[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Decades ago as a Porsche/Audi fan, we laughed and laughed at the designs from Bangle destroying a very aggressive and established BMW look. No one (including press) could believe they would voluntarily depart from such a signature and universally liked design to this new Bangle innovation.

I thought Chris Bangle's design has been vindicated by the sales growth of BMW, and many of his design cues have been copied by other brands?

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

I thought Chris Bangle's design has been vindicated by the sales growth of BMW, and many of his design cues have been copied by other brands?

It was loathed when first released.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

I thought Chris Bangle's design has been vindicated by the sales growth of BMW, and many of his design cues have been copied by other brands?

I literally bought a last model year of an E46 and kept it for 14 years to avoid needing to get another bimmer during the Bangle design years and their legacies. BMW toned down the ridiculousness of the "bangle butt" designs over the models and years that came after the original 7er — as far as I am concerned, that's what saved the company.

In terms of marketing promos, I personally think this was peak BMW marketing:

And the rest: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...qpCk6V12-Iad5D

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

E60 is fuglier than the i3.

Yes ... I hated that era of BMW sedans ... only the 7-series was tolerable

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

I don't know, I am 36 and these ads of drivers screaming while driving and cutting a fence with a chainsaw and all that "rebelling" gives me a headache. The ad has no head or tail and it just hurts all the senses by watching it.

Penzzoil ad? That's what it's all about! So well done.

Same ... 36 here as well ... felt the exact same about both ads ... Pennzoil ad was great ... the new M3/4 ad was terrible "noise"

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Yeah the iX definitely isn't my cup of tea..... I don't mind the G80/82 though. They're not "pretty", but I think the grill works better on those.

+1 ... I actually like the new G80/82 grille design. I'm ducking the bullets flying as i'm typing this ... i know i'm in the minority, but on the right color they pop.

on the iX ... yes beaver comes to mind ... but I don't like how the BMW electric cars need to somehow standout from the ICE cars BMW produces. I'm all for going electric, and loving the '21 X5 45e we bought a month ago ... so much so I'm looking for a 745e to add to the fleet for a weekend car ... but likely because they still feel luxurious and sporty on the interior and exterior.

The i3, iX ... terrible interior and exterior styling and finishes. I'm buying a BMW for everything the brand (used to) stand for ... not because I want something different with an electric drivetrain. I am exactly the person the new iX commercial is talking to. I will never understand why BMW can't make the same compelling fleet of coupes, sedans and SUVs we have grown accustomed to love ... simply in an electric powertrain. Stepping off my soapbox now

[Whazzup@NJ]

Funny to reflect on iDrive now after a decade of owning BMW. This being my 5th lease, I looked at everyone and, one of the driving forces behind my choice was the simplicity and intuitiveness of iDrive. This is the same (evolved) system that has been poked at by auto magazines for years. I compared to Volvo, Lexus, MB, Audi and Porsche. Some were better than others but I don’t think any were as intuitive And real buttons do make a difference in usability

[marcpitt]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Oh yea and here is where we need to put this new design in proper context. We are way beyond critiquing if a larger grille works or not. That is minor in comparison to the design changes BMW is moving into. Hell, I would love to be only mildly disappointed in a new headlight, exhaust tip, or bumper. This is watching a train wreck in slow motion. Decades ago as a Porsche/Audi fan, we laughed and laughed at the designs from Bangle destroying a very aggressive and established BMW look. No one (including press) could believe they would voluntarily depart from such a signature and universally liked design to this new Bangle innovation. That will be minor if BMW pushes this new design across the entire platform. Audi and MB is watching from the sidelines just waiting for the new influx as they did decades ago. You can thank Bangle for the beautiful Audi designs and upshift in the Audi market decades ago. That wasn't a coincident in its timing.

I do agree, although I am not sure they are watching. I mean this big grill thing at least seems to be a trend already started and maybe even before BMW.

[Stoshu]

A good friend who was living vicariously through my car buying journey wanted me to look at and try the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

I couldn’t get by the Grill and the Four Leaf Clover badge, well and plus Italian reliability...

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

It was loathed when first released.

Why Chris Bangle is a Superstar

"One thing remains, love him or loathe him, there's no question that Chris Bangle is the most influential car designer of our generation."

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by marcpitt

I do agree, although I am not sure they are watching. I mean this big grill thing at least seems to be a trend already started and maybe even before BMW.

Exactly, BMW's grill is actually smaller than Audi's

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

Why Chris Bangle is a Superstar

"One thing remains, love him or loathe him, there's no question that Chris Bangle is the most influential car designer of our generation."

My vote would be Thomas Freeman. More vehicle designs and out of those cars were more universally liked like the TT and new VW new Beetle.

[smomin23]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

BMW marketing seems to have been taken over by children. First the ridiculous G80/82 videos:

and now this. I'm not sure who they're trying to appeal to.

Nothing about this video was funny, it was absolutely bizarre and idiotic and cringeworthy.

BMW should partner up with Pennzoil to make videos that actually invoke positive emotion and not embarrassment

You know, I briefly considering cancelling my pending X5 order in favor of an M3 or M4.

Thank you for posting this video and giving me concrete reasons to never look back and wonder if I should have gotten either of those lol

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by smomin23

You know, I briefly considering cancelling my pending X5 order in favor of an M3 or M4.

Thank you for posting this video and giving me concrete reasons to never look back and wonder if I should have gotten either of those lol

lol to be fair... I'm choosing to ignore the ridiculous marketing (as difficult as that may be) and still strongly consider an M3 as my next vehicle. Although I wouldn't get one in place of an X5 or vice versa. They serve different needs for me.

I guess I'm just harping on how absolutely asinine the marketing has been of late for BMW in general. The products are still some of the best in class even if they are trying their best to get you to hate them.

[smomin23]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

lol to be fair... I'm choosing to ignore the ridiculous marketing (as difficult as that may be) and still strongly consider an M3 as my next vehicle. Although I wouldn't get one in place of an X5 or vice versa. They serve different needs for me.

I guess I'm just harping on how absolutely asinine the marketing has been of late for BMW in general. The products are still some of the best in class even if they are trying their best to get you to hate them.

Oh, no doubt. Fully agree that these aren't interchangeable vehicles and have their own unique utility.

Honestly the only reason I was even semi-cross shopping was I'm coming off the M5 to my first SAV and part of me started wondering if the X5 would be too much of a departure from what I'm used to.

That said, yeah they really do try to get you to hate the vehicle's "image" lol

[codex57]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

It is better than insulting competitors IMO.

I beg to differ. Why insult your own customers when this is much more fun and isn't shooting yourself in the foot:
https://wonderfulengineering.com/the...r-in-pictures/

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by codex57

I beg to differ. Why insult your own customers when this is much more fun and isn't shooting yourself in the foot:
https://wonderfulengineering.com/the...r-in-pictures/

These are all fun ads; they have history of poking each other (BMW, Audi, Mercedes), what I was referring to is cheap ads - for example, Samsung making fun of Apple with headphone jack, chargers etc. then copy them afterwards (and delete their own ads).

[iconoclast]

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

excellent video

[wtwo3]

Since we're talking about marketing....

Looks like BMW still knows a thing or two.. Why couldn't all their marketing be more like this??