I have a feeling a group of people on this forum really dislike BMW's styling, or at least thats the general consensus. I just want to pose the question: Why? What disgusts you so much about BMW styling. They make great cars, and carve their own design path, rather than sticking to the rules. Thats something to admire, not to hate. For example, take the new BMW Z4 M. Coupe or convertible, doesn't matter.

http://www.motiontrends.com/2005/m10eng/bmw/z4_m_roadster_fs1.jpg

Now looking at that image, what is so bad about it? It looks sharp the body is great, the styling is very neat and clean. Another car which has aroused complaints is the BMW M6 - at least its rear half:

http://www.autointell.com/european_companies/BMW/bmw-6-series-m6-05/bmw-m6-rear-stree-300-215.jpg

Again, what is so bad about this? Its very sharp and curvy at the same time. I realise not everyone hates these cars, but alot of those who do do not give a reason. I also realise it is down to opinion alot of the time, but no other car companies designs divide the forum like BMW's do. And I just want to ask, why? BMW's are no uglier than any other upmarket executive car manufaturers cars are.

I realise some might consider this pointless, so mods feel free to move this to the pointless section if you feel it has no place. But anyway, thats my question for today.

They're not elegant. Whatever they are, they are never elegant.

Why aren't they? Explain your reasons ! XD

M6 looks fat at the rear ,, but overall the new Bmw's look ok to me ,,

The only BMW that i truely love right now is the BMW 6 series, not the M6, the 6. why, i love the styling, it has a great interior also. it also has a few interior ques from past BMW's. The 7 series i think also has great styling, but a horrible interior.

why have the 7-series interior when at the same price you can get a awesome audi interior, or spring for an S-Class.

http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/bmw_7series_750lisedan_2006_interior_19_ 346x270.jpg

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mercedes_benz/mercedes_benz_images/mercedes_benz_s_class_interior_24_06_05. jpg


the exterior on BMW's these days is turning for the worse, the 5 series, new 3 series (i loved the styling on the last generation 3). In comparison to old BMW's the interior and exterior's can't compare, the old ones were just better. This is the same with Mercedes-Benz, however they still manage to come out with great cars, the improved the 9th generation S-Class so much more than they did with the 8th.

These new BMW's make BMW much more money than they were bring in, but to the real car enthusiast no newer BMW will compare in styling to the old BMW's, that doesn't mean you can't like them, everyone has there own opinion, but any car enthusiast will agree older BMW's looked so much better, and still do look great.

I think that Bimmers look good from any angle either on the inside or out. The only exceptions are the 1 Series, X3 and the new X5.

I like the Bangle's designs, and they've done wonders for the company. I think they look different to other cars, but in a good way. I can always tell which BMW they are {3, 5 or 7}. I think it shows that there's just enough difference between each class...

As some of you might hate Bangle like crazy, his car designs really are not bad at all. I mean they flow much better in a desighners point of view, not necessarily aggressive looking but still. i mean, BMW is now out selling mercedes now i hear?? no idea but i would expect so

remember, Bangle in someways brought back BMW with his designs, not really in the beginning, but more towards now. in the states, you see like a bagillion 325i's on the streets, mad 5 series, and since im near a really nice area, a bunch 6 series, and loads of 7's. M's are less abundant than the AMG mercedes offers though.

why you guys be hatin on bmw's design, the new M3 concept off the 335 body is gorgeous!! IMO. **** mercedes, im all out for BMW if i had a choice

The only BMW that i truely love right now is the BMW 6 series, not the M6, the 6. why, i love the styling, it has a great interior also. it also has a few interior ques from past BMW's. The 7 series i think also has great styling, but a horrible interior.

why have the 7-series interior when at the same price you can get a awesome audi interior, or spring for an S-Class.

http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/bmw_7series_750lisedan_2006_interior_19_ 346x270.jpg

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mercedes_benz/mercedes_benz_images/mercedes_benz_s_class_interior_24_06_05. jpg


the exterior on BMW's these days is turning for the worse, the 5 series, new 3 series (i loved the styling on the last generation 3). In comparison to old BMW's the interior and exterior's can't compare, the old ones were just better. This is the same with Mercedes-Benz, however they still manage to come out with great cars, the improved the 9th generation S-Class so much more than they did with the 8th.

These new BMW's make BMW much more money than they were bring in, but to the real car enthusiast no newer BMW will compare in styling to the old BMW's, that doesn't mean you can't like them, everyone has there own opinion, but any car enthusiast will agree older BMW's looked so much better, and still do look great.

Actually, to be fair, to me they look pretty similar. Big slab of not especially great wood in the middle, two whacking great screens on top, aluminium vents, and a not that great steering wheel with loads of buttons on it.

