Opinion of Chris Bangle's design direction with BMW...........

[kizdan]

How do you like his styling?

[FriscoRays]

Hideous carbage (IMHO).

[Auraraptor]

Long time BMW fan, had at one time cars of different eras ranging from the 70s right on up.

Instead of buying the replacement to my 750 (the 760...I tried, as there was a nice one nearby, just could not get myself), I bought a Merc. Sad, I would have NEVER thought something like that was possible in 2001.

[Auraraptor]

I should add that despite their visual woes, they still drive better then anything else. That much is still there at least.

[BMW.SauberF1Team]

I'm neutral towards them. I don't think they're hideous, but they're far from pretty. When I see one, I just go "meh." FYI, the E38 still turns my head everytime. The E65 does not and will not.

[Mbutner]

I still think the older body 5 series is one of the most beatiful "normal" cars ever made. The stance, lines, and proportions are just wonderful. The new 5's while "fresh" do not hold a candle to the old.

[bimmer32five]

Like I said on the M6 thread...polling on a ferrari board isn't accurate. A lot of the older members prefer the styling of the older models. They grew up with them and prefer them. I (29 yrs. old) don't care for the older model designs and prefer the '95 and up designs.
If you want to get another non-accurate polling result...post it on a bmw forum.

[FriscoRays]

Originally Posted by bimmer32five

...polling on a ferrari board isn't accurate.

I think that this Board, and in particular this section of the forum, attracts a pretty representative cross section of car enthusiasts and not just Ferrari fanatics.

For example, there is this thread where Ferrari was ranked behind several other vehicles from a styling perspective:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...light=db9+poll


As such, I think the poll outcome can be viewed as generally valid, unless members from BMW sites start stuffing the ballot box. I think the only hope of getting a positive response to Bangle styling is to go to sites devoted to BMW enthusiasts (and even then the outcome is far from certain unless the voting is limited to actual owners of the cars in question). Just because the cars are selling well does not make Bangle styling a success.

[bimmer32five]

If the cars are selling well...if bmw can't even keep some in stock...then yes i say bangle's design is a success.

Bangle designed the rolls phantom also but didn't put his name on it fearing the b.s. outlash that is current with bmw.

[FriscoRays]

Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords sell loads and loads as well. Is the styling of these cars successful? To a businessman, absolutely. To a fan of beautiful cars, absolutely not (again IMHO).

[bimmer32five]

beautiful cars is subjective also. Buyers of accord and camry aren't in the same league as bmw. Those buyers are looking for a dependable, reliable mode of transportation. bmw is selling high end cars where beauty is more important since it's got so many competitors. I don't think bmw is losing buyers because of bangle's designs.

[Martin H]

Chris Bangle has design direction?

[DMC]

Adrian van Hooydonk took over styling for BMW automobiles in 2004. He styled the current 6- and 7- series. IIRC, Z4 and 5- series were more Bangle designs.

That said, the new 3 looks good, and spy shots and renderings of the next 7 look good to me, too. I think things have improved since Bangle got booted upstairs (Director of Design for BMW Group)

Ian Cameron designed the Roller. Bangle's name will be attached to it only because he's Director.

Now, if they would only scrap i-Drive and start over...

[parkerfe]

The Bangle designed Bimmers are the best since the iconic 2002 IMHO...In fact, a lot of other marques are now copying it with their cars...especially Japanese and Korean brands...

[bimmer32five]

I read somewhere that bangle designed the rolls. I think it was in Roundel. I'm talking about the current phantom.

[kizdan]

Originally Posted by bimmer32five

Like I said on the M6 thread...polling on a ferrari board isn't accurate. A lot of the older members prefer the styling of the older models. They grew up with them and prefer them. I (29 yrs. old) don't care for the older model designs and prefer the '95 and up designs.
If you want to get another non-accurate polling result...post it on a bmw forum.

How is this not accurate? You are stating your opinion as to why you feel it wouldn't be accurate..............you have any proof to back up what you are saying?

I think you know the styling will get slammed, and already have an excuse in hand.

[kizdan]

Originally Posted by Martin H

Chris Bangle has design direction?

LMAO

[bimmer32five]

Originally Posted by kizdan

How is this not accurate? You are stating your opinion as to why you feel it wouldn't be accurate..............you have any proof to back up what you are saying?

I think you know the styling will get slammed, and already have an excuse in hand.

Here's an example: I'm not a big fan of old car design 60's, 70's etc... because I didn't grow up with those designs. I prefer the newer styles. I read my roundel magazine and all these people complain about bangle designs and how they love their e30s and e28's etc.... I think think in general ferrari owners are older and prefer those older styles. Sure there are exceptions but not for the most part.

I know the styling will get slammed on here...but I love it...and i'll be replacing my E46 with an E92.

[DMC]

Originally Posted by bimmer32five

I read somewhere that bangle designed the rolls. I think it was in Roundel. I'm talking about the current phantom.

Bangle "supervised" the design of the Phantom, within his duties as Director of Design for BMW group. Everything I've read credits Marek Djordjevic as designer of the Phantom. He's since left BMW/Rolls-Royce and started his own studio.

I was wrong on Ian Cameron, he's current head designer for Rolls-Royce. His name stuck in my head, much easier to remember than "Marek Djordjevic".

[BoulderFCar]

Originally Posted by Auraraptor

I should add that despite their visual woes, they still drive better then anything else. That much is still there at least.

I agree. I've had a 745 for a couple of years and I'm still amazed how nimble the car is for a big sled. Much younger and more agile than the big body Benz including the S550. I was so so on the looks when I bought it but the S500 just felt like an old mans sled at the time. The more I drive the car the more the looks grow on me.

I'm in the middle of my first long road trip with it. I was rocketing across the Utah desert. VIrtually no change in feel or noise between 100 and 130. Crazy smooth and steady.