BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > Beamers and Flashing Headlights

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-18-2015, 03:03 PM   #1
Three Pedal Steve
Captain
Three Pedal Steve's Avatar
United_States
875
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2013 M3 coupe' 6mt
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Under a Waterfall in Highlands NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Beamers and Flashing Headlights

When I got my first 2002 back in 1971 I quickly found that oncoming BMWs would often flash headlights at me so I started doing the same thing. Maybe it was because the headlight controls were on the left stalk, something new and easy for Americans. Maybe it was like an autoban thing. And people used to call them Beamers. And always asked- "BMW, it that for British Motor Works?"

Why did we stop signaling on coming bimmers?
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 03:07 PM   #2
fecurtis
Banned
United_States
3260
Rep
6,299
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Arlington, VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve View Post
When I got my first 2002 back in 1971 I quickly found that oncoming BMWs would often flash headlights at me so I started doing the same thing. Maybe it was because the headlight controls were on the left stalk, something new and easy for Americans. Maybe it was like an autoban thing. And people used to call them Beamers. And always asked- "BMW, it that for British Motor Works?"

Why did we stop signaling on coming bimmers?
Because more people started buying them and many of them are assholes or people who couldn't care less about other peoples' BMW's.

People with Jeep Wranglers will still do stuff like that. Same with Corvette owners.

I have gotten nods or waves from other BMW owners though. One person in another EBII M-Sport, one guy in an 1M...and that's it really.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 03:20 PM   #3
SakhirM4
Major General
SakhirM4's Avatar
United_States
10783
Rep
8,852
Posts

Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW Z4 M40i  [10.00]
2015 BMW M4  [8.76]
People stopped flashing when it became the common signal for a radar trap ahead. It's kind of funny though, as every time I flash another Bimmer, I look in the rearview and their brake lights are on

__________________
Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 03:25 PM   #4
oolas3
Captain
387
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: May 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

In 1971 BMWs in the US would have been a relative rarity. Around here these days I see so many BMWs I would be spending half my driving time flashing people. That said, there are a few enough e9x M3 drivers here that I do often get thumbs up and waves from other like owners.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 03:48 PM   #5
Ian_Mark
Private
United Kingdom
14
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: '14 228i MSport
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW 228i  [0.00]
2005 Subaru Sti  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
People stopped flashing when it became the common signal for a radar trap ahead. It's kind of funny though, as every time I flash another Bimmer, I look in the rearview and their brake lights are on

Ya I figured that out last year flashing headlights means speed trap ahead. In my Subaru sti we usually wave
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 04:01 PM   #6
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

If I flashed my headlights every time a BMW drove past me people would think I have strobe lights on the front of my car.

I reserve the 'flashing of the lights' for older bimmers (beamers are bikes, always have been) when I'm driving around in my E30.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2015, 04:16 PM   #7
Bushum
Private First Class
Bushum's Avatar
United_States
94
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2008 E90 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

The Corvette wave is a thing because it is a specific and relatively rare model of a brand. Can you imagine if everyone with a Chevy, Ford, etc. waved to one another?
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2015, 06:26 AM   #8
Peter_R
Air Vice Marshall
Peter_R's Avatar
United Kingdom
256
Rep
1,639
Posts

Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Railgun View Post

It's the same mentality that causes bikers to give a wave. Thought I've only seen that in the US, nothing like that in the UK.
Yep...seen it at times.
Appreciate 0
      09-21-2015, 09:09 PM   #9
P1
Lieutenant General
P1's Avatar
11542
Rep
11,128
Posts

Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Because I flash my headlights at someone when there is a copper up the road, or if I want to say "OH, go ahead kind sir".
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2015, 03:13 PM   #10
IEDEI
Banned
United_States
1129
Rep
4,686
Posts

Drives: L'Orange
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brooklyn, NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 1M  [8.40]
if i flashed every 'beamer' i saw on the road.....i'd spend my entire day flashing leased 328 x-drives being driven by people who probably don't even know why i'm flashing them.....or who probably think i'm drunk.

the great majority (>90%) of BMW drivers on the road in the year 2015 have no idea what the roundel is all about; however they likely feel they are very clever and classy for leasing such a 'luxury' car for $379/mo for 39 months.
Appreciate 2
      09-22-2015, 05:51 PM   #11
chris @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
273
Rep
683
Posts


Drives: BMW
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (0)

i will wave at mostly modded BMW's or if they have a decal on their car i will know at least they know what they are driving.
Appreciate 0
      10-07-2015, 06:40 PM   #12
johnbradshow
Enlisted Member
johnbradshow's Avatar
United_States
5
Rep
45
Posts

Drives: I have brand new Audi R8
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Last time I got flashed by another driver was my headlights were not turned-on at night time.
Appreciate 1
      10-08-2015, 06:37 AM   #13
MalibuBimmer
Founder, Knights of the Roundel website
MalibuBimmer's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
1,723
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4 and 2018 AMG GT
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: The Santa Monica Mountains, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 Mercedes AMG GT  [0.00]
2018 Audi Q3  [0.00]
2015 BMW M4  [10.00]
I suspect there are not very many BMW automobiles (Bimmers, not Beemers or Beamers) in Highlands NC 28741.
__________________
Previously: 2014 i8; 2013 650i convertible; 2013 650i Gran Coupe; 2013 X1; 2010 550i GT; 2010 535 GT; 2010 Z4 3.5; 2008 535ixt; 2007 M6 convertible; 2006 650i convertible; 1996 Z3; 1980 633CSi; 1978 630CS; 1972 3.0CS; 1971 Bavaria. (1971; 1979-2005 & 2017 - ? -- the Mercedes years.)
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2015, 08:01 AM   #14
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

