The type of car has nothing to do with it, not sure where everyone is from but X5s are as common as any domestic SUV where I live. Unless you're driving a 599 or any $250K+ automobile, you won't even get a second glance let alone generate any jealousy. I was just looking at the pic of the Audi vs. BMW billboards and noticed no less than:

4 Lexus (possibly 2 more in the opposing traffic)
2 Benzes (possibly a 3rd silver CLS in the far right lane)
1 BMW (possibly 2 more 5 series in the far left)

That's just one intersection in SoCal:
Autoblog



My .02 cents about the road rage incident:

You were in the left lane in an SUV (sorry, SAV) and some people in normal cars (i.e. subcompacts, sedans) just hate SUVs and minivans because they are tall and block forward vision, and the fact that a lot of clueless Moms driving them while gabbing on their cellphone impede traffic.

Regardless of the fact that you sped up, the guy behind you was already percolating for reasons that likely had nothing to do with you (this shitty economy has a lot of people on edge) I just get out of the way when I see people coming up behind me quickly and always hope that they do the same when I'm in a hurry (no such luck though)

It's best to just let it go.

As another PDX'er I tend to agree. I see plenty of X5 3.0i's around here, not really anything higher than that but the occasional 4.4i. But they are common around here as any Subaru, Toyota, or whatever car.

Everyone always experiences the occasional angry driver, but I often wonder is the driver of the BMW driving differently than if he was driving a Toyota?

In Portland I more experience the individuals that want to race me off the stop light with their Civic's and Integra's. But nothing more than that.

__________________
Jeff
Current:
'07 Jeep Wrangler
'06 BMW X5 3.0i

Former:
'12 WRX; '08 WRX; '06 BMW X5 4.8is Dinan S1; '02 BMW 530i Dinan S2

The answer to the question (Does driving a BMW attract more road ragers??) might be better answered by others. Here's what some folks say.....
From the article "Identifying the 10 Worst Drivers on the Road Today" We (according to some) are #1
Identifying the 10 Worst Drivers on the Road Today - How to Drive Defensively - Epinions.com

1:BMW (Any Model). Agg: 10 Att: 10 Crt: 10 AQ: 10
All hail the champion! BMW drivers are bar none, the worst around. They have managed to achieve that elusive combination of disdain, money, attitude, disregard for others, and self-importance that no other drivers have. BMW drivers don't just not care about you … they HATE you. They hate having to share the road with any other driver. They hate those who drive what they consider sub-standard cars (i.e. any car not costing over $40,000) because they are losers. They hate those who drive Mercedes, Lexus, etc because they are stuffy or old. They hate those who drive SUVs because they take up too much room. They hate those who drive Porsches, Corvettes, and other big-bicks sports cars because those drivers don't drive fast enough. They even hate other BMW drivers because they can't stand that anyone else has their car. BMW drivers are generally white 40-somethings with a wife and three kids, plus a mistress on the side. They tend to be largely lawyers or investment bankers, whose philosophy is that the world is here to serve them, and it is doing a bad job of it. They mistreat and underpay their illegal Honduran or El Salvadoran housekeepers, and consistently mispronounce their names. Their children are named Kaitlyn or Brittney or Chase or Brendan. They were all in either fraternities or sororities, play golf badly, and revere Tiger Woods for being a credit to his race. They are the scum of the earth, and are truly deserving the title of the worst drivers around. If you want to have fun, do yourself a favor and cut a BMW driver off without acknowledging him. Then when he honks his horn or gesticulates at you, give him the bird. The audacity of your display will send him into a rage the likes of which will provide you with hours of enjoyment as you recall how many shades of purple his face became as he cursed you out for soiling his planet with your existence.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Looks like someone has issues.... I bet that list was written by someone who lives in a large overly populated city in the north half of the USA.

__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is

i have driven near 2 million miles on motorcyles , cars , trucks from 1 ton through 120 ton and i would not agree with that perception in the link , although it can be said that a certain type of car appeals to some drivers who are not capable of driving proficiently .
seems as though some cars are just more recognisable than others and have greater numbers on the roads so i suppose that equates somehow .
there are times in a day or whatever when the unproficient ( if that is the word , my,my ,it`s 2am so i`ll make this quick ) drivers are out in numbers and your relaxed days driving becomes a f*cking nightmare for a while , sometimes it`s great when all THE DRIVERS are out .

+1

Some days I'd swear I've got a 'Pick Me' sticker on my forehead, 'cause if there are aggressive, arrogant, rude arsholes driving within 10k's of me they seem to zero in on me from either in front, rear or the side and just make life (and driving) a lot harder than what it's supposed to be.

I too try and laugh it off but more often than not I just grit my teeth and say or do nothing (my fighting days are way behind me) and then calmly go about watching them in the rear view mirror preferably with a car or two between us.

Road rage and car parking rage is on the increase big time here on the GC as I'm sure it is everywhere.

__________________

I never really have issues with either of my BMW's or my 'Dubs. I'm a very aggressive driver (and don't feel bad about it) and I'm known to honk, flash my high beams etc. I see no issue with it. Our major problem in CA is people who drive slow in the fast lane with no knowledge of those around them. It agitates me to no end. I never found any issues merging etc due to the simple fact that if people don't let me in I force my way in. It's just life on the road! I'm a very good driver in the fact I never race, tailgate or rev my engine. I just want to get to my destination in a decent manner with as little issue as possible. On a funny side note I really noticed how much SUV's and Trucks cut off my rental Prius when I had it. It was very much noticed.

__________________
The Present:
2014 Audi Q5 TDI Prestige
The Past:
2013 Lexus GS350
2013 VW Golf TDI
2007 BMW X5 4.8i LOADED & Loved
2009 VW Jetta
2008 VW Touareg VR6
2005 BMW X5 3.0i
2005 BMW Z4 3.0i
2004 BMW X5 3.0i
2003 BMW 325i
2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4

blondboinsd

your definition of a good driver gave me a good laugh..

#1 I'm a very aggressive driver

#2 I'm known to honk

#3 I flash my high beams

#4 I never found any issues
merging etc due to the simple
fact that if people don't let me
in I force my way in........

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

I have zero at-fault accidents. I call THAT a good driver

__________________
The Present:
2014 Audi Q5 TDI Prestige
The Past:
2013 Lexus GS350
2013 VW Golf TDI
2007 BMW X5 4.8i LOADED & Loved
2009 VW Jetta
2008 VW Touareg VR6
2005 BMW X5 3.0i
2005 BMW Z4 3.0i
2004 BMW X5 3.0i
2003 BMW 325i
2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4