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Future Vehicles Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW
728 messages, Last post on May 30, 2007 at 9:05 PM
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Actually premium brands suffer in a downturn. Toyoota pumps out a lot of inexpensive vehicles, while BMW, MB, Audi pump out 0. According to the economic forecasts I've read, we're heading into a period of a spiralling downturn in consumer confidence. People will still buy cars, and I for one would rather buy one with an incentive than without. BMW is looking to get into a more well-rounded game, to succeed will take some time. I like the new cars head and shoulders above the older models. You can say all you want the economy is not the issue, but it's much easier to sell a $15K car than a $60K car. |
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Replying to: karmikan (Aug 13, 2004 7:52 am) http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_- id=8011 Or this one: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw/5series/100344931/roadtestart- icle.html?articleId=101320&tid=edmunds.e.roadtests.content...- BMW* Or this one: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2004/100665/article.htm- l But you know what, reading about how these cars drives is all very nice and well. I actually have one and I drove it againt the E500 and A6. I can tell you from first hand experience it is more of a "driver's car" than either. Isolating is about the last term I'd just to describe the experience. I mean, the performance numbers for the 545i are practically in line with sports cars. Have you even driven the new E60? I still don't understand why you think Toyoto or Nissan sales have anything to do with BMW sales. It's like comparing Seiko watch sales to Rolex sales. One (Seiko) probably averages about $100 a watch and the other (Rolex) probably averages about $3000. Which do you think sells more in the US? Someone else also mentioned that the Lexus and Infinity sales were at least partially driven by big incentives. BMW from what I saw when I bought mine, isn't offering any on the E60 yet. Bottom line though, if you'd rather drive a Lexus or Infinity rather than the new Bangled BMW's nothing I say can change that. I've driven the big Lexus sedan and I think it ride like a boat. No connection to the road whatsoever. It's as if you ride in it rather than drive it. |
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Replying to: karmikan (Aug 13, 2004 7:52 am) http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/08/03/207247.html Note the grand total line. |
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According to this article in AutoWeek, Z4 sales are down 25.4 percent while roadster sales are down 21.1 percent for the first half of 2004. Because the Z4 is the newest in the segment, sales were expected to be better and "analysts" attribute much of its troubles to styling. http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=100418 I'm not sure what to make of styling and sales. Most cars are ugly these days so they're all on an even playing field in this area as far as I'm concerned. Last year at this time I thought MBs were ugly. Considering what's around they are starting to look good to me. I think it's a case of the girls getting prettier at closing time. This will never happen with most new BMWs save for the 6 coupe perhaps, but that kind of money gets you a new 997 911, a no-brainer IMO. With regard to the upcoming 3-series I think they're starting to get a clue that styling has to be reeled in. Many grossly exaggerated features particularly in the treatment of the lamps and those hideous trunk lids have disappeared. This design shows order, balanced proportions and discreet use of asymmetry. However they continue to appear hell-bent on change. Surface topography is busy— they're still crease-crazy—too much help from the spice rack. As seen here I give the 2006 3 a B minus whereas the 5, 7, Z4 and 6 convertible are scornfully stamped F in my book. If the 3 comes in with only iDrive for NAV as was rumored I think it may score immediate and sustained sales success. However the interior looks incredibly cheap so who knows . 
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Replying to: designman (Aug 14, 2004 6:52 am) |
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" I've driven the big Lexus sedan and I think it ride like a boat. No connection to the road whatsoever. It's as if you ride in it rather than drive it. " darn right on that designman: yeah no matter what i still find the current 3er better looking. the sidelines on the new 3 start looking worse, rear end is just as ugly as ever. and bangle surely isnt the best interior designer out there at BMW. up until now the new 6 is the only bangle design thats truly appealing to me. i wont say its handsome, but cool, yeah id say that.
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Replying to: m4d_cow (Aug 14, 2004 9:09 am) A rousing endorsement of the 645i. (Its rear is a dead ringer for the old Chrysler Cirrus.) |
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"(Its rear is a dead ringer for the old Chrysler Cirrus.)" The problem is the Japanese are all copying BMW. I said to my wife the other day, look at that ugly color on that 3 series. To my surprise, it was an Avalon. I just saw a rear view. I can't believe how Toyota copied the rear end of the current E46. People have compared the 6 series to the Cirrus, Sebring and the like, yet when you see it in person, you know BMW struck a home-run with it. It is a gorgeous car - only a person who hates BMW cars would say it looks like a Chrysler. The new rumored 3 series pictures are gorgeous also. The only tweak I would make to the styling is the front-headlights. My thought is the creases are meant to give some brand identity across the 3 series line including the X3.
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"-only a person who hates BMW cars would say it looks like a Chrysler." Wrong! I OWN a BMW and I speak the truth about the 645i's hiney. |
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Aug 14, 2004 12:44 pm) Now tell me that you think an Avalon (post #353)looks like a 3 series more than the new 645's rear light treatment looks like the Dodge Stratus (or Chrysler Cirrus as above)? BTW, I too own a BMW ;o).
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