[ChrisV]

I've only heard it Bimmer for cars over the last few decades. To me, hearing Beemer for the cars is like hearing someone say Porsche as one syllable.

[hector]

this debate is a bUmmer.

[SteveMD]

Here's my take. I grew up in the UK and BMWs were referred to either as BMs (simply a short version of 'B-M-W') or Beemers. BMW bikes were also called Beemers. I've been in the US for 20 years but I can tell you that in the UK, nothing has changed. I believe (from personal anecdotal research) that in the rest of the English speaking world (Australasia, Canada) it is the same.

Only in the US have I ever heard anyone call it a Bimmer which sounds silly to me so I call it a Beemer. So there.

[RambleJ]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

i think asians (chinese specifically?) are more apt to call it "BM". i know my parents/family say it like that. perhaps because "double you" is too hard to say for them.

[backtoreality15]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the same shit when you say it aloud? Who care's how you spell it. It's slang.

[ChrisV]

Originally Posted by backtoreality15

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the same shit when you say it aloud? Who care's how you spell it. It's slang.

No, they're actually talking about two different pronunciations. One sounds like Beemer as in "steamer" and in "bee" and one sound is Bimmer as in "simmer." The single "i" is short, like the "i" in "dim" (the dimmer switch, that makes your lights go dim, is not pronounced "deemer," is it?)

I've always heard the cars vs the motorcycles as pronounced two different ways, with the long E sound for motorcycles and the short I sound for cars, when discussed by motorcycle and car enthisasts. I've only heard Beemer used for cars by people who were most definitely not into cars, and knew very little about them.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by backtoreality15

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the same shit when you say it aloud? Who care's how you spell it. It's slang.

Check your BMW history. It is pretty clear.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Here's my take. I grew up in the UK and BMWs were referred to either as BMs (simply a short version of 'B-M-W') or Beemers. BMW bikes were also called Beemers. I've been in the US for 20 years but I can tell you that in the UK, nothing has changed. I believe (from personal anecdotal research) that in the rest of the English speaking world (Australasia, Canada) it is the same.

Only in the US have I ever heard anyone call it a Bimmer which sounds silly to me so I call it a Beemer. So there.

Likewise
Im British and always have knows them as "BM's or Beamers,
Same as Mercedes are always Merc's to me but Over here thats for Mercury's (Ford)

I usually say the whole BMW but I know on occasions I'll say BM or Beamer,
Never Bimmer, Thats an American thing

[ragingclue]

I could swear my German colleagues referred to them as BM's last time I was over there.

And correcting someone about their pronunciation of the word for your car seems pretentious.

If you mispronounced Prius, what would you think of the tree-hugger owner correcting your pronunciation?

[MrRoboto]

Question, how do you pronounce Porsche 'Porsha' or 'Porsh'

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I use the Deutsch term - BMW - pronounced "Bay - Em - Vay".

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Aaaaaand... you sound like a douchebag unless you're actually German.

lol haha

Originally Posted by Starscream

Likewise
Im British and always have knows them as "BM's or Beamers,
Same as Mercedes are always Merc's to me but Over here thats for Mercury's (Ford)

I usually say the whole BMW but I know on occasions I'll say BM or Beamer,
Never Bimmer, Thats an American thing

+1

[footie]

Why call it either a Beemer or Bimmer when the proper name for a BMW is..........

Break My Windows.

[TK-421]

How about...

Bob Marley & the Wailers

[backtoreality15]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

No, they're actually talking about two different pronunciations. One sounds like Beemer as in "steamer" and in "bee" and one sound is Bimmer as in "simmer." The single "i" is short, like the "i" in "dim" (the dimmer switch, that makes your lights go dim, is not pronounced "deemer," is it?)

I've always heard the cars vs the motorcycles as pronounced two different ways, with the long E sound for motorcycles and the short I sound for cars, when discussed by motorcycle and car enthisasts. I've only heard Beemer used for cars by people who were most definitely not into cars, and knew very little about them.

Thanks for the clarification.

[ChrisV]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Question, how do you pronounce Porsche 'Porsha' or 'Porsh'

Since it's Ferdinand's name (and the e is not silent on the end of German words, like in most English and French) I always pronounce it with two syllables. One syllable is for the gold chain status seekers.

[3002 tii]

bimmer car
beemer bike

[imported_mega]

surprised anyone cares

I call them both beemer or bmw

[94JZA80]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

I just use the modern slang and call it a BM.


No debate
Bimmer = Car
Beemer = Bike

+1, this is the answer, no more, no less...


/end thread.

[MrZip]

If you call a car a BEEMER then everyone knows you're not really a BMW enthusist. The cars are BIMMERS. I would consider anyone refering to any BMW as a "BM" as an insult.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by MrZip

I would consider anyone refering to any BMW as a "BM" as an insult.

go tell the Germans that

[southlight]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

go tell the Germans that

Maybe it's just me, but I never heard a German saying that.


Best regards, south

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by MrZip

If you call a car a BEEMER then everyone knows you're not really a BMW enthusist. The cars are BIMMERS. I would consider anyone refering to any BMW as a "BM" as an insult.

You need to watch more Top Gear, Fifth Gear, etc. Referring to BMWs as BM's is increasingly common.