What could BMW do to catch Audi for best interiors in the mainstream luxury world?

Germannut seems to be obssessed with Audi interiors...

I think BMW has its own style it likes to focus on. They have a big group of die hard fans that like that kind of design. Personally i like some flash in the car, less plastics, and some race inspired designs. ( MY COMMENT EXCLUDES THE M SERIES BMW’s )

I don't own a BMW, but I've test driven a recent 530i and the interior doesn't seem that bad. One of the reasons I think BMW interiors don't seem that high end is because BMW puts where most of the buttons and knobs would be ALL into a single I-Drive system. If there were no I-Drive, all the extra buttons and knobs would make the dash area higher tech looking. If they could improve one area, just use much higher quality plastics than what they are using now. (The cup holders are truly flimsy for a car of that price.)

I'm not obssesed BMW530i. Incase you haven't noticed by bringing up suggestions about what BMW should do to their interiors, I'm making BMW a better company.

We know the driving dynamics are there. The interiors have never been what you would call class leading.

Yes, the modern design is unique to BMW, unfortunately the substance is not there.

If BMW was to fix their interiors and bring them up to the level of Audi they would have as close to the "perfect" car as possible,

The driving dynamics would consistently be the best in class. The interiors would be the best in class and there would be absolutely nothing left for buyers to desire.

Sporty driving dynamics, incredible interior and balance....what BMW could be ONE day if they ever decided to borrow some ideas from Audi for their interiors.

what do you want BMW to copy Audi. Here is the thing if BMW copies Audi then every BMW fan on this site will complain right? I think that if BMW is to improve its interior it should focus on coming with a completely new layout so they can set a standard. BMW is in the position to innovate not replicate. Same thing with other luxury brands - you have to have your own style to it. Something that sets you apart you know.

BMW DOESNT PLAY "catch-up" with ANYONE. THEY LEAD and create their own path. Anyone disagree?

who cares, this is such a nonsense topic.

Why do we need several articles on the same exact topic????
We've already discussed this, and actually, I think BMW interiors are on par with Audi.

Wow Nut couldnt find any other category in which audi is good, so he keeps praising their interior. Whatta bias loser.

how about return of the chrome inside door handles, fewer useless sharp edges, remove that tumor of an air bag from the steering wheel, door nets on the X3 are so ghetto, i prefer buttons to knobs as well, the seats, especially the premium ones are hideous too, dinky window nets in the back windows that i can never stop the passengers to screw with them, etc, etc.

RefuG, Logical, BMW530i when I get the 335 would like me to end all support of all Audi?

I personally feel that Audi interiors are highly overrated. And yes, Ive owned 2 Audis and their interiors werent enough for me to come back and purchase another.

I much prefer a BMW or BENZ interior to an Audi interior which IMO is way way too similar to a VW product.

To me, sitting in an Audi feels much like sitting in a high end VW.

I think BMW and AUDI both have semi-solid looking interiors. They guage more toward the current modern look. Where-as Mercedes-Benz focuses more on CLASSIC MODERN interiors which in my opinion and i'm (24 years old) is superior to the rest.

GermanNut-

You forgot something key here. Starting next year, with the introduction of the new A4, Audi will no longer have dynamics that are below BMW's level. With their new, balanced modular platforms, DSG transmissions throughout the lineup for faster and more efficient cars, and rear-biased AWD on all of them, combined with their beautiful craftsmanship, Audi will be a force to be reckoned with. The next year, the new A8 will give the competition (especially the new S-Class) a run for their money (the '08 7 Series will, too, I'm sure), with a more powerful FSI V8 and the aforementioned modular platform system to complement its already godly interior.

After spending a lot of time in BMWs recently, I have one comment. Put function over form. In many small areas, BMWs sense of "style" takes precedence over practicality.

The window / mirror controls on the new 3's are just a bit beyond most people's noirmal reach because they sloped the armrest down. Why?

Their cup holders, when their cars even have any at all, are absurd and frankly disgraceful. The block controls, block airflow from the dash vents and endanger knees.

The center arm rest storage in the new 5 series is just plain dangerous to use unless you're parked.

If BMW diverted just a teeny weeny bit of their focus from trying to look different to getting a few basic functions right, they'd avoid my ire and probably that of others too!

I own a 2002 BMW 330 ci and I must say the interior is quite stunning I think. I am going to break it down and tell you what my 2002 has that the new BMW's don't (this is where I feel they went wrong)
First of all....the dashboard on the older BMW's are geared toward the driver -- quite literally. They used to angle everything toward the driver and this made things much sexier and enjoyable. You feel like you are in a cockpit. Second -- the window buttons used to be in the center console as well...this was another wonderful feature because it is right by your right hand (where you either shift or rest your arm) and you never have to take your left hand off of the steering wheel to put the windows down -- and again...it just feels cooler -- more pilot like.
Third -- the arm rests on the doors were beautiful. Wood with a leather pad on top of it -- making it look like hand made. Also, the leather itself on the doors was sculpted and moulded. In order to make a nice interior, BMW needs to think about the driver more. BMW drivers like to drive and they like to drive fast -- bring back the cockpit vibe. Angle the interior around the driver. Also, the current dashboard is too hard and straight, soften and curve it....if anyone has a chance to check out the older interior...I think you will catch my meaning.

also...the new cupholders are absolutely horrific and if there is any amt. of condensation drip down on the car....

Agent001,

Please get this website back to the way it was before, as we are starting to lose the plot.

There was a time when the articles you posted with your team were filled with quality content, now it just rubbish and our ego's dominating most of the time. We all seem to have become experts about cars, we forget these are just machines that come and go all the time.

1995e34-

You'd be surprised. There are plenty of cars that are leaps and bounds better than their predecessors. If you read any of my comment at all, you'd see how much effort Audi is putting into this "magic feel" thing. The new A4 will really be a killer package if it looks anything like the Roadjet and has a more 2008-ish, scaled-down A6 interior. With a 230hp 2.0TFSI and a 300hp 3.6FSI as the probable engines, it will be right up there with the competition again, and it will retain the charm of the last generation, unlike the 3 Series, which seems to be missing something. It's still a fabulous driver's car, but it lost a certain touch. It could be the interior. Like Ashul said, the old 3's interior was very nice.

Oh, and...

Magic Feel©, Will, autospies.com

BMW needs to pay close attention to small details in the inside of their cars. The materials they use, how everything looks, and the colors used. For example, the brushed aluminum trim offered for the 3-series could be replaced by a carbon-smooth aluminum, like what Audi uses. It looks nicer, and a lot more sophisticated. Plus, the wood that BMW uses for their trims are absoultely hedious! Coupled with the black leather upholestry and it looks like you're in a cave. Not very comfy.

Audi seems to have a better eye for materials and colors - the overall feeling of the interior, while BMW continues to focus more on lines and shapes. All the design in the world means nothing if you don't have quality, though.

Germannut you lucky to have a life where you can dream about audi interiors, all day. Maybe audi could do some kitchen cabinets, and furniture, hell maybe you have a audi warbrobe.

Put as much passion for the interior as they do for their handling.

Quality materials. Ditch the Chevy Cobalt plasitcs.

Pointless and irrelevant thread.

Maybe the heading should read: "How the integrity of Autospies was corrupted by a lonely man with no self-restraint"

lol "Matthew" said it, GermanNut your articles are getting old...

How many times are you going to post these articles boasting about Audi interiors. Right when I saw the articles headline I shook my head, and I knew you most likely submitted it to no surprise.

Get over it, not everybody loves Audi interiors like you do.

I don't understand how BMW can be so good at exterior design, but be so bad in their interiors. It seems as if they put 75% of their time on the exterior, handling, engine, etc., and 25% on interior design. Which is really unbalanced if you're trying to sell to sensible consumers. Audi is more 50/50, which I find to be better for the long run.

I own a 316i e46 my 2004, and i love the interior, it is very nice to touch the plastic because it is soft, Like Audis, but the 5 and 7 the e39 and the old 7 where that nice too. But the new BMWs and for that matter the new A6 does go one step back in quality, they use cheaper plastic, why? maybe they save some money, but i like the older interiors better.
The new X5 seems to be nice, but i have to sit in the car to judge it.

How many people want to look at black plastic all day. To please the senses, Nothing really beats a wood grain dash, camel leather and satin nickel for door handles and trim.
If you want black plastic, save some money an buy a vette.

Audi is about the finest interior available, can't beat the Gauge Package, it exudes precision and performance. Around here though, Audi is very expensive, and the road salt would ruin the car.

I like Audi, but for 40K+ I can get a Town Car L-Series(Long Wheel Base) with huge amounts of room in the rear seats for business clients with laptops. Plus I get a huge trunk which comes in handy picking people up at the airport. the Town Car has a V8 standard with enough horse power for me, more than a Toyota can give you. A V8 in any European car comes at a hefty premium.