The only time I get flashed with a healthy dose of high beams is by ahole drivers that can't tell the difference between a high beam and a normal low beam output from Xenons or HID headlights. The pricks realize real quick that I'm not running high beams when I give them back the same treatment.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2015, 08:20 AM   #15
GlobalScientist
Second Lieutenant
86
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: M4 Vert
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
People stopped flashing when it became the common signal for a radar trap ahead.
So true on the highway. On a burb road, its considered either a compliment or something is dragging from your car or your tires are flat.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2015, 01:52 PM   #16
ycb
Private First Class
Canada
62
Rep
117
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 Sedan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Alberta

iTrader: (1)

I used to drive bus for the city.. and whenever we see another bus driver, we'd give each other a wave.. nice speechless rapport. Got to a point where I quit driving bus (as I found a new career) but yet I was still waving at bus drivers.. haha..

Motorcycle riders have this sign language with one another as well.. feel left out..
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2015, 04:51 PM   #17
Samurai of 2day
Major
Samurai of 2day's Avatar
2094
Rep
1,241
Posts

Drives: '22 X6M/'21 S1Krr
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy
The only time I get flashed with a healthy dose of high beams is by ahole drivers that can't tell the difference between a high beam and a normal low beam output from Xenons or HID headlights. The pricks realize real quick that I'm not running high beams when I give them back the same treatment.
While we are on this subject, what is the deal with people driving around with their high beams on full time?

During my daily commute, I can say that about 1 out of every 6 cars is running their high beams on full time! Driving around the 5 boroughs, so you can imagine that there are may cars on the road, so this is no exaggeration.

Is this some sort of trending thing that I'm not cool enough to know about?
__________________
Too smart for my own good...
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2015, 05:59 PM   #18
CHCCubs
Colonel
CHCCubs's Avatar
Latvia
97
Rep
2,101
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day View Post
While we are on this subject, what is the deal with people driving around with their high beams on full time?

During my daily commute, I can say that about 1 out of every 6 cars is running their high beams on full time! Driving around the 5 boroughs, so you can imagine that there are may cars on the road, so this is no exaggeration.

Is this some sort of trending thing that I'm not cool enough to know about?
Nope just stupidity. I see this all the time around here as well, along with opposite version of people driving around with just DRLs at night.
__________________

2013 BMW 328i xDrive Sport Line
Mineral Grey on Everest Grey
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2015, 07:07 PM   #19
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CHCCubs View Post
Nope just stupidity. I see this all the time around here as well, along with opposite version of people driving around with just DRLs at night.
Yep. Total stupidity. If you're that blind you can't see very well at night without blinding everyone else, then you need to either have your eyes checked or not drive at night.

If there's no cars in front of me, I high beam those idiots back if they're coming in the opposite direction. If they're traveling in the same direction, I have slowed down to let the idiot in front of me and then I follow them with my high beams on too. Just so they can experience what everyone else is experiencing.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2015, 02:48 AM   #20
Peter_R
Air Vice Marshall
Peter_R's Avatar
United Kingdom
256
Rep
1,639
Posts

Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy View Post
then I follow them with my high beams on too. Just so they can experience what everyone else is experiencing.
Vindictive nasty and typical of a young BMW driver. That is just the way to give BMW drivers a bad name.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2015, 02:53 AM   #21
cityjohn
New Member
12
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2012 528i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day View Post
While we are on this subject, what is the deal with people driving around with their high beams on full time?

During my daily commute, I can say that about 1 out of every 6 cars is running their high beams on full time! Driving around the 5 boroughs, so you can imagine that there are may cars on the road, so this is no exaggeration.

Is this some sort of trending thing that I'm not cool enough to know about?
Here's my theory (at least partly). People who grew up calling highbeams "brights" think they need something bright enough to overcome the sun during daylight hours, so they "turn them up" as it were.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2015, 05:51 AM   #22
Samurai of 2day
Major
Samurai of 2day's Avatar
2094
Rep
1,241
Posts

Drives: '22 X6M/'21 S1Krr
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CHCCubs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day View Post
While we are on this subject, what is the deal with people driving around with their high beams on full time?

During my daily commute, I can say that about 1 out of every 6 cars is running their high beams on full time! Driving around the 5 boroughs, so you can imagine that there are may cars on the road, so this is no exaggeration.

Is this some sort of trending thing that I'm not cool enough to know about?
Nope just stupidity. I see this all the time around here as well, along with opposite version of people driving around with just DRLs at night.
thanks for clearing that up. Looks like it's just the city type environment that we encounter a lot of people who treat driving as more of a chore, that as a joy.

Too bad we have no choice but to shore the roads with these people.
__________________
Too smart for my own good...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 PM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST