Your best 3 Series story.

drm621 · 06-12-2007, 01:19 PM

I am working on a piece trying to capture the importance of the 3 Series in culture overall.

My premise is that the 3 Series is the most iconic vehicle in history and its impact reaches beyond the automotive community.

Key question: How has the 3 Series impacted pop culture?

To that end, would you mind sharing any interesting personal stories or instances you can think of?

Some of the items that may be discussed:

-why did the "yuppies" gravitate to the 3 Series?
-the 3 Series is the most written about, covered, review vehicle in history
-cultural gatherings/events centered on the 3 Series
-appearances in movies, books, TV shows, etc

Any additional stories or input you have on any of the above would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

elucas730 · 06-12-2007, 01:24 PM

I would focus more on your key question about how the 3-series has affected pop culture because some of your other "ideas" are not correct and/or will take a whole lot of convincing. You will have a hard time proving that the 3-series is more of an icon than or has been written about and reviewed more than a Corvette or 911.

STE92VE · 06-12-2007, 01:39 PM

De90man · 06-12-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drm621

I am working on a piece trying to capture the importance of the 3 Series in culture overall.

My premise is that the 3 Series is the most iconic vehicle in history and its impact reaches beyond the automotive community.

Key question: How has the 3 Series impacted pop culture?

To that end, would you mind sharing any interesting personal stories or instances you can think of?

Some of the items that may be discussed:

-why did the "yuppies" gravitate to the 3 Series?
-the 3 Series is the most written about, covered, review vehicle in history
-cultural gatherings/events centered on the 3 Series
-appearances in movies, books, TV shows, etc

Any additional stories or input you have on any of the above would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

I think a good focus would be:

The 3 Series is brilliant everywhere. In the UK. In the Middle East. In Australia. In Kansas. To the Real Estate agent. To the Mod-crazed enthusiast. This elevates the 3 series to iconic status. It is a true World Car.

And to hit that mark is astounding. B/c so very few products do...at any price.

Cheers.

canucklion · 06-12-2007, 01:56 PM

The Ford Model T yes, Bugatti Veyron yes, 3 series heck no

Quote:

Originally Posted by drm621

My premise is that the 3 Series is the most iconic vehicle in history and its impact reaches beyond the automotive community.

Potty_Pants · 06-12-2007, 01:59 PM

I'll pretty much echo the other responses.

the 3 series is a car its not an exotic and not earth shattering. its a resonably good product at a resonably good price (high subjective).

if you want to talk about large numbers talk about the ford tarus, VW beetle, etc these cars have reached milestones of one or another.

the 3 series is just a car.

ppp

HyperM3 · 06-12-2007, 02:24 PM

However, there has never been a vehicle in a market segment which has been the benchmark for as long as the 3 series has. Every other market segment(ie: Best sports coupe, Best family sedan, Best SUV) has changed hands multiple times.

Why dont you discuss the how BMW kept reinventing the 3 series to stay ahead of its competitors each and every year its been the leader?

Potty_Pants · 06-12-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Why dont you discuss the how BMW kept reinventing the 3 series to stay ahead of its competitors each and every year its been the leader?

ok lol i'll bite... imo regardless of sale #'s I feel the 3 series lost the game when the g35 coupe came out... and they regained it with the 335i.

but thats just me

ppp

JSpira · 06-12-2007, 02:42 PM

As nice a car as it is, I don't think that the 3 Series is the most iconic in history. In fact, I don't think it's even the most iconic at BMW. Best selling does not equate to most iconic.

What type of piece are you working on? Is this for an automotive publication?

AndrewAZ · 06-12-2007, 02:44 PM

I think you might want to change it to "Mercedes" which is the most mentioned brand in music, movies, and TV.

HyperM3 · 06-12-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potty_Pants

ok lol i'll bite... imo regardless of sale #'s I feel the 3 series lost the game when the g35 coupe came out... and they regained it with the 335i.

but thats just me

ppp

Well, when the g35 coupe came out, that was what, 6 yrs ago? The e46 coupe was just starting too. You also had the same car in different guise with the 350z. Both cars were making 289hp(give or take) to the 330's 240hp. Both got good reviews but werent still in the same league as the BMW. The fit and finish on both the G and 350 were subpar for 35+ cars. The G was only comparable because it had imitation rear seats. However, the e46 had true rear seats that you could put adults in. The G was a hatchback with limited space. The 350 a 2 seater only. I dont think they were cross-shopped with the e46 as much as people think.

T Bone · 06-12-2007, 02:45 PM

I have been in love with the 3 series since it was in the movie "Pretty in Pink".

Blaine is a loser but he had a nice E30.

3XTR3M3 · 06-12-2007, 02:50 PM

my best 3 series story: I'm 24 and this is my 3rd 3 series.

Ninjaneer · 06-12-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewAZ

I think you might want to change it to "Mercedes" which is the most mentioned brand in music, movies, and TV.

zim-zimma, whose got the keys to my bimmer...

