[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

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..

They had comfy seats. And not that wrinkly

[taek]

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?

This is absolutely not for Asian markets. This just way too huge and impractical for Japan, where tiny cars are the norm, including Kei cars.

In Korea, luxury and sport vehicles are sedans. Korea has the lowest birthrate in the world, so getting a bigger vehicle for family hauling isn't even a thing. The best selling German cars there (which are still rare) are the 5 series and S Class. And "best" numbers in the hundreds. There is no way any brand is developing something like the XM to sell maybe 12 in Korea.

Really it's mainly the US that is obsessed with SUVs, there's a reason the SUVs are all made in the US.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by taek

This is absolutely not for Asian markets. This just way too huge and impractical for Japan, where tiny cars are the norm, including Kei cars.

In Korea, luxury and sport vehicles are sedans. Korea has the lowest birthrate in the world, so getting a bigger vehicle for family hauling isn't even a thing. The best selling German cars there (which are still rare) are the 5 series and S Class. And "best" numbers in the hundreds. There is no way any brand is developing something like the XM to sell maybe 12 in Korea.

Really it's mainly the US that is obsessed with SUVs, there's a reason the SUVs are all made in the US.

You are forgetting about China, they are a huge market for SUVS. BMW is now producing them in China.

[MystroX5]

Why does some think Asians have this kind of design taste?? It’s kinda insulting to think they would not gravitate to the traditional German designs they already love and lust after to buy already.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Why does some think Asians have this kind of design taste??

For the same reason that Buick still exists--the automakers, accountants, and marketing teams know that China is the biggest market for new customers, which means the old customers and smaller markets are just along for the ride.

Thus, we get things like the embarrassing XM, which essentially seems to be a 2-row X7 for double the price of the 2-row X5 PHEV.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

You are forgetting about China, they are a huge market for SUVS. BMW is now producing them in China.

(To be clear, im thinking about the XM too with my post, not just the dashboard of the X5 LCI)

The 5 and X5 were the biggest sellers for BMW in China last year. M cars in general still arent huge sellers over there either.

Also given that Cadillac failed miserably in past years, I would think BMW would take it as a sign to not go huge and blingy (lookin at you XM) with their new designs.

And finally, the US is still the biggest market for SUVs.....

Pretty sure this is just BMW thinking everyone will like their new design language.

[Jackxhh]

It's fun to see the comments.
People just love sharing their hate and prove they made a right choice to stay with pre LCI etc etc aren't they.
You just can't make everyone happy. To me it's just business for Bmw, if you don't like it, you are not targeted, change to something else in the market. I'm sure BMW knows every change of design they will lose customers but also gain customers. I guess sales figure will tell.
I don't understand why people make a big deal about this. Maybe they think BMW design team is constantly reviewing this forum, taking notes and make sure these 'whingers' are all happy in the future? I don't know, who cares about my opinion.

[Heavyd]

I have a 45e. At first I thought WTF with the big kidney grill coming from an F16
I got used too it and now I like it. Interior was Ok for me. I now have the 50e on order.
But I like a clean look. I always debadge my cars and now I have X5 screaming at me in the interior. What were they thinking? I know I’m driving X5… The dash is Ok, I like tech. I’m glad it’s not like the 7 series.
But they don’t have to go much further.

I always liked BMW and thougt they had beautiful cars. They have now more ugly cars than beautiful cars. But that’s not only BMW. IMO.

But I’m becoming an old fart so maybe that’s the problem. Guess I’ll have to switch to Mercedes in the future

[AbleDanger]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Guess I’ll have to switch to Mercedes in the future

Mercedes interiors are worse, IMO. Just...weird. Like the strange oh shit handles on the center console now, stalk shifter a la 1994 pickup truck, etc.

[mnx5er]

I always forget the car I own, so the logo will help me remember

Seriously, I ran it by the wife who is very fussy about interiors. She said “tacky”.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

There is a video from Chinese tiktok (douyin) that someone received a X7 with X5 stripe installed lol

[David3]

LOL, the logo is fine. When BMW does away with the logo, someone will start a poll wondering if BMW made the right choice eliminating the logo.

[GerryC]

People say they want what's familiar to them. But history shows that if you keep building the same thing, sales will drop off as people get bored with it. The design has to evolve to keep generating sales.

Raymond Loewy, one of the greatest industrial designers of the 20th century referred to it as the MAYA principle. That stands for Most Advanced, Yet Acceptable. The key, obviously, is how far to advance the design. (ref: The MAYA Principle)

A good example of a winner was the E60 5 series. A lot of flak when it came out, but now a classic design. A loser was the 1996 Ford Taurus. It went from best selling car to has been mostly due to the polarizing 'oval' design.

I struggled initially with the M3/M4 big grills, but now they're OK. Not my favorite, but at least they make the cars recognizable. I was getting annoyed the last few generations were looking too much alike.

[Steeem]

Do not like it. Also absence of buttons is a safety concern and is a deal breaker for me...

[realdah]

TBH, I almost forgot that X5 logo at all after taking the car for few hours, until your post reminding me about it.

I don't remember anything is perfect, haters will always hate, let's go back to reality, I consider that the major concern/risk is the drivetrain malfunction, others are not deal break, not even close.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by FastMarkA

Curious to know how folks are finding this new dashboard "design" on the LCI X5?

To me, it's reminiscent of the advertising stickers they slap all over a Spirit Airlines A320 (I've seen from pics; I'd only fly Spirit in an emergency ).

As one who prefers subtlety and doesn't buy clothes with the brand name/logo on them, I find the <<<<\\\\||////>>>> X5 to be hideous. Even worse, that thing lights up...

Agree completely. If I had an LCI X5 and I was planning to wrap it, I'd start there. Heck, masking tape would be an improvement.

Certainly this cheap trick can be turned off?

[AnabolicG82]

Why did they have to make the ambient lighting shit?
The pre-Lci had a beautiful design. They just had to mess it up. If they had done their job, known their place, we'd all be fine right now!
I think they’re seeing how far they can take this. Basically spitting in our face.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by AnabolicG82

Why did they have to make the ambient lighting shit?
The pre-Lci had a beautiful design. They just had to mess it up. If they had done their job, known their place, we'd all be fine right now!
I think they’re seeing how far they can take this. Basically spitting in our face.

It grows on you

[MissVito]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

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

Wowza, is that tie-dye? Groovy man, like, Shagadelic baby, lol

[mscot]

I am hoping for someone to figure out how to unplug it.

[1230vani]

I wrote earlier on this forum l (few months ago) that I would want to change it to M instead of X5 like on the M60i/X5M. I really tried with the dealer and they dont know wheter it ls just the trim or the whole light setup inside. So I gave up, for now

[BeEmVee]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

It grows on you

I actually think it kind of does too. At first I didn’t like the design, but now I do appreciate how the <<>> goes with the headlight design and gives some nice ambient intensity.