BMW CEO Says You Might Not Be Cool Enough To Own a BMW?

1995e34, if you we're reffering to that comment than yes he is absolutely wrong.

How could you not like the E39? It's pure BMW, very classy.

The fact that 1995e34 took his quoted statement as true and the "cool" thing as a joke is what's scary.

It's all an image. People buy Lexus for the image and reliability. Most people buy BMWs not for what the car can do but just because of what that "Spinning Propeller" symbolizes. BMWs are a dime a dozen now just like the number of people who can't drive nor care to learn how to drive their machines. And this is why leases are thriving soooo well. The masses want A to B transportation along with the envious glances cast their direction. Real drivers or enthusiast are few and far between anymore.

Anybody remember the 2002Tii. The ugly BMW that was a true performance car??? I may be dating myself though.

"Trying to be cool is acutally doing the exact opposite of what cool means. It is being pretentious and contrived. People that are truly cool don't even care about what others think."


the man has discovered the meaning of life, much more so than all you badge whores!

Nice post> This has nothing to do with a BMW as a car or the person who drives one, and everything to do as a arrogant person who as you said, talks like a HS kid at a lunch break?

I may be wrong but i always thought Lexus has become the #1 selling luxury brand in the US.
So if BMW is not #1 in the US nor China nor Europe then this guy has alot of work to do.

Lexus is- I'm pretty sure Caltrans was referring to the three German brands.

But Mercedes leads in Europe (Audi second), and Audi leads in China (I forgot who's second).

Merc doesn't lead in Europe, BMW did last year, but so far this year Audi leads.

Merc doesn't lead in Europe, BMW did last year, but so far this year Audi leads.

Oh, I must be thinking of Germany's sales numbers.

BMW outsells both mercedes and audi globally. over 1.2MM cars a year.

and i don't think his comment is arrogant. it's honest. most BMW drivers love to drive their cars. they happily give up softer leather or a quieter interior to actually feel like they're driving. most lexus buyers are interested in a reliable, luxurious car that helps them tolerate driving. very different mindsets.

by the way zorb....

lexus sold about 400,000 cars globally last year, 325,000 in the US. that's 75,000 in the rest of the world. lexus is an insignificant player outside of the US.

mercedes and bmw sold welll over 1MM cars each and audi just under.

Audi is going to pass 1,000,000 this year, at the rate they're going. The big German three are neck-and-neck.

SoCaL, do you know what is even more funny? The fact that the BMW costs the same, if not more than the IS. The reason a lease payment is typically less is because BMW's have some of the best residuals in the car industry. Lexus will lose value faster (in theory), which means even if the car is the same, you're paying a bigger hit on the depreciation.

Yet these so-called "drivers" enjoy driving their cars so much that they "rent" their BMWs. Enthusiast will drive their cars well past a 24 mos. lease.

36 month then? I own some old cars but does that mean that I wouldn't want a new one? The argument that an enthusiast wouldn't want a new and improved car is simply silly.

My point is..."real enthusiast" won't lease. They simply love to drive their car too much. A lease may work for you Threepoint.

Duh! Did you expect Purves not to be proud of and promote his company? Regardless of the supposed way in which he stated it, it's foolish to think otherwise. The Lexus buyer sounds insecure by having to ask if he purchased the right car.

It sounds as though he is simply stating the obvious. If your interest is luxury, comfort, quality, and the like then your car might be a Lexus. Like I have said in the past and continue to say there is no clear BEST CAR. My grandfather just purchased an old es250, man that car is great. Uber reliable, super comfortable, safe and super cheap. I would have NEVER EVER suggested a early 90's BMW for him. Different strokes for different folks.

It is as simple as that. It is when the folks who find BMW as there stroke are not completely satisfied that there is a problem(ala SMG complaints, idrive complaints). I think for now there is a BMW in the lineup to settle the purists(Mcoupe,M3 fin SMG), create new customers(e92 Convert), and meet sales goals(X3/X5/XXXIX).

They are in a good place, they stay a brand I appreciate, and sometimes even enjoy firsthand(if my wife lets me :)

My needs are not often fulfilled by many other brands, thats just the way it is.

Josh

I'm cool enough to own a BMW ;)

Even if you were standing on the South pole you wouldn't be cool.

