I find people are less courteous, jumping in front of you, cutting you up, tailgating, trying to race with you etc, etc. I could understand it if I was a Range Rover driver. Do they see us all as just a bunch of flash harrys? I would be interested to hear other forum members views and experiences.
Other Drivers Attitude Towards Z4 Drivers?
- Thread starter harrycodlife
- Start date
simonlpearce
Senior member
I don't get people trying to race me, i think that must be mostly as where i live is a relatively quiet town with probably an average age of 50+. However it did take some getting used to that people seem to notice the car less. I have to constantly second guess what people are doing at junctions etc and be aware they might not have spotted you coming, or are just deciding to pull out regardless.
i find a lot of people "check out" my car and also have a lot of people trying to race or tail gating on dual carriageway just to try and prove themselves by blasting past when i pull in only to slow down once there past and they realize im not gonna race them (if i didnt have the baby 2.0i then it might be different on the odd occasion, but i have no interest in trying to prove myself to some 19yr old in Type R or VXR thanks 
)
)Probably because you'd lose to a Type-R or VXR...
I haven't noticed any particular increase or decrease in behaviour either way apart from people looking at it more, both in cars and on the street. I find how you drive has a much bigger impact on people's reactions. It's nice to have the power to see off nearly all silly manoeuvres though.
I haven't noticed any particular increase or decrease in behaviour either way apart from people looking at it more, both in cars and on the street. I find how you drive has a much bigger impact on people's reactions. It's nice to have the power to see off nearly all silly manoeuvres though.
Oh yes - I think Zeds look more expensive than they actually are and this builds some resentment from a few drivers. I come across other drivers that want to show what their car can do or are less than courteous but I also think that part of the problem is folk don't know the capabilities of the Zed and get annoyed when I am looking for an overtake. Another thing that might be an issue is that the Zed can look like any other BMW when seen in the rear view mirror and so folk think you're just being pushy.I've also taken to driving with my lights on as a low grey Zed can be missed easily by some drivers.
Basically though, I think some drivers don't like to see a grey haired guy (or anyone come to that) in a capable sports car with the roof down enjoying themselves. Probably envious and in some cases they feel it threatening, want to compete and prove something. I leave them to it, either well behind or watch as they blatantly break speed limits ahead on straight roads.
I have had excellent impromptu runs with other drivers though ( particularly over Hartside) with folk I've come across that have enjoyed the spirited run brought about by such a meeting - even in one case a driver who courteously waved me on to lead and I did the same at points on the run for him - a big thumbs up when we went our separate ways at Penrith. We also had a great impromptu run with three Lotus 7s on the Hawick route. Wonderful memories.
Basically though, I think some drivers don't like to see a grey haired guy (or anyone come to that) in a capable sports car with the roof down enjoying themselves. Probably envious and in some cases they feel it threatening, want to compete and prove something. I leave them to it, either well behind or watch as they blatantly break speed limits ahead on straight roads.
I have had excellent impromptu runs with other drivers though ( particularly over Hartside) with folk I've come across that have enjoyed the spirited run brought about by such a meeting - even in one case a driver who courteously waved me on to lead and I did the same at points on the run for him - a big thumbs up when we went our separate ways at Penrith. We also had a great impromptu run with three Lotus 7s on the Hawick route. Wonderful memories.
paulgs1000 said:
Great post! - I would concur with your views entirely, some very good points made there. Like you I just let them get on with it if they want the race, not worth the risk. As for impromptu runs with other drivers, I am travelling up to the lake district from Hertfordshire myself soon, maybe I will bump in to a few myself, not literally though of course . . . :roundel:
So far haven't had many bad reactions although you do always get the odd jealous kn*b now and then. Never understood that myself. As a car lover if I see a nice car on the road my first instinct is to admire it and have a good look at it rather than be a pr*ck?!
