RE: New BMWs shown at Detroit
Discussion
LuS1fer said:
Styling-wise, out of the Top 3 German marques, I'd say BMW were about 15th... they did once make good-looking cars, right?
??? It's your opinion 
Personally I like what BMW put out there. The 1 series is a bit challenging but it sells. The Z4, another acquired taste but sells well. They seem to know what they are doing. Yes some buyers will have them because of the badge, a lot will buy because it is different, quirky etc.
Mercedes, great cars, but not one of them does anything for me. Bangle got crucified for his designs, Merc are doing their thing now. Adventurous yes but doesn't work for me. I said it for the 1 series so maybe it's quirky and different for the whole Merc range plus the badge and all that power and noise for the high end stuff. Good looking though?
Then there's Audi, the Apple of the car world. All great design, fab techie interiors but almost all clinical, characterless facsimiles of each other. No risk, no adventure which is the Audi way. I don't know if I'll be buying another.
BMW, Audi and Merc go about their business in different ways but globally BMW outsells them both, even those 'good looking' Audis.
If you say BMW aren't making good looking cars anymore and put them at 15th (where does that come from) where does Mercedes rank?
Edited by HighwayStar on Sunday 20th January 10:32
HighwayStar said:
LuS1fer said:
Styling-wise, out of the Top 3 German marques, I'd say BMW were about 15th... they did once make good-looking cars, right?
??? It's your opinion Personally I like what BMW put out there. The 1 series is a bit challenging but it sells. The Z4, another acquired taste but sells well. They seem to know what they are doing. Yes some buyers will have them because of the badge, a lot will buy because it is different, quirky etc.
Mercedes, great cars, but not one of them does anything for me. Bangle got crucified for his designs, Merc are doing their thing now. Adventurous yes but doesn't work for me. I said it for the 1 series so maybe it's quirky and different for the whole Merc range plus the badge and all that power and noise for the high end stuff. Good looking though?
Then there's Audi, the Apple of the car world. All great design, fab techie interiors but almost all clinical, characterless facsimiles of each other. No risk, no adventure which is the Audi way. I don't know if I'll be buying another.
BMW, Audi and Merc go about their business in different ways but globally BMW outsells them both, even those 'good looking' Audis.
If you say BMW are making good looking cars anymore and put them at 15th (where does that come from) were does Mercedes rank?
I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
E38Ross said:
he's just anti-BMW. It's all opinions of course. I find a lot of current BMW designs rather hideous (largely the "X" range, admittedly) but they sell well, so they're doing something right.
I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
I'm not anti-BMW. I liked most of what they made up to the E46. Everything since has been lacklustre and dull. Audi have left them behind.I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
E38Ross said:
he's just anti-BMW. It's all opinions of course. I find a lot of current BMW designs rather hideous (largely the "X" range, admittedly) but they sell well, so they're doing something right.
I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
I would certainly agree with what you say, including the X ranger, except the X5... I'm probably never going to need or buy one but I get why people do and think they look pretty good. As you say, engine tech. efficiency and emissions probably make the difference more than ever to the buyer. They're happy to drop big wedge on a car but with the price of fuel etc running costs are far more important than they used to be. I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
LuS1fer said:
I'm not anti-BMW. I liked most of what they made up to the E46. Everything since has been lacklustre and dull. Audi have left them behind.
We line up behind what we like and what we feel gives us what we want. I have and Audi but I don't feel Audi have left BMW behind at all. People who've seen my posts know I'm not and entirely satisfied Audi owner... A few of my neighbours want an Audi, ask them my and all you get is oh they look lovely... That's it. Same with some I work with... well it's an Audi isn't it but I guess BMW & Merc have exactly the same type of customers to, less of them though I suspect. More individuals than Audi sheep. So LuS1fer, in what way had Audi left BMW behind? If anyone has been left behind it's Mercedes... In terms of sales they've gone from número uno prestige brand in 05 to #3 behind Audi!
Munter said:
Is it me. Or will we soon be looking out of a 1" high slot window on the side of cars. I know crash regs have made the door skin/frame higher. But with chopping a bit of height there doesn't appear to be much glass left.
How will one ever dive in through the window dukes of hazard style again!
This is part of my car buying criteria. My old Mitsubishi L200 was excellent for it, as was my Maestro. Not that climbing through the window of a Maestro ever made any ladies swoon - most probably thought the locks were buggered or that I was stealing it.How will one ever dive in through the window dukes of hazard style again!
4 series coupé. I looks great, except that vent behind the front wheels looks tacked on. It would look better if it were more similar to the M3 series intakes, or the 6-series, but then I imagine it comes too close to the 6-series for comfort. I shots of the interior on the 4-series, and although a tad busy with the screen centered on the top of the dash, but the materials and stitching look absolutely first class. I'd prefer that interior to any of the other Beemers in the line up.
Audis are just mind numbingly dull - just so VAG. The two door A5 is a looker but the rest....nah. Mercedes are going the bling route with some horribly overstyled and fussy designs. They used to be so elegant and simple.
BMW are getting a few things right. The 1 Series is still a pig, the F30 looks like an E90 that's spent two weeks in a Polish bodyshop but the 5 and 6 Series are both very good and the GC is a real looker. The F10 is one of the best proportioned and detailed cars they've ever made.
BMW are getting a few things right. The 1 Series is still a pig, the F30 looks like an E90 that's spent two weeks in a Polish bodyshop but the 5 and 6 Series are both very good and the GC is a real looker. The F10 is one of the best proportioned and detailed cars they've ever made.
iSore said:
Audis are just mind numbingly dull - just so VAG. The two door A5 is a looker but the rest....nah. Mercedes are going the bling route with some horribly overstyled and fussy designs. They used to be so elegant and simple.
BMW are getting a few things right. The 1 Series is still a pig, the F30 looks like an E90 that's spent two weeks in a Polish bodyshop but the 5 and 6 Series are both very good and the GC is a real looker. The F10 is one of the best proportioned and detailed cars they've ever made.
I tend to agree with this. I've owned BMW's for a while now. Not because I'm so loyal, but I just find that the Audi's and MB's are just a bit, numb. Why BMW? I just love the efforts they put into developing their engines to be honest. Right now my choices from their line-up would be either the F10 touring or a 6GC.BMW are getting a few things right. The 1 Series is still a pig, the F30 looks like an E90 that's spent two weeks in a Polish bodyshop but the 5 and 6 Series are both very good and the GC is a real looker. The F10 is one of the best proportioned and detailed cars they've ever made.
LuS1fer said:
E38Ross said:
he's just anti-BMW. It's all opinions of course. I find a lot of current BMW designs rather hideous (largely the "X" range, admittedly) but they sell well, so they're doing something right.
I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
I'm not anti-BMW. I liked most of what they made up to the E46. Everything since has been lacklustre and dull. Audi have left them behind.I suspect, however, they're selling well because their engine tech seems to be that bit better than the rest, and for those buying/leasing etc where CO2 emissions make a big difference to the cost of the car, the BMWs seem to be cheaper, despite similar or better performance in many (but not all) circumstances from what I gather.
This new 4 series takes a 3 series, looks to stretch it a bit and slap the nose of a 6 series on the front. And people are calling this good looking? I should buy Specsavers shares.
BMW have an irritating ability to put utterly dire curves all over their cars that don't help at all, and as for the X series (apart from the X5), gash. Total gash.
Audi are playing it safe, but their basics do seem to be considerably more handsome than anything BMW have put out for years.
(currently drive an A6, previously owned an E36 coupe)
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