Are you ever concerned that driving an M could hurt your career?

[ngs]

I work in IT for city government and I am fortunate enough to drive an M3. In no way am I rich, I purchased my M3 used for a great price and I do 5-6 real estate deals a year. I've worked hard and promoted up but still considered an early point in my career and hope to continue on to promote. I also try to stay low profile and out of any of that office drama/talk.

Do any of you guys who are in starting or lower levels of your career feel like you shouldn't be driving M because you feel it might hinder your chances of promoting? ie. bosses/coworkers seeing you drive a nice car and feel some type of way about it.

[PshhhhhMW]

Originally Posted by F80STEVE

I work in IT for city government and I am fortunate enough to drive an M3. In no way am I rich, I purchased my M3 used for a great price and I do 5-6 real estate deals a year. I've worked hard and promoted up but still considered an early point in my career and hope to continue on to promote. I also try to stay low profile and out of any of that office drama/talk.

Do any of you guys who are in starting or lower levels of your career feel like you shouldn't be driving M because you feel it might hinder your chances of promoting? ie. bosses/coworkers seeing you drive a nice car and feel some type of way about it.

They'll just assume you still live with your parents.

[Ex_Stig]

When I was 28 I won a Cadillac Escalade in a charity raffle. I worked a deal to sell my Accord and trade the Escalade to get my first E46 M3. I was working for a major health insurance company at the time.

I had the same concerns as you. I let my work and work ethic speak for itself and didn't worry about what others thought. Looking back on it, I don't think it had any impact on my career advancement.

[Quasimoto]

That's a legit concern.

I also consider it hard to talk to your boss about a raise (which inevitably will occur if you are early in your career) when you often drive a nicer car than they do. It's dumb, but it's reality.

You don't say how old you are, but at the "starter/early" point in my career I probably wouldn't have driven an M car to work.

At this point in my life (almost 50), I realize that being able to drive one of my dream cars everyday is worth more than the "career value" of rolling to work in a Subaru (my previous early-in-career car).

At almost 30, I was the exact opposite.

But that's me - can't speak for you and your situation.

But since you already have the car, I say you enjoy the hell out of it and let the chips fall where they may.

[ngs]

Yeah just wanted some feedback. It is not a major concern. You are right when you say that’s just the way things are. I’m 32 by the way.

[jailonacs99]

Is your boss a car person at all? Maybe try and gauge if they are, could be a talking point that also creates a shared interest.

When I had my 335is I ran into my old company CEO in the garage, he was driving an older beat up E90. He remarked that it was a good looking ride and that he has several more cars at home but this was his daily beater.

I mentioned that the car was a personal goal setter, (and like you) I saved up for it and bought it late model used to get a good deal. I've got no kids so quite frankly my priority at my age was to have a car I enjoyed driving because driving for pleasure is also a hobby. Every time we ran into each other in the kitchen he would use cars as a conversation starter. Never seemed to hurt me getting promoted and getting raises.

I was also running and keeping several of the company's most high risk projects afloat, so there was that too.

[CachacoF80]

I work for a very large public pension plan in the US investing in certain markets. I'm mid to senior hierarchy. At first I felt weird bringing the car to work. But now I see junior people driving Teslas and honestly there are very few informed people that can discriminate between a 3 series and an M. Color (SMB) is quite noticeable but if it was MG or Black...nobody could tell.

I think you should not worry too much. Wearing sunglasses, hats and parking far away won't last long. Enjoy it.

[FriedPiston]

City Government, you say? Chances are your superiors have no idea what an M3 is, or how it's different from a regular 3-series. Heck, in SoCal, it's not unusual for Starbucks baristas and Best Buy employees to drive a late model M, so I wouldn't worry about standing out in the parking lot unless you're heavily modified.

[sdshah]

Originally Posted by F80STEVE

I work in IT for city government and I am fortunate enough to drive an M3. In no way am I rich, I purchased my M3 used for a great price and I do 5-6 real estate deals a year. I've worked hard and promoted up but still considered an early point in my career and hope to continue on to promote. I also try to stay low profile and out of any of that office drama/talk.

Do any of you guys who are in starting or lower levels of your career feel like you shouldn't be driving M because you feel it might hinder your chances of promoting? ie. bosses/coworkers seeing you drive a nice car and feel some type of way about it.