Not that I dislike either of them, they're both great interiors overall.

As for reasons as to why they don't look elegant, I suppose it's their proportions. You don't look at it and think 'Yes, that looks right'. They don't, they look wrong. Which yes, does create visual interest, but that doesn't make them nice looking. They don't have clean, flowing lines. The lines are always interrupted.

I think, though, that the best way of explaining it is that BMWs' lines and styling doesn't look to achieve anything to me. Swoops for their own sake, slashes for no apparent reason. They don't seem to be there for any reason, they don't emphasise the car's sense of latent power, they don't give it a feel. They just look messy. The clearest example I can think of for this is the way the last window line towards the rear on an X3 just jumps up. Why does it do that? It looks so wrong. So, why?

I realise this isn't very clear but it's the best way I can think of to explain why I don't like BMW styling.

I think he reason why i dont like all bmw's recent design efforts is because they look unfinished imo. take the 5-series for example, the rear end looks cut, not flowing in temperment with the rest of the car. take the boot, the shut line is huge! the front is not so bad, the lights look good, but the front bumper makes it look weird. the M6 looks quite nice, the new M3 and 3-series coupe look amazing. but i dont like the 3-series saloon, for the same reasons as the 5-series above.

Oh where to begin...I've hated Bangle ever sense he F'd up the 7 series. He then went on to ruin the understated look of the M5 and make it horrible. THen he craped out a 6-series which is only not EXTREMLY horrid because we can't compare it to a current previous model (the 80's version sucked too) Then he went on to make the 3-series look like a giant hunk of turd. Then he toped it all off by ruining my favorite car of all time, the M3. Oh boy, now they've got nothing. Many people argue that because these cars are FASTER and more powerful then their relatives, they are better. WRONG! A good car has an equal amount of power and beauty, while the E46 M3 was not the fastest thing on the road, it has pretty damn powerful! More power then I'd ever need. But it also just looked AWESOME! It wasn't way over the top like some sports cars try to do. It looked very similar to an average 3-series. This is what made it great. Only people that ACTUALLY know about cars are going to appriciate what you are driving.

It's not that Bangle made brand new terrible looking cars. Honestly, they arn't THAT bad looking. It's that he took cars that were already VERY beautiful, and made them worst, MUCH worst.

I don't give a crap about what ppl think about BMW's styling cuz i think it looks good.....different ppl like different styles so don't let ppl tell you which car to get

the new ones look fine in their own right, but all, with the possible exception of the z4, are a step down from their predecessors in the design aspect. but the number one thing i hate about the new bimmers is iDrive, which is the #1 reason why i love my bmw over the new ones: no iDrive

I like their little ragtop roadsters....the rest just do not appeal to me

i think the new 3-series coupe is gorgeous. i also am very fond of the Z4 coupe and the 5-series. ones that i'm not too fond of are the X3, X5, and 7-series. i'm indifferent to the Z4 roadster and 6-series.

BMW does make some very nice interiors, but honesty, Audi makes the best interiors out of any car manufacturer i have ever seen. i think they're better than the likes of Aston Martin.

the new ones look fine in their own right, but all, with the possible exception of the z4, are a step down from their predecessors in the design aspect. but the number one thing i hate about the new bimmers is iDrive, which is the #1 reason why i love my bmw over the new ones: no iDrive

have you ever actually used iDrive? Its so simple. And its great fun.. lol

Well, about there designs, i love there designs, one thing i dont like is the 5 series front bumpe, the M bumper is great, but the stock one isnt so nice.. i love there interiors, but i cant deny audi all up makes the best interiors!!


N Wright 275
why have the 7-series interior when at the same price you can get a awesome audi interior, or spring for an S-Class.

http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/ag/bmw_7series_750lisedan_2006_interior_19_ 346x270.jpg

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mercedes_benz/mercedes_benz_images/mercedes_benz_s_class_interior_24_06_05. jpg


the exterior on BMW's these days is turning for the worse, the 5 series, new 3 series (i loved the styling on the last generation 3). In comparison to old BMW's the interior and exterior's can't compare, the old ones were just better. This is the same with Mercedes-Benz, however they still manage to come out with great cars, the improved the 9th generation S-Class so much more than they did with the 8th.

These new BMW's make BMW much more money than they were bring in, but to the real car enthusiast no newer BMW will compare in styling to the old BMW's, that doesn't mean you can't like them, everyone has there own opinion, but any car enthusiast will agree older BMW's looked so much better, and still do look great.

funny, that those two interiors look exactly the same!!

