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Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW
randomguy11111
Member Posts: 39
Curious now that we have had some time to digest the 7 series and the Z4, what people think....
Historically, BMW has tried to move all its models slowly over time to give it continuity and to protect the resale value of older cars.
But lately they have needed to widen the differences because by 1999, the 3,5, and 7 looked so identical to each other (same sausage of different sizes).
For example, I think you can get a 528 for close to the price of a 328 used, but can't figure out a reason to get the 528 more I get other than a bigger rear seat, given the striking similarities between the two exteriors and interiors.
With great controversy Chris Bangle, BMW lead designer, is trying these new looks with the Z4 and 7. And expect the new 5 to be a combination of styles, but more conservative.
TO ME:
The 7 series a strong break, but arguably necessary given the poor sales/resale of the old 7 (though many drivers here loved it I am sure).
Personally, I actually like the new 7 but for the trunk styling. And the interior (ignoring I-drive which is pretty simple and requires only occasional use) is very modern, almost scandinavian, and a big jump on the S-class.
The new 5 series is likely to be a bit more conservative than the 7 when it is unveiled. Look at that for an indication.
I expect similar z4 flaring on the 6 series, but then what do I know...
I also liked the z4 styling and flaming. Looks sharp as does the interior of the Z4. I think you will more of this (as was also the look in the CS1).
In contrast, I never liked the Z3 and it never grew on me in terms of styling, driving or power.
By the way, I assume in order to save costs and increase parts orders that the interior of the new 3 will be the same as the x3 or the new 5 series for those of you wondering what it will be like.
Historically, BMW has tried to move all its models slowly over time to give it continuity and to protect the resale value of older cars.
But lately they have needed to widen the differences because by 1999, the 3,5, and 7 looked so identical to each other (same sausage of different sizes).
For example, I think you can get a 528 for close to the price of a 328 used, but can't figure out a reason to get the 528 more I get other than a bigger rear seat, given the striking similarities between the two exteriors and interiors.
With great controversy Chris Bangle, BMW lead designer, is trying these new looks with the Z4 and 7. And expect the new 5 to be a combination of styles, but more conservative.
TO ME:
The 7 series a strong break, but arguably necessary given the poor sales/resale of the old 7 (though many drivers here loved it I am sure).
Personally, I actually like the new 7 but for the trunk styling. And the interior (ignoring I-drive which is pretty simple and requires only occasional use) is very modern, almost scandinavian, and a big jump on the S-class.
The new 5 series is likely to be a bit more conservative than the 7 when it is unveiled. Look at that for an indication.
I expect similar z4 flaring on the 6 series, but then what do I know...
I also liked the z4 styling and flaming. Looks sharp as does the interior of the Z4. I think you will more of this (as was also the look in the CS1).
In contrast, I never liked the Z3 and it never grew on me in terms of styling, driving or power.
By the way, I assume in order to save costs and increase parts orders that the interior of the new 3 will be the same as the x3 or the new 5 series for those of you wondering what it will be like.
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Comments
Z4: Wow.
XActivity Concept: Wow.
7 Series: Not so hot.
5 Series Concept: Not so hot.
Bangle's styling appears to be pure sport. Pure sport works on the sports vehicles. To me it does not work on the sport/luxury large sedans.
Bangle has to realize BMW makes more than one type of machine and has more than one market.
Doesn't look too scary...
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5723&n=158,- 178&sid=178
2. If it had a normal trunk, what would you think of the 7-series though?
I am not sure, but I kind of like it. However, it actually looks dimensionally like a big 3 series to me. It is like you took a small car and just grew it to scale. Same thing, but just proportionately taller, wider, longer.
This is rather weird in that the old 7 was like a 3 series that was stretched.
But what else can you do? The previous Audi and Lexus 430 have always seemed faceless. Jaguar basically produced an all aluminum car that is identical in design to the previous car down to the dashboard level. Only Mercedes has luxury sedan designs that work with the E,S, and CL classes. The new audi is better though...
like the current 5-series exterior, love the interior.
like the current 3-series exterior, love the interior.
the "future" models, with the joan rivers "face-lift", look rediculous, almost cartoonish. too japanese....
("...turning japanese, i think i'm turning japanese, i really think so...." --the vapors)
it seems all this design frenzy is a bit out of control; more driven by change for the sake of change, rather than for the reason of actually "improving" the aesthetics of a vehicle. but alas, this is what car designers do, hit or miss.
I actually like the 7 series, and especially... the rear end treatment! If you look in detail you'll notice the the rear wheel well is larger than the front one in order to balance the lines... But the problem is that both are so huge that you need gigantic wheels just to fill them. Bah, 7 series buyers don't really worry about the price of tires, imho.
