Congrats and welcome!
Your views of BMW owners do not really differ too much from most Americans' views of BMW owners. Most people view us as arrogant drivers who drive too fast. Maybe they're right?
Though, I have to say that everyone here on this board is great -- we're just people who appreciated good engineering, quality, luxury, and performance. As with JVZ, I encounter many others who won't let me pass them (remain in the left lane at all costs), speed up when you try to go around them on the right lane, or race you from stop lights. I've had guys on suburbans suddenly speed up to pass me; I've had guys in Durangos try to race me in a highway (I ignored him)... you name it. For some reason, many people see a bimmer and feel as though they have to prove to you that their car is just as good (or fast) as yours.
Yes, unfortunately, we (BMW drivers) do have a "less than stellar" reputation. We do, however, put up with a lot of abuse from other drivers also.
Juan