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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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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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"and I speak the truth about the 645i's hiney" Well everybody here speaks *their* own version of the truth. 
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Replying to: cheezhed (Aug 14, 2004 3:27 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Aug 14, 2004 4:28 pm) BTW, another point along the purpose of this board is that the front of the new 5's and 6's resemble Pontiacs, unfortunately. This statement also has more credence than your post (#353) about an Avalon's back lights resembling (therefore copying) the 3 series. Ridiculous, as it was to assume every critic of a BMW is a BMW hater.
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