Reply With QuoteWhat is their opinion of the recent smattering of retro designs? Like or hate them, at least Bangle's designs are distinctive, and won't be mistaken for anything else. I wasn't certain at first, but I've actually began to like them.
Grand Master
The focus of evil in automotive design
Link to blogg in which Chris Bangle, head of BMW design, is roundly criticized by Mickey Kaus for his opinions which Kaus says are resulting in ugly cars. (Video is about 7 minutes long)
Bangle believes design follows tool making technology and architecture. Kaus believes Bangle is violating our geneticly based preferences for cars that look like women.
http://bloggingheads.tv/?id=48&tid=122
Dinan chip, Bilstein sports w H&R, RD sways, RD strut brace, 750 bushings, Zimmermans/MetalMasters, O.E. M Pars, Eisenmann muffler
Major Contributor
What is their opinion of the recent smattering of retro designs? Like or hate them, at least Bangle's designs are distinctive, and won't be mistaken for anything else. I wasn't certain at first, but I've actually began to like them.
Grand Master
I never like BMW design changes when they first come out but the grow on me after a while. I don't think Kaus shares our opinion though.Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy
Dinan chip, Bilstein sports w H&R, RD sways, RD strut brace, 750 bushings, Zimmermans/MetalMasters, O.E. M Pars, Eisenmann muffler
3 Grand Master
The new BMW designs tend to
follow more of the Japanese automakers direction leaning towards the
Rolling hemorrhoid look with over the top lighting and lines
Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........
Big, Big Time Poster
I couldn't agree more with Mickey Maus. Miny's Headlights are critical to the design. Why trade the roundness of a hot little Mausy ass for a shark fin. Oh how I long to re-embrace the bold asthetic cheddary lines of the DisnE28.
Besides, that shark fin looks so much like "A Passat's Life", what a throw-back.
Grand Master
LOL
Actually I think the shark fin bmws have a more masculine essence. I have heard one of our forums finest describe the e34 touring as being like a beautiful woman.
Dinan chip, Bilstein sports w H&R, RD sways, RD strut brace, 750 bushings, Zimmermans/MetalMasters, O.E. M Pars, Eisenmann muffler
Big, Big Time Poster
I dont know much about the designer inside BMW but I have put a lot of thought into cars like most of you. My dad had an 86 535i when it was new, back then BMW was a very rare car here. He actually got it 2 years old and still paid $50k. At the time though I remember it looked better than all my friends cars, I always thought it was a good looking car untill years later I saw the same colour and model 535i and I my memory had not served me well on it's good looks. These days I really like the look of the e28 but it's more of a classic look. The E34 though was such a new looking car that it still holds it's own today (as to some extent the e30 and definatly the e36 - I dare say the E36 all tricked up still looks better than the next model all rounded man, they were so late with that rounded look they should have skipped it all together and shown to everyone that they were "above" the market in following silly trends) anyway, i recon the new 5 series will hold it's own to the future but I think it will take it's time before that shape matures which will happen by other makers copying it and the BMW still looking better.
1990 BMW 535i Exec
3 Grand Master
Personally, I think the E60 is infinitely much more attractive than the E39, and I'd own one of the new M5s in a second. Can't say the same for the six or the E65/66, and I'm currently impartial to the E90.
So, from my perspective, Bangle is doing some things just fine, others not so well. But the new M5 is a hot piece of pie if I ever saw it, rear end and all.
best, whit
Grand Master
I couldn't agree more - I loved the E 60 when it came out and IMHO the E 90 doesn't go far enough.
What I wouldn't give for a 535d E 60 with chip !
The only design I had a problem with when it came out was the X5 but that has grown on me.
I still have trouble with the E 39 nose but will probably have to accept it if I ever buy one !
Personally I think whoever designed or oversaw these designs is a genius - and if that is Bangle - so be it.
Last edited by Zeuk in Oz; 01-21-2006 at 03:24 AM. Reason: Added last sentence.
"I'm not the village idiot.
But when he retires I'm next on the list."
Big, Big Time Poster
THe M5 E60 has aero tricks that makes it more distinctive. Maybe thats the reason why BMW has been offering "free" M-trim kits in Asia in hopes of attracting more buyers.
The plain jane E60 compared to an M-kitted car looks rather different from all angles. Many of us may have been "influenced" by the initial plain jane E60 shape. Somehow that first impression of the new 7Series still holds "nightmarish" images in my head. What monstrosity in the parking garage.
NOt so much for the E60, just not "outstanding" enough for a 5-series, then the M showed up. That made up for whatever difficiencies we have had...
But a year ago, I saw an ACS kitted Seven and it looks pretty damn good for a big car.....
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