Why do so many call a BMW a "Beemer" vs a "Bimmer"?

Double Nick · 04-26-2009, 07:15 PM

Let me be right upfront,to the best of my recollection, I don't know if I ever heard anyone call a BMW a "Bimmer" prior to getting interested in the 135 Series several months ago. I have heard actual BMW owners call their car "Beemers" for the last several decades and never heard the term "Bimmer". I have read that the term "Beemer" is the "proper" designation for a BMW Motorcycle while "Bimmer" is the car. I would be interested in hearing from the BMW experts on the forum as to their explanations. Thanks. Nick

driftdriven · 04-26-2009, 10:44 PM

Beemer is easier to say.... I speak Engrish GOOD LOL

KeithLM · 04-26-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftdriven

Beemer is easier to say.... I speak Engrish GOOD LOL

Truthfully I think there's something to that. I find bimmer somewhat awkward to say. Also I think my dentist is about the only person I've ever heard use bimmer. Seems like most people I talk to call it a bmw or beamer. Bimmer is just not that well known in the US.

TacticalChaos · 04-26-2009, 10:53 PM

Can you write them phonetically? I'm not sure what the difference is.

arok · 04-26-2009, 11:13 PM

it's like "simmer" with a B. versus beamer like beam+er

bobbynoway · 04-27-2009, 02:04 AM

I use beamer to describe our cars. It sounds and rolls of the tongue better.
I have never heard anyone say bimmer before in real life.

Garduna · 04-27-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbynoway

I use beamer to describe our cars. It sounds and rolls of the tongue better.
I have never heard anyone say bimmer before in real life.

same, i always hear "beemer" since it does feel more natural to the tongue. Tho when I type, it's bimmer

Double Nick · 04-27-2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the replies. I think I will use Beamer. Of course when I say Bimmer I sound like an Englishman. "Buffy is out in her Bimmer shopping for Grey Poupon". Sorry, I use to write comedy. You can see why I starved doing that. Nick

jeremyc74 · 04-27-2009, 10:02 AM

I think using either term in public makes you sound like a douchbag, but that's JMO.

cagekicker · 04-27-2009, 10:17 AM

"sim simmer who's got the keys to my bimmer". that is a very old reggae song.

BForbes · 04-27-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

"sim simmer who's got the keys to my bimmer". that is a very old reggae song.

I love that bloody song. I remember this club going crazy. You'd think they all drove Bimmers. The song is at least 15 yrs old.

1erich · 04-27-2009, 10:40 AM

That was the only line in the song I could understand!

Citizen Z · 04-27-2009, 10:44 AM

I agree "bimmer" does not pronounce well in North American English and "beemer" is more recognizable since phonetically, BMW is pronounced, "bee em dubuhyew."

2AD Tanker · 04-27-2009, 01:10 PM

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

Citizen Z · 04-27-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtle

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

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

MrRoboto · 04-27-2009, 02:45 PM

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

No debate
Bimmer = Car
Beemer = Bike

MadMan77 · 04-27-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

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

No debate
Bimmer = Car
Beemer = Bike

Bowel Movement?

Evolved · 04-27-2009, 07:01 PM

There's a shop in my town that's a BMW specialist and the place is called Bimmerworks. I always thought the name sounded goofy.

amsfoto · 04-27-2009, 07:42 PM

I just spell it bimmer, and pronounce it "bee-mer"...I've heard people say BM before and I just think bowel movement. I try to refrain from using any abbreviations, just say "bee em double u"

Zeeman · 04-27-2009, 11:52 PM

The site uses BimmerPost...and of cousre, it is the ultimate authority.

I use Bimmer - I was started on it years ago by someone that was a BMW afficinado, before I even heard the term Beamer. I have to admit, I kind of cringe when I hear the term beamer since it is typically used by those that are completely clueless about the brand.

Year's_End · 04-28-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amsfoto

I just spell it bimmer, and pronounce it "bee-mer"...I've heard people say BM before and I just think bowel movement. I try to refrain from using any abbreviations, just say "bee em double u"

+1

VTECaddict · 04-28-2009, 12:36 AM

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.

