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

729 messages,  Last post on May 30, 2007 at 10:05 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 71 of 73

#699 of 729 Re: 5-Series [bdkinnh] by rich545

Feb 09, 2006 (8:40 am)

Replying to: bdkinnh (Feb 09, 2006 7:16 am)
Fair enough on all fronts. I don't think you came across as a E60 basher BTW. I was really just responding to the idea that people would buy a car they didn't like the look of which I certainly wouldn't. I guess the bottom line is, everyone has their own reasons for buying cars. Some would buy the E60 eventhough they don't love the looks (again, if they hated the look I don't think they would), some honestly love the way it looks. Honestly, I'm somewhere in the middle. I like how it looks (stopping well short of hpowders gushing about it), and overall I think it's a great car. No, I don't wish it looked like a 2003 E39. I found the E39 to be somewhat boring and basically just a bigger version of the 3. I imagine since I feel that way there are other E60 owners that feel the same way. Are there things I don't love about the way the E60 looks? Sure, if I was BMW and I was considering what to change for the first facelift I would put headlights on it that look more like the new 3's (which would also change the hood), I would go with a more traditional trunk and I'd make the dash more like the 6's. Now, I don't think they'll do all of that, but they probably will change some of it.

#700 of 729 Re: 5-Series [rich545] by shipo

Feb 09, 2006 (9:20 am)

Replying to: rich545 (Feb 09, 2006 8:40 am)
"Are there things I don't love about the way the E60 looks? Sure, if I was BMW and I was considering what to change for the first facelift I would put headlights on it that look more like the new 3's (which would also change the hood), I would go with a more traditional trunk and I'd make the dash more like the 6's. Now, I don't think they'll do all of that, but they probably will change some of it."
 
Bingo! If BMW was to make exactly the changes you've outlined, I'd almost instantly switch from "Dat be ugly" to "Yum, gotta have one".
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#701 of 729 I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. by hpowders

Feb 09, 2006 (9:27 am)

that the E39 just looked like a bigger 3.
Once I saw one and thought it was a 3, but was surprised to see "525" on the back.
 
The 5 was well overdue for a fresh new look. At least now, there is no possibility of mistaking a 2006 5 for a 3.

#702 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [hpowders] by shipo

Feb 09, 2006 (9:38 am)

Replying to: hpowders (Feb 09, 2006 9:27 am)
" I have said quite a few times on BMW threads that the E39 just looked like a bigger 3. Once I saw one and thought it was a 3, but was surprised to see "525" on the back."
 
Hmmm, I never once mistook an E39 for either an E36 or E46 (or an E90 for that matter). Not once.
 
"The 5 was well overdue for a fresh new look."
 
That is a point I won't argue, the E39 was produced during nine different calendar years (1995 through 2003), and as good as it looks and as timeless as its design is proving to be, it was a little long in the tooth by the time it was retired. That having been said, BMW totally lost me with both the Dame Edna schnozzle and the Bangle Butt. Yeesh!
 
I saw a spy photo of what is purporting to be the new 2009 7-Series a day or two back and I cannot tell you how glad I am to see that car has been returned to a clean look from forced garishness of the current design. I can only hope the next generation 5-Series follows suit.
 
Best Regards (from the loyal opposition),
Shipo

#703 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [hpowders] by bdkinnh

Feb 09, 2006 (9:52 am)

Replying to: hpowders (Feb 09, 2006 9:27 am)
>"At least now, there is no possibility of mistaking a 2006 5 for a 3."
 
True, but now if I see one from a distance from the front and can't see the logo, I confuse it for a Pontiac.
 
(ducking)

#704 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [shipo] by bdkinnh

Feb 09, 2006 (9:53 am)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 09, 2006 9:38 am)
>"I saw a spy photo of what is purporting to be the new 2009 7-Series a day or two back"
 
Do you still have the link? I'd love to see it.

#705 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [bdkinnh] by rich545

Feb 09, 2006 (10:01 am)

Replying to: bdkinnh (Feb 09, 2006 9:53 am)
Here's a link to it:
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=108559#4

#706 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [rich545] by shipo

Feb 09, 2006 (10:08 am)

Replying to: rich545 (Feb 09, 2006 10:01 am)
Beat me to the punch, I was just gonna post it as well.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#707 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [rich545] by bdkinnh

Feb 09, 2006 (10:31 am)

Replying to: rich545 (Feb 09, 2006 10:01 am)
Thanks, Rich545!
 
Hmmm.... not bad looking. The best thing I like about it is BMW's willingness to tone things down a bit. Still don't like the headlights, though.
 
One thing I'd love to see is a touchscreen instead of the bottlecap. We'll see.
 
Thanks again.

#708 of 729 Re: I have said quite a few times on BMW threads.. [bdkinnh] by rich545

Feb 09, 2006 (10:41 am)

Replying to: bdkinnh (Feb 09, 2006 10:31 am)
I'll tell ya, if BMW could, as you said, tone down the 7 and 5 a bit so it was more pleasing to both camps the competition would be in real trouble. The 7 as it is now is the best-selling 7 in the history of the line and the E60 has really come on strong as well. So if BMW could get back at least some of the people that were turned of by the new designs the other car manufacturers would have their hands full. Particularly cars like the Infiniti M, the A6 and the E would be affected IMHO. I wouldn't mind a touchscreen either. My father-in-law has the Honda Ridgeline, and it's touchscreen is great. Now if Honda can do that in a much cheaper car, I would think that BMW could in their cars. But neither MB or Audi's systems are touchscreen either so maybe Germans don't like that??? ONe thing I love in the A8 is the wood door that covers the screen BTW. It would be nice if the iDrive screen was a little less obvious.

Messages Page 71 of 73

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