Is Your M3 an Idiot Driver/Accident Magnet?

Finnegan · 05-17-2009, 02:02 AM

So I'm at 700 miles on my E93 and loving every minute of it....except for the evasive action I frequently end up taking to save my car (which is still unscathed).

Last weekend I was merging onto the freeway and the idiot in front of me came to a complete stop as we were merging (no traffic, no reason) onto the freeway from the on-ramp. At the same time some other idiot in an F350 is tailgating me. Fortunately I was 4+ car lengths behind "the stopper" and I braked and also cut to the right onto the shoulder to avoid having the truck slam into my rear end (the truck stopped just shy of "the stopper's" bumper).

Tonight I'm in the outside lane of two left hand turn lanes. There is one car in front of me in the same lane and a single pimped-out Suburban in the inside left turn lane. As we round the corner the SUV doesn't just go a little wide (which I've come to expect) but you guessed it the damn thing comes completely over into my lane! Evasive action required again.

I have 2 other examples I won't bother to list. WTF!

In each case I was driving safely--no speeding, no fast or unexpected moves, just minding my business, doing some normal driving. I can't recall this many close calls in the past 10 years!

Anyone else finding their M3 to be an idiot driver/accident magnet? Hopefully this is just an odd set of coincidences. I'd just like the car (and me) to make it to the 1,200 mile break-in!

Georgeair · 05-17-2009, 06:00 AM

My wife and I have joke for years that every new car we've bought must come with the neon "HIT ME!" option. We can't see it, but others apparently can.

Happy dodging!

enfield · 05-17-2009, 08:17 AM

Yeah - my M3 (as well as my ex-Z4M Coupe) seem to attract idiot drivers too. These cars seem to bring out childishness in some people. I regularly get mini-vans, SUVs, etc. trying to get ahead of me for no particular reason. Some seem to want to race.

I have never seen this sort of behavior on the Germanic Autobahn system. I think this is because most cars cannot keep up with M cars, AMG cars, the P-car etc. because of the unregulated speeds on 75% of the highway.

Over here the limit is 65mph (100kph aka 62.5mph in Ontario) and everybody seems to think they have a big willy

and can race a Porsche 911 Turbo.

URBAN LEGEND · 05-17-2009, 08:31 AM

What I have is people trying to race me in minivans and shit like that...

knifegun · 05-17-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

So I'm at 700 miles on my E93 and loving every minute of it....except for the evasive action I frequently end up taking to save my car (which is still unscathed).

Last weekend I was merging onto the freeway and the idiot in front of me came to a complete stop as we were merging (no traffic, no reason) onto the freeway from the on-ramp. At the same time some other idiot in an F350 is tailgating me. Fortunately I was 4+ car lengths behind "the stopper" and I braked and also cut to the right onto the shoulder to avoid having the truck slam into my rear end (the truck stopped just shy of "the stopper's" bumper).

Tonight I'm in the outside lane of two left hand turn lanes. There is one car in front of me in the same lane and a single pimped-out Suburban in the inside left turn lane. As we round the corner the SUV doesn't just go a little wide (which I've come to expect) but you guessed it the damn thing comes completely over into my lane! Evasive action required again.

I have 2 other examples I won't bother to list. WTF!

In each case I was driving safely--no speeding, no fast or unexpected moves, just minding my business, doing some normal driving. I can't recall this many close calls in the past 10 years!

Anyone else finding their M3 to be an idiot driver/accident magnet? Hopefully this is just an odd set of coincidences. I'd just like the car (and me) to make it to the 1,200 mile break-in!

If you live in Sacramento, you need to move. I have noticed drivers in Sacramento and surrounded areas are ultra aggressive and don't have the best lane change and brake application judgement.

jaserion · 05-17-2009, 08:57 AM

yeah, i got plenty of that and a lot of ricers too.

Radiation Joe · 05-17-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knifegun

If you live in Sacramento, you need to move. I have noticed drivers in Sacramento and surrounded areas are ultra aggressive and don't have the best lane change and brake application judgement.

Sacto drivers are the worst. I used to haul grapes through there on the way to Lodi. Used to get cut off regularly. Desperately wanted to just run into them. Those are the people that eventually prove Darwin correct. They end up self-cleaning the gene pool.

MrHarris · 05-17-2009, 11:44 AM

I just have trouble with the cops going the speed limit.

valeram · 05-17-2009, 12:02 PM

Maybe it is the car must mostly there are a lot of dumb drivers.

sirploppy · 05-17-2009, 12:45 PM

There are also people that try to get into accidents intentionally for an insurance scam. People pull the parking brake on an onramp, slam on the brakes for no reason... When they see a nice BMW they might think "jackpot!".

BMWM.D. · 05-17-2009, 12:54 PM

Happens to me ALL THE TIME. I really don't think it is the car, though. There are just morons everywhere. Everybody is too preoccupied with doing something else while driving. It is amazing.

