Noticed this In the latest Top Gear

[hakosuka]

But so many HATE it too.

Tell me - has there ever been an on-line campaign to get rid of the head stylist for a car company unitil the recent and ongoing fiasco with bangle?

NO! And for good reason.

Tell me what other marques/models you like (Subarus are neutral territory) so I can bait you in future discussions. :D

Your criticisms of the 1971 Skyline are mostly invalid, only because the actual body design dates from 1968 and "odd angles on the nose, the recessed round headlights, the lack of aerodynamics/"swoopyness", the oversized wheel recesses" were par for the course for most designs of that period, unless you are talking about NSU RO80s (another absolute masterpeice - just needs a 13BT) or exotica like an Lambo E-type or Ferrari etc. Even if I didn't particularly like it, I think it looked better than the vast majority of porridge designs of the day, whether they were from Japan/UK/Europe or even the US.

By the standards of the day the design was clean in the mould of an overgrown Datto 1600 (a well proportioned clean design from Japan when it was generally not known for producing such unfussy designs) with attitude. The oversize wheel recesses of this particular model were a result of this being the racing version, and to some people the slightly fussy headlight/grille design might offend - but nothing to arouse Bangle levels of animosity.

Most people interested in the classics like it. But I suggest that we like it because we've been conditioned to accept it as a "classic"; it really doesn't have beautiful proportions, smooth lines, it doesn't flow all that well, etc flow.

Objectively, it is purposeful, unpretentious and on the whole uncluttered. I have tons of car magazines and World Car catalogues going back to the mid 1960's and I can show lots of older cars that are quite gruesome now IMHO, as they were on their introduction. The passing of time and familiarity with these shit heaps has made no difference to my opinions of them. In general a good design looks good right now or 40 years ago or sometime into the future.

[Captiva Fan]

Tell me - has there ever been an on-line campaign to get rid of the head stylist for a car company unitil the recent and ongoing fiasco with bangle?
NO! And for good reason.

That reason being the relative newness of the internet, the global exposure of BMW, and the conservatism of BMW fans. As I said earlier, the increase in sales since the Bangle Mangle began says something about what the people with the money think; people will certainly buy something for wank value, but not if they don't like the look of it.

Tell me what other marques/models you like (Subarus are neutral territory) so I can bait you in future discussions. :D

Everything's flawed in some way ... I tend to pick & choose models on their pluses & minuses, it's just that Subaru have really only had two model-lines for 10+ years & both have generally 'suited' me.

Your criticisms of the 1971 Skyline are mostly invalid, only because the actual body design dates from 1968 and "odd angles on the nose, the recessed round headlights, the lack of aerodynamics/"swoopyness", the oversized wheel recesses" were par for the course for most designs of that period

You might say the same of other vehicles of this era. Wait a couple of years, until the Japanese have had a chance to ingest & reproduce the current BMW's ... took 'em a while to copy Audi's much-maligned "aero" look.

My point, however, was not to pick on the Skyline. It was to single-out something which we both like the look of, and that the majority don't; and to point-out how subjective the concept of "looks good" is.

[GTREA]

Not since the 'Horrid' Austin Maestro has Concave doors and mismatched angles been popular Oh hang on, the Maestro was Never Popular :p

Is this where BMW gathered there insparation for the 1 series..?







*Fingers back of throat*

But hey...I'm sure there an above average drive with great fit and finish

[Peter...]

Come on people, as if one could look at that BMW and say it is good looking? It looks like a miniature Pajero. Its as if Bangle tried to inject some personality into a normal car, and instead has uglied it up by putting fake curves where there shouldn't be any. Its a square-ish car with attempted curves (thanks to flame surfaces), and as a design, I think it fails.

I do like the idea of a rear drive smaller car, but thats about it.

[PT-Brett]

So if someone threw you the keys to an M5 you would go
"nah mate its ugly, I don't want a bar of it?"

methinks not.

[Peter...]

Way to miss the point!

