[LOFT]

Boy this reminds me of the "Banglebutt" debate of many years back. I hated what chief designer Chris Bangle did to the back end of sedans and stayed away from BMW for years.

That did not stop BMW from growing sales to new buyers, but it didn't stop me from "hating" the design, without discrediting those who chose to like the design.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

and the purpose for the lighted arrows and model is…? over-the-wing exit rows maybe?

Haha, but did you notice that the lights on the door does change when the door is open in the car is on?

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by LOFT

Boy this reminds me of the "Banglebutt" debate of many years back. I hated what chief designer Chris Bangle did to the back end of sedans and stayed away from BMW for years.

That did not stop BMW from growing sales to new buyers, but it didn't stop me from "hating" the design, without discrediting those who chose to like the design.

Which gen? Bangle did e39, which to me is the best looking bmw sedan. I think e90/e60 gen don’t look as good by a big margin. I wonder who was the chief designer for e90/e60.

I think e90 represents a major advancement in engine design. N54 started the turbo inline6. But it also represents a major stallment in both exterior and interior and exterior design. Having that said, I am in market for e90 M3. That high rev V8 is also one of the kind.

[LOFT]

I owned a 2000 528 (e39) which, in my view, was one of the most beautiful BMW designs. Unfortunately it was followed by the e60 Banglebutt, and it was only with the introduction of the F10 that things started to get streamlined again.

I should add that my first BMW was a used 1995 325 with a stick shift, with a straight six I think. So long ago...did they have CPO at the time? But I loved this car and it led to the 528.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

I wonder who was the chief designer for e90/e60.

That was also Bangle.

[G05_galore]

Originally Posted by jo2134

Rented an X7 LCI for a few days earlier this week. The dash lettering is definitely kind of tacky in my opinion

Where did you get to rent it from?

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by G05_galore

Where did you get to rent it from?

Rented it through Turo, there are a bunch available in South Florida on there

[MystroX5]

Went from elegant and understated German design to tacky Asian disposable design in one LCI/generation. BMW is departing from about every core design they spent decades developing. Newer is NOT better. My local AD can’t give the new 7 series away that has been sitting for months. Now heavily discounted there still is no takers for every one of their i7, 760i, 740i. They have not sold one of these new vehicle designs even on a lease after all the new hype??
This isnt the typical minor pushback of something new from the familiar a few customers have concerns about. This is a full blown dumpster fire of “NFW at any discount price”.

Why this matters is the 7 series is the flagship and cutting edge of the very best and future direction BMW is planning to go with all their vehicles in design and tech. This will eventually trickle down the family line up to the bottom 1 series over time.

[Guy Fleegman]

My sense is that manufacturers are trying to grab the younger buyers. The designs are more in-your-face look-at-me, inspired by Transformers and Marvel. The huge, gaping grills on the newer Lexus and Caddies are a complete turnoff to me. How many of these younger buyers have the bucks to actually buy one, I don't know.

[PandaSPUR]

SUVs are by far the most popular in the US, so BMW is likely making these changes to appeal to what they believe typical American buyers like. Probably trying to capture all the younger "new money" people floating around who want to show off.

[tooloud10]

I don't know why BMW is doing this, except to assume that it appeals to Asian markets.

Here's a $160k+ XM sitting at my local dealer. What kind of lunatic would want to drive this?

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I don't know why BMW is doing this, except to assume that it appeals to Asian markets.

Here's a $160k+ XM sitting at my local dealer. What kind of lunatic would want to drive this?

That's what a BMW sales person told me some 3 years ago. BMW is targeting upcoming economies and the Asian market.
The old world is passé

I would like to see geographical sales figures of these SUV's.
My guess the European market is small for these cars. The green vandalise these cars and even politicians want to ban them because those SUV's are "killers".

But how it's going in Europe my guess is that in 2 generations everybody is driving with horse and carriage

[FLYZ]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

At least it's not like the 7 series. It looks like a driving brothel

Oh God, I know. The new 7 is just horrendous. Considering this is supposed to be the S-Class's top competitor is humiliating.

