DEBATE: BMW Design, Are They Back On Track?

DEBATE: BMW Design, Are They Back On Track?
Several years ago, to many beemer-philes, it seemed as though BMW was headed for the pits. Why? The designs were becoming more lackluster and the Bavarians were only ramping up the avante-garde look.

Interestingly enough, it did not seem to affect sales.

"Bangle-Butt" became a household term and daft interiors featuring the complicated first-generation iDrive confused users to the point of frustration. BMW Forums became a safe-haven for any new buyers, either to discuss how to work these new, complex systems or to talk about electrical nannies.

But one thing that seems to go a bit overlooked is the uniqueness of each model. The 7-Series, 5-Series, 6-Series and 3-Series cars could not be mistaken for each other. Not one bit. Each vehicle had its own unique stance and particular styling cues. Whether they were good looking or not remains up for discussion.

Now, as we can see from the photo **thanks to Michael Banovsky** it seems that BMW has returned to the good old fashion German philosophy, "same sausage, different size."

But is that so bad?

What do YOU think, spies? Let us know!



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GermanNutGermanNut - 11/24/2009 9:10:49 AM
-2 Boost
BMW is back to the same sausage, three different lengths design philosophy.

It is very apparent that the new 7-series, new 5-series, and current 3-series look more similar to each other than they ever did during the Bangle-era. This, however, is a good thing!


car750icar750i - 11/24/2009 10:53:16 AM
+6 Boost
Not to the same extent as Audi, Its hard to tell the diff between an any Audi when they are coming toward you. There are very little differences.

Hey nut did you see that lame new Audi holiday commercial where there whole selling point is the daytime lights. Couldn't stop laughing when i saw that.


M53RM53R - 11/24/2009 9:36:47 AM
+5 Boost
They clearly look similar, but you'd be an idiot to actually confuse any of them. It's not as bad as Audi with all their cars looking EXACTLY the same from the front... Oh and lately, even from the back.


Agent00RAgent00R - 11/24/2009 9:44:51 AM
0 Boost
To say that these BMW's look disparagingly different and then accuse Audi of looking "EXACTLY the same," is downright foolish.

Both companies carry cues throughout their entire line-up but do no cars look EXACTLY alike.


Agent00RAgent00R - 11/24/2009 9:45:44 AM
-1 Boost
**no two cars look EXACTLY alike


M53RM53R - 11/24/2009 11:22:10 AM
+5 Boost
You might think so, but just take a look at the A4, A5, and A6 from the rear to realise Audi didn't even bother change a thing about the tail lights. The BMWs look similar, that's right, but not to the Audi extreme. Compare them side by side and see for yourself.


JustaCarJustaCar - 11/24/2009 2:09:16 PM
+3 Boost
M53R - You are obviously very familiar with BMW's and can see the subtle differences in their similar designs. If you were to look closely at the Audi's you'll also see that their tail lights are similar but definitely not the same.


daydaydayday - 11/24/2009 5:37:48 PM
0 Boost
Justacar
Bmw's tail lights do look similar, but at least the shape and the proportion are all different.
Audi's tail lights are basically the same shape, same design but some angular and some rounded.


GermanNutGermanNut - 11/24/2009 10:33:16 AM
0 Boost
Agent00R, I never said that the BMW 3/5/7 or Audi A4/A6/A8 look EXACTLY alike - they don't. They do look similar enough to the point where you would think it's the same car, just tweaked ever so slightly.

It is very obvious that BMW is going back to its pre-Bangle same sausage, three different lengths design philosophy.


Agent00RAgent00R - 11/24/2009 10:58:56 AM
+2 Boost
I was ref to m53r, not you German.

I actually totally agree with your initial point.


spiritfilledspiritfilled - 11/24/2009 11:02:11 AM
+3 Boost
S,M,L (in reference to the article pics)

I'm loving them though. I might even like the new 5 GT after I see it in person.


0to600to60 - 11/24/2009 11:38:12 AM
-1 Boost
ZzzzzZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


pushrod27pushrod27 - 11/24/2009 4:19:44 PM
-4 Boost
... and yet you still bothered to log in and type that.


GermanNutGermanNut - 11/24/2009 11:51:12 AM
-3 Boost
I never said Audi didn't make all its cars look the same - it obviously does. BMW is clearly jumping on the same bandwagon with regards to its design philosophy.

You can tell the A4 apart from the A5 because on LED daytime-running equipped A4s the LEDs are in the curving shape whereas the A5 has the rounded strip of LEDs on the bottom of the headlight.

For some reasons all the publications are saying the new 5-series looks just like a smaller version of the 7-series, which it does to an extent, but I see more of a larger 3-series in the car than smaller 7-series.




SteveSteve - 11/24/2009 1:04:03 PM
+4 Boost
Guru Steve says: If you like it, and you can afford it, then get it. You don't have to broadcast how right you are, or how wrong the other guy is. Do what you believe is right, for *you*.

And so, some folks will say BMW is back on track. Some will say they've never been off track. Others will say they're still not on track. And what does it matter what others say?

Thought for the day: Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics -- Even if you win, you're still retarded.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 11/24/2009 4:20:37 PM
+5 Boost
lol. that's true.


agent507agent507 - 11/25/2009 1:01:07 AM
0 Boost
Uh Oh, I had a good lough at your comment. But not I feel somehow guilty ...

Back to the topic: My choice of your comments would be:

They've never been off the track, and are on spot at the moment with their current models. Love the new 5 (and the new 7).


thetruth01thetruth01 - 11/24/2009 5:50:24 PM
0 Boost
mmmm sausages. Actually I hate sausages, but boy am I gald that BMW seems to like them again. I applaud the return to tasteful design.


Dr550Dr550 - 11/24/2009 5:59:13 PM
-1 Boost
Now Toyota has a design to copy. Funny how current Camry looks like current 5.


EL34EL34 - 11/24/2009 9:37:31 PM
-2 Boost
BMW are looking good. Outstanding looking vehicles.

Have any of you seen that new 2011 Infiniti M?

Just looking at it hurts my neck!


BremboBrembo - 11/24/2009 9:55:52 PM
+1 Boost
Still have long overhang compare to bmw from the 90's.


JUGNUJUGNU - 11/25/2009 7:20:20 AM
0 Boost
I like the exterior of new 5 series design but it's surely very close to 3 series. It looks like enlarged 3 series especially both the head and tail lamps. Grille is 7 series. Also the Lexus-like black coloured stripes in the tail lamps are looking nice.

Multiple Black stripes in the tail lamps: I might be wrong but i have never seen this design cue before 2005 Lexus LX470 so i think Lexus was the first one and BMW followed with refresh 2008 BMW 5 series.

JUGNU


AnthonyAnthony - 11/25/2009 9:51:27 AM
0 Boost
The new 7-Series is the best-looking BMW in a while. I still don't know about the 5-Series. I just hope they make an elegant revised 6-Series with some of the flair that the new 7 has.


Yonder7Yonder7 - 11/25/2009 11:12:31 AM
+2 Boost
The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder....M3..nice; 7 series is Ugly; 3 series is ugly...5 series I'm not sure till I see it on the streets.


SpeedoholicSpeedoholic - 11/26/2009 10:06:50 AM
+1 Boost
The new 5 series' front-end looks like a sad pig, the back-end is seriously nice though. 7 Series is Ok, 3 Series is ugly. I still prefer the more aggressive designs from Audi.


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