I have noticed that I get a lot of admiring glances, perhaps more on a level with cars costing a lot more. I don't blame them to be honest, whenever I'm not behind the wheel I'm always admiring my beautiful Zed too!
I have noticed that I get a lot of admiring glances, perhaps more on a level with cars costing a lot more. I don't blame them to be honest, whenever I'm not behind the wheel I'm always admiring my beautiful Zed too!
It is true that a Zed does look a lot more expensive than it actually is . . .
When I bought my Zed I was expecting a lot of negative behaviour from other drivers: I mean it’s a red 2 seater sports car and I drive with the roof down most of the time. I was expecting a few negative hand gestures and even shout-outs as I drove though busy towns. I also assumed I’d have trouble pulling out into busy traffic – basically I was expecting some agro.
But 5 months and 5k miles later I can honestly say, to my surprise, I have had nothing but positive responses – I am always being let out at busy junctions, I have had waves and smiles from pedestrians, and received nothing but courteous responses from other motorists.
As for being raced, this does happen from time to time – sometimes I indulge and sometimes I don’t. This may be my imagination, but it seems that since I added the 3.0si badge to the boot I get far fewer boy-racers – it’s like they race up behind to see what they are up against and then decide to forget it, I'd like to think they don’t need to know acceleration times or bhp to realise that 3 litres in a light 2 seater sports car = fast :wink:
But 5 months and 5k miles later I can honestly say, to my surprise, I have had nothing but positive responses – I am always being let out at busy junctions, I have had waves and smiles from pedestrians, and received nothing but courteous responses from other motorists.
As for being raced, this does happen from time to time – sometimes I indulge and sometimes I don’t. This may be my imagination, but it seems that since I added the 3.0si badge to the boot I get far fewer boy-racers – it’s like they race up behind to see what they are up against and then decide to forget it, I'd like to think they don’t need to know acceleration times or bhp to realise that 3 litres in a light 2 seater sports car = fast :wink:
I was thinking the same thing over the weekend and have noted that there seems to be more of a grudging respect from some drivers now that the E85/86 is getting older. When I had my previous one in 2009 I got a lot of tailgaters and red light Senna's but put that down to the 2.0i badge on the side of mine. However now it seems to be less so, could it be the change to 2.5Si on the wing I'm not sure.
The only ones I have real get to f**k moments with are the ones on their Audi TDI's, this was alway a great engine but they seem to forget that the turbo stops spinning after 5000 revs or so.
The only ones I have real get to f**k moments with are the ones on their Audi TDI's, this was alway a great engine but they seem to forget that the turbo stops spinning after 5000 revs or so.
Encountered a jealous type on my first long distance trip in Red, female in a mini hogging the outside lane of the m'way. I was patient, absolutely didn't tailgate and when she eventually pulled over I got the middle finger.
For the life of me, I have no idea why other than the car?
Since then, it's been pretty much business as usual - i.e. there's the occasional knobhead who desperately needs to learn to drive properly, but then there always was before Red came along.
For the life of me, I have no idea why other than the car?
Since then, it's been pretty much business as usual - i.e. there's the occasional knobhead who desperately needs to learn to drive properly, but then there always was before Red came along.
i rarely drive the zed during the week, i have a mk4 golf gt tdi that i plod to work & Back in , so doing the commute is different to a sunday drive or a potter around town, but i find that people tend to 'bully' you a bit more in the zed, people think i must be a pauper in the golf - but as you say , think you're wedged a bit when in the zed.
Marlon said:
Perhaps they think you really are the great Marlon Brando? :crazydude:
I had the ubiquitous white van man tailgating me the other day, you know the type, cruising at 120mph, I let him go, those guys just don't care . . .
I think I must just clarify one thing - when I said pedestrians wave and smile, I've actually had one wave (and may be it wasn't even at me) and a few smiles, but a lot of rubber-necking. I don't want to give the impression that I'm constantly driving though a crowd of smiling waving onlookers :roll:
