What happened to BMW and its designs?

[mosaud1998]

Sportiness and elegance were always combined in older BMW designs. However, contemporary BMWs have a one-dimensional design language and are nothing but aggressive. Furthermore, the more recent models don't have an emotive automotive design, but rather a tech-centric product design language. Even Nevertheless, a lot of individuals seem to enjoy this change and purchase BMWs. Am I the only one who believes BMW has lost some of its identity? I'm not sure if this is a local phenomenon or a larger one. BMW seems to be attempting to become the Apple of the automotive business, which is a huge departure from their previous position.

The interiors are no different. They lack the driver-focused, homey atmosphere that made you feel warm and welcome since they are so technologically advanced and minimalistic. I get the impression that modern BMW interiors are more akin to Apple display spaces.

Lastly, we have to talk about the most important topic: the new M5. In terms of BMW's driving dynamics, it is a low point. Compared to its predecessors, it is slower and heavier. I can't picture it handling anything like older M5s with that much-added weight, but we still need to see if it's slower in corners. The majority of contemporary BMWs are the same. Though they feel more like German muscle vehicles than agile sports cars, they are still incredibly fast. What distinguishes Mercedes, Audi, and BMW today?

What do you think? Am I exaggerating or do I have a point? Has BMW undergone a significant change?

 

[wavinwayne]

I think the new ones with the giant screens are pretty cool. I'm not buying one but I like them.

 

[fantastic]

Designs evolve & peoples taste for them are different. I'm sure BMW is speaking for most of their base overall. Find something you like about it or look elsewhere IMO. BMW = Sportiness in my mind so that may mean one persons opinion is "aggressive" looks that ends up being the next persons "Handsomely Smooth" appearance.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Sportiness and elegance were always combined in older BMW designs. However, contemporary BMWs have a one-dimensional design language and are nothing but aggressive. Furthermore, the more recent models don't have an emotive automotive design, but rather a tech-centric product design language. Even Nevertheless, a lot of individuals seem to enjoy this change and purchase BMWs. Am I the only one who believes BMW has lost some of its identity? I'm not sure if this is a local phenomenon or a larger one. BMW seems to be attempting to become the Apple of the automotive business, which is a huge departure from their previous position.

The interiors are no different. They lack the driver-focused, homey atmosphere that made you feel warm and welcome since they are so technologically advanced and minimalistic. I get the impression that modern BMW interiors are more akin to Apple display spaces.

Lastly, we have to talk about the most important topic: the new M5. In terms of BMW's driving dynamics, it is a low point. Compared to its predecessors, it is slower and heavier. I can't picture it handling anything like older M5s with that much-added weight, but we still need to see if it's slower in corners. The majority of contemporary BMWs are the same. Though they feel more like German muscle vehicles than agile sports cars, they are still incredibly fast. What distinguishes Mercedes, Audi, and BMW today?

What do you think? Am I exaggerating or do I have a point? Has BMW undergone a significant change?

View attachment 264339

The demographic has changed. It's the iPhone generation which grew up in SUV/CUV's and their sales have never been better. There cars are still agile. AWD, wide tires, improved tire compound allow the cars of today to have performance numbers which are significantly better than cars made in the last decade. You're right though as they've all turned into German muscle cars with grills which light up.

BMW is all in on EV and converting their ICE lineup to hybrid. Have you seen the spy shots of the new 3-series (circa 2027)?

Edit: That E39 would not be legal to sell in the EU because of the Euro passenger impact regulations which arrived in the late 2000's.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

What distinguishes Mercedes, Audi, and BMW today their outrageous cost to maintain!

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

You want the real answer? It's what Chinese consumers want.

They did recently say they are going to tone it down a bit. The XM was a disaster.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

CAFE standards and safety standards pretty much forced manufacturers to make ugly poop boxes

 

[SC Maintenance]

I don't like the elongated vertical grills personally. Not all have it - the M5 and M6 look really good, and the new 2 and 3 series as well.

Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Neighbor has a X7, so clearly some like it?

 

[Ranger83]

Car brands that focus on luxury aren’t going to be light or inexpensive. They focus on luxury so they can charge more. The German brands sell most of their cars with leases so purchase price is less important.

And while clean simple lines are making a comeback, things sure got busy in the last decade.

 

[JAG]

I totally agree. I had a 1984 BMW 318i long ago and I loved it, despite it being very slow. The great traits were the way it handled, felt, looked, and the driver-focused interior design. The whole industry has made choices that I disagree with since the 1990s, but it is particularly painful for me with BMW because of how special they used to be.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

The answer is no CAFE or other restrictions on cars that deliver an honest 40 MPG + highway and 30 Plus in the city.

 

[dubber09]

We have fair numbers of new bimmers and other upscale cars in my area and I cannot stand the looks of new BMW cars, shapes and proportions are very displeasing.

 

[JeffKeryk]

CEO Oliver Zipse shook up the design team. There's a reason for it.

 

[MCompact]

The only newer BMW I would want is the F87 M2 CS. The 8 Series coupe is very attractive but too big. I refuse to consider a new M240i or M2; it's Lego/Minecraft exterior design language is just awkward to my eye, and the "stick a surplus Radio Shack touchscreen on the dash and call it a day" IP display is the polar opposite of driver focused (I suspect it impresses the daylights out of those who buy BMWs to wear as a fashion accessory). I haven't seen a single new BMW that causes me to regret my decision to buy a W205 C43. If I had to replace it with another entertaining sport sedan I'd likely go with a CPO E53, or perhaps a CPO 2023 Giulia Quadrifoglio; a friend bought a new 2023 and it's been absolutely trouble free. If I do buy another BMW it will be something vintage along the lines of an E12 M535i or E34 M5.

 

[mosaud1998]

The only newer BMW I would want is the F87 M2 CS. The 8 Series coupe is very attractive but too big. I refuse to consider a new M240i or M2; it's Lego/Minecraft exterior design language is just awkward to my eye, and the "stick a surplus Radio Shack touchscreen on the dash and call it a day" IP display is the polar opposite of driver focused (I suspect it impresses the daylights out of those who buy BMWs to wear as a fashion accessory). I haven't seen a single new BMW that causes me to regret my decision to buy a W205 C43. If I had to replace it with another entertaining sport sedan I'd likely go with a CPO E53, or perhaps a CPO 2023 Giulia Quadrifoglio; a friend bought a new 2023 and it's been absolutely trouble free. If I do buy another BMW it will be something vintage along the lines of an E12 M535i or E34 M5.

I don't think I'll ever buy a new BMW with the way the design is going. I've got my eyes on an E9x M3 competition. Just don't have the money to buy one.

I saw this E38 7 series on C&B. Just look at how nice it looks. I bet it still would turn heads.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q2AWZDn/1997-bmw-750il

 

[joekingcorvette]

Yes, in today's world everyone looks at the emblems. You could remove an emblem on about any 2024 vehicle and stick on a BMW emblem and nobody would know the difference. Hence, the emblem delete on the back of many vehicles. It' not the 60's any longer folks.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The Neue Klasse...
The overall shape is very BMW 507 (1956-1959) but it encompasses the headlamps in a manner similar to the original “Neue Klasse” (New Class) vehicles that launched in the early 1960s.

 

[mosaud1998]

The Neue Klasse...
The overall shape is very BMW 507 (1956-1959) but it encompasses the headlamps in a manner similar to the original “Neue Klasse” (New Class) vehicles that launched in the early 1960s.
View attachment 264410

That thing is so ugly. Looks like something out of Minecraft.

 

[JeffKeryk]

That thing is so ugly. Looks like something out of Minecraft.

Fair enough. Personally I can't wait to see it. 1,000+ HP in a 3 Series? OMG...
My understanding is BMW will make several levels; top dog will be a 4 motor car.
Heck, our 2 motor M3P is a 10 second car. What will this thing do?

 

[normal username]

I actually like the new BMW designs these past few years. In person, they look quite futuristic and sporty and masculine looking. After the E90 generation of cars, they started to look a little same-y to me. The F gen of the 3, 5 and 7 looked the same to each other except some are bigger -- they started to get boring even though they looked great. I'll always love the "golden" era of BMWs (E30, E36, E46, E39 etc) but I've never really been anti-change or against avant guarde styling.

I think they look awesome and have a lot of presence these days. Certainly it is working because BMWs are selling like hotcakes.