Chris Bangle on his way out?

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

Yuck.

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

The picture of that concept is sick. Second pic looks like ass!

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

Here it is. All I can say is P.U.

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

What is that? It looks like a Kia or a Daewoo!

[m3f_mbobkat_3cf0f2f02a]

yeah it looks like ass....I'd say Daewoo

[m3f_Extrav.Dre_53c7fb859e]

Wow, I must have prayed to the right person or something. I was definitely not going to buy another BMW if this new design continued. Although, I must admit I have really come to like the new 7, even more than the old. But just like Todd said, the headlights are despicable.



It is kinda weird how all the series have been getting larger over the years and now they have to tack one on the front to get a smaller car in there. I’m hoping it will be something like the e30 was, just a little more powerful. I think the M2 will have around 240bhp, which should be fun to play with.



Ohh, and what is up with all the new crazy huge ugly wheels on all the new BMWs?

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

M2? Are the coming out with a 1 and 2 series?

[m3f_Extrav.Dre_53c7fb859e]

same car, I believe the 1 is the 4 door version while the 2 is the 2 door version. But I don't think they have quite made up they minds yet.



The M1 is a supercar so they can't quite use the 1/2 series platform for it...

http://www.motortrend.com/motor/future/spied/112_0301_m1_z.jpg



If you are interested at a glance of the 1/2...

http://www.streetracersonline.com/articles/bmw1/

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

Counterpoint:



OK Bangle's made a few Bungles no doubt...the boot on the 7. The eyes on the 5...the rear-end on the Z4. I find that he is pushing the envelope but his cars are selling and that is the real test.



BMW wants to be seen as cutting edge with exceptional performance and my son's (11) favorite car is the Z4. BMW needs new customers and I believe they are getting them. If Bangle could tone down 10% I would be happy. I love the new 6 and the 7 & Z4 have grown on me.



Plus we don't know what the rest of the world thinks...any Europeans want to jump in here...what do you think??

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

thats the thing.. its not the looks that get people.. its everything.. looks.. service... quality.. back in the 80's cadillac lost there middleaged group because a)lack of technology and b) poor service.. they changed there look on there cars a ton since then and still can't seem to regain the status they once had because of the consistance of the european automakers.. if ya ask me its not about howmuch u change it but how little u change it.. in order to keep everyone.. u can't change it too much but have to change it alittle.. thats what they had done for some many years and done so wel... technology was improving.. service was improving.. u couldn't get anything better.. this last batch of cars was just too far..

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

The vast majority of BMW's sales, and increasing sales, are 3-series cars. Those are still pre-Bangled models. The only other significant gain is the X5, another pre-Bangled model that didn't exist before the 2000 M.Y., so it's natural that it will gain in sales. Sales of the Z4 have declined from the Z3.



Perhaps that's why Bangle is on his way out now? BMW is in a world of hurt if people don't like the upcoming 3-series. Since the 3-series accounts for about 3/4 of their sales, that would leave them in dire straits indeed. Too use cutting-edge styling and experiment with public taste on those models would be truly foolhardy IMHO.

[m3f_Extrav.Dre_53c7fb859e]

did he already design a 3? I think they are going to use a more traditional look for it since it is such a big part of their sales.

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

Does anyone have the sales numbers from the old seven series to the new or the Z4 to the Z3? I see a $hit load of them every time I go to Atlanta?

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

It appears that they haven't released the numbers for 2003 yet. I think the sales of the new 7-series has been artificially pumped up by fire sale prices and heavy incentives offered by BMW to move these models.



http://www.autointell-news.com/european_companies/BMW/business-figures/bmw-sales-by-model.htm

[m3f_04M3blur_1ceee0bbd5]

Sales of the Z4 have declined from the Z3.



Interesting, I've heard just the opposite.