Has BMW's styling gone to the toilet?

Is this a question? Bungle. Enough said.

Agreed that E39 5 series (m5) was tops. E36 was also brilliant, and E52 will live on forever.

--Dan

 

The E39 was beautiful. The rear of the upcoming 3 series (E90) looks a little bland, but I think the rest is ok (will be able to better judge in person). The thing is, the driving feel and suspension are top notch, but the deisgn is a real barrier. If I were in the market for a sedan around $60k, the 545i would not be my first choice based on its looks and I-drive's control of interior systems. I like the 7 series a little better.

 

Every car Bangle and his boys put out has an emaciated look with more than a touch of weirdness. Definitely an acquired taste which I have no intention of acquiring.

 

In other breaking news.... the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor

 

The new M4 that's suppose to be coming out doesn't look too bad. The Current M3 is nice too.

 

hahaha my thoughts exactly!

BMW=Badly Mangled Wreck The latest designs from bangle are horrible! The worst is the 645...yuck! I wanna puke every time I see the back end of that thing.

 

Updated 7 series: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=134687029#post134687029

 

Man Lands on Moon!!!!

 

Man discovers fire

 

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No Bangle is great, financial limitations and boardroom executives hamper the development of the cars. The fiat coupe is a good example of what he can do when given more leeway; http://img.yezzzcar.be/fi25555.jpeg
http://www.movit.de/images/fiaco01.jpg
http://www.movit.de/images/fiasal.jpg

 

It looks to me that he should have all his leeways taken away from him and locked in a vault 3 miles under the ground.

 

I think it stands for Bangle's Mangled Work

I am a true BMW fan, and I have a 2000 328i, but the hideous Bangle styling immediately drove me to Mercedes when I started looking for a larger sedan. Didn't even think BMW; couldn't stand the thought of looking at that car in the garage first thing every morning.

 

No matter what I - U - We think of the styling


it is working for them

BMW GROUP SHATTERS ALL PAST ANNUAL SALES RECORDS

01/04/2005


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BMW brand records best month ever


Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 4, 2005... The BMW Group (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported robust sales for 2004, breaking past annual sales records for both brands, to record a total of 296,111 vehicles, an increase of 7 percent over the 276,869 in 2003. The Group also reported record December sales of 29,292 vehicles, up 18 percent over the 24,915 vehicles sold in the same month in 2003, for an all-time monthly sales record.

BMW Brand Sales
BMW reported sales of 25,482 automobiles and Sports Activity Vehicles, up 22 percent compared to the 20,910 vehicles reported the same month last year, making it the best month ever in retail sales history.

Annual sales of BMW brand vehicles were up 8 percent, to 260,079 vehicles compared to 240,859 vehicles sold last year.

BMW Automobile Sales
BMW's monthly automobile sales were up 17 percent, to 18,762 versus 16,054 in December 2003. For the month of December, sales were down 5 percent, to 190,250 automobiles compared to 200,144 sold in the same period in 2003.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles increased 38 percent in December, with sales of 6,720 vehicles compared to 4,856 vehicles sold in the final month of 2003. Year-to-date, sales of BMW's SAV models were up 72 percent, to 69,829 vehicles compared to 40,715 for 2003.

 

What's that saying ... "There's a sucker..." and "A Fool and His money are ..."
Guess they're true after all.

 

I don't understand it. Every car guy I've talked to has hated the general BMW styling (I personally love the M5, maybe I've been blinded by the V10) yet I see them everywhere. DONT BUY THESE CARS YOU DUMB PEOPLE! BUY A SCION TC!

 

Interesting. I read in the WSJ last week that 7 series and 5 series sales were way down with the new body styles, around 20% as I recall. Not sure exact #, but it was a big drop compared to previous body style. So maybe not 2004 vs 2003 rather maybe 2004 vs 2002 statistics they reported.

 

BMW will never officially admit defeat. When the new 7 came out, BMW said it was breaking all sales records. However, they failed to mention that a great majority of those sold (to break those records,incidentally) sat on the back lots of dealers awaiting arbitration/buyback proceedings. I've owned 2 BMW's. A '95 525 and my current '01 530i Sport. I LOVE my '01, but the warranty is almost up, so away it goes and a CTS-V takes it's space! And don't worry, regardless of what BMW endorsed propaganda you read, the new style haters are NOT the minority. I would love to know the % of new 7 and new 5 owners who have never owned a BMW before those. Pretty low % I'd think. Probably the same people who would buy a 360 and have absolutely no idea who this guy Enzo that everybody talks about was.

Dave

 

I believe you are correct as far as new body sales. The X3 is helping them out. Take out the sales of the SUVs and it's a whole new ballgame. I wonder how MINI and Rolls are doing for them.

 

I dont know what they were thinking when they designed the rear of the new 5 and 7 series. Does anyone honestly think the decklid looks good with those strange contours on the side near the tail lights? I dont know what they are called but im sure everyone knows what i'm talking about.

 

A little know fact is that Bangle has been with BMW since 92. He is responsible for one of the most beautiful pieces of metal ever, the Z8. I don't really understand this whole flame surfacing concept, to me it seems like they are too caught up in the details and are missing the big picture. There are parts to all the new designs I like, but when it's all put together it gets very cluttered and busy. A beautiful car doesn't force you to work at understanding it, it hits you like a punch in the mouth.

 

I'm with you. 110%

 

Amen brother! The guys at their design center are smoking some bad stuff...

I like what Audi is doing in the styling and the engineering arena for the same class of cars.

Brad

 

Including the Nuvolari grill? I'm having a very hard time with that.