1. Its not an M5, its at best a 2L Hatch with decent build quality.
2. Its not the driving experience that I have an issue with, so if someone through me the keys, even to this, then hell yeah I would have a drive. I would, if given the car, graciously accept it, and sell it as quick as possible and buy something more up my alley.
3. Most peoples' problem with current BMW's will not be the driving experience, but it will be the styling, which, like it or not, polarises most people.

[80DGY]

I'm not really "up there" with the current line up of BMWs, nor do I read motor/wheels and just regurgitate what's written about style/performance and to be frankly honest, I've always disregarded BMWs based on their badge (I'm a Merc fan :p), but a friend of mine has one of these BMWs (pictured) and I quite like it. She loves it, I don't mind it... happy customer?

Regardless of anyone's opinion of her purchase, she's stoked with it, I've been for a blat in it (or one that looks the same ) and it's a pretty nice car.

My 2c :D

[hakosuka]

So if someone threw you the keys to an M5 you would go
"nah mate its ugly, I don't want a bar of it?"

methinks not.

I would thrash the hell out of it for a week and then give it back. If someone gave me one for free I would thrash, sell it quickly and get a used E46 M3 and invest the rest in a 3.0 CSL

The Austin Maestro hardly counts as a car. :rotflol:

That reason being the relative newness of the internet, the global exposure of BMW, and the conservatism of BMW fans. As I said earlier, the increase in sales since the Bangle Mangle began says something about what the people with the money think; people will certainly buy something for wank value, but not if they don't like the look of it.

Perhaps you could be contradicting yourself - saying that BMW fans are conservative, yet sales are increasing..

I really don't think TRUE BMW fans are on the whole conservative. They might be a bit snobby but they still have good taste and are knowledgable.

On the other hand, BMW badge buyers generally have NO idea about cars and WILL buy them for their wank value and will not care how the car looks. I am not sexist but a lot of cashed up (or bank loaned) women tend to fall into this category - "Oh darlings have you seen the new little B Emms - they're divine!" And as someone mentioned earlier, many people now more then before want to appear successful and BMW is a brand consistent (for younger people in comparison with say Mercedes) with success and achievement.

Wait a couple of years, until the Japanese have had a chance to ingest & reproduce the current BMW's ... took 'em a while to copy Audi's much-maligned "aero" look.

I am sure they will copy styling themes, even when dubious. Toyota has already done it with the Mark X. Doesn't mean that the source of the inspriation is praiseworthy.

[Guido]

I'll have to leave my opinion in here as it is not allowed in the other thread...
BMW's have always been rather conservative, but that was always the German style. Iron fist, velvet glove insert other appropriate cliches here.
To me the 3.0i/CSI/CSL, 2002, E21, E30 et al have always been beautiful cars with classic styling. I am a little biased, owning an E30, but I would also like to think of myself as far from the typical BMW driver.

I really dislike where BMW has gone with the Bangle "revolution"... It's ok, even commendable, to try and stand out from the crowd, and I agree that BMW have needed to do so, but why oh why do they need to stand out in such a way!!?? They are downright ugly...
That said, I am sure I would love the driving/ownership experience of any current Bangle mangle cooking model BMW, just like my father loved the E30 for his 20years of ownership despite hating the looks of it.
To play the devils (Forg's??) advocate for a while... Is one a true driving enthusiast if they love a car despite not liking the way it looks?? Could one argue that one is a wanker merely for buying cars solely based on their looks rather than how they drive?? Is this not similar to buying a vehicle solely based on a badge alone??

[Babalouie]

To play the devils (Forg's??) advocate for a while... Is one a true driving enthusiast if they love a car despite not liking the way it looks?? Could one argue that one is a wanker merely for buying cars solely based on their looks rather than how they drive?? Is this not similar to buying a vehicle solely based on a badge alone??

That's an extreme interpretation....I reckon looks are part of the equation, so you may well buy the second-best handling car out of your short-list because it just happens to be the best looking.

Put it this way...the 7-series would have to drive REALLY well