RE: BMW 7 Series: Driven
Discussion
BMW cannot compete at this end of the market any more. Sure, you probably won't kick up a fuss if your Uber driver turns up in one instead of an S-Class for a 20min drive to the airport. But other than professional drivers who like them because of the relatively low price when coupled with the big BMW finance deals, I can't see anyone realistically choosing one of these over the competition. The car doesn't have the look to pull this off & BMW certainly don't have the brand to pull this off in 2015 in the UK.
sealtt said:
BMW cannot compete at this end of the market any more. Sure, you probably won't kick up a fuss if your Uber driver turns up in one instead of an S-Class for a 20min drive to the airport. But other than professional drivers who like them because of the relatively low price when coupled with the big BMW finance deals, I can't see anyone realistically choosing one of these over the competition. The car doesn't have the look to pull this off & BMW certainly don't have the brand to pull this off in 2015 in the UK.
Were it not so fugly it would be a great leftfield choice to the hoards of S class and Audi barges.I had a launch mini-brochure through the post last week. God knows why? I can't imagine I fit the profile unless it's age! I read it and my impression was that it was akin to the ads you see for business/first class travel on Emirates; very much about comfort, luxury and gadgets. Looked a bit tacky from the outside. Cars seem to be all about bling wheels these days.
I am struck by how frequently new car launch threads on PH are dominated by opinions surrounding the styling of the car. It looks "alright" to me. Certainly not worth getting upset about.
A quick google suggests BMW shifted circa 50,000 7 series cars globally in 2014 and Mercedes Benz a little less than double that. Certainly Mercedes are the market leader but I'd imagine it's still worth BMW's efforts.
Audi shifted 39,000 A8 models in 2014.
As a yardstick Jaguar sold around 80,000 cars globally in 2014 across all models. It's not so easy to find a breakdown of sales only for the XJ model.
A quick google suggests BMW shifted circa 50,000 7 series cars globally in 2014 and Mercedes Benz a little less than double that. Certainly Mercedes are the market leader but I'd imagine it's still worth BMW's efforts.
Audi shifted 39,000 A8 models in 2014.
As a yardstick Jaguar sold around 80,000 cars globally in 2014 across all models. It's not so easy to find a breakdown of sales only for the XJ model.
Interesting tech. Glad to see BMW is still a leader in that respect.
However, why are all modern BMWs so blandly derivative and/or ugly? Is it a joke?
I'm not laughing.
Modern car design and styling seem to be converging on "shiny dirigible" territory, much like all their engines now being a slightly different shade of diesel in delivery (irrespective of the actual type of fuel used, good old FI seems to be mandatory).
It's funny that so many refer to some of these cars as looking like Korean / Chinese tributes to western cars - those cars were often taking their cues from Germany year ago. Now it seems that western Europe is content to disguise its cars with the same somehow tinselly, bulbous blandness in order to increase global volumes, particularly in the Middle- and Far-East. Economic sense perhaps, but a bit more variety and dynamism would be nice.
BMW seems to have completely lost its way in styling terms. I miss the more overtly driver-centric interiors, but I find the uninspired visual flabbiness of the exteriors depressing in the extreme.
Edited for typos.
However, why are all modern BMWs so blandly derivative and/or ugly? Is it a joke?
I'm not laughing.
Modern car design and styling seem to be converging on "shiny dirigible" territory, much like all their engines now being a slightly different shade of diesel in delivery (irrespective of the actual type of fuel used, good old FI seems to be mandatory).
It's funny that so many refer to some of these cars as looking like Korean / Chinese tributes to western cars - those cars were often taking their cues from Germany year ago. Now it seems that western Europe is content to disguise its cars with the same somehow tinselly, bulbous blandness in order to increase global volumes, particularly in the Middle- and Far-East. Economic sense perhaps, but a bit more variety and dynamism would be nice.
BMW seems to have completely lost its way in styling terms. I miss the more overtly driver-centric interiors, but I find the uninspired visual flabbiness of the exteriors depressing in the extreme.
Edited for typos.
Edited by Diesel Meister on Sunday 18th October 16:41
ChasW said:
I had a launch mini-brochure through the post last week. God knows why? I can't imagine I fit the profile unless it's age! I read it and my impression was that it was akin to the ads you see for business/first class travel on Emirates; very much about comfort, luxury and gadgets. Looked a bit tacky from the outside. Cars seem to be all about bling wheels these days.
Interesting.We can begin to get a feeling for how a particular, and possibly large, segment of the market will evolve -- once the market for cars become dominated by on-demand autonomous pods.
very little mention of road noise. Why does nobody care about the horrible drone of road noise any more. and why dont we have anti sound getting pumped into cars, noise cancellation headphones style.
also, the only petrols in the uk are now straight 6. No V8 or V12. Shame.
also, the only petrols in the uk are now straight 6. No V8 or V12. Shame.
Edited by bigfatnick on Sunday 18th October 22:10
Diesel Meister said:
It's funny that so many refer to some of these cars as looking like Korean / Chinese tributes to western cars - those cars were often taking their cues from Germany year ago.
They are styling stuff to help exports to places where there is a tendency to prefer extroverted bling (to put it mildly 
). It is wrong IMO, they would sell the same or more if they went back to a more understated, simple and function derived styling. Especially as all the others are doing the OTT dross as well, so it just escalates and ends up looking sillier as time goes by.Just imagine what an E38 would look with a mild refresh to bring it up to 2015 size/tech.
BTW, the Kia/Hyundai cars are styled with Peter Schreyer (ex Audi, did the TT) at the helm. He is doing a very good job IMO.
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