I'm waiting to see the 5 in person. Spy photos are never really accurate, and the ones shown here make front headlights look a little overdone. And as the front end is dissimulated... its styling cannot be judged yet!
The Z4 looks nice, but roadsters in general aren't my cup of tea... I like a roof over my head
kyfdx
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1. Aztez
2. ES 300
3. Camry
Accord, RL, etc. are merely bland to me. These others are just plain ugly and scary.
Any nominees for a worse car.
On BMW, I am waiting to see the 1 series. Hopefully that will incporate the CS-1 concept car looks.
P.S. While the current 3 series to me is perfect, remember the 318ti... failure is very easy by just wandering off a great concept even slightly...
Ditto the 7-series for the most part. Gorgeous inside, pretty nice outside, very imposing, but the rear is heinous. I don't understand why rear design appears to be such a hit-or-miss affair lately. Honda's efforts in this area haven't been particularly positive, either, and I for one am not a fan of the 350Z/G35c rears. And don't even get me started on the new CLK. I'd complain more loudly about BMW's rear design if it weren't for this seemingly being an industry-wide trend.
I like the 350Z. Mercedes designs have never appealed to me really. I think in the early 90's they styled better cars than they do now. I do like the Acura RL. The current one is better looking than the 96-98 model.
People who attack without even having their positions right are ignorant, annoying, and probably do not belong in public.
And I see where you are a fan of the new 7 styling. Well, Mr. Musical Genious, if you look at news reports about cars instead of music nostalgia, you would know that the 7 series will be radically altered next year.
Your thoughts? (remember this is styling only
A. Entry Luxury sports 4dr or coupe -
1. G35/350Z
2. 3series second (m3 1st if allowed)
3. A4 (new styling that is)
4. X-type (needs to be a little longer for my taste)
B. Convertible -
1. TT (remember this is styling only)
2. Boxter
3. Z4
4. SLK
C. Mid-range luxury
1. E-class
2. A6
3. 5-series
4. S-type (I know others like this, not my style)
D. Luxury -
1. A8 NEW
2. S-Class
3. 7-series
4. Jaguar
E. SUV
1. x5
2. ML-Class
3. Acura
F. Luxury convertible
1. sl
2. Z-8
3. 911 convertible
4. SC430
5. XK-8 (again not my style)
If Bangle could just change the front end....
M
For some reason the XK never worked for me, but I am too young to recall the classic jaguars with the fondness of others and so perhaps I am being unfair. It has taken a long time for the S type to grow as well, especially the front rounded grill (but others are more forgiving). Also the rounded grill on the performance car with the interwoven grill is cool.
I have a soft spot for the SC even with the bulbous rear (I am overly impressed with hardtops). As a friend said, for Toyota to design that is a big departure and give them kuddos for it.
I should also note that I don't care for the G35 rear (but like the overall package). Looking at the last old model altima, I wonder if Infiniti is obsessed with flat rears.
The rear on the 300M and the 7 Series also seemed problematic. Who knew that the trunk design could be such a touchy issue????
1. TT
1. 350Z
3. G35C (back is a little truncated looking)
4. A4 (new styling that is)
4. 3-Series (including m3)
I would rank the RX-8 #1 (very impressive in person) but I want to see how it looks to me after continuing to see it on the road for a few months
B. 2 seater Convertible -
1. Boxster
2. Z4 (styling is wearing better than I though; time will tell if it endures)
3. S2000
4. Ford Thunderbird
5. TT (too much like a bathtub effect in conv form; also, roofline "breaks" from original coupe design)
5. SLK
New 350Z Roadster is probably tied w/ Z4
Also, would put 1st gen Miata up there w/ Boxster as well
C. Mid-range luxury
1. E-class
2. 5-series
3. A6
3. GS400
4. S-type
D. Luxury -
1. S-Class
2. 7-series
3. Jaguar
4. Infiniti Q45
4. Lexus LS
E. SUV
1. Infiniti FX45
2. X5
2. Volvo XC90
4. Acura MDX
5. ML-Class
5. Lexus RX330
VW Touareg to be determined
F. Luxury convertible
1. SL (truly beautiful!)
2. Aston Martin Vanquish
3. Z-8 (a little retro)
4. 911 convertible
4. SC430
6. Cadillac XLR
1. 350Z in Lemans Sunset - a vibrant orange,looks really aggressive.
B. Convertible -
1. TT
C. Mid-range luxury
1. E-class
D. Luxury -
1. S-Class
E. SUV
none - Not anti-suv,just do not care for the look.
F. Luxury convertible
1. SC430
overall, on exterior looks alone my 1 would be sc430 and 2 would be 350z.