I get really nervous about BMW's design language. After looking at how the XM, iX and new 7 series turned out, I feel like it has all gotten so busy. I got in a new 7 series and thought I was going to get a headache. There are so many angles, shapes, textures, colors - it's just too much.

I really love the BMW product line right now. Recently, I built several competing models from Audi and MB online for a variety BMW comparisons - X5, 5 Series, 3 series, etc. and BMW has exactly the equipment packaging I like, engine options, emphasis on performance and tastefully performance oriented design. However, with these newest designed models and what we see coming on the LCIs...I don't know.

Personally, I struggle to see many luxury car buyers who have the income to spend on a $120,000 car going for the bonkers looking new seven when the new S-class is so achingly gorgeous and elegant - the perfect evolution of tastefully understated decadence. The 7 series just looks like it rolled out of a cartoon. I hope that doesn't flow all the way downhill, but based on Bimmer's same-sausage-different-length formula, I am not holding out hope. I better enjoy it while it's here.

[Matt 335is]

Man, it must really suck to hate the direction one of your favorite car companies is headed.

I personally love the where BMW is taking their design. Every new release is so fun and exciting for me.

I certainly don't agree with every decision, but I believe they have the best current lineup in the industry and it keeps improving with every new release and LCI.

I'm just glad I have the opinion I do , it would absolutely suck if I felt like some you

[Heavyd]

I'm glad I can still order a plugin hybrid, because personally I don't like any of their electrical cars. The X5 still looks like a real car.

Can't think of an EV that I like, besides a Porsche Taycan
It's like every EV must be fugly

I guess I'm too old

[FLYZ]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I don't know why BMW is doing this, except to assume that it appeals to Asian markets.

Here's a $160k+ XM sitting at my local dealer. What kind of lunatic would want to drive this?

That is absolutely revolting. Like I said earlier, I better enjoy the BMW lineup in this gen, because if the 7, XM and iX are any indication, the designs are about to get radical in a way that will make the Bangle designs look tame!

[DeepFly52]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

I'm glad I can still order a plugin hybrid, because personally I don't like any of their electrical cars. The X5 still looks like a real car.

Can't think of an EV that I like, besides a Porsche Taycan
It's like every EV must be fugly

I guess I'm too old

LOL I say the same thing now a lot. I sold my Cayenne GTS and now ordered a 45e, my kids ask me why am I doing that and I say because I'm getting old. Not that a 45e is for older people, just my priorities in a car have changed.

My vote for pre-LCI interior; newer tech is often times better, but design should get better too not worse.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

I'm glad I can still order a plugin hybrid, because personally I don't like any of their electrical cars. The X5 still looks like a real car.

Can't think of an EV that I like, besides a Porsche Taycan
It's like every EV must be fugly

I guess I'm too old

Rivian SUV and truck look most like normal car to me ?

[James_G0540i]

One word ... "Why?"

I haven't seen some thing like this since the 80s.....

What's next? BMW adverts flashing up on iDrive head unit asking passengers to book their next test drive, seriously....

I think their designers are drinking the "Kool Aid", started with the 3-foot iPad stuck on the dash, and just to make sure they added this....

I'll stick with my pre-LCI thanks !

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Rivian SUV and truck look most like normal car to me ?

Is not available in the old continent Not much is these days...

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I don't know why BMW is doing this, except to assume that it appeals to Asian markets.

Here's a $160k+ XM sitting at my local dealer. What kind of lunatic would want to drive this?

The same one that drives this !

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I don't know why BMW is doing this, except to assume that it appeals to Asian markets.

Here's a $160k+ XM sitting at my local dealer. What kind of lunatic would want to drive this?

That is circa 1980’s Cadillac pimp mobile. All that’s missing is a big gold screaming chicken graphic on the hood.
It’s so bad it looks like a comic parody. I am hoping this is one big elaborate April fools day joke..