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Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series

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#1 of 728 Good, bad or Ugly by randomguy11111 Mar 14, 2003 (6:54 am)
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.
#2 of 728 by logic1 Mar 14, 2003 (8:26 am)
Here is how I see it:   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.
#3 of 728 spy shot of new 5 series by randomguy11111 Mar 14, 2003 (8:42 am)
1. here is a pretty good spy-shot of 5 series   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...
#4 of 728 by stray_cat Mar 14, 2003 (10:25 am)
love the current 7-series exterior and interior   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.
#5 of 728 Give credit where credit is due by logic1 Mar 14, 2003 (10:37 am)
Wasn't The Cars the first group to do the Turning Japanese song?
#6 of 728 by regfootball Mar 14, 2003 (10:32 pm)
Too bad the front end is a Pontiyuck clone, as the rest of the car is ok. Nice Grand Am you got their, Dr. Johnson.....why son, this is a BMW! oh!....I thought it was a GRAND AM!
#7 of 728 Styling change is indeed radical by idletask Mar 15, 2003 (12:03 am)
But I think they're right. Honestly, don't you find the current theme a little on the overused side?   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
#8 of 728 Give credit where credit is due by kyfdx HOST Mar 15, 2003 (7:27 am)
I thought it was Cheap Trick?   kyfdx
#9 of 728 I vote for The Vapors..and Paulina by cbgb1975 Mar 15, 2003 (9:45 am)
a lot of the 80's songs sounded so much alike...I think the Vapors had their "15 minutes" with this "Turning Japanese-ah"song...cheap trick did put out a live lp from japan... The Cars had a lot of good songs ,but not this one...Ric Ocazek had something much better...Paulina Porizkova!!!... any new BMW with her as an accessory would truly be a beauty. Chris Bangle, are u reading these boards? Maybe a "Paulina-ized Roundel" for the beemer bonnet. Music is off the topic,but close to my heart...so my apologies to message board purists for not resisting and adding to this diversion.
#10 of 728 BMW and other company's styling awkward cars: by carguy58 Mar 15, 2003 (2:05 pm)
Now I'm 23 and the late 90's 3 Series is one of the best styled cars I have seen. The new 7 Series just looks awkward. The new 5 looks like a German Pontiac. They are just going to just scare customers away. Still, look what Honda and Toyota have done. The 02 Camry, 03 Corolla, and 03 Accord are some extermely bland cars and they still sell like hotcakes. So you never know. Alot of today cars especially 2002 and on just look either bland(Camry) or or way overdone(7 Series). There is no middleground. In the 90's there was alot middle ground styled cars(inoffensive looking) now you don't have lots of that. Its either bland or overstyled. There's no middle anymore.

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