Common etiquette for M3/M4 owners?

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by ChipB

Back in the day, before BMWs became as common as dirt, 3-series drivers would always flash lights at other 3-series. I'm talking late 70's, early 80's, when BMW was still a unique marque. In those days BMW buyers were people who were interested in cars, and came to the brand not because of advertising or the yuppie tradition but because of true interest. But the tradition of flashing lights at other bimmer owners died some time in the mid-late 80's with the huge proliferation of BMWs on US roads. Now that BMW 3-series is the best selling car in CA there is no way that the majority of buyers are true enthusiasts.

So, you own 2 of them, but you look down on others who own them. Do you think it could be that some people have an inflated sense of self importance? I'm sorry, I didn't mean "people," I meant "true enthusiasts."

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by dsm918

These kind of threads

I think the problem is that thumbs are barely visible in a well tinted M car.

It would be far more effective if m3 drivers would simply pass out three M colored m&m candies. 5 candies for an M5, but here, the three M colored m&m candies should be supplemented with 2 brown candies to ensure the M colors really "pop."

Next, since m&m candies don't always melt in your mouth, it may be more appropriate for the M3 enthusiast to simply place three M colored finger cots on each of three fingers, ring, middle, and pointer.

This way, when passing another m3 driver, the M enthusiast could hold his three finger-cotted M colored fingers vertically. Perhaps a slight circular motion would suffice to aid in catching other M drivers overly focused on the road.

[BMWrules7]

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[Lups]

I greet all m drivers. I also greet all others I see driving something special (no Porsches lambos, or Ferraris, they need to be special).

In my hoods people know me no matter how new or old their m are, and with the ones owned by kids I take the effort of listening of their their mods.

Come on guys, we might have the latest shit now, but do you remember what it felt like when in your first car, someone paid attention to your work? Especially if it was someone driving something cooler?

For me it's giving back for the miles I got to do in cars I couldn't afford back then. A simple lift of a hand means a lot to the younger, so let's do it.

[HeWhoWalksBehind]

I currently drive a WRX and wave at others. I've only seen waves back or a lack of a response. I assumed it would be the same with M cars, so I'll have to see (my F80 is "being transported to the port of exit").

The one caveat is that it's very easy to spot a fellow WRX but I am new to BMW and M cars don't appear to be as flashy (hood scoop vs power dome).

[M3 Esq]

I usually just flip the bird. Isn't that what's expected of BMW drivers anyway? I wouldn't want to disappoint.

[BeMyWife]

I usually get the thumb back from either a YMB or an AY which my car is.

[330cibimmer]

It's funny but I mostly get respect from older M car drivers. Most F8x drivers don't even look... It's like they're better than me even though we have the same car..haha

[M3 Esq]

Saw a guy today in a E92 M3. I was waiting to make a right and he was driving by. He saw me and gunned it lol. Total douche. At least he didn't give me the finger.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by HeWhoWalksBehind

I currently drive a WRX and wave at others. I've only seen waves back or a lack of a response. I assumed it would be the same with M cars, so I'll have to see (my F80 is "being transported to the port of exit").

The one caveat is that it's very easy to spot a fellow WRX but I am new to BMW and M cars don't appear to be as flashy (hood scoop vs power dome).

As the previous owner of a 2011 STI, 2012 WRX, 2013 EVO X, and a 2015 STI I am used to waving or giving the "nod" to fellow rally car enthusiasts. The community is pretty cool here.

I used to also own a FBO 135i, it along with our current X1 just gets other BMW drivers to cut you off with no turn signal. To show how much better their BMW is.... Even if it's an early 2000's BMW

Can't wait to get my F80, but I'm not expecting any love from other M drivers.

[JustChris]

Yup I noticed the same, not even a wave back

[Matt_B]

Just got my YMB M3 a few days ago - my first car that really stands out. Getting a lot more attention than I'm used to.

Got a nod from an E60 driver (not sure of trim level) and a thumbs up from a kid in a red Mazda. I didn't react quickly enough to return his gesture and now he probably thinks I'm a snobby dick.

[ajag]

I usually give a wave or thumbs up to anyone in a nicely modded car, which is the only real indication they *may* be a like minded enthusiast. Be that a nicely modded Evo all the way up to exotics. That and anyone who has the exact same model sportscar I'm driving in at the time (though most 991TT owners are oblivious).

[jackolo]

I've noticed back when I had my 997 911, it was a semi common occurrence for other owners to give a quick flash of the high beams to each other. I do the same and sometimes receive the same now when it's other F8x M cars. The only thing though is that it's usually only guys driving the AY, YSM, SO, etc that respond

[HeWhoWalksBehind]

Never heard of flashing high beams before. Good thing I started reading this forum.

No windshield tinting for me since I visit British Columbia on a fairly regular basis. So I won't have that excuse for not responding to a wave.

[Devilzmantis]

Young drivers I give the thumbs up... Older drivers I wave. For some reason i get no response with thumbs up for older drivers. And for Hondas I give the middle finger. LOL JK.

[Yoddha]

Originally Posted by 04RC51

This! We aren't driving Jeeps where you have to wave due to some bro law? You just drive the same car, you aren't friends or family as far as I know? Even when we ride motorcycles, we don't wave. We just share a hobby, big deal. It's not a brotherhood when you buy a bike either. It would be like waving to everyone that plays golf just because you share a hobby. Very odd and confusing practice. :

I beg to differ, although it may vary state by state, in the states that I have visited, whenever motorcyclists pass each other they always give a wave or hand signal. The only bikers that don't do it tend to be the tools on the obnoxiously loud Harley's or non street bikes

[SaMaster14]

If a car looks tastefully modded regardless of what it is (to an extent...) I usually give a thumbs up. I usually drive with the windows down and have quite a few people talk to me about my car at stoplights. Mainly in Baltimore where M cars are few and far between in most areas, not sure how the reception will be when I get my car out to LA where I see an M3/4 almost every day.

I mean, if you see someone driving a bone stock M car he might look at you weird if you give a thumbs up. But I don't think it will hurt... You just get a weird look. Might luck out and make a friend tho

[TTG]

If someone waives at me, I am waiving back…..

[Brindle101]

Originally Posted by jackmacm4

Hey guys,
So far I have encountered 2 M4 (over the last few months) near my area. Not sure if my behavior was appropriate, but when I usually see another fellow M3/M4 owner, my first response to wave or a thumbs up (I am driving my m4 as well and not another vehicle). Unfortunately, I have been getting either stares or a smirk. How are you guys holding up?
MAC

I have several M cars and other cool cars, I always give someone the thumbs up if they are driving any cool performance car. If can usually put down window and give him/her a shout out. Most people like the aknowledgement and give it back. Once in a while run into a jerk or someone too busy and not paying attention.

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by jackmacm4

Hey guys,
So far I have encountered 2 M4 (over the last few months) near my area. Not sure if my behavior was appropriate, but when I usually see another fellow M3/M4 owner, my first response to wave or a thumbs up (I am driving my m4 as well and not another vehicle). Unfortunately, I have been getting either stares or a smirk. How are you guys holding up?
MAC

We need an M-car proximity app to pop a toast up on the other drivers phone. That would get their head out of their crotch in enough time to acknowledge you.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Peertwelve

We need an M-car proximity app to pop a toast up on the other drivers phone. That would get their head out of their crotch in enough time to acknowledge you.

This would make us the most pathetic group of humans in history, but I'd download it!