From the Windy City, I have a 1995 BMW 530i . , Her names Elizabeth she has 110K miles on her... My First and Only Beemer...
Welcome! I, too, an a 5-series fan. The Windy City Chapter is very active, so check out their site: http://www.windycitybmw.com/ BTW - Bimmers have 4 wheels, while Beemers have just 2.
Ah... to own a five. Welcome to you and Elizabeth! My second BMW was the 95 530i - I loved driving it all year long. Although there is not currently a 5 in our stable, we have owned one for many years and will probably pick up another in a year or two. Enjoy, and get involved with your chapter at their next event.
OK; and your next nearest chapter is Wisconsin's Badger Bimmers. This is your first 'BMW insider' tip: 'Beemers' are BMW motorcycles; 'Bimmers' are BMW cars.
Welcome to the funhouse! I wondered how long it would be before somebody gave you the Bimmer/Beemer/Beamer/Bummer lecture! It seems to be a regional thing. In certain parts of California, they're called "Beamers" regardless of our most ardent, pedantic entreaties. That's how they seem to show up in fiction as well. Even one chapter newsletter uses "Bavarian Beamer" in its title. By the way, the "Beemer" reference to the bikes most likely followed the British term for BSA motorcycles: Beezers. And now that you've been through catechism, welcome to the zoo! There are a lot of great people in this outfit, so I know you'll fit right in!
OTOH, there are at least a half dozen chapters that use "Bimmers" as part of their name - and none that use "Beemers" or "Beamers". Therefore, those of us in the rest of the country simply regard the use of the incorrect term the same as we regard electing an Austrian native as the state governor: an anomaly unique to the Left Coast.
I spell it "Bimmer" but pronounce it "Beamer", mainly because people look at me funny when I say Bimmer
I should look down my nose at them, start polishing my monocle and correct them in my snootiest voice
