So far I still have not seen one car that he has designed attracts me even a bit.

 

the 7 IS getting a refreshed front end

 

I just watched the Speed Channel test drive of the new 5-Series. I must say the look is growing on me.

Here's the thing about the new "flame surfaced" designs. Even if they do look a bit odd at first, after I got used to the design they do make the old cars look pretty dated to me.

When I see a pic of the E46 3-Series (even with its stupid new nose) among the Z4, 5, 6 and 7 it just looks...old.

 

I think Bangle could have updated the BMW look, but keep it vintage without the trendy "flame". His ego ran away with him.

 

it could partially be psychological - you've been seeing the previous generation of BMWs for years, so you're completely used to them. seeing something that you've really never seen before sitting right next to those will make them look a little older in your mind's eye. the designs, i think are still pretty timeless. sure, they don't look new, but thats because they aren't. very few car designs are able to attain this timeless quality. when you see them, you may realize that it is an old car, and you may realize that the design in general is old. but that doesn't stop the car from looking great, no matter what year it is. please note, i am absolutely not saying that all BMWs before bangle became lead designer are beautiful timeless cars.

i really don't think that bangle's designs will be considered timeless as time goes by. but that won't be apparent for a number of years

 

eventually but i believe the first update will be for the tail end

 

he did ok

 

What I hate most about Bangels new designs is his failure to incorporate the kidney grill into the hood. By making it part of the front bumper you get the line of the hood breaking through the front of the car. It creates a very uneaven appearance and one that, I think, is not well thought out. Otherwise I am getting used to his designs, although the interior door panels seem odly laid out to me with the controls at the top.

I think they need to put a very firm, conservative German above Bangle to say "NO!" to him once and awhile. I hope with the 7 refresh they have already done just that.

 

The kidney grille being part of the hood is only a very recent addition to the BMW design theme that started with the E38 7-series, then the Z3, then the E39 5-series and then the E46 3-series. Prior to '94 every BMW kidney grille was not part of the hood.








Etcetera.

 

I despise what Bangle has done to BMW. There is nothing you can count on in life except change, but the "changes" he has made are not positive ones IMHO. True, the new BMWs perform admirably, but they aren't styled as beautifully as my '97 528i. BMW cars have never been flashy, but always classically proportioned and "masculine" looking. When I was in high school I used to dream of owning a BMW and remember feeling that there was something special about the cars they made. The new ones look quite cheap and gimmicky and as much as I try to I can't warm up to any of the new styles with the possible exception of the upcoming 645i.