If you need instructions, check out the enclosed instruction tape

"VonBelmont" (jvonbelmont) 11/30/2014 at 22:02 • Filed to: Bmw, instructional video, VHS, car stories, e46, 3 series

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I found this little curio in a big box of VHS/Beta tapes (ranging from 1977-2007!) in the basement. It came with the 3 series my mom had for a couple years in the early '00s after she got rid of her infamous Sienna (which died spectacularly after 3 weeks of ownership) and before she got her equally infamous X5. Frankly, I barely remember this car. I mean, I remember it, but I don't have the same sort of memories that I do of the Sienna or the X5. None of my major car-related memories of my childhood happened around in that car. My first hospital trip was in the Sienna; my friends and I left our first winning flag-football game in my dad's 750; the first car I remember being in was my grandfather's '90s E-class, etc. But, for whatever reason, we held onto the instructional VHS. Negligence, I bet.

As far as content goes, it's...well it's an instructional video. A nondescript lady with a snoozy voice points out the features of your Jet-Set Jetta, with some stock footage of the car doing what most (new) BMW drivers don't do: driving fast on generic twisty roads. It's not very interesting. I doubt this was watched more than once. If I were shopping for a new luxury car in 2002, this probably wouldn't have swayed me. Now those old promo films, otoh...

If anyone with an e46 wants to see it, I'd be happy to rip the tape to my computer and put it on the interwebz.

Also, props to anyone who remembers the show on the tape behind it ;)

 V8 Rustler > VonBelmont 11/30/2014 at 22:08

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VonBelmont >  V8 Rustler 11/30/2014 at 22:23

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Have a Betamax'd Benz, because '80s

Boxer_4 > VonBelmont 11/30/2014 at 22:47

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I have a couple of those still around. The bottom one is for a 1999 Camry. Exciting stuff.

shop-teacher > VonBelmont 11/30/2014 at 22:55

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Fancy. Chevy trucks used to come with instructional audio casettes.

VonBelmont > shop-teacher 11/30/2014 at 22:57

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Now that I think about it, I don't even think that car had a tape deck.

VonBelmont > Boxer_4 11/30/2014 at 23:11

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Slightly OT, but am I the only one who thinks the Toyota logo looks like someone shrugging?

E. Julius > VonBelmont 12/01/2014 at 07:09

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I got a bunch of old cassette tapes from a friend's dad, and included was the audio equivalent to this for an early 90s 325is. Do car companies still make stuff like this?

VonBelmont > E. Julius 12/01/2014 at 07:22

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Probably, just not on tapes.

E. Julius > VonBelmont 12/01/2014 at 12:59

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You're right. Just looked on Youtube and BMW has a playlist called "For Owners" that is exactly the same type of stuff.