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I'm in love...

2K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  cougarXR7 
#1 ·
#2 ·
I still don't like the Chris Bangle rear end treatments. There is something about the way the rear fenders, trunk lid and taillights come together which just seems awkward. Other than that I say: :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
#11 ·
Bangle is the head of BMW design and not necessarily the designer of these cars. J. Mays is VP of Design at Ford but he designed very few cars by himself. The decision to follow this new design direction came from the higher-ups at BMW, not from Bangle alone. From what, I've seen with the BMW 7-series and Z4, the finished product deviated quite a bit from the original designs that came out of the BMW studios. J. Mays is one of the fortunate few that do not have to deal with that crap. Nearly all the vehicles that Ford has come out with has been very true to the original concept and it is quite apparent that Ford tries hard to keep changes to a minimum (as did VAG when Mays was in charge there). The many people that are now criticizing Bangle were praising him for the previous 5-series and current Z8 and 3-series. :rolleyes:

Many people in N. America have only been familiar with BMW cars since the early 1990s. Previous BMWs were not that popular except among a select group of people. The current BMW design philosophy is consistant with BMW design history. BMW design always was off. BMW has been purposely breaking design rules to make their cars look more futuristic and distinctive since the first 328 made its debut at the Munich Olympics in 1936. BMWs have never been pretty cars. They have been traditionally awkward looking cars. In terms of beauty, a BMW 2002 is not pretty like a Ford Escort Mk1 or even a lowly Datsun 510... not even in the same league as the Alfa Romeo GTA, which is the car that the 2002 is compared to the most. The designs of the BMWs that came out in the late 80s and 1990s were ultra-conservative. Those cars are the ones that differ from traditional BMWs, not the new 'Bangled' cars.

328


328 Mille Miglia



502



700


2002



3.0 CSL 'Batmobile'


6-series


Not the prettiest cars nor are the designs technically sound, except perhaps for the 6-series 'Shark', which I consider the best looking BMW ever made. People are not supposed to lust for BMWs. People are supposed to be appreciative of BMW engineering. The excellent engine and chassis are the keys to the BMW automobile, not the design.
 
#14 ·
Fern,

I totally agree with you. The BMW's are now trying once again to stand out in the crowd. Most car manufacturers have been looking to BMW for a lot of design ques as of late. I am not surprised that they are taking there designs to the extreme, where it really takes someone to look for the subtle hints that make it look attractive to them. In the end, BMW is not about looks, it's about performance.

But I do really like the way this car looks... the subtle curves and the way things flow just really appeals to me... and I like the interior.
 
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