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1-series. It's just plain ugly.
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Oh lordy... aint that the truth!
mind you I think *all* bwm are ugly as sin...
JaB
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agree, but one man's meat's another's poisson or wotever - of more concern to me would be lack of interior/boot space cos of rear wheel drive
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So we can judge the validity of the above comments can the authors state their own "ultimate driving machines".
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So we can judge the validity of the above comments can the authors state their own "ultimate driving machines".
Porsche 996.
Shame about the 1, cos it's good to drive apparently. Maybe it's better in the metal. But the only Bimmer that runs it close looks-wise is that M Roadster of a few years back. Hideous. 'Bout as sexy as a shed on wheels.
New 5? Nice.
6? Nice.
7? Corpulent slab.
3? Tired of seeing 'em.
4x4s? Don't notice 'em.
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Max. You mean the Z M Coupe rather than the roadster. The fastest bread van ever. I love the ugliness of it. Faster and rarer than most things. A future classic.
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I love the ugliness of it.
I can't really argue there. If ugly is the new beautiful, then I guess Bangle is onto a good thing.
Come to think of it, a trend like that might work rather well in my favour too! Move over Liz Hurley ... ;-)
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So we can judge the validity of the above comments can the authors state their own "ultimate driving machines".
My opinion is valid as far as my personal taste is concerned but for the record
I drive Alfa's modern and Classic.
JaB
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one man's meat's another's poisson
One man's meat is another man's fish?
I have no idea what that means, but it sounds REALLY philosophical ;)
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remove one S from poisson, BB
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As a satisfied owner of a current 320d SE Touring, I have to agree that Chris Bangle`s design flair is about as attractive as Vanessa Feltz in a tutu !!!!
What on earth are BMW thinking about to employ a person as head of their design team with such absurd notions that this so called flared design is in any way appealing to the buying public.??? Quite frankly after the superb design of the old E39 5 Series, I think the new Bangle "designs" are an absolute disaster and deserve to bomb in the sales charts, I for one will be looking elsewhere (Lexus IS200 Diesel) for my next car if the forthcoming E60 (next 3 Series) is another monstrosity.
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Chris Bangle`s design flair is about as attractive as Vanessa Feltz in a tutu !!!!
Don't let his recent nastiness cloud your view of all his work, he used to design some georgeous cars. The Fiat Coupe was a Bangle, and it's a fantastic looking car.
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The Fiat Coupe was a Bangle, and it's a fantastic looking car.
I reckon he put all his talent into it and so had none left for BMW
JaB
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My theory is that he is a good designer, but that his exciting and innovative design ethic just doesn't sit well with the rather staid (IMO) teutonic stylings of BMW that he had to work with.
Or maybe he just finds screwing up BMW as funny as the rest of us do ;)
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Or maybe he just finds screwing up BMW as funny as the rest of us do ;)
How funny would it be to find that out.... LMAO
JaB
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1-series. It's just plain ugly.
The Afla 147 isn't my cup of tea, but I can see why many folks like it. The 1-series looks like a 147 on some very powerful drugs
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And looks like an uglified Rover RD/X60 :
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=23010
:-(
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Nah, the current 3-series Compact manages to look awkward, dated and boring at the same time - at least the 1 has some interesting panelwork. Far more comedic than the styling is the prices - £20k for a 120i Sport!!!
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Far more comedic than the styling is the prices - £20k for a 120i Sport!!!
But that's not really too steep when you consider that it includes the unrestricted hog-the-outside-line-at-90mph-inches-from-somebody's-bumper permit ... ;-)
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No Wheels,
Dont forget the waivers for fog lights and indicators
StarGazer
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The 1-series looks like a 147 on some very powerful drugs
My original thought upon seeing the 1 series for the 1st time.
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1-series v Alfa 147? No contest. The Alfa's rather sexy.
And I've already confessed around here to thinking the new Alfa GT is quite gorgeous. Hmm. I seem to be joining the Alfisti (is that what they're called?) Most out of character... Must be Alfa (well Fiat really) getting something right.
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1-series v Alfa 147? No contest. The Alfa's rather sexy. And I've already confessed around here to thinking the new Alfa GT is quite gorgeous. Hmm. I seem to be joining the Alfisti (is that what they're called?) Most out of character... Must be Alfa (well Fiat really) getting something right.
yes, thats what we call ourselves, other drivers have many and varied names for us ;-)
No not FIAT... Alfa, Alfa Romeo has been it's own business unit again for a couple of years now altho' of course it is part of the FIAT group.
JaB
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Oh what fun* we have these days.
Tell Alfisti that they drive Fiats, tell X-type owners that their Mondeo looks nice today, tell Audi owners about the near-identical Seat that costs xxxx less....
Soon only BMW and Porsche will be left.... (I hope!)
*must get out more. must must.
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*must get out more. must must.
Yes... you must ;-)
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You're all just jealous.
[::duck for cover!::]
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worst looking BMW ever?
The way the styling is going the answer has to be: whichever is the newest model introduced.
madf
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>>It's just plain ugly.
Oh I don't know; Its a bit difficult to tell from a photograph because scale can make so much difference, but I think it looks quite pleasant.
Not my kind of car, mind you, but pleasant looking nonetheless.
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dude asked:
"What on earth are BMW thinking about to employ a person as head of their design team with such absurd notions that this so called flared design is in any way appealing to the buying public.???
answer:
June 8, 2004
BMW AG, the world's second-largest luxury carmaker, said sales rose 12 percent last month on higher demand in Asia, the United States and Germany.
Sales of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands increased to 105,655 vehicles in May, the Munich, Germany-based company said in a statement. Sales in the first five months rose 6.5 percent from the year-earlier period to 477,070 units.