I don't really like BMW's new design's. I mean current M3 is good looking, but the new one isn't as appealing to me. I started to dislike BMW's looks since the new M5 design (i think the M5 is great) but the M5 look alikes carried over to other cars look really terrible. Even the headlights look a bit the same. No offence to Bimmer fans, but the only cars i like from BMW is the new 3 series coupe and the M5. No other BMW is good looking nowadays.

I hate new design too. Old Bmw's looks like they could beat up who ever they want, but new cars don't look like that. New ones look lazy or something.

My favorite Bmw's are M1 and 700-series which is made in between 1990 - 2000. M1 looks terrible, but I still would like to have that one.

I don't like BMW design either in my opinion Audis look an whole lot better !!!

Audis look lively and fast BMWs just look sad and boring !!!

Bangles designs are different. New. Unusual. And Maserati Man, take that back! Aston Martin hand stitch the upholstery.

I have always liked BMWs styling. I don't think there is one model which I have found to be ugly. The 3-Series with the right paint and the right wheels is one of the best looking cars on the road now. In fact, all of BMWs high-spec models look really really good. The lines and swoops on the M5 make for pretty impressive viewing.

The 7-Series is large, but also very modern and elegant. There's not really one model that stands out as the company's ''ugly duckling.'' Even the pretty large X5 still manages to look very poise and very sporty, whilst looking like a very practical SUV.

The Z4 and the Z4M still look like very nice cars. Yet again, the lines of the car make for good viewing, and the trademark grille complete with the headlights make for very good looking cars.

Some say the M6 is very ugly and overweight, but, with the right rims and the right paint, it's a very good looking car actually. The grille makes the nose distinguished, and the back with the exhausts in the right place make it look very nice indeed.

I reckon Bangle has done a very nice job with modern day BMWs. I really have no complaints whatsoever. Just some of them look slightly ugly when Hartge or Hamann get their hands on it, which is through no fault of Bangles, I must say.

Im with bennyboy here, Bangle HAS again brought BMW back kind of, and even though many of you guys thing his designs are flawed, those "terrible" designs are selling like hotcakes.

Of course i admit, I do like the older models are semi better looking, plus i own an E39 and would take it anyday over the new E60's. But again, they're selling arent they? i would say more so than the typical Mercedes Benz's you see alot of.

Bangles designs are different. New. Unusual. And Maserati Man, take that back! Aston Martin hand stitch the upholstery.
so does Bently and Rolls Royce. that doesn't mean their interiors are nicer to look at.

I hate new design too. Old Bmw's looks like they could beat up who ever they want, but new cars don't look like that. New ones look lazy or something.

My favorite Bmw's are M1 and 700-series which is made in between 1990 - 2000. M1 looks terrible, but I still would like to have that one.

Wow, they do, thanks for pointing that out.

I have always liked BMWs styling. I don't think there is one model which I have found to be ugly. The 3-Series with the right paint and the right wheels is one of the best looking cars on the road now. In fact, all of BMWs high-spec models look really really good. The lines and swoops on the M5 make for pretty impressive viewing.

The 7-Series is large, but also very modern and elegant. There's not really one model that stands out as the company's ''ugly duckling.'' Even the pretty large X5 still manages to look very poise and very sporty, whilst looking like a very practical SUV.

The Z4 and the Z4M still look like very nice cars. Yet again, the lines of the car make for good viewing, and the trademark grille complete with the headlights make for very good looking cars.

Some say the M6 is very ugly and overweight, but, with the right rims and the right paint, it's a very good looking car actually. The grille makes the nose distinguished, and the back with the exhausts in the right place make it look very nice indeed.

I reckon Bangle has done a very nice job with modern day BMWs. I really have no complaints whatsoever. Just some of them look slightly ugly when Hartge or Hamann get their hands on it, which is through no fault of Bangles, I must say.

That's because just about all of their cars are now "ugly duckings". They're all ugly in their own unique way.

Im with bennyboy here, Bangle HAS again brought BMW back kind of, and even though many of you guys thing his designs are flawed, those "terrible" designs are selling like hotcakes.

Of course i admit, I do like the older models are semi better looking, plus i own an E39 and would take it anyday over the new E60's. But again, they're selling arent they? i would say more so than the typical Mercedes Benz's you see alot of.

This is quite true, because, I see more Bangled-up beemers than the previoius generations. Sure, I think most of them are butt-ugly, but they sell so darn well! I guess many people really care about the looks of cars.....

I guess many people really care about the looks of cars.....
i'm not sure that's what you meant to say.

we shouldve had a poll.. and yer, i agree with maserati, i dont think he ment that.. lol

How 'bout tommorow I run the 3, 5, 6, 7, and 1 series through the Wheels Automotive Design Awards criteria. Then we'll have objective stuff, not subjective.

