S3 would have left it standing and most other hot hatches would also leave the clumsy clk in its tracks! I still love driving it though

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Just drove my brother -in-laws BMW 535i down the A12 / M25 to Enfield and back up to and past Colchester today and cars in the outside lane were showing amazing respect to the BM by allowing me through- all the time

BMW are certainly fast cars, although not necessarily the fastest on the road. What sets them apart is the way that many of them are driven.

I stick to around an indicated 75-80 on the motorway (a bit less according to Garmin). If I am overtaking in lane 3 and a BMW comes up behind, I just get out of the way. Otherwise tailgating and light flashing are not unknown, even when it must be obvious to them that ahead of me is the car that I am waiting to overtake.

Like many motorcyclists, they seem to assume that the rules of the road and the limits do not apply to them.

So, I'm not showing amazing respect, just pragmatic contempt!

 

[popuptoaster]

BMW are certainly fast cars, although not necessarily the fastest on the road. What sets them apart is the way that many of them are driven.

See now why does everyone think that? i've got mates who love they're bimmers to death, but they are not fast unless you buy an M series, a 318 cant pull the skin off a rice pudding, even going up to a 325 is not much better, the 5 series cars are ****** heavy too, yeah the big engined ones can get a move on but they are hardly fast as a rule unless you pay the extra for an "M"

 

[Alex M Grieve]

See now why does everyone think that? i've got mates who love they're bimmers to death, but they are not fast unless you buy an M series, a 318 cant pull the skin off a rice pudding, even going up to a 325 is not much better, the 5 series cars are ****** heavy too, yeah the big engined ones can get a move on but they are hardly fast as a rule unless you pay the extra for an "M"

But sadly that does not prevent the owners from thinking they are fast, and driving to match. I didn't say it was sensible, but it is what I tend to see on the Queen's Highway!



Truth be known, I would be quite happy to skin them on speed and roadholding, but for three things:

1. the speed limits
2. plod
3. other drivers - really the most important reason for not going too fast is that most of the motoring public are not ready for it yet.

Which takes me back to the way many BMWs are driven.

 

[teddycatkin]

Beemers are a definate sign of unmarked plod --thats the only reason why they moved over---I have just restored an old FZ50 moped to play on - its bright orange (original Suzuki colour)--put it on the road last week you would not believe the attention it attracts !-- no worries from the plod or cameras either it tops out at 30 MPH!

 

[car2tref]

Is you BIL's car a new shape 5 series.....if so they probably thought it was an unmarked plod.

Not so sure- his car is light blue/ silver, they tend to use Scooby's and Evo's here as interceptors, marked or unmarked + his has a J reg private plate!!

 

[car2tref]

essex boys mistaken impression that any BMW is insanely fast i reckon, i find people move over for my benz though, guess they are suprised to seeit moving still let alone out in teh overtaking lane.

Or their afraid that your car would flatten them if they had to brake sharply!!!

 

[car2tref]

Beemers are a definate sign of unmarked plod --thats the only reason why they moved over---I have just restored an old FZ50 moped to play on - its bright orange (original Suzuki colour)--put it on the road last week you would not believe the attention it attracts !-- no worries from the plod or cameras either it tops out at 30 MPH!

I think with my weight the FZ50 would be lucky to get off the line!!!

 

[Juddian]

Not so sure- his car is light blue/ silver, they tend to use Scooby's and Evo's here as interceptors, marked or unmarked + his has a J reg private plate!!

I travel a lot in my work and in the last few weeks i've seen Volvo's, Mondeo's, Focus ST thingys, Skoda's, old shape Mazda 6, and BMW 3 and 5 series....all unmarked all fully lighted and of all colours but usually dark.
I've seen others of course but these are within the last few weeks and confirmed because they had 'customers'.
Oh and there's been discussion recently of a semi private plate in use, not as that makes a difference if the chase car is 10 ft from your back bumper it wouldn't be visible.

If it's being driven aggressively, which is frequent given the marque and in the provocative style often employed by unmarked plod then folk are just being sensible....i would.

 

[car2tref]

I travel a lot in my work and in the last few weeks i've seen Volvo's, Mondeo's, Focus ST thingys, Skoda's, old shape Mazda 6, and BMW 3 and 5 series....all unmarked all fully lighted and of all colours but usually dark.
I've seen others of course but these are within the last few weeks and confirmed because they had 'customers'.
Oh and there's been discussion recently of a semi private plate in use, not as that makes a difference if the chase car is 10 ft from your back bumper it wouldn't be visible.

If it's being driven aggressively, which is frequent given the marque and in the provocative style often employed by unmarked plod then folk are just being sensible....i would.

To be honest - if I see any car storming up behind me, even at a distance I tend to move over and slow down to let them pass- as soon as possible but if their not plod, I would normally just tag along behind them at a safe distance so that they could clear the way!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Not so sure- his car is light blue/ silver, they tend to use Scooby's and Evo's here as interceptors, marked or unmarked + his has a J reg private plate!!

In the year or so I lived and worked in Essex, I never saw a single 'Interceptor' - but plenty of unmarked BMW's and Volvo's booking errant motorists on the A23

 

[JEZ.S320L]

.....i've seen Volvo's, Mondeo's, Focus ST thingys, Skoda's, old shape Mazda 6, and BMW 3 and 5 series.....

Isn't this now because the Police have the powers to confiscate - and therefore use - the ill-gotten gains of convicted criminals (usually drug suppliers)? In which case, there must be an almost endless supply

Thinking about it further, if this IS the case, then it would be a very cheap way of Policing. If the car 'breaks' it gets crushed and replaced by another. Mind you, judging by the state of the living accommodation you see in Police reality programmes on TV, the inside of their cars must look like the contents of a skip!

 

[car2tref]

Isn't this now because the Police have the powers to confiscate - and therefore use - the ill-gotten gains of convicted criminals (usually drug suppliers)? In which case, there must be an almost endless supply

Thinking about it further, if this IS the case, then it would be a very cheap way of Policing. If the car 'breaks' it gets crushed and replaced by another. Mind you, judging by the state of the living accommodation you see in Police reality programmes on TV, the inside of their cars must look like the contents of a skip!

Is this true- I would think that red-tape would not allow the cars to be used but to be honest I hope they can, I can only hope that they could save some money by doing that- no chance!!!

 

[C180 Chris]

BMW are certainly fast cars, although not necessarily the fastest on the road. What sets them apart is the way that many of them are driven.

I stick to around an indicated 75-80 on the motorway (a bit less according to Garmin). If I am overtaking in lane 3 and a BMW comes up behind, I just get out of the way. Otherwise tailgating and light flashing are not unknown, even when it must be obvious to them that ahead of me is the car that I am waiting to overtake.

Like many motorcyclists, they seem to assume that the rules of the road and the limits do not apply to them.

So, I'm not showing amazing respect, just pragmatic contempt!

100% agree!!
It is indeed more to do with the way in which BMW's are usually driven than anything to do with respect.

All the best,

 

[roadhog]

It never ceases to amaze me how the mention of the other make brings out the stereotypes. Otherwise sane people can't wait to get in with the sweeping generalisations and derisory comments.

Why the ill feeling guys? Jealousy? Inadequate car? I'm genuinely interested as I find a similar attitude applies to the BMW forums I frequent.

PS: As you can see from my sig I drive a Merc and one of the other and sometimes even a Saab. Which compartment does that make me fit into?