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Why the new BMW designs are the way they are


The debate has been raging since the introduction of the 7-series about why the BMW design is the way it is.

Are they crazy?

Why are the alienating thousands of buyers who think the new designs aren't what the doctor ordered?

Those and many other questions have been driving me nuts but I finally think I have the answer.

What is the biggest potential market for BMW over the next 10 years?

Is it the current crop of BMW traditionalists?

That answer is a flat NO.

The biggest market upside potential for BMW is China, Japan and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Hence, the decidedly 'Asian/contemporary' look of the new designs.

Just look at the rear of the next 3-series:




Maybe they're not so dumb after all...maybe it's all of us traditionalists that need an attitude adjustment?

We'd love to hear your opinion...



Comments:

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CGdeVasconcellosCGdeVasconcellos - 8/26/2004 8:34:15 PM
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Yes, the "traditionalists" need attitude adjustment. One magazine criticized it and attacked it and put the 5 next to last place in a test. I checked out the car to see how horrible it was, liked it very much and bought one.
BMW does not design cars for American journalists. They are clever people at BMW and sales are up.

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stecotstecot - 8/26/2004 8:48:40 PM
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The new 5's, 7's, 1's and now the 3's are UGLY, UGLY, UGLY. Hyunda, Kia, and even Suzuki are better looking. My '75 530i was much better looking than the new 5. Whatever Bangle is smoking is twisting his judgement.

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joemanjoeman - 8/26/2004 8:49:46 PM
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I was always a BMW guy. I was going to buy a 745 last year. I tried to get used to to the styling. Instead of growing on me I liked it less as time went on. I ordered a 2005 Audi A8L in June, picked it up last week and can only weeks and can only say wow! What a car. By far the best car I've ever owned. My only concern is what do I buy next. I don't think you can build a better car

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jhui88jhui88 - 8/26/2004 10:30:53 PM
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I love the current 3 and previous generation 5 and 7. They are the nicest built German cars around. I tried very hard to force myself to like the new 5 and 7, but they're just too weird to look at. There is no elegant in the style, no statement to say about the person that drives it. Instead the new 5 has eye-leash on the headlight (the real quarter is ok for me), while the 7 has big eye-brow and fat behind... I really miss last generation 7 series... elegant and drive superb. I'm sure these new cars drive nicely but I just can't image myself driving one.
And the worst part of course is the counter-intuitive I-Drive. It drives me crazy just seeing the salesman demoing it. Someone already said it, maybe BMW should ask Apple to create the next i-Drive. Apple builds many products that has the right user interface that's powerful but very intuitive and friendly.

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electraglide1electraglide1 - 8/27/2004 6:14:42 AM
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THIS COMPANY COMPLETLY LOST ME?? THE LINES, THE TRUNK THE BIG DOORS???

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Mike2727Mike2727 - 8/27/2004 6:59:22 AM
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Maybe they should give it an asian name too.

They can do whatever they want, but I am not bying not only because of the looks , but more due to the fact that they put to many gizmo's in while leaving the drivers card attitude out.

Active steering is a good (bad) example, try it and see what you like better with or without
I don't even want to start about I-Drive

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intenselyintensely - 8/27/2004 2:44:05 PM
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Styling is a strange thing, if the new cars were better performers in every way and if there were no I drive. I think folks would end up loving this new styling. But the interiors are not up the level of my 2001 5 series and the new sport suspensions are problematic and I am no technophobe and the i drive is really pointless.
Personal pet peeve since I live in rust belt midwest with lots of potholes,, we need sport suspensions with some sidewalls. 18 and 19 inch rims just dont work. even 17inch can be trouble.

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BobWBobW - 8/27/2004 3:03:20 PM
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I don't really like BMW's new look, the 7 looks great all the way back to the c-pillar. The 6 looks expensive, has presence but from some angles looks droopy nosed and too fat. The five is probably the best overall design of all, but when I see them on the road they just leave me cold. The Z4 is kind of goofy looking but has the most appeal to me, it's kind of compelling, it makes me look again. I think BMW is to be applauded, whether you like the flame look or not, for its boldness to break from tradition and make truly distintive designs that are instantly recognizable as BMW's.
And whether you like them or not, you're talking about them, and what other car company has engendered this much chatter about their cars in recent memory?
BW

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SteveSteve - 8/27/2004 7:19:06 PM
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001, you sound like you may have something there. BMW has been spinning this debacle as Bangle being mandated to change the company's image. Okay, but for what purpose? To alienate the BMW loyal in North America? Or maybe to gain notoriety because bad press is better than no press at all? Perhaps to lure a younger generation of North American prospective buyers (guys in their twenties who think the 5 looks "totally hot", but won't be able to afford one for another decade)? Or maybe change for the sake of change, y'know, different for different's sake rather than a decisive improvement? All of these are hard to swallow, but if BMW wants to appeal to Asian tastes in a potentially huge market, and they're okay with losing goodwill and mindshare in North America as part of that strategy, then it makes sense.

Being a guy with 3 (non-current) BMWs in his garage, and who used to love BMW's balance of purpose and style, I think I feel sick.

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SteveSteve - 8/27/2004 7:19:06 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
001, you sound like you may have something there. BMW has been spinning this debacle as Bangle being mandated to change the company's image. Okay, but for what purpose? To alienate the BMW loyal in North America? Or maybe to gain notoriety because bad press is better than no press at all? Perhaps to lure a younger generation of North American prospective buyers (guys in their twenties who think the 5 looks "totally hot", but won't be able to afford one for another decade)? Or maybe change for the sake of change, y'know, different for different's sake rather than a decisive improvement? All of these are hard to swallow, but if BMW wants to appeal to Asian tastes in a potentially huge market, and they're okay with losing goodwill and mindshare in North America as part of that strategy, then it makes sense.

Being a guy with 3 (non-current) BMWs in his garage, and who used to love BMW's balance of purpose and style, I think I feel sick.

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GregWinOregonGregWinOregon - 8/27/2004 7:50:26 PM
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As an architect, designer, and BMW enthusiast (I currently own a 2001 M3 Coupe) I like to think I am progressive in terms of design and t4echnology. I think Porsche has been entirely too safe and passive in the progression of the 911. However, the current direction of Bangle Design baffles me. All of the models coming out in the last couple years, and those on the imminent timetable, contain so many oddities and disjointed elements that it is beyond me how they can come from a major european maker.

The other disturbing aspect is layers of technology that are questionable in terms of the driving experience. I-Drive, of course, and also the latest smarter-than-you steering box, come to mind. I am witholding judgement on SMG. I have owned BMW since my first 2002 purchased new in 1976, belong to both BMWACA & CCA, and the next M3 was a foregone conclusion, but now I am very unsure.

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GregWinOregonGregWinOregon - 8/27/2004 7:50:26 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
As an architect, designer, and BMW enthusiast (I currently own a 2001 M3 Coupe) I like to think I am progressive in terms of design and t4echnology. I think Porsche has been entirely too safe and passive in the progression of the 911. However, the current direction of Bangle Design baffles me. All of the models coming out in the last couple years, and those on the imminent timetable, contain so many oddities and disjointed elements that it is beyond me how they can come from a major european maker.

The other disturbing aspect is layers of technology that are questionable in terms of the driving experience. I-Drive, of course, and also the latest smarter-than-you steering box, come to mind. I am witholding judgement on SMG. I have owned BMW since my first 2002 purchased new in 1976, belong to both BMWACA & CCA, and the next M3 was a foregone conclusion, but now I am very unsure.

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