M3's up north?

[CCLSVTM3]

So, the wife and I just spent the last 5 days driving from SoCal (Burbank) to Napa. Spent two days there, then drove to San Fran and spent 2 days there. Just wondering if M3's are not as popular up north. In the LA area, you see them all the time. During my 1300 mile trip, I only saw one M3 which was parked at Beringer Winery in Napa. Saw a lot of 335's though... Those were mostly parked in Nob Hill.... What do you guys think?

[dmppdx]

My impression is that M3's really aren't that common outside of SCAL and certain parts of the east coast. I certainly don't see many in the PNW.

[Avly]

Less obsessive car culture. A lot of people who can afford M3's or similar cars are not interested in spending their money like that.

[Z K]

A lot of people with money in SF area are more interested in other things than luxury goods... They'd rather spend the money elsewhere. It's part of the techie culture that a lot of the people making money are in.

Also, those who do live in the city have no need of a car. You can walk and take public transportation everywhere. Owning a car is more headache than its worth.

[THE TECH]

I honestly don't see many at all and I'm in Socal. Just depends on exactly where you are.

[NoM3ForMe]

Originally Posted by dmppdx

My impression is that M3's really aren't that common outside of SCAL and certain parts of the east coast. I certainly don't see many in the PNW.

I disagree. I work in Bellevue and saw 15 yesterday alone, and another 7 thus far today.

[CCLSVTM3]

Originally Posted by Z K

A lot of people with money in SF area are more interested in other things than luxury goods... They'd rather spend the money elsewhere. It's part of the techie culture that a lot of the people making money are in.

Also, those who do live in the city have no need of a car. You can walk and take public transportation everywhere. Owning a car is more headache than its worth.

Thanks for the info... I love SF... Traffic is a little pain but was an awesome trip.... I couldnt believe it was 105 degrees in Napa, then an hour drive and it was 57 degrees!!!!!

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by dmppdx

My impression is that M3's really aren't that common outside of SCAL and certain parts of the east coast. I certainly don't see many in the PNW.

They are popular out here. I see quite a bit of M3s in CT and MA, and not just E9Xs. A guy in town has a silver E46. A guy a work has a silver E36. Seen a few M5s and M6s too.

[DJDeez]

Originally Posted by NoM3ForMe

I work in Bellevue and saw 15 yesterday alone, and another 7 thus far today.

Wow. I'm lucky to see a couple on a weekly basis in the Vancouver, BC area.

[smmmurf]

I see a ton of them on the Peninsula... probably at least 3 per day (Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City)

[Blotman]

Maybe not in the city, but I do see plenty around the Bay Area. I work in the Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View area and see a good concentration of M3's here.

[NoM3ForMe]

Originally Posted by DJDeez

Wow. I'm lucky to see a couple on a weekly basis in the Vancouver, BC area.

1. I am a total dork for counting how many M3's I see in a day.
2. Bellevue is about 15 minutes East of Seattle and 5 minutes West of Redmond (where MS is); so there is a TON of money/wealthy people here.
3. I need to find something less pathetic to occupy my time (see #1).

[airwave808]

I see an M3 almost every time I drive around here.

[doc19]

Originally Posted by CCL16M3

So, the wife and I just spent the last 5 days driving from SoCal (Burbank) to Napa. Spent two days there, then drove to San Fran and spent 2 days there. Just wondering if M3's are not as popular up north. In the LA area, you see them all the time. During my 1300 mile trip, I only saw one M3 which was parked at Beringer Winery in Napa. Saw a lot of 335's though... Those were mostly parked in Nob Hill.... What do you guys think?

I'm out in San Francisco quite often and stay with a friend who lives in West Portal. I see M3s EVERYWHERE. I think within a one block radius I saw 3 one day, including an e90, which I rarely ever see on the East Coast.

[ChiTownM]

We got a good amount of them here in Chicago too

[positiveions]

BTW, you made my homework easy; cause I want to take the same trip to Napa, and I wanted to figure out how long will it take and such.
In regards to M3s and north; certain areas you will find them, certain areas are rare. Just depends what's more feasible.

[///Machine]

In CT I see quite a few M3s, not a lot. But have to say that Fairfield County is BMW central. So many eyecandy here.

[LarThaL]

Not too many in the Northeast outside of major metro areas. Even with luxury brands, most people have some type of AWD car. M3 is usually a "toy". That's how it is for me also. Wouldn't own an M3 as an only car living in New England. Have probably only seen about 20 e9x M3s in the 4 years they have been out, car show events notwithstanding. More e46s, however.

