Chris Bangle's Ideas - Creative? or too dramatic

[ThePentiumGuy]

Hey guys, I haven't seen a post here in quite a while... heh. so here goes my random thought:

 

As some of you probably know, the new BMW's are undergoing some MAJOR facelifts... ever since the company hired Chris Bangle.

 

It started with the flagship 7..

The 1999 7 Series (E38), as some of you may remember looks like this:

http://auto.r52.ru/pics/1077260436461697.jpg

http://paperlined.org/cars/pictures/comparo/bmw_740_rear.jpg

 

Heh.. and the new one:

http://wallpapers.jbcarpages.com/BMW/7series/Paper1/800.php

 

The Z3:

http://www.bmwstart.jp/buyers/pict/Z3-roadster-04.JPG

 

The Z4:

http://lapcr.com/Z4-01.jpg

 

2002 5 series series:

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/years/2003/540i.jpg

 

NEW 5 series:

http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/5er/10157_1024.jpg

 

Old 3 series:

http://www.bmw.com.gr/common/images/downl

oads/3_Series_sedan_download_11.jpg

 

New 3:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/futurevehicles/new3/

 

BMW's usually have the traditional look to them... ya know? They're usualy more serious and more professional looking.

 

I think BMW is going towards a trend called futurism. I mean look at these cars: Angular, "Modernized" (for those of you who beleived that BMW had a dated look, and more 'civil' heh.. except the 5.. DAMN that car looks sweet.. so menacing...

 

Well, the BMW traditionalists have put up a CRAPLOAD of partitions out there saying "FIRE CHRIS BANGLE" ... Some people beleive that "The german cars are starting to look like Japaneese cars :O" my question to YOU is:

 

Do you think BMW should continue with this futuristic/modernized trend? Or should they maintain their traditional looks.

 

My opinion is that their NEW cars look so much better ;D! I wish we had enough money for the 5... :'(. BMW shoudl continue with this trend to 'keep up'. German cars are usually known for their stern, muscular stances... I mean.. shtz - take a look at the ML350(http://car.nifty.com/picture/car/tms2003/benz/ml350/m/3.jpg).. MAN that thing looks dated.

 

I think it's about time that the germans, with their great athleticsm, have updated their styling :D! I still like the old BMW stylings.. but hey - at least the NEW one, you can tell the diff between a 3, a 5, and a 7.

 

Oh, and by the way - if the germans *are* moving towards a modern trend... please try not to keep the cd changer in the glovebox...!! that would help too.

 

-The Pentium Guy

 

EDIT: I just HAD to show you guys this pic from the 5.. http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/uploads/post-15-1083298281.jpg .. Wow.. GOD GIVE ME MONEY!!!

Edited November 9, 2004 by ThePentiumGuy

[Derek Stone]

Simply put, I think they look like crap.

[ThePentiumGuy]

The new or the old ones? Or both :P. I know lots of people who simply detest BMW's.

 

I used to hate BMW about 3 months ago ... "They look ****ty.. and they're overpriced" I used to say.

 

One of my friends (this kid's rich) bought a 325i (.. a new car at age 16! Jeez) happened to convince me otherwise by talking about the way they handle and stuff. Blah.. If only I could drive.

 

Somehow .. I hate the Acura TL which I really praised 3 months ago and i'm now obsessed with BMW's (Not because of what he said.. just by researching about them and stuff.. there's a lot of "behind the scenes" stuff goin on with BMW's.... it's a good all-around car, imo). I love what they've done with the new styling.

 

Heh, I'm gonna somehow convince my dad to get us one... somehow. I convinced him to drive the new 5. he said it was great until the dealer talked to him about the price.. you could see the smile just... DROP. Hah - crap. I guess as time goes on ... we'll get more money ;).

 

Here's what they say.. "Drive a bimmer and you'll wish you never had 'that other car' " or something like that. So yeah, if you ever get a chance to drive one, go ahead ;P... somehow I have a feeling (again, i don't know first-hand) that you'll like em.

 

-The Pentium Guy

[Nerseus]

Here's my take:

Had a '78 Chevette, thought it was the best car ever. Totalled it.

Got a '74 Buick Lesabre, thought it was the best car ever. It threw a rod.

Got a '75 Buick Lesabre, thought it was the best car ever. It threw a rod.

Got a '78 (I think) AMC Eagle - it was junk, but I loved it (drove it through 3 feet of water for 200 yards). After the 3rd clutch replacement, I junked it.

Drove my parent's car for awhile and loved it, totalled it one day (finally, not my fault!)

Bought my first new car: '95 Dodge Neon (first year Neon was made). thought it was the best car ever. It broke a lot while under warranty, eventually sold it.

Bought my next new car - 2001 Honda Civic. Still driving it. Thought it was the best car ever until I drove my wife's 2004 Accord.

Thought that car was great til I drove my boss's Acura.

 

There will always be something better - whether looks or not. The cost generally goes up for the extra features, though. At some point you have to make a decision.

 

I'm sure a BMW is a great car - made well and handles well. If you can afford $32,000 for an entry level car, you've got more money than me. If you want to spend another 5 to 10 grand, go mercedes or jaguar. More money? I'm sure there are better cars available...

 

What's the point? As usual, I have none that I can think of. Just Random Thoughts after all :)

 

-ner

[samsmithnz]

I like the older style better too. The new style isn't bad, its just not as good as the older style.

[Jay1b]

Isnt this irrelevent now?

 

They 'promoted' him to a position out of design :D

 

Personally i think they seem to either do a nice front on a car or a nice rear. IE: the Z4 looks great from behind but the front is absolutely disgusting!

[ThePentiumGuy]

Isnt this irrelevent now?

 

They 'promoted' him to a position out of design :D

Heh... DOH :P I didn't know that. Let's hope that all of a sudden they don't change their looks back to their old looks... it should be somewhat of a gradual change if they wish for that to happen lol.

 

Meh, I gotta agree about the Z4.... The back looks razor sharp but the front looks butt-ugly. The 5 series from the front or the back look great, but from the side it looks too much like a luxury car or something. The 7 series looks good the same way too, but from the side... eh.. the back lights DONT fit the trunk (same with the 6 series).. bulges out too much.

 

-The Pentium Guy