The one addition BMW should make to every 'Sport' and 'M' version vehicles

Trying to improve the ultimate driving machine is about as easy as improving an iconic pizza brand.

Many have tried and failed but every once in a while someone redifines the icon...like Mozza in Hollywood (Try the Speck and Arulula Pizza...WOW!).

But mess with success the wrong way and you get burned...just look at the outrage that surrounded this generation's 7-Series design.

If you're going to radically change something, it better be done right.

BMW can tell us anything they want about how sales of the 7 are up with this generation car, but we say if it would have been gorgeous (Let's say, like the CS concept), sales would have tripled.

It was different, but not GOOD different.

The car is great (What BMW isn't?) but the design mistakes took the luster out of the shine for us.

It's always safer to gently refine...take the 335 Coupe as an example.

Just GORGEOUS.

The best looking BMW for sure...Instant classic.

So my suggestion to improve the ultimate driving machine is minimal, but interesting and tasteful.

An enhancement and an improvement on a classic design.

So what is my suggestion?

When I saw the photos of the BMW Tii Concept, my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw the hot gauge technique with the contrasting colored dials and the larger numbers on the tachometer.

HOT!

I say, make all the sport version and M cars with that gauge style.

It's not only tasteful and good looking but functional as well.

The outside of BMW's may say 'Sport' with the sport package but inside, they don't say it loud enough for us.

Plus, it's a great differentiator from the competitors products and your friends BMW.

Do you all agree with me?

lexusis350 - 11/18/2007 1:28:59 PM

+3 Boost

I think the stock 1-Series looks better. That's just my opinion.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/18/2007 1:43:25 PM

+1 Boost

I agree, I don't understand all the hoopla surrounding this concept. It's a bit aftermarket-looking.

Agent001 - 11/18/2007 1:46:51 PM

+1 Boost

Did you even read what the article was about?

001

S4cabriofoxone - 11/18/2007 11:20:25 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, but that's totally unimportant compared to the overall design of the car.

daytonaviolet - 11/18/2007 1:59:02 PM

+3 Boost

I completely agree. The guages are a great touch that could carry over to the M cars and not look like an aftermarket addition.

Threepoint1415926 - 11/18/2007 10:09:54 PM

0 Boost

Good call! For us BMW Motorrad folks, these gages look like they're suppose to be there ala K1200S.

BMW995 - 11/18/2007 2:25:21 PM

0 Boost

Fabulous concept!
But is there anyway that 250 lbs. could be removed from this little porker to make it the no. 1 sports sedan in the universe?

mscottc1 - 11/18/2007 3:19:13 PM

+2 Boost

not only can it be done, it's GOING to be done & sold. Sooner than we think! I hear from a very reliable source that the tii is a GO for US production. (and I know you meant to say COUPE, right?) :)

Bill - 11/18/2007 3:11:59 PM

+3 Boost

BMWs looks so good in white. I think that should be the official BMW product color. They look stunning in them.

Agent004 - 11/18/2007 4:46:50 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed, one of the few cars that can pull it off. Even after Labor Day.

mscottc1 - 11/18/2007 3:15:09 PM

+1 Boost

001, you are exactly right, but I say make the guages and other interior tweaks part of an available ZHP-like package across the line. Imagine a 535d with a "ZHP" type package! Or even an X5 4.8, or any of the others-- it worked in limited numbers before on the 330's of 04-05 vintage (& 06 cp/cv) & those ZHP cars are very sought after now.

Agent001 - 11/18/2007 3:26:26 PM

0 Boost

Or call it a special edition performance package and throw in alcantara interior/steering wheel!

001

Chip - 11/18/2007 7:39:46 PM

+2 Boost

NO!!!!

001 my 2004 330i ZHP had an alcantara wheel and after wearing out 3 times before 30,000 miles, my dealer finally put on a nappa leather wrapped M wheel. The alcantara wheels look and feel great....but cars that have them are usually very fast and make your palms sweat......and sweat and suede dont mix.

Lyall - 11/18/2007 3:59:43 PM

0 Boost

Agent 001: Why on earth would you want us ALL to agree with you- as indeed you ask above- in so many words? Are you insecure or something?
What if I think the above plan qualifies as a horse butt-wipe?
As for the car itself- I do like the carbon fiber hood but that doesn't mean that I DEMAND everybody likes it, just because I'm the site's moderator.

Agent001 - 11/18/2007 4:30:33 PM

+2 Boost

Who is demanding?

I'm just asking...

001

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 11/18/2007 4:20:09 PM

+1 Boost

"When I saw the photos of the BMW Tii Concept, my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw the hot gauge technique with the contrasting colored dials and the larger numbers on the tachometer.

HOT!

I say, make all the sport version and M cars with that gauge style."

What a simple taste.. seriously.

and DON'T delete my post!

Agent001 - 11/18/2007 4:31:07 PM

+2 Boost

Your info was wrong that is why it was deleted

001

investor27 - 11/18/2007 4:28:18 PM

+1 Boost

Well! If it is coming to the US soon (as in March or April 2008), then the car will probably be debut at the Detroit Auto Show or the Chicago Auto Show at the latest.

britbox - 11/18/2007 5:36:19 PM

+2 Boost

i agree, a small interior change to make it different from the standard models would be good.

Chip - 11/18/2007 7:34:54 PM

+1 Boost

Kind of off topic a bit, but here's my take on a new type of Sport Package for current BMW's. I agree 001, I like those gauges.

1) Thicker steering wheels (sport on my 335i is way too slim)
2) LSD (I mean come on now!!!!) my old 330 ZHP had a LSD and man what a difference it made)
3) Bigger wheels (18's arent cutting it these days)
4) Different gauges and shifter trim
5) Black Alcantara interior roof lining
6) Rear lip spoiler
7) Special interior trim choices (Piano Black, Carbon etc)

If BMW had a sport package consisting of these items and it cost....oh I dont know....$3,000.....I would gladly pay it.

What they really should do is bring "BMW Individual" over to the USA. They would make a fortune.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/18/2007 11:21:57 PM

0 Boost

But you can't make it too good, or it will leapfrog a possible "M" variant of the car in question.

AE86 - 11/21/2007 4:47:51 PM

+1 Boost

LSD's should be standard on ALL US BMW models. I don't want to hear about any of this, computer simulated LSD with braking garbage that is on the 135i.

AE86 - 11/21/2007 4:48:25 PM

+1 Boost

Too Good? For near $50k for a 335i, I damn well should be receiving a mechanical LSD.

chewy - 11/18/2007 8:17:48 PM

+3 Boost

those gauges don't make the 1 series any better

look silly imo

BMWM - 11/18/2007 11:23:20 PM

0 Boost

They may be cool but, NO! BMWs aren't supposed to look like rice rockets!

r15mohd - 11/19/2007 9:17:31 AM

+1 Boost

i'd prefer leather dash and steering wheel. after a few months in the sun the material begins to fade very quickly.

the seats should be a mix of leather and alacantra, as they appear now...but the seat design should be changed. maybe something like the e36 m3 coupe seats. those were some of the most impressive seats i've sat in from a production vehicle.

M3E92chick - 11/19/2007 1:33:15 PM

+1 Boost

change it to leather and i'll buy it!!
it's true, the BMW's are one of few cars tht can pull of white and look absolutely stunning.......

SpeedfreakJoe - 11/22/2007 2:10:58 AM

+1 Boost

mmmm well there's some people that don't like this kind of funky style! It's meant to be like that to attract young people! and that's what BMW did! this car attracted pretty much all the youngsters out there!