[dmppdx]

Originally Posted by NoM3ForMe

I disagree. I work in Bellevue and saw 15 yesterday alone, and another 7 thus far today.

Well I live in the Portland area and I see an E9x about every other week. But then again, Portland really isn't a car culture type of place or a place where people feel the need to flaunt their wealth, so many even very wealthy people here drive very average cars.

[overdose]

What day of the week did you visit San Francisco? They are pretty rare M-F as most people leave it in their garages so they can drive their beater cars or take public transportation to work. On the weekends though you can easily spot 3-5 of them in a day.

As for the rest of the Bay Area, I'd separate it into three other sections. Up north across the Golden Gate Bridge the M3 isn't as popular as the residents there are relatively "old" and are already settled in. You'll see more 3/5 series or SUV porsches.

Across the Bay Bridge (east) the standard of living is lower so although there are many people who may want the M3 it doesn't mean they can afford it. Also, crime rates are unfortunately a little higher so having a luxurious car might not be a good idea.

Down south is the famous Silicon Valley where you have a boat load of tech companies with a lot of bachelors who have plenty of disposable income...it only makes sense to have a nice car and drive up to San Francisco with a date.

Of course, this is my own personal experience and sweeping generalization so take it with a grain of salt.

[CCLSVTM3]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

BTW, you made my homework easy; cause I want to take the same trip to Napa, and I wanted to figure out how long will it take and such.
In regards to M3s and north; certain areas you will find them, certain areas are rare. Just depends what's more feasible.

LOL... La Verne isn’t that far from me in Burbank. From my place, I took the 5 N. I was supposed to stay on the 5 and take it all the way up but I accidentally veered to the right and jumped on the 99 instead of staying left on the 5. Honestly, I'm happy it happened. The 5 is a long stretch of nothing to see. The 99 has a lot more places to stop. We stopped at Bravo Farms, I forgot where its off the 99, but it is a cool place. Then we took the 99 up and started heading west on other freeways to head into Napa. All and all, doing about 85 MPH +/-, no traffic, with a few stops, we got to Napa in about 5.5 hours, and only filled up once along the way.

We stayed in downtown Napa the first night. It was not what I thought it would be. We thought country side, wineries, etc. Downtown Napa is very city like and modern. Everything closes early though. We stayed at the Napa river inn, super nice, but again, for us, we wanted the country side. We canceled our second night and found a bed and breakfast on hwy 29 which was so much more fun... Wineries everywhere, easy drives or bicycle rides. We kind of just went with it with no plans and it was fun. There are over 450 wineries so we did not plan on seeing then all.

Start of the third day, we left Napa and started driving into San Fran. Drove across the GB bridge, and stayed at Le Meridian. That was an awesome hotel also. Left car in valet and walked and Cab'ed everywhere else. On the fifth day, we checked out and started driving around. We finally left SF around 5 pm, headed east taking the Bay bridge, to the 580 to the 5 S. Traffic was insane so we stopped in Dublin and hung out for a few hours. Finally jumped back on freeway around 830 pm. Pulled into front door in Burbank at 1220am. Be careful on the 5 S. south of Bakersfield. There is road construction that chops the 5 to one lane. Besides that, awesome trip!!!! We would do it again in a heart beat!!!!!

[CCLSVTM3]

Originally Posted by overdose

What day of the week did you visit San Francisco? They are pretty rare M-F as most people leave it in their garages so they can drive their beater cars or take public transportation to work. On the weekends though you can easily spot 3-5 of them in a day.

As for the rest of the Bay Area, I'd separate it into three other sections. Up north across the Golden Gate Bridge the M3 isn't as popular as the residents there are relatively "old" and are already settled in. You'll see more 3/5 series or SUV porsches.

Across the Bay Bridge (east) the standard of living is lower so although there are many people who may want the M3 it doesn't mean they can afford it. Also, crime rates are unfortunately a little higher so having a luxurious car might not be a good idea.

Down south is the famous Silicon Valley where you have a boat load of tech companies with a lot of bachelors who have plenty of disposable income...it only makes sense to have a nice car and drive up to San Francisco with a date.

Of course, this is my own personal experience and sweeping generalization so take it with a grain of salt.

We were in SF from Tues-Thur of this week. Yeah, I didnt see one. Again, lots of 335's, and I even saw an all white Lambo Gallardo with Black rims parked across from Huntington Park in front of that church..... Saw one M3 in Napa, that was it...