It's funny, I wouldn't buy a BMW because of the stigma attached to them, but all of the people at work who've either had them or still have them absolutely love them!
One guy's never happy with his cars. He had a Mazda RX8 for one week! Really took a bath on that one. He's also had an Impreza WRX, Astra Turbo, Clio Cup and a selection of other hot hatchbacks. About a month ago he bought a 2003 three-litre BMW 3series Coupe, just before he was off work for a week's holiday. We were all half expecting him to come back with a different car, loves it to bits!
Another guy just sold his 2002 five-series because they couldn't justify running two cars. He used to say that he loved that car more than his wife and says that as soon as he can afford it he's getting another one. There are two or three other people who are similar, keep going on about the BMW they had and how the cars they've had since don't match up. They must be getting something right.