My god so many pusses on this forum. So worried about what other people think all the time. If you live that way you'll always be entry level especially in today's America where people who build wealth have at least 5-6x streams of revenue generation.

Honestly, no one cares about your 50k BMW.

[damageprone]

I think it really depends on your job. I've worked in jobs where colleagues are always complaining on how they're struggling with money problems, etc. In that situation I would not drive the M to work as I'm sure they would not treat me the same way as they did.

I always like to keep home and work separate.

If you own the company that's a whole different ballgame, drive whatever you want...but don't make it too nice otherwise your workers will keep asking for raises.

[c0nrad]

think of the opposite situation. ever hear of anyone getting a raise because the boss saw them driving around in a shitty car? no chance

[ntg44]

I agree with sdshah. People judged me my whole life for many things, including being a car enthusiast and the cost associated with it. Then I fired up whatever car I had at the time and could not give a rats a** about what they thought anymore. People will never understand it, and we don’t owe anybody an explanation for anything we find enjoyable in our personal lives. Life’s way too short to have other people decide what’s best for you. Just my $0.02.

[dont_Mistak3]

Originally Posted by F80STEVE

I work in IT for city government and I am fortunate enough to drive an M3. In no way am I rich, I purchased my M3 used for a great price and I do 5-6 real estate deals a year. I've worked hard and promoted up but still considered an early point in my career and hope to continue on to promote. I also try to stay low profile and out of any of that office drama/talk.

Do any of you guys who are in starting or lower levels of your career feel like you shouldn't be driving M because you feel it might hinder your chances of promoting? ie. bosses/coworkers seeing you drive a nice car and feel some type of way about it.

I'm 23 graduated from college in 2017 and started working in the summer of 2017 as an engineer for the department of defense.

I just financed a brand new 18' F80 back in September. Am I insane? Absolutely and I have no regrets. Yes I obviously still live with my parents who thankfully are there to support me and I'm still single so I figured it was now or never (or at least 10+ years).

It's kind of funny I drive nicer cars than my supervisors (Tesla's, 3 series) who have been there 10+ years but that in no way affects promotions. Not how the public sector works. Just be good at your job, keep a strong network and you'll be fine.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

your not going to like it either way. but honestly let the chips fall where they may...gotta only concern yourself about your emotions no one else.


will they care about your car...prolly not. but people jealous as fuck, even tho they probably eat out everyday, have no grip on their budgets (kinda talking about myself but i got an m3 ) not anyones business how you spend your money

on the flipside; you cant enjoy your car cause you gotta worry about others people feelings. Which will ultimately affect possible promotion for you.

cant walk on eggshells. no matter how hard or soft you step they shatter. do what you want

I get judged the fuck out of I was 24(26 now) driving the car. Some old guys give me dirty ass looks and shit but fuck em. Most people appreciate the car for what it is.

my boss owns a 911 turbo, panerma turbo, 458

he loves my car...constantly raves on how beautiful it is compared to the standard 3 series....car guys recognize real.

itll be hard for you to understand this since your a car person...but most people soley drive BMWs 100% cause its a status symbol. although to me if you are driving a 328 or below your an idiot cause the camry/accord will dust that shit. you drive nicer and you just crushed their egos. such fragile fucks lol. Some of yall probably think im been ranting, but I've been being tested so much last few weeks. Ive always taken the high road.

edit: through all that.. i still feel your concerns. I am lucky that my parking lot is mostly porches lol. My car aint even top 10 in a paking lot of 40 cars If I parked in a wider population set, I might feel differently about driving the m3 to work, especially since my age.

[khanyam4]

Originally Posted by F80STEVE

I work in IT for city government and I am fortunate enough to drive an M3. In no way am I rich, I purchased my M3 used for a great price and I do 5-6 real estate deals a year. I've worked hard and promoted up but still considered an early point in my career and hope to continue on to promote. I also try to stay low profile and out of any of that office drama/talk.

Do any of you guys who are in starting or lower levels of your career feel like you shouldn't be driving M because you feel it might hinder your chances of promoting? ie. bosses/coworkers seeing you drive a nice car and feel some type of way about it.