04-26-2009, 07:15 PM	#1
Double Nick Private 21 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 135i Man/CR/Taupe. 5/08/09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL iTrader: (0)	Why do so many call a BMW a "Beemer" vs a "Bimmer"? Let me be right upfront,to the best of my recollection, I don't know if I ever heard anyone call a BMW a "Bimmer" prior to getting interested in the 135 Series several months ago. I have heard actual BMW owners call their car "Beemers" for the last several decades and never heard the term "Bimmer". I have read that the term "Beemer" is the "proper" designation for a BMW Motorcycle while "Bimmer" is the car. I would be interested in hearing from the BMW experts on the forum as to their explanations. Thanks. Nick
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04-26-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
driftdriven Captain 58 Rep 905 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Beemer is easier to say.... I speak Engrish GOOD LOL
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04-26-2009, 10:53 PM	#4
TacticalChaos Chaotic Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2008 iTrader: (0)	What;s the difference? Can you write them phonetically? I'm not sure what the difference is. __________________ Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets. - Patton
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04-26-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
arok Captain 48 Rep 987 Posts Drives: BMW F30 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Mateo, CA iTrader: (1)	it's like "simmer" with a B. versus beamer like beam+er __________________ 2013 BMW 335i M-Sport
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04-27-2009, 02:04 AM	#6
bobbynoway Private First Class 5 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I use beamer to describe our cars. It sounds and rolls of the tongue better. I have never heard anyone say bimmer before in real life.
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04-27-2009, 08:32 AM	#8
Double Nick Private 21 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 135i Man/CR/Taupe. 5/08/09 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. I think I will use Beamer. Of course when I say Bimmer I sound like an Englishman. "Buffy is out in her Bimmer shopping for Grey Poupon". Sorry, I use to write comedy. You can see why I starved doing that. Nick
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04-27-2009, 10:02 AM	#9
jeremyc74 Banned 79 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I think using either term in public makes you sound like a douchbag, but that's JMO.
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04-27-2009, 10:17 AM	#10
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	"sim simmer who's got the keys to my bimmer". that is a very old reggae song. __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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04-27-2009, 10:40 AM	#12
1erich Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 09 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	That was the only line in the song I could understand!
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04-27-2009, 10:44 AM	#13
Citizen Z Alpine Master 115 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: '08 135i AW Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (1)	I agree "bimmer" does not pronounce well in North American English and "beemer" is more recognizable since phonetically, BMW is pronounced, "bee em dubuhyew." __________________ Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727
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04-27-2009, 01:10 PM	#14
2AD Tanker Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 135i Black Sapphire Metallic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Beer town USA (Milwaukee) iTrader: (0)	I use the Deutsch term - BMW - pronounced "Bay - Em - Vay". __________________
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04-27-2009, 02:45 PM	#16
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1854 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I just use the modern slang and call it a BM. No debate Bimmer = Car Beemer = Bike
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04-27-2009, 07:01 PM	#18
Evolved Bad Lieutenant 6 Rep 465 Posts Drives: Evo Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	There's a shop in my town that's a BMW specialist and the place is called Bimmerworks. I always thought the name sounded goofy.
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04-27-2009, 07:42 PM	#19
amsfoto photographer 60 Rep 571 Posts Drives: AW e92 335i, JB 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (4)	I just spell it bimmer, and pronounce it "bee-mer"...I've heard people say BM before and I just think bowel movement. I try to refrain from using any abbreviations, just say "bee em double u"
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04-27-2009, 11:52 PM	#20
Zeeman Captain 62 Rep 661 Posts Drives: E90 335 SG Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	The site uses BimmerPost...and of cousre, it is the ultimate authority. I use Bimmer - I was started on it years ago by someone that was a BMW afficinado, before I even heard the term Beamer. I have to admit, I kind of cringe when I hear the term beamer since it is typically used by those that are completely clueless about the brand.
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04-28-2009, 12:36 AM	#22
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 487 Rep 6,068 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	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. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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