My thoughts on why BMW holds their value so well

[bimmerguy]

BMW costs more when you buy them new, they cost more when you buy them used.
When I ride, I still see old BMWs riding along, when I drive my BMW 325ci, I see 1980's BMW cars still going strong.
Germans over engineer everything they build, use weird but well thought out manufacturing.
"A driving experience " or riding experience is why they build BMWs.
Built for owner's enjoyment and safety, not just so sell units. Watch BMW vid of building new 6 series car and you can see the painstaking efforts they go to make every aspect of the car gel.
I will only drive BMW cars, I drive them for business and buy them with 100k on the clock and replace when they get to 250k.
I don't care if other drivers like my car , are impressed or think I'm rich. I'm not, I just know how to pick em.
I don't care if other riders like my bike< only I have to like it.
After 1 million miles in BMW cars, I have never been left walking when out of town.
My BMW bikes have never left me walking either. They remind me of how airplane engines are built: rated for 500hp but detuned to 200 hp for reliability.
When you want a bike that was built with the rider's enjoyment in mind, Buy BMW.
Even if you don't like it, you will get your money back.
And this forum rocks!

[BoxerSteve]

My BMW bikes have never left me walking either. They remind me of how airplane engines are built: rated for 500hp but detuned to 200 hp for reliability.

BMW used to build airplane engines.

I agree, BMW's cost more but in the long run it's worth it.

I've always done pretty well when it came time to sell a BMW. Not so with the only Japanese bike I ever owned.

And the 2008 R1200R I bought only last weekend and have put about 450 miles on so far? I LOVE it. It is by far the nicest motorcycle I've ever ridden. It is an amazing machine. I love the engine! The more I ride it, the more I love it. It's not all that comfortable but I don't care, I love riding it so much.

[deilenberger]

BMW used to build airplane engines.

Ummm... BMW still does - they're named "RollsRoyce" aviation engines.

[Faylo]

BMW has always been about the total experience. The old airheads weren't the most powerful, but they were about the lightest and easiest handling bikes around. They still are. Once someone experiences the BMW bike, it stays with them, as it did me. My ZX11 is much quicker and faster than my R1200R, but not nearly as easy to ride. Thus, I choose the BMW.

But I'm keeping the Kawi for when I want a really good fright!
-Jim

[dokotela]

Once someone experiences the BMW bike, it stays with them, as it did me.

Well this is my first BMW. And I LOVE it. Not necessarily to look at, but more from the total buzz I get when riding it. It is a total pleasure just to pop out to the supermarket for some bread.

What I find interesting is that in the past I would park up, and spend time admiring the other bikes in the car park. Now I simply don't bother. The reason?

Because I just can't imagine owning, or wanting to own, any other bike than the R1200R. Other bikes leave me cold, particularly the Japanese machines. I still have a penchant for the Triumphs, but that thought disappears as soon as the R starts to move with me on it.

Just my thoughts...

Julian

[ka5ysy]

The mechanic that set up my RR out of the box in November 2006 (the dealership release day bike!) when I picked up the keys said something prescient:

"This is probably the only bike you will ever need"



Smart guy

[boxermoose]

BMW used to build airplane engines.

Ummm... BMW still does - they're named "RollsRoyce" aviation engines.

Nope -

Rolls-Royce Enginerring is still firmly British

The cars were spun off in the 73 and now Volkswagon owns then

BMW got the boody prize with Rover

[boxermoose]

BMW used to build airplane engines.

Ummm... BMW still does - they're named "RollsRoyce" aviation engines.

Nope -

Rolls-Royce Enginerring is still firmly British - the joint venture with BMW on jet engines collapsed around 2000 - and RR took it over

The cars were spun off in the 73 and now Volkswagon owns then

BMW got the boody prize with Rover

[bimmerguy]

True,
That is where the BMW roundel came from { spinning propeller} engines for Luftwaffe.

[CRazyCam]

I still have a penchant for the Triumphs, but that thought disappears as soon as the R starts to move with me on it.

Just my thoughts...

Julian

Hi Julian. Did you keep the Street Triple?

I find that having a really nice hooligan bike available is handy for when I don't feel like riding the "gentleman's conveyance" BMW.

But I love both of them.

regards,CrazyCam

[rockbottom]

True,
That is where the BMW roundel came from { spinning propeller} engines for Luftwaffe.

I don't think that's true. Plus, there was no Luftwaffe until until 1935. In World War I it was the Luftstreitkräfte

[bimmerguy]

Whupps,
List of World War II Luftwaffe aircraft engines - Definition

This is a list of all German Motors including all aircraft engines, rocket motors, jets and any other powerplants, along with a very basic description.

The RLM used an internal designation system that included a number signifying the engine type, 9 for piston engines and 109 for jets and rockets, followed by a manufacturer's code. Each company was assigned a block of numbers for their designs:

* 090-099 - various minor manufacturers
* 100-199 - Bayerische Motorenwerke GmbH (BMW); later changed to 800 block
* 200-299 - Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke A.G.
* 300-399 - BMW-Flugmotorenwerke Brandenburg GmbH (BMW-Bramo)
* 400-499 - Argus-Motoren GmbH
* 500-599 - Heinkel Hirth Motoren GmbH
* 600-699 - Daimler-Benz A.G.
* 700-799 - Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz A.G.
* 800-899 - Bayerische Motorenwerke GmbH (BMW)

[Dauntless]

True,
That is where the BMW roundel came from { spinning propeller} engines for Luftwaffe.

The origin of the roundel is in dispute.

A BMW representative on the show "Twisted Throttle" which aired on the Discovery HD channel a few years ago stated that the blue and white on the roundel represents the flag of Bavaria.

I like the propeller theory better.

[Steve H.]

True,
That is where the BMW roundel came from { spinning propeller} engines for Luftwaffe.

The origin of the roundel is in dispute.

A BMW representative on the show "Twisted Throttle" which aired on the Discovery HD channel a few years ago stated that the blue and white on the roundel represents the flag of Bavaria.

I like the propeller theory better.

bmw did excellent aircraft engines !! Look Fokkerwolf 190 "long nose'' vs P51 mustang

regargs,Steve H.

[Steve H.]

BMW used to build airplane engines.

Ummm... BMW still does - they're named "RollsRoyce" aviation engines.

I agree BMW is a german Rolls Royce!! Definetly better than original!Hallo guys,dont beleive it??? Tray it!!!

Steve H.

[Steve H.]

They are excellent,durable,for ever lasting bikes(with regular and no fussy maintenance).It can be destroyd in an accident only.Guess how I know!!??

Steve H.

[AZBMWRIDER]

I first got involved with BMW bikes in 1981, bought an '81 R65, my second bike, still have it and it is a daily driver .

Got the '02 R1150R in August '02, yearend clearance sale, like has been said, it's the only bike I will ever need, does everything effortlessly, makes me think I'm a better rider than I really am .

A few airhead 'strays' have found their way to my garage over the past few years .

I don't know how many times I've heard from other make riders, 'you BMW guys never get rid of your bikes, you just keep them !! '

I also have one BMW car, my first, an '01 Z3 3.0i, 13 years and no problems with it at all .

[MarkShelley]

My first BMW was my 1100GS which I bought about 5 years ago and have put 40K miles on it. It now has 106K and still runs lovely. The build quality is amazing and I reckon the 1100 range was the best ever.
I also have an 1150R and I don`t think it is as well built as the 1100. I think the build quality has got progressively worse after the 1100`s.
I won`t be buying a newer BMW.