The majority of the human being in this world are pathetic sheep. All they see is the result but they never see the struggle. Being seen in a nice vehicle will definitely hinder your progress in the company unless your co worker are rolling in such car as lambo, ferrari, p car etc. Get yourself a beater and continue to do what you do.

[jmg]

I drove some considerably nice Audi's earlier in my career. I did get a joke from one of my bosses: "What are we paying you?! You have one of the nicer cars in the office!". Quite honestly I just shopped smart: A CPO Audi A4 wasn't really that expensive. Fast forward and I don't think it really affected my career trajectory at all. Although I kind of get the apprehension, the M3 isn't exactly a Ferrari 488. It's a $40-50k used bimmer. You can obviously afford it, so I wouldn't worry about what they think about your car. Distract them with your work ethic and performance.

[Flacht3]

Originally Posted by KLNLQIm

think of the opposite situation. ever hear of anyone getting a raise because the boss saw them driving around in a shitty car? no chance

This is one of the more asinine statements I've seen in a while. So if an employee is driving a low-end car, whether it be for saving money, a financial burden or he/she doesn't care about cars then it somehow reflects on their work skills and merit?

If one of my employees was driving a 200,000 mile beater and doing it so he/she could put that income elsewhere, invest, support their family, maybe save for something better etc. do you really think that would somehow reflect poorly on them? Actually, judging anyone's merit based on their car at all is outrageous.

Likewise, if someone making $80k/year and driving an M4 came to me to ask for ask for a raise, etc. I wouldn't care either...it has absolutely nothing to do with their work and what they deserve to be paid.

[c0nrad]

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

This is one of the more asinine statements I've seen in a while. So if an employee is driving a low-end car, whether it be for saving money, a financial burden or he/she doesn't care about cars then it somehow reflects on their work skills and merit?

If one of my employees was driving a 200,000 mile beater and doing it so he/she could put that income elsewhere, invest, support their family, maybe save for something better etc. do you really think that would somehow reflect poorly on them? Actually, judging anyone's merit based on their car at all is outrageous.

Likewise, if someone making $80k/year and driving an M4 came to me to ask for ask for a raise, etc. I wouldn't care either...it has absolutely nothing to do with their work and what they deserve to be paid.

I meant like getting a raise out of pity for not having a nice car. Not judging anyone at all. Interesting that you misunderstood it that way.

[Flacht3]

Originally Posted by KLNLQIm

I meant like getting a raise out of pity for not having a nice car. Not judging anyone at all. Interesting that you misunderstood it that way.

Got it. Didn't come across that way, but in that case I agree with you .

OP, do what makes you happy and don't worry about co-workers. Most won't even realize, and those that do likely won't care. I've always had nicer cars than most of my superiors because that was my priority and not theirs, and it never created issues.

My gf also works for the CA government and I really wanted to get her a Macan next (mainly so I could drive it), but her job takes her to some slightly sketchy areas so we decided it's not the best choice. That's the only reason I would be concerned...couldn't care less what the rest of her office is driving.

[desertfox73]

I'm a CEO of a nonprofit 501c3, and I've owned several BMW M cars while in that role. Two things on that: First, I don't worry what my board members (my boss) think about what I drive. I let my work ethic speak for itself. Most of my peers drive very ordinary cars, I just can't do it.

Second: As for my team (employees), if any of them showed up in an M car it would actually give me something else to talk with them about, another way to relate to them. I might also take it as a sign that we are properly rewarding staff for being great at what they do, and that's a big deal to me.

Whether their "vice" is buying an M car or travel or eating steak every night, doesn't bother me one bit. If anything it might make them a little more fun to be around since clearly they choose to get joy out of driving, something that many see as a drab necessity at best.

Every work culture is different, but personally, I like people with passion, whatever form that takes.

[kss]

I replaced our 2010 RX350 with a 2107 at the start of this year and than bought a new 2017 M3C this year. I constantly hear from my boss who just bought an X3 last year that she must be paying me too much money. I do find that annoying.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by kss

I replaced our 2010 RX350 with a 2107 at the start of this year and than bought a new 2017 M3C this year. I constantly hear from my boss who just bought an X3 last year that she must be paying me too much money. I do find that annoying.

That sucks. But it's a reality in some workplaces

Op, if you think it could hinder you, you're probably right, and you should get a beater and save your M for weekends.