I have a feeling a group of people on this forum really dislike BMW's styling, or at least thats the general consensus. I just want to pose the question: Why? What disgusts you so much about BMW styling. They make great cars, and carve their own design path, rather than sticking to the rules. Thats something to admire, not to hate. For example, take the new BMW Z4 M. Coupe or convertible, doesn't matter.

http://www.motiontrends.com/2005/m10eng/bmw/z4_m_roadster_fs1.jpg

Now looking at that image, what is so bad about it? It looks sharp the body is great, the styling is very neat and clean. Another car which has aroused complaints is the BMW M6 - at least its rear half:

http://www.autointell.com/european_companies/BMW/bmw-6-series-m6-05/bmw-m6-rear-stree-300-215.jpg

Again, what is so bad about this? Its very sharp and curvy at the same time. I realise not everyone hates these cars, but alot of those who do do not give a reason. I also realise it is down to opinion alot of the time, but no other car companies designs divide the forum like BMW's do. And I just want to ask, why? BMW's are no uglier than any other upmarket executive car manufaturers cars are.

I realise some might consider this pointless, so mods feel free to move this to the pointless section if you feel it has no place. But anyway, thats my question for today.


I have to agree completely. BMW is one of the car companies that have always known a little bit more (in my opinion) about how to make a car look. Not to mention handeling...but thats a whole other story.

[-X [-X What are you'll talking about I think all these new models of BMW's look awesome! I disagree with anybody who talks bad about the new body styles! I yhink they are down right elegant:D

Actually, to be fair, to me they look pretty similar. Big slab of not especially great wood in the middle, two whacking great screens on top, aluminium vents, and a not that great steering wheel with loads of buttons on it.

Not that I dislike either of them, they're both great interiors overall.

As for reasons as to why they don't look elegant, I suppose it's their proportions. You don't look at it and think 'Yes, that looks right'. They don't, they look wrong. Which yes, does create visual interest, but that doesn't make them nice looking. They don't have clean, flowing lines. The lines are always interrupted.

I think, though, that the best way of explaining it is that BMWs' lines and styling doesn't look to achieve anything to me. Swoops for their own sake, slashes for no apparent reason. They don't seem to be there for any reason, they don't emphasise the car's sense of latent power, they don't give it a feel. They just look messy. The clearest example I can think of for this is the way the last window line towards the rear on an X3 just jumps up. Why does it do that? It looks so wrong. So, why?

I realise this isn't very clear but it's the best way I can think of to explain why I don't like BMW styling.

have you ever actually used iDrive? Its so simple. And its great fun.. lol

Well, about there designs, i love there designs, one thing i dont like is the 5 series front bumpe, the M bumper is great, but the stock one isnt so nice.. i love there interiors, but i cant deny audi all up makes the best interiors!!




funny, that those two interiors look exactly the same!!

lol, i'm a sucker for detail, the interior on the BMW is not up to par with the S-Classes (not bashing the bimmer, the exterior looks amazing). The S-Class has been redisigned, so i give the BMW a little credit, but compared to an S-Class its not as good.

of course its a matter of opinion, but the quality of the Mercedes-Benz is better.

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/741/2962012370010919349nklmht2.th.jpg (http://img470.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2962012370010919349nklmht2. jpg)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7065/2006mercedesbenzsclassgew7.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2006mercedesbenzsclassgew7. jpg)

The Mercedes-Benz



http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/Mercedes-Benz/2007.mercedesbenz.sclass.20094311-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/Mercedes-Benz/2007.mercedesbenz.sclass.20094312-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/Mercedes-Benz/2007.mercedes-benz.s-class.20089337-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/Mercedes-Benz/2007.mercedes-benz.s-class.20089341-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/Mercedes-Benz/2007.mercedes-benz.s-class.20089343-E.jpg

http://www.mbusa.com/media/images/main/models/gallery/photo_gallery/s/sedan_int_1_main.jpg


The BMW



http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/BMW/2007.bmw.7series.20106536-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/BMW/2007.bmw.7series.20106534-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/BMW/2007.bmw.7series.20106541-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/BMW/2007.bmw.7%20series.20113728-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/BMW/2007.bmw.7%20series.20113754-E.jpg

In the end, the S-Class uses better materials, you see stitching around the center console, the buttons are sleek, the dash is uncluttered, its a work of art to me. The BMW looks somewhat thrown together compared to the details on the S-Class.

the COMMAND system is known to be easier to use than the Idrive system, i have experience the COMMAND system on the Mercedes-Benz interactive site, it seemed fairly simple. Also not all systems in the COMMAND system are directly through the system, there are booked marked buttons for frequently used things.

So what? they both have wood, luxury features, but when its costing you over 80 grand to buy one of these you want the minor details to be accounted for.