Seems to happen to me a lot when driving other people's cars. Most recent incident involved me driving the brand new Z4 3.5 DCT S-drive after doing the pre-delivery check. Got cut off by some idiot in a beater pickup truck. He almost came over into my fender but I was able to avoid him. He didn't seem to be too worried about severely damaging a $60k car. After I honked to warn him he was doing something unsafe, he started making gestures at me out the window. Nice......

Andy

Voltigeur · 05-17-2009, 01:39 PM

-
I worry about this very issue w/ all the trucks in my area - you know the type, raised like they are trying to clamber up the Empire State and w/ twin pipes that reach past the roof line - for some reason (clueless about physics) - the drivers of these behemoths think they can do 85 mph and sit right behind one's arse - and this is while I'm driving a 5er let along a forthcoming M3.

mkoesel · 05-17-2009, 02:05 PM

Yep.

Just yesterday I had a guy nail the gas to sneak in front of me at the last second before a lane merge instead of just falling in behind. There is a light before the merge which was red and of course he took a good part of my braking zone. I could have stopped behind him, but instead I quickly jumped into the lane he just came from because I knew I'd be able to get around him at the light (we were each the first car at the light in our lanes). I looked over at him smiling but he would not even turn his head - very typical. Instead he inched his last generation Saturn Vue forward, and revved up the motor a bit anticipating the light. At that point I was laughing to myself. Of course you know how the story ends.

Light turns green, and he nails the gas. But I was already across the intersection. LOL! I merged into his lane and waved to him in the rear view.

Voltigeur · 05-17-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yep.

But I was already across the intersection. LOL! I merged into his lane and waved to him in the rear view.

Shame: in the NFL wouldn't that be equivalent to "Taunting"

And to add insult to injury the Saturn brand is coming to a close!

Finnegan · 05-17-2009, 03:06 PM

Yes, I think you guys are right, Sacramento drivers are pretty bad and overly aggressive.

I also think there's something about the relative comparison of your car to their car/truck that drives behavior. Driving a new/nice car makes some people think they get away with being dicks and the size of those "Bigfoot" trucks brings out the worst in some folks. What I'm saying is that if they're in a POS car they figure you have more to lose than they do and you'll get out of the way if they pull a dick move. A jacked up "Bigfoot" truck gives some folks a sense of invulnerability as well as an excuse to be a dick--and that brings out the worst in them.

I base my theory on the fact that I banged up car in college (one fender pretty much was hanging off). It was like a right of way free card! I always got the right of way at stop signs--the other drivers always waved me on. Same with lane changes--it was like having a freaking lineman running interference! But, once I had the car repaired my "right of way free" card was revoked.

Most of the stories I've just read are about some guy in a POS _____ acted like a dick. So, maybe that has something to do with it.

Plus, there is kind of a target on a new car--no license plate and the dealer tags....

valeram · 05-18-2009, 08:50 AM

Just this morning on my way to work, a car in front of me that will turn left to the hway ramp just stop even thought there was no car on the incoming lanes. I have to honk my horn to tell the other driver that it is safe to turn left. We both join the hway and I immediately overtook that car. Guess what, the driver was on the phone chatting.