Maybe he should say not "fool" enough to own a BMW? ^0^

I think he is referring to that BMW's are cars enthusiasts.
True Drivers cars.

Lexus are more for ppl that want the car to park itself.

"are true drivers cars, as are Lamborghinis."

Nope!

DRE3000

I would consider the ZXM, last generation M3, and M5 drivers cars without a doubt(also many past BMW's). They make me smile, I drive, my passion is on driving, and the enjoyment of the details surrounding driving and racing. If you have not driven these cars I suggest you do, you will find they are very enjoyable both on the track, and on the road.

Josh

Notice how I didn't specify that you did not know what a drivers car is/was nor did I say that my definition is/was an absolute.

I have driven many cars, new/old, slow, quick and fast. My definition of what is a great drivers car is formed from this experience and my current needs as a driver. What makes me smile sure as hell doesn't have to make you smile, but don't dismiss my opinion as null or void simply because it is different.

I will further extrapolate on my personal definition of what I feel is a drivers car, and cars I feel are not.

I think that a drivers car should feel light, and should be challenged in at the very least one of the following aspects, acceleration, braking, or grip. So lets say Car A could be rated objectively as having poor acceleration, great braking and great grip. The challenge to this car would be holding speed, and being smooth, which is an art in and of itself, but is not a passive driving experience. This is not to say that a car with the best brakes, best handling, and great acceleration can't be a drivers car. This is often the case infact that a car has the following criteria hit spot on, but has some X factor which makes it a drivers car. Something that keeps you coming back, and not wanting it to be different. I believe a perfect example of a car that hits the above requirements but I don't consider a drivers car despite owning one myself is the Subaru STi. It brakes well, accelerates at warp speed, and grips like a clawed cat on carpet. That being said it doesn't fit my next requirement.
I believe that a drivers car should be enjoyable without specific circumstance, or situation. The STi shines in competition, canyon runs(not that I would know that as I live in Illinois), track days, autox, rallyx, and a mess of other things. It does not work well on the hour long Sunday afternoon apex session. It is far to high strung, and can only really be enjoyed a terminal speed to great to appreciate on the curves in the country.

I believe that the only absolutes should include good seats, a trusted reliable rack, for a RWD car some form of limited slip differential, on a FWD car some unique handling characteristic, and I have not yet made my mind as to what an AWD car needs to be a drivers car.

Cars that fit the bill in my mind include cars like the Miata, certain LSD equipped BMW's, many British roadsters both past and present, and well a mess of other cars including exotics, touring cars, and American cars.

The main point is that a drivers car should not require a race track, Autocross, or drag strip to enjoy, if it needed those it would be a race car(I love race cars, but race cars and drivers cars are not the same thing). It should only need a teachable driver, curved road, and favorable weather.

This kind of remark can bite him in the ass in America. We might be drive all sorts of vehicles but do not take kindly to others looking down on us...( I guess we never cottoned onto the whole class system)

As for BMW being special in anyway ... Its a joke or a rather sad day for automitive enthusiasts when a crappy sedan is considered a drivers car. Guess the advertising works...

You know there are other stories, right? Very odd ones. Such as a friend of my wife's trading her A8L for an S550 4Matic and saying she misses the A8's luxury. I guess she just liked all the wood it has.

Hey atleast they could afford to switch right? Don't hate on 'em people.

sour grapes?

Acura making a statement as far as future signs of stepping up? How? Very entertaining though...

I would say Mercedes buyers are the ones that MOST want to show wealth. My wife told me she loves the hood ornament on the E and S-Class. That made me queasy.

haha sounds like a horoscope. im sorry, but the car does not make the person. there are plenty of people who break the stereotype (ie. not all bmw drivers are arrogant). likewise, people who drive IS300 or IS350s probably DO like driving.

i think its fine what purves said, he works for BMW after all. but all of you are being cheerleaders for free. its pathetic.

Everyone here are COOL! Happy now?!

oh please, not cool enough? does the ceo drive a bmw and thinks he's so cool now? probably does aswell because he might have one as a company car.

The classic badge whore's car of choice is of course a "cool to be seen in" BMW, even though they are priced so anybody can own one. The 1 series will make it even easier to be part of the yuppie crowd.

david:

many of us like a car that's really fun to drive. why is that such a bad thing?

some people are offended by anything, bmws arent for everyone or everyone would be driving one...