The current 3-series BMW still, as the British say, looks the business, even though in Los Angeles there are more of them than Chevrolets. The coupes are the best of the lot, especially in terms of wheel proportion.
The 7-series is eye-poppingly ugly. Seeing it parked next to its predecessor, it really looks bad, inside and out. I certainly hope Bangle isn't allowed to take the 5-series and 3-series in that direction.
1.) Mazda 6
2.) Volswagon Passat
3.) Nissan Altima
Entry Level dr or Sports Coupe:
1.) 98-99 3 Series(don't care for the refresh)
2.) 02+ Audi A4(looks better than 96-01 A4)
3.) Nissan 350Z(It looks sweet)
4.) Acura 3.2TL
The RX-8 could be on my list. I haven't seen one in person yet. The front looks very nice though.
2 Seater Convertible:
1.) 99+ Mazda Miata(like the old one too but this one looks better.)
2.) 01-02 Chrysler Sebring Convertible(Don't care for the refresh treatment of the 03.)
Ill put the last generation Eclipse Spyder up there too.
Luxury:
1.) Infinti Q45(My Dream Car)
2.) Cadilac STS(I'll take alot flack for that one)
3.) Acura RL
SUV:
1.) Acura MDX
2.) Lexus RX 300
3.) Toyota Land Cruiser
4.) BMW X5
1. I am perplexed how one you rates the TT convertible first and the other last. Had no idea that it was so divisive.
2. Carguy58 - Acura TL coupe as a 4th placed car? You are brave. Good for you on going out on a limb on the STS. I think it is not half bad, but part of it is shear size. Cadillac 16 on the other hand looked beautiful.
3. Argent. 2 questions. 1. Has the 7-series grown on you at all? It has on me. 2. Do you like the Z4 though?
4. CBGG1975. You don't like the styling of any SUV... How about the Murano?
5. DTRAN and others. None of you seems to like the X-type. I realize it has had poor reviews, but I was curious on the styling. Is it just too truncated or was their something in particular?
Also the STS I like the STS and I have liked it since it came out.
You also asked someone else about the Murano. I would rank the Murano tied with the X-5/XC90.
Carguy59 made an interesting point about color. It's definitely true that some color combinations really make certain cars stand out significantly. I'll come up with my personal list and post for comments shortly.
Make/Model (Best Colors)
Audi TT (Lake Silver or Moro Blue)
BMW M3 (Imola Red)
BMW Z4 (Titanium Silver)
Honda S2000 (Spa Yellow or Suzuka Blue)
Infiniti G35 (Diamond Graphite)
Infiniti FX45 (Liquid Copper)
Lexus SC430 (Black Onyx)
Mercedes C240/320 (Orion Blue Metallic)
Mini Cooper (Silk Green Metallic)
Nissan 350 Z (Redline)
Porsche 911/Boxster (Cobalt Blue Metallic)
I'm going to go ahead and say that Winning Blue and Titanium Gray are the best colors for the Mazda RX-8.
I also love the Estoril Blue that BMW used to have on its late 90's M-Series. The Laguna Seca replacement is too bubble gum-esque for me.
2. I couldn't agree more, particularly where I am a traditionalist. Something about blue beamers, estoril blue with M series, green jaguars, silver mercedes...
Questions:
What car looks good in white?
How about gold? oh you had mentioned FX45...
3. I hate SUVs but appreciate the Murano styling, the new Volvo and I like the look of the Chrysler Pacifica (as a single guy, they are of no use to me however).
I agree with the above notes on SUVs. The Murano, XC90, Pacifica and FX45 all look good to me too, for SUVs that is. Nissan is on a roll for SUV styling, but in cars that new Maxima is yet another chapter in strange/odd Maxima designs.
Odds and ends:
Will someone tell Audi to paint the ENTIRE body of the A4 Sedan, like they do the A4 Cabriolet and all their other cars.
When is Volvo going to learn that luxury cars are not supposed to be trimmed in thick black rub strips? The S80 looks so much better now in it's all body color suit. Now its the S60's turn.
Saab also needs help with this same problem. Black door handles and trim on a 35K car is not cool. It makes the new 93 look like a budget car. The only "color" it looks good in is of course, black.
Someone please tell Nissan to spend some money on interior design. I mean really how much money do you want to save? You use the same platform and VQ V6 for everything and you can't throw a few dollars at the interior of the Altima, Maxima, Murano or the G35 models! It looks as if they sat a row of gauges on a table top. And please stop with the metal look plastic, it's terrible. The weakest aspect of the G35 Coupe is it's interior.
Why does Mercedes insists on using aluminum trim on all their C-Class "sport" models? Real wood is the only trim a Mercedes should have.