US contribution:
Text courtesy BMW of North America
June 2004
BMW Brand Breaks All Previous US Sales Records
The BMW Group (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported an increase of eight percent in May sales for 27,787 vehicles compared to the 25,765 vehicles sold that month in 2003, making it the company's best sales month ever in the U.S. The BMW Group also reported year-to-date sales of 115,737 vehicles, an increase of three percent from 112,278 sold in the first five months of 2003.
of which
MINI Brand
Demand for MINI brand automobiles continues to be strong. Sales of MINI automobiles in May are up 1.4 percent with sales of 3,355 over the 3,310 in 2003. Year-to-date, sales were up 2.1 percent, with 14,916 cars compared to 14,614 sold a year ago.
and
BMW Brand
BMW brand reported its strongest month ever, with sales of 24,432 automobiles and Sports Activity Vehicles, an increase of 9 percent compared to the 22,455 vehicles reported last May.
Year-to-date, sales of BMW brand vehicles were up 3.2 percent with sales of 100,821 vehicles compared to 97,664 vehicles sold in first five months of 2003.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Strong sales of BMW's new X3 Sports Activity Vehicle have contributed to the record sales month. Total May SAV sales were 5,047, compared to 2,845 vehicles sold in May 2003, a jump of 77 percent. Year-to-date, sales of BMW's SAV models are up 51 percent, to 20,925 vehicles compared to 13,871 for the same period in 2003.
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Oh God, don't let Bangle near the MINI...
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BMW has been selling well recently in the US, but not as well as the figures in the BMW statement suggests. May was the best month ever for several manufacturers and BMW has increased its truck sales by more than double (might have been limited supply last year).
But they only sold 3% more cars (including Mini) when Toyota sold 11% more, Hyundai 21%, Mazda 42%, Honda 24%, Kia 26%, Nissan 7.7%.
They (BMW) seem to have taken sales from VW and Mercedes-Benz (which are both now selling badly in the US) but are not increasing as the same rate as every other foreign carmaker in the top ten.
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VW certainly doing badly in the US where their reputation is sinking.
BMW are doing very well with the Mini. How long for remains to be seen because dealers are being kept busy swapping out CVT's and updating software (now on version thirty-something, would you believe!).
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>>June 8, 2004
BMW AG, the world's second-largest luxury carmaker, said sales rose 12 percent last month on higher demand in Asia, the United States and Germany.
Sales of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands increased to 105,655 vehicles in May, the Munich, Germany-based company said in a statement. Sales in the first five months rose 6.5 percent from the year-earlier period to 477,070 units.>>
These figures are meaninless until broken down by model, - the greatest percentage increase in Europe is on Mini`s, pre Bangle E46 3 series and SUV`s mainly X5`s, which at the request of BMW Munich, were largely toned down & de- Bangled before release onto the market.
Obviously with the explosion in Chinese demand and their recent local factory outlet opening, far East sales from a very lowly base are bound to distort the overall picture.
My comments are largely directed at the European market, where the new 5 & 7 Series have not sold well and the figures quoted by carl_a by the main Japenese rivals, puts BMW sales in true global context.
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It would be interesting to find out the US Lexus, Infiniti & Acura sales figures as these would be the best to compare with BMW.
BMW sales in the UK are up 2%, Lexus is up 23%, Audi 6% so they are up but not as much as some. (Much better than Mercedes-Benz who are -3.5%)
I was watching Maxi Test on Motors TV a few hours ago, apparently the battery for the 1 Series is located where the spare wheel would normally go. So they will always have to supply run-flat tires, how do these effect the ride ?
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Jeremy Clarkson is as restrained as ever in his comments:
BMW is entering the market with the 1-series, but it is monumentally ugly ? as much of an eyesore as the 1960s fire station in a mellow yellow Cotswold town.
driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1149817...l
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Why is everyone so into Bangle bashing? There are so many cars that look alike now that it's good to have some "challenging" designs - Renault and BMW are the only outfits with any courage at the moment.
I've been into cars for as long as I remember, but they are really all starting to look the same now - all the family and rep sized boxes are much of a muchness these days.
Not sure I "get" the seven or the back end of the six series and the X3/5 are rubbish simply by virtue of being 4x4s - what is the point.
I do think the Z4 is a truly impressive machine, modern, edgy and just exactly right for the purpose. Remember the Z3 anyone - what an eyesore that was.
The 1 I'm off to test drive asap, quite like the look of it and the five series is smart and different.
Can't see they'll change the MINI too much.
Don't forget that without the likes of BMW & Renault trying new stuff, we'd all be driving Focuses, Mondeos and their clones.
--
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
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There are so many cars that look alike now that it's good to have some "challenging" designs
Lee, I dunno how much you follow the current jargon in schools ... but I'm reminded here of how teachers are no longer allowed to call a spade a spade. A kid who disrupts everyone else's learning and abuses the teacher is no longer labelled a miscreant/hooligan/troublemaker/whatever -- he is described as "exhibiting challenging behaviour".
Much like Bangle ...
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I work for a local education authority, so yes, I'm familiar with the current trends to silly jargon. Thankfully, I'm not a teacher (there's not enough money in the world) so I don't get to "look after" children but I'd agree that some kids are very challenging.
It's a sign that I'm getting old that I spend a lot of time thinking "we wouldn't have tried that/got away with that in our day".
You've not had a meeting at our place if you've not mentioned pedagogy....
Er, car link, er, er, teachers drive cars and often the same ones at a school - I know of a primary with 4 MINIs. Phew, back on track.
--
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
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