But yea I've heard Mercs get mentioned too... but the bimmer songs are better

ejazbmw · 06-12-2007, 03:17 PM

yeah although the 3 is a great car its nothing to big its a middle class car....maybe some like what canucklion said the ford model T would be something good to write since its got alot of history to it but bmw i would have to say no its not that big of a deal kinda car......

E90330iS · 06-12-2007, 03:24 PM

Wow I feel like this is a art history test prompt...

De90man · 06-12-2007, 03:25 PM

Minis, Skylines, GTIs, EVOs, Scoobies, Supras,...all iconic cars. But I think he means overall iconic.

The Volkswagen Beetle is the most iconic vehicle in history. Every class on every continent knows this car by shape alone.

But, modern icons are harder to make. The 3 is on the list, but most certainly not the most.

06-12-2007, 01:19 PM	#1
drm621 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Your best 3 Series story. I am working on a piece trying to capture the importance of the 3 Series in culture overall. My premise is that the 3 Series is the most iconic vehicle in history and its impact reaches beyond the automotive community. Key question: How has the 3 Series impacted pop culture? To that end, would you mind sharing any interesting personal stories or instances you can think of? Some of the items that may be discussed: -why did the "yuppies" gravitate to the 3 Series? -the 3 Series is the most written about, covered, review vehicle in history -cultural gatherings/events centered on the 3 Series -appearances in movies, books, TV shows, etc Any additional stories or input you have on any of the above would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
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06-12-2007, 01:24 PM	#2
elucas730 I'm just here for the turbo 3 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2004 STi, 2007 335i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Apalachin, NY iTrader: (0)	I would focus more on your key question about how the 3-series has affected pop culture because some of your other "ideas" are not correct and/or will take a whole lot of convincing. You will have a hard time proving that the 3-series is more of an icon than or has been written about and reviewed more than a Corvette or 911. __________________ Current Rides: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan 6MT Montego Blue, 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (for sale), 2004 Mazda RX-8 6MT Fondly Remember: 1988 Porsche 924S, 1992 Mitsu 3000GT SL, 2001 BMW Z3 2.5i
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06-12-2007, 01:39 PM	#3
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 218 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	__________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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06-12-2007, 01:59 PM	#6
Potty_Pants Colonel 66 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2012 Genesis Sedan Rspec Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	I'll pretty much echo the other responses. the 3 series is a car its not an exotic and not earth shattering. its a resonably good product at a resonably good price (high subjective). if you want to talk about large numbers talk about the ford tarus, VW beetle, etc these cars have reached milestones of one or another. the 3 series is just a car. ppp __________________ Olds Starfire > Chevy Malibu > Isuzu I-mark RS & Honda Magna 500 > Grand Am GT & YSR50 > Nissan Maxima & Ninja 750 > X-Wife > Hyundai Excel > Honda Prelude > Honda Accord > Honda Prelude & Ninja 250> Infiniti G35 > E90 335i > Hyundai Genesis Rspec, Hyunadai Sonata > Kia Sorento > Honda CRV-EX
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06-12-2007, 02:24 PM	#7
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	However, there has never been a vehicle in a market segment which has been the benchmark for as long as the 3 series has. Every other market segment(ie: Best sports coupe, Best family sedan, Best SUV) has changed hands multiple times. Why dont you discuss the how BMW kept reinventing the 3 series to stay ahead of its competitors each and every year its been the leader? __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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06-12-2007, 02:42 PM	#9
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	As nice a car as it is, I don't think that the 3 Series is the most iconic in history. In fact, I don't think it's even the most iconic at BMW. Best selling does not equate to most iconic. What type of piece are you working on? Is this for an automotive publication? __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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06-12-2007, 02:44 PM	#10
AndrewAZ Major 137 Rep 1,243 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I think you might want to change it to "Mercedes" which is the most mentioned brand in music, movies, and TV.
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06-12-2007, 02:45 PM	#12
T Bone Brigadier General 532 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals iTrader: (0)	I have been in love with the 3 series since it was in the movie "Pretty in Pink". Blaine is a loser but he had a nice E30. __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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06-12-2007, 02:50 PM	#13
3XTR3M3 Lieutenant Colonel 99 Rep 1,575 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	my best 3 series story: I'm 24 and this is my 3rd 3 series. __________________
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06-12-2007, 03:17 PM	#15
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	yeah although the 3 is a great car its nothing to big its a middle class car....maybe some like what canucklion said the ford model T would be something good to write since its got alot of history to it but bmw i would have to say no its not that big of a deal kinda car......
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06-12-2007, 03:24 PM	#16
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Wow I feel like this is a art history test prompt... __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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06-12-2007, 03:25 PM	#17
De90man First Lieutenant 8 Rep 350 Posts Drives: F30 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Minis, Skylines, GTIs, EVOs, Scoobies, Supras,...all iconic cars. But I think he means overall iconic. The Volkswagen Beetle is the most iconic vehicle in history. Every class on every continent knows this car by shape alone. But, modern icons are harder to make. The 3 is on the list, but most certainly not the most.
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