Now that you've seen the new 7-series is it a STUD or a DUD?

Looks a lot better, flows better, the rear doesn't look as objectionable. On the road I think it will look much better that before.

Looks a lot better, flows better, the rear doesn't look as objectionable. On the road I think it will look much better that before.

Looks a lot better, flows better, the rear doesn't look as objectionable. On the road I think it will look much better that before.

The original version was insultingly bad. I saw it and rejected it instantly. No matter how well it drove, it was too ugly. I-drive contributed its share as well. The message that I received was "We are BMW and you will buy whatever we decide that you should buy."

Unfortunately, Audi came out with a great car that looked good, drove well and had a better electronic interface (not to mention a nicer interior.) So that was that for me.

The new 7-series is blander but not particularly attractive. The pointy back ends of the headlight covers are dumb-looking and the egregious rear end is still, well, egregious. The car is certainly improved but hardly competitive.

Only slightly less ugly... The new Benz will finally send the BMW Board in search of a much needed replacemant for Mr. Bangle...

Only slightly less distasteful... The new Benz will finally send the BMW Board in frantic search for a Bangle (the Mangle) replacemant.

Only slightly less distasteful... The new Benz will send the BMW Board in frantic search for a long overdue replacemant for Bangle (the Mangle).

You keep repeating that the 7 series is terrible and that people aren't buying it.
Actually the opposite is true. It is very successful.
You also keep repeating that the car will be "cleaned up", or "updated." Well, the changes are very superficial and the essential character and appearance of the car has been kept.
I liked it before and I like it now.

It still a dud, though a less ugly one. The trunk still looks like it was an accidental attachment from another car, though the lid's lights are less dissonant than before. At the front, we see that Dame Edna has a new pair of glasses.

BMW is learning the error of its ways by backing away from the Flame Surface styling language. They just haven't backed away nearly far enough yet. Hopefully, by the time the next 7 series rolls out, "Flame Surface" will just be a bad, distant memory, like "Edsel" or "Titanic."

It still a dud, though a less ugly one. The trunk still looks like it was an accidental attachment from another car, though the lid's lights are less dissonant than before. At the front, we see that Dame Edna has a new pair of glasses.

BMW is learning the error of its ways by backing away from the Flame Surface styling language. They just haven't backed away nearly far enough yet. Hopefully, by the time the next 7 series rolls out, "Flame Surface" will just be a bad, distant memory, like "Edsel" or "Titanic."

good improvement on the front, but the back...hmmm....I like the original back.

Could it be that BMW has been the one stealing all of Chrysler's designers away from Dieter?

Definite improvement. Moving in the right direction.

BIG time stud this one! No problem picking it out in a parking lot. Too many "designs" look like the next one