M
Sure, it looks like a frog, but it's funny at least
1. I love the wood, even when fake.
2. Lately brushed aluminum (when real and feels metallic is great too). Irritating when plasticky like the G35.
3. But personally, I can't stand the carbon fiber look. I can't stand it in cars like the SLK.
work in Beverly Hills, that's "frequently." The only saving grace is the optional multi-spoke alloys, but those are just nice wheels.
I'm neutral on the Z4. When I see it in the metal, it's very ordinary and surprisingly derivative looking -- on the road, I've repeatedly mistaken one for either an Audi TT or a Honda S2000 from angles other than the front. It's an improvement over the Z3's obnoxiously phallic look, I suppose, still not my kind of car.
The 7-series is not the ugliest current-model car I've seen -- that honor is split between the Pontiac Aztek (even though I'd been warned, I still almost caused an accident when I saw one in the rear-view for the first time) and the Fiat Multipla, which is really in a class by itself (see http://autozine.kyul.net/Car_Photo/Fiat/Multipla.jpg)
...but the 7-series still reminds me of an early-sixties Plymouth.
As for the Maxima's styling I thought the 97-99 Maxima was the best looking Maxima. All the rest were boxy before that.
What about the interior styling... I like the Scandinavian wood styling and thought the interior looks great and very classy on the 7.
I thought the S-class was a bit dull and numb, though I like the styling in general. I thought the new E has a great interior.
I must also confess I have been impressed with the beauty of the LS430, which is my benchmark, even if dull to drive.
Which do you guys prefer....
1. I love the wood, even when fake.
2. Lately brushed aluminum (when real and feels metallic is great too). Irritating when plasticky like the G35.
3. But personally, I can't stand the carbon fiber look. I can't stand it in cars like the SLK
Curiously you have the Volvo crossover and the Audi allroad that are sort of in this segment as well, but I don't care for those or see a purpose to them. Things are also so blurred it is unclear which of all of these are closer to SUVs and which are closer to station wagens....
I'm categorically against fake wood or "metal-look" trim. I have no philosophical problem with plastic as long as it's decently solid and not cheap or crunchy. Plastic-wood or the awful wood appliques (read "decals") used on older American cars are just wretched.
Actual metal trim sometimes looks neat, but it has some serious practical problems. Glare in bright sunlight is one (nothing like being blinded by the flare off your own dashboard). Another is a tendency to get too hot or too cold. Those bare-metal shifters that look so keen in the showroom are a lot less appealing in Minnesota in January or Arizona in August, as they become frostbite-cold or yowie-hot in the parked car.
Carbon fiber trim is tacky, whether it's real or not. Carbon fiber has a number of virtues, but aesthetic appeal is not among them.
I don't like the interior of the 7-series any better than I like the exterior. The traditional BMW "cockpit" styling may be a bit contrived and old hat, but I don't like Scandanavian furniture, so I certainly don't like automotive interiors that look like Scandanavian furniture. It falls well behind either the Jaguar XJ8 (which at least has a homey English men's club ambience, if the details don't bear close examination) or the Audi A8 (which is conservative but solid).
I don't like the Mercedes S-class interiors, either. They've got lots of leather and wood, but it's just stuck on with nothiing resembling a design theme, so the cabins end up feeling like upscale Camrys. Not exactly _bad_, but not worth $80,000 and up.
You note being "okay" with Audi and XJ8. What interiors do you like irrespective of price (i.e. cheaper or more expensive models)?
I take it you are not an Ikea fan...
The day I noticed in was when I tried to clean them with a metal cleaning product, only to see that it had no effect, whereas my plastic cleaning spray did clean it up!
I don't like the looks of carbon, but that's just me. As to fake wood, well, I've only ever seen it in Peugeots and Fords, and it looked really fake, without even prodding it. Real wood I'm not fond of. I'll stay with my good looking faux aluminium
I think the real question is who has real wood these days (Jaguar, S,E class mercedes)...
For those that haven't seen it, will be on Internet soon.
1. Eye-brow headlights look nice, understanded
2. Trunk is low-keyed version of 7-series (much nicer and more tasteful).
3. Interior ergonomics look similar to 7-series, but friendler. I-drive gets small spot behind emergency/hand brake.
4. Window controls on driver doors, classic gauge look.
5. Pointed steering wheel already in use..
Looks very nice to me. Lots of high tech, but ergonomically friendlier is my understanding.
http://www.germancarfans.com/News.cfm?NewsID=2030401.001
M
I suspect much of the value of this car is handling in any case...
I also suspect that if they continued with the old look it would really start to look dated in 2-3 years.
The interior is similar in look to z4 if you liked that.
My only quaff with the interior is the radio area. Looks a little intimidating trying to control everything from the idrive but we'll see. I do like however that the idrive is not the prominent piece as in the 7er.