Here's the new round of ad slogans:

BMW
"Are you cool enough?"

Lexus
"This is why I'm hot"

Hey, I drive a Z4 and I'm totally cool. Case closed..

Once again, self image is everything. Do own the M version or the "decaf" 2.5 or 3.0? You could of bought a VW Beetle and got the same reaction......."who who drive th....ooooh that would explain it."

Yeah. I mean, Audis are so damn cheap! Only $11,000 for the crappy "Exclusive Package!" All it adds is leather piping on the floor mats, leather piping on the seats, fancy leather, fancy wood and a suede headliner! What crap! And that Mercedes... so staid. Only 604hp in the CL65 AMG! So slow, even though it's faster than any BMW! Poser! What about Lexus? Their cheap switchgear only wins quality awards! Wow, those must be rigged! Toyota probably pays BMW to lose! And who cares about the award-winning VQ engine in Infinitis... it still sucks, because there's no BMW badge!

these cars we are talking about you act as if a bmw walked up to you and smacked you on the face....i fail to realize why people are so crazy over a lifeless object. its a damn car...if a bmw isnt your thing go buy hell one of the other hundreds of available vehicles for sale. i bought the bmws i own not because im arrogant, or cocky, or even am obsessesed with the image of owning something prestigious but because bmw makes cars i like to drive, and i think they are the best cars for me...so offended by cars comeon

Which I can. And you still refuse to believe that I can afford a BMW, but don't want to buy one. SOME PEOPLE LIKE DIFFERENT CARS. It's possible.

Don’t you guys get it? It is call “seduction of denial”. By denying the buyers who are typical Yuppies snobs, the BMW fans boys will go ga ga and get even more irrational. They WILL swamp to get a Bimmer at any cost because by owning one, they are “cool enough”. It’s reverse psychology. Anyone buys into this kind of marketing crap deserves this though. Bimmer Yuppie mentality, easily be manipulated. They know their customers VERY WELL!

You, my dear sir, are quite inappropriate.

With your mindset I will just assume you are the proud owner of a 318ti with hubcaps.

BMW makes great cars, but they aren't the only ones.

amazinBimmer, do you even know what "BMW" stands for?

^^^ lol. well at least if you cant afford a bmw you still get the ladies...

Who sez owning a BMW is cool? My first car was a used 1947 Cadillac and I had some pretty cool times in that.

Now that I'm fuming over the mentally retarded BMW fans on this site (1995e34, enthusiastx11, etc. not included), it's changed into "magic badge."

Test drove a 335i BMW today. Nothing special. In actuality, I think Infiniti drives better. Nothing "cool" about a BMW other than the snobby badge. Most BMW owners are wannabe's anyways, thats why they sell so many 3 series.

I agree with Mr. Purves.

Sounds like this BMW CEO gets his talking points straight from this site. Mr. Purves, if you're reading this comment, I would like to say that:

A) I think your comments did more damage to your brand image than good, and...

B) You are a classless professional.

Can you imagine Dr. Z coming out and saying BMW was for (insert any synonym for jackass here)? I can't. Why? Because Mercedes has some class.

What an arrogant ass,it's comments like that one,that make me dislike BMW even more,though I do like the older M3,but thats it!!

Purves, sounds like the right guy for the job, who is full of passion. He's not arrogant. He's just expressing his personal views with his buddies in a round of golf. What do you expect him to say?

I don't see how he different than any of the other "fans" that frequent this site (passionate, albeit often "misguided" Lexus fans included).

Every car manufacturer feels they make the best cars around (even Ford and GM). If you took some of the comments from Toyota execs when they were playing a round of golf, you might get similar responses.

Personally, it made me laugh, because he's RIGHT. I know a few Lexus owners and gotten similar responses. Talk to a BMW owner and you get a totally different responses. The Lex owner will brag about his LS parallel parking itself, where the BMW owner will insist on a manual tranny. It's a different mindset. With that, I don't think BMW and Lexus are competing for the same customer, as much a Lexus "thinks" they are.

Obviously his comment worked, we are all talking about BMW and other high-line vehicles. I even saw some political views in the threads...wow, calm down everyone and keep it simple. It is all personal preference and opinions are like a-holes.

pretty opinionated and pretty accurate.