M53R to the rescue :p

BMW interiors rnt only ment to b luxurious, but also sporty. Thats wat Audi lacks, sportiness. I sat in most new BMWs and i really like their interiors. + they r the most futuristic compared to the 20 year old audi interior.

GermanNut

how r u helping BMW like this?????????????????
ur wasting ur time man.

1995e34,
think about nissan. the 350z doesn't handle anything like a micra does it? i know different sizes and all, but still, oe generation can change a lot.

agree wid m53r

heres one idea,
park your bemmer next to a dodge neon. get out. get in the neon. try to stay in there as long as you can(i know its hard). then get back in the bemmer. then pull out ur razr (i know all bmw drivers have razrs, dont lie, its fact.) and call bmw to thank them and appologize for your doubt in the quality of their interior materials. shame on you. shame shame.

now to s4super, would u really like any car company to spend 50% of their enginering on just the interior of the car? then the other 50% for the engine, suspension, exterior, transmission, saftey, etc... that is rediculous. sure u have a nice interior but nobody would want to get inside to check it out cause the car would be such a pos. PRIORITY is the key here.

it sounds like every1 is cool with the leather, and most of the other materials cept the plastic, and its really just the positioning of countless options the car has. well... car companys do make changes to existing generations based on customer opinion. just let them know if u dont like it and they will change it. just like congress er.. something oh well stupid post for a stupid topic

I find the post rather ridiculous- it's more like what will a Great Dane have to do to be like a Labrador?
Neither Audi nor BMW should aspire to have one looking like the other, or any other car manufacturer.
Car makers like BMW and Audi have built their reputations and brand names based on their respective design and company philosophy, hence it is absolutely ridiculous to wish of one becoming more like the other. There are specific reasons as to why people buy BMW or Audi, and if there were no market base to support their respective approach, one of them would have gone out of business by now. Their overall fundamentals tend to suggest that both companies are growing with respect to 2005 business.

I like BMWs, but i have to admit their interiors suck compare to Audi.

I guess you can add those plastic cup holders on the dash area as part of those wonderful BMW interiors. Those look so cheap!. Then we had some bean counter decide it was better to add those terible run flat tires (RFT) instead of keeping the smaller spare.
I was (past tense) interested in byuing a new 2007 BMW 3 series. I stopped by my local dealer and ask the sales person about the RFT issues. She said BMW is aware and their dealer is offering another set of tires. In addition, after reading the numerous complaints on edmunds.com website, I decided as long as they keep those nasty RFTs on such a (previously) fun to drive vehicle, I will not buy it. I'm disappointed in them. Why didn't they just leave some excellent performing tires on here. This idea fits right up there with those cup holders.

Cup Holders should be made of Marble, because it is a good insulator to keep Coffee Hot, and drinks cold.

Run Flat tires belong on Soccer Mom vehicles, not on performance sedans. Most drivers of sophisticated cars know how to change a tire. Here is a better idea, offer a full size spare in the trunk like Lincoln. Wouldn't that make more sense? I like technology, but there are better places for it to be utilized. Tires are tires, you get a flat you get a new tire, end of story. That Full Size Spare will get you home from Vacation, back to work, shopping around town for the best deal on a tire, and then some. A donut spare will just get you into an accident. The easiest of things are always the hardest to see for some reason.

Help me decide:
Audi Q Vs Town Car

Thinking my next vehicle will be within the above choices.

Audi Pros:
-Great Resale
-Great Performance
-New Design
-Diesel Might be offered
-Stick or Auto on Floor

Audi Cons:
-V8, huge premium Only a V6 is offered at base price
-Parts: Expensive, Hard to obtain
-Service: Expensive
-Difficult to work on myself
-AWD=(More Maintenance)=(Short Tire Life)=(Gas Guzzler)
-Theft (watch which end of town you park this baby)
-Black Everywhere interior (I can get that on a Caviler at a fraction of the price)

Lincoln Pros:
-V8 Standard at no additional cost
-$12K-$15K Pricing Rebates
-Easy to Work On
-Parts: (Lincoln Parts)=(Ford Parts) (no markup, sweet)
-Quiet Ride
-Full Size Spare
-Wood Grain Dash, calming interior

Lincoln Cons:
-Resale, if you keep it for over 5 years it won’t matter
-Gas Engine Only
-Steering Column Shifter

Looking for a vehicle to drive colleges around in, pick clients up at the airport. Something that says "you have arrived." wile being slightly understated.