05-17-2009, 02:02 AM	#1
Finnegan Dog Listener 707 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Is Your M3 an Idiot Driver/Accident Magnet? So I'm at 700 miles on my E93 and loving every minute of it....except for the evasive action I frequently end up taking to save my car (which is still unscathed). Last weekend I was merging onto the freeway and the idiot in front of me came to a complete stop as we were merging (no traffic, no reason) onto the freeway from the on-ramp. At the same time some other idiot in an F350 is tailgating me. Fortunately I was 4+ car lengths behind "the stopper" and I braked and also cut to the right onto the shoulder to avoid having the truck slam into my rear end (the truck stopped just shy of "the stopper's" bumper). Tonight I'm in the outside lane of two left hand turn lanes. There is one car in front of me in the same lane and a single pimped-out Suburban in the inside left turn lane. As we round the corner the SUV doesn't just go a little wide (which I've come to expect) but you guessed it the damn thing comes completely over into my lane! Evasive action required again. I have 2 other examples I won't bother to list. WTF! In each case I was driving safely--no speeding, no fast or unexpected moves, just minding my business, doing some normal driving. I can't recall this many close calls in the past 10 years! Anyone else finding their M3 to be an idiot driver/accident magnet? Hopefully this is just an odd set of coincidences. I'd just like the car (and me) to make it to the 1,200 mile break-in!
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05-17-2009, 06:00 AM	#2
Georgeair Captain 80 Rep 803 Posts Drives: '08 Melbourne E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, MS iTrader: (2)	My wife and I have joke for years that every new car we've bought must come with the neon "HIT ME!" option. We can't see it, but others apparently can. Happy dodging!
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05-17-2009, 08:17 AM	#3
enfield Civilian 79 Rep 970 Posts Drives: Jaguar F-Type V8 S Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Yeah - my M3 (as well as my ex-Z4M Coupe) seem to attract idiot drivers too. These cars seem to bring out childishness in some people. I regularly get mini-vans, SUVs, etc. trying to get ahead of me for no particular reason. Some seem to want to race. I have never seen this sort of behavior on the Germanic Autobahn system. I think this is because most cars cannot keep up with M cars, AMG cars, the P-car etc. because of the unregulated speeds on 75% of the highway. Over here the limit is 65mph (100kph aka 62.5mph in Ontario) and everybody seems to think they have a big willy and can race a Porsche 911 Turbo. Last edited by enfield; 05-17-2009 at 11:30 AM..
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05-17-2009, 08:31 AM	#4
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 412 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	What I have is people trying to race me in minivans and shit like that... __________________ 22 Audi RS E-Tron GT 21 Model S Plaid
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05-17-2009, 08:57 AM	#6
jaserion Captain 120 Rep 973 Posts Drives: BMW Onsh'mo... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	yeah, i got plenty of that and a lot of ricers too. __________________ 2015 F31 Sport Wagon 2014 Tesla Model S 2011 E93 M3 - Gone 2008 E92 M3 - Gone 2006 E90 325i - Gone
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05-17-2009, 11:44 AM	#8
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I just have trouble with the cops going the speed limit. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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05-17-2009, 12:02 PM	#9
valeram Major 37 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 992 TTS, 991.2 GT3 T, F80 M3 C Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dublin, OH iTrader: (0)	Maybe it is the car must mostly there are a lot of dumb drivers.
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05-17-2009, 12:45 PM	#10
sirploppy 5 Star General 50 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Korova Milk Bar iTrader: (0)	There are also people that try to get into accidents intentionally for an insurance scam. People pull the parking brake on an onramp, slam on the brakes for no reason... When they see a nice BMW they might think "jackpot!".
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05-17-2009, 12:54 PM	#11
BMWM.D. Stupid Idiot 134 Rep 827 Posts Drives: E90 335i & 6th Gen ZL1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Santa Barbara iTrader: (1)	Happens to me ALL THE TIME. I really don't think it is the car, though. There are just morons everywhere. Everybody is too preoccupied with doing something else while driving. It is amazing. Seems to happen to me a lot when driving other people's cars. Most recent incident involved me driving the brand new Z4 3.5 DCT S-drive after doing the pre-delivery check. Got cut off by some idiot in a beater pickup truck. He almost came over into my fender but I was able to avoid him. He didn't seem to be too worried about severely damaging a $60k car. After I honked to warn him he was doing something unsafe, he started making gestures at me out the window. Nice...... Andy
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05-17-2009, 01:39 PM	#12
Voltigeur MacroRisk 109 Rep 2,523 Posts Drives: M3 E92 ED'09 / 335d Sport DD Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	- I worry about this very issue w/ all the trucks in my area - you know the type, raised like they are trying to clamber up the Empire State and w/ twin pipes that reach past the roof line - for some reason (clueless about physics) - the drivers of these behemoths think they can do 85 mph and sit right behind one's arse - and this is while I'm driving a 5er let along a forthcoming M3.
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05-17-2009, 02:05 PM	#13
mkoesel Moderator 7516 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Yep. Just yesterday I had a guy nail the gas to sneak in front of me at the last second before a lane merge instead of just falling in behind. There is a light before the merge which was red and of course he took a good part of my braking zone. I could have stopped behind him, but instead I quickly jumped into the lane he just came from because I knew I'd be able to get around him at the light (we were each the first car at the light in our lanes). I looked over at him smiling but he would not even turn his head - very typical. Instead he inched his last generation Saturn Vue forward, and revved up the motor a bit anticipating the light. At that point I was laughing to myself. Of course you know how the story ends. Light turns green, and he nails the gas. But I was already across the intersection. LOL! I merged into his lane and waved to him in the rear view.
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05-17-2009, 03:06 PM	#15
Finnegan Dog Listener 707 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Yes, I think you guys are right, Sacramento drivers are pretty bad and overly aggressive. I also think there's something about the relative comparison of your car to their car/truck that drives behavior. Driving a new/nice car makes some people think they get away with being dicks and the size of those "Bigfoot" trucks brings out the worst in some folks. What I'm saying is that if they're in a POS car they figure you have more to lose than they do and you'll get out of the way if they pull a dick move. A jacked up "Bigfoot" truck gives some folks a sense of invulnerability as well as an excuse to be a dick--and that brings out the worst in them. I base my theory on the fact that I banged up car in college (one fender pretty much was hanging off). It was like a right of way free card! I always got the right of way at stop signs--the other drivers always waved me on. Same with lane changes--it was like having a freaking lineman running interference! But, once I had the car repaired my "right of way free" card was revoked. Most of the stories I've just read are about some guy in a POS _____ acted like a dick. So, maybe that has something to do with it. Plus, there is kind of a target on a new car--no license plate and the dealer tags....
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05-18-2009, 08:50 AM	#16
valeram Major 37 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 992 TTS, 991.2 GT3 T, F80 M3 C Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dublin, OH iTrader: (0)	Just this morning on my way to work, a car in front of me that will turn left to the hway ramp just stop even thought there was no car on the incoming lanes. I have to honk my horn to tell the other driver that it is safe to turn left. We both join the hway and I immediately overtook that car. Guess what, the driver was on the phone chatting.
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