If I HAD to have a car...
BMW is a status symbol in USA... in Europe, it is in premium segment, but nothing special, maybe a few % more expensive than other European brands.
It is interesting that in Germany, service cost of BMW 3 series, for example, is almost 40 % less than service cost of a simple VW Golf.
For some reason unknown to me, labour cost of BMW service personnel seems to be lower.
Anyway, full streets of them where I live... good cars, a bit dull on the outside, but good engines, suspension etc.... sporty too...