Ever wondered why recent BMWs look so unspeakably awful*?

[tones]

*IMHO, of course. I guess that, when you're inside one, you don't actually see the outside. You just have to park it nose-in, so that you never have to look at that part.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/why-bmw-design-will-stay-polarising-purpose

 

[Bob McC]

Life’s too short to give a toss.

 

[Seeker_UK]

Life’s too short to give a toss.

You could say that about most threads on PFM but here we are.

I think the new 4 series looks very good. The snouty Xs are a bit ostentatious in an 'appeal to the Chinese market' way.

 

[gintonic]

You could say that about most threads on PFM but here we are.

:thumbsup - it is the truth....

 

[Sue Pertwee-Tyr]

Life’s too short to give a toss.

My general experience is that if life's too short to care about something, it's often too short to tell other people how little I care about it too, unless they ask me directly.

 

[herb]

IMO BMW bike design peaked in the mid '80s with the now despised early K series, going cheap now. Great if you know what you are doing.

 

[PaulMB]

My feeling is that up to a point BMWs were designed by engineers, then, as everywhere, the "designers" and marketing people took over. I had a 1983 320i that was really built to last, and a 6 cylinder engine of 2000cc. No power steering (absolutely no need for it) and a delight to drive. Now have a 1999 528i, thankfully still with 6 cylinders. A bit overloaded with gadgets, but still a serious, solid machine.
Today you can't get a 6 cylinder engine unless you get one of the big, 400+ HP turbo models. All 4 or even 3 cylinders, some models are FWD. Almost impossible to get a simple manual gearbox. So another set of computers in the transmission.
I know all the propaganda about fuel economy, emissions. But I would just like 3 litres, RWD, 6 cylinders, manual gearbox, no turbo. Not available.
Oh, and the styling, especially inside, is all glitzy plastic brothel. And even the "leather upholstery" feels like plastic.
Anyone know what happened to leather?

 

[Nero]

I think these days, design has to stand out. It's not my cup of tea, but at least they are different. Otherwise, companies like Kia will just copy and do it cheaper. I can't tell the Sportage from most other SUVs

 

[julifriend]

They could be much worse, they could be Vauxhalls!

 

[tones]

I find it hard to imagine how the producer of some of the most breathlessly elegant designs ever could fall quite so low:

 

[eternumviti]

The rot began with Bangle.

 

[Seeker_UK]

I find it hard to imagine how the producer of some of the most breathlessly elegant designs ever could fall quite so low:

The new grill design of the new 4 series (and M3) is designed to invoke the vertical grilles of the CS and Neue Klasse models. Heritage, innit?

 

[Seeker_UK]

The rot began with Bangle.

Quite. The last good looking BMW was the E38. Bangle's Z4 design was OK but the rest were a bit s**t.

 

[Seeker_UK]

They could be much worse, they could be Vauxhalls!

Or Kia. Apparently the grille is supposed to look like a tiger baring its teeth.

I think it looks like Stephen Lewis

 

[cutting42]

I know all the propaganda about fuel economy, emissions. But I would just like 3 litres, RWD, 6 cylinders, manual gearbox, no turbo. Not available

The only possibility is that in the future when we are all driving electric commuter cars, there may be a market for new play cars that are recreations of the pure driving experiences. I just watch the YouTube of the brand new Mk1 and Mk2 Escort cars made in Wales by MST https://mst-cars.com/ have a play on the configurator. Pricey but it makes me feel funny.

And even the "leather upholstery" feels like plastic.
Anyone know what happened to leather?

That's cos leather is standard for every model so they make it a bit rubbish to persuade you to upgrade to the premium leather.

 

[bor]

People fear change.

Our survival instinct makes us suspicious of anything new or unusual, until we have acclimatised to it.

When the Bangle designs were rolled out, there was a mass throwing-of-toys-out-of-prams, years later, people think his designs were actually pretty good.

The E61 M5 still looks fresh today.

You'll love the new designs given time.

 

[-alan-]

*IMHO, of course. I guess that, when you're inside one, you don't actually see the outside. You just have to park it nose-in, so that you never have to look at that part.

In the words of Setright, it wasn't so much how they looked that was the problem - but the possibility that you might be recognised when seen getting out of one..

 

[boneman]

I find it hard to imagine how the producer of some of the most breathlessly elegant designs ever could fall quite so low:

This really is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. If I had loads of time/money I'd have this along with a few others. Timeless.

 

[david ellwood]

It looks like a bmw reimagining of the Volvo p1800 an even prettier car.

 

[SteveS1]

Big grilles are fashionable at the moment, Volvo, Jaguar and Audi have been down this line already. Chinese and Russian markets perhaps? Bangle's abominations were worse imo. Much preferred the F10 and F32 5 and 4 series to the E61 5 series that Bangle mangled.

Looking at comparisons, bling is everywhere the interiors still look OK for BMW/Audi I've seen some shockers in Mercs, but then they all look more Chrysler to me these days.