BMW has a point of view. that's why they excel in building cars that feel great to DRIVE. some other brands are trying to be all things to all people. as a result, they build boring cars that don't stir any emotion.

Can anybody really confirm this conversation took place? NO. It's probably something thrown out by this site to start flame wars like this. If I have to read another BMW vs. the world article I might blow up.


Anyways, if all the non BMW fanboys and girls were really that secure their Lexus, Nissan or whatever was as good as a BMW, this whole topic wouldn't be here. They are all nice cars, give it up already. This site and the people on it really irritate me sometimes. If people are so "mature and refined" they wouldn't be on a flame war on a website about cars. Get a freaking life. This site is about people who like cars, not a blog for immature little trolls to bicker about which car is superior. Let the individual decide that for themselves. Okay, I'm done. Everybody have a nice day. :)

People who look at cars as purely a "vehicle for travel" do not appreciate what a BMW has to offers and only complain at a BMW's shortcomings. That's why most mothers drive a Lexus - trouble free, luxurious, good enough. My parents complained that the BMW 5 series was too noisy on their test drive, so they picked up the G series instead. Typical.

Quizz: Most people lease a BMW just to get them from A to B and don't give a damn what the car can do. It's all an image. Now if they stepped up and bought an M car. I could respect that.

2 of my friends have e90s, non-sport. one night the one with the 330i was too drunk to drive so another friend who drives a maxima drove us home. 330i friend said lets get home fast, so maxima friend pushes it. 330i drives great, good power, but when the car reach 4,000 rpm my 330i friend said "hey man dont kill the car". owning a bmw is an image! lets get real, not everyone buys into the whole ultimate driving machine BS! btw both e90 owners are asian. brand image is big.

I believe you meant "Tow Truck",but yes you make a good point..

A stupid statement from a arrogant idiot!

If you have to be "ccol" enough to own a BMW, does that mean a dork who buys a BMW suddenly becomes "cool"?

Formula1..his handle says it all. He doesn't drive anything that's even close to being cool.

He's right. Without my 328, I'm just a turd.

2JZSoarer, yes, I meant tow truck. It was a typo. Thanks.

I'm cool enough but can't justify the extra $$$$ and lack of reliability versus my IS350.

1995e34, let's focus on the subject and not my user name. "you have to be cool to drive a BMW"?? He's as arrogant as Bangle and Van Hooydonk. No wonder these idiots are all under the same roof.

To be honest, this "flame surfacing" design thing is not cool at all. How could he literally call it cool when his cars have flame all over the surface?

I haven't purchased a BMW ever since Bangle took over. I think its totally not cool to drive a Bangle and Van Hooydonk designed bimmer. They come up with the cheapest BMW interior designs ever. i-Drive is also the worse ever "innovation" in the automotive history.

About Lexus being 100x more reliable than BMW. Anyone can see that it was just an exaggerrated expression out of my frustration. But everyone knows that Lexus is more reliable than BMW. You don't need to learn rocket science to realise this.

I really can't agree with you about the interiors. Just look at the Z4, it is the worst of the worst. Looks extremely cheap and feels extremely cheap.

I loved my E46's interior. The E90 is just a big step backward in terms of material and design.

Both Bangle and Van Hooydonk are very arrogant people as they both claimed their designs have a positive influence on the increase in sales. I say BMW's engineering and driving dynamics have a lot more to do with BMW sales, not their cheap designs. In fact, their designs actually scared away many bimmer fans, and I count myself as one of them. I would have purchased more BMWs if it wasn't for those two idiots.

You don't have to convince me to test drive a bimmer. I fully know how it's like to be behind the steering wheel of one. However, I just can't sit well with the cheap plastic around me.

The thing is, the fact that you assume BMWs have "cheap plastic" makes me believe you haven't driven the current-gen cars. They don't look amazing, no, but the materials are still top-notch, especially on the 3 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and X5.

And if you really care that much about a vinyl dashboard, get a leather option.

Sorry, I was among the first bunch to test drive the current 3er. The fit and finish of the previous gen is not there. The plastic does feel cheaper. To me, it's a step backward.

In comparison, the Audi A4 has a much better interior. The 3er is just not on par.

By the way, it's not just the cheap plastic. Other than the 3 coupe, all current BMWs look ugly in my eyes.

Well, different strokes for different folks. But according to you, I guess I'm not the only one who needs eye exam.

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