A Downside of X5 Ownership

[Pete]

Just a bit of a rant that I want to get off my chest!

Since owning an X5 for the past few weeks, I've discovered that it is a car that is often a topic of conversation. Almost every time someone sees it, they feel compelled to look both me and the car up and down and come out with a snide remark; which is either based on presumption that I am suddenly made of money, or I am wasteful and aiming to burn a hole in the sky. I am Self Employed and whilst doing ok for myself, I couldn't consider buying a car like this from new because to be honest, I don't work hard enough to earn/deserve one.
When working on a job recently, I even parked around the corner so that the car wasn't mentioned, as I couldn't be bothered dealing with the predictable questions and remarks. I've always enjoyed spending my money on nice holidays etc but haven't changed my car for five years - yet the moment I do, people start asking me questions and think that my business is somehow connected to them . I don't smoke or drink too much, so the way I see it is I have gone without certain luxuries and saved up to buy a car I love (which I'm sure you'll agree didn't cost a great deal of money); that is both practical and costs less than a new higher spec Punto or Corsa! (which I feel does show a serious lack of sense and waste of money! ).

Today I was unloading a load of heavy equipment from the car in a location that I have parked in before (for two minutes max) but for some reason a jobsworth (who has always been fine in the past) decided to give me a load of grief because he didn't recognise me and I honestly think it was the size of the car and badge that made him act like a knobhead towards me.

I love the car to bits and am glad I bought it but I must admit people act differently towards you and it gets on my tits because I am a down to earth lad who just likes to mind his own business.

Sorry for going on but hopefully I'm not the only one who gets this!

[thedweeb]

Nail on the head springs to mind. I've had the same issues and even from friends!? I sometime use the car to do the school run( but not oftern) but the looks I get sometimes you carnt believe to the point where people dont even speak to you ?? Pulling out of junctions is also a good one,I can wait forever to get out somedays. Why are people like this towards the x5 ??

[thedweeb]

Or maybe its just me ?

[Sanj]

Nope, not just you...

I have to agree I have had a few plonka's on the road. Most of it though is fellow work colleagues or the odd pr@t we may know as a 'friend' that like to pass judgement...

'Oh, they must be paying you too much' or 'How can you afford that' or 'Yeah, it's alright but...'

Usual catagory they all fall into is jealousy, envy or plain guttless (cos they won't open their own purse strings - they can clearly afford one).

Not bothered now.

[AW8]

In life I try to judge the quality of the commentator before deciding how much credence to place on the commentary.

[Turks]

I have had exactly the same experiences... doesn't help that i'm only 26 I suppose but still people shouldn't judge. Like Sanj, it seems to be people I know of...

My own mum took it that I have too much money and so I should have paid off her credit cards for her first!

People that work in my chippy - "Look at him, driving an X5 while we are all grafting" - Trust me I grafted to get where I am and get an X5, and it didn't come from any earnings from the chippy!

'Mates' who say "How can YOU afford that?" - because mate, I didn't waste my time since leaving school, I don't smoke and I don't spend £100+ every weekend in the same pubs.

...it all comes down to Jealousy i'd say and the funny thing is that most of them could afford one too if they changed their spending habits.


Turks.

[rconwa11]

i would agree with turks i am only 25 and dont smoke or drink and i am a supervisor in retail.(not well paid at all) but through a few lifestyle choices i can afford to run and enjoy an x5.


Richard.

[CondorX5]

Gosh, just my experience as well, guys........I also have to put up with the fact that because I'm female and drive an X, I seem to come in for more stick
I think the BMW badge does attract a lot of envy and bad behaviour from a certain group of people, but some of the behaviour is just downright dangerous on the roads. Luckily the X is such a safe driver's car!!!
Pete, Turks and others - I'm with you here - I've worked hard all my life, I'm in my err, shall we say "mature" years now, and I don't drink or smoke or take expensive hols. I've never expected the state to support me or provide benefits, I've paid my way and lots of tax (to buy all those 50" plasma tellies for the benefits bunch ( )
And I love well-engineered cars with big engines.....

Don't let it put you off Pete, enjoy your X to the full and develop the resilience that BMW owners need to fend off the snide remarks and sniping. You can always retort with one word - "Jealous?" Or, even more irritating, look straight past the to"£er, completely ignoring it and it's remarks.........really makes them annoyed!

[kenniff]

It's a downside.... But it's one I can live with
Generally, I don't get annoyed by people's cars... I get annoyed by what they sometimes do with them.

[Pete]

I'm glad I'm not on my own on this and I can appreciate that part of it is due to the circle of friends I mix with (exactly the same as Turks' - spending £100plus on beer etc. or £100 a month mobile phone bills) One knock on effect that I've suddenly started to worry about, is how much I charge etc. for my work because the car seems to gives off an illusion that I have more money than I actually do - maybe I'm just insecure!!!

I think you're right Condor X5 - you actually need resilience to own one of these cars! It's just the way that people seem to readily and almost aggresively ask questions.
My wife treated herself to a 2nd hand SLK about 5 years ago and again, only paid a similar amount to what a new Honda Accord would cost - but people would remark to her all of the time. She's much easier going than me and laughed it off but the attention makes me have a weird mixture of shyness and anger.

[Motor84]

Pete, I had exactly the same reactions mate. From the 'assuming you're loaded' to 'you're killing the plant'. Most people are just sheep when it comes to these things. The press gave 4x4s a bad name, and its permeated into allot of brains! Its a shame. Just rise above it and take comfort in the fact that that person is just repeating what they've read in some paper. Very intelligent eh!

I have now sold the X5 but I am also self employed, and I did exactly the same as you when visiting clients... parked round the corner! I think this situation is slightly different to the friends or idiot in street comments. This matters to your business, some clients just do judge you on your wealth, its just the way it is. If its clients, I think you need to be careful, anyone else f**k em!

By the way, if you're ever stuck in a conversation about the eco credentials of the X5, ask the tree hugger where they last went on holiday (usually 2 or 3 times a year because they don't run a car). Then remind them that a Boeing 747 uses the same amount of fuel just taxiing from the runway to the gate as a hatchback will use in its whole lifetime. Fact care of my father in law, aeronautical engineer for BA for 35 years.

[squeaky2]

Its funny as I hadnt thought too much about peoples comments but i suppose there have been a few. Usually that the guys on the estate that i work on will have a whip round so that i can put some fuel in it

At the end of the day its all down to peoples life style choices. I paid cash for mine using up all of a bonus that i had worked 12-18hour days to earn......i could have spent this on beer and cigarettes but needing a bigger car at the time me and the other half decided thats where the money would go. Could have spent it on a holiday but then the dogs need to go to "puppy prison" and this way we can take them with us

To be honest.......Sod'em

[Chompers]

Pete, its a sad old world we live in full of sad little people who just want give off to people who have nice things. The X5 has come in for more than its fair share of stick for these people, this thread on PH is just one example of many http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... lion%20X5s what a bunch of to$$ers.

[x555]

[quote=""thedweeb""] Pulling out of junctions is also a good one,I can wait forever to get out somedays.[/quote]
In the words of another great film 'if your gonna be a bear be a grizzly' you've got that beast of a car use it

As for the rest of the comments and looks etc i'm afraid thats just how life is there will always be someone who wants what you have and something someone else has that you haven't.Let em stare and let em look .....stuff em! Just enjoy what you have worked hard for

Answers on a postcard for the film quote

[Sanj]

Two great chicks in a Lamborghini in the opening credits???

One of my favourites...