Chris Bangle on his way out?

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

Originally posted by redheadfred

see, the thing is tho, if you don't change in the competitive car world, you're gonna get left behind. obviously there are some exceptions to this (like chrysler starting the SUV craze and being left behind anyways) but BMW had to move somewhere. Obviously, if they didn't change anything, all of us enthusiasts would be happy, but their ability to attract new customers may have hurt them. personally, i don't think the new 7 is that bad, especially after driving one. yes, the tailights are questionable, as with the 5, but its change. we'll see what people have to say about the new 5 when the M comes out



change is BAD.. look at the rest of the german world.. how much have volvos, mercedes and hell.. porsches.. changed.. think about it.. i have a 75 porsche that looks like a 90.. not changing is one of the best thing for an automotive company to do.. the E36 was around for what.. 8 years or so.. the mercedes herritage stays for about 10 years then changes.. slightly.. the only automakers that change there cars are the ones that ARE behind.. not the ones ahead.. all american and japanese automakers have to change constantly to attempt to break into the german world of automobiles.. but they just don't get it.. its the quality that makes them worthwhile.. the looks are just a bonus.. but when bangle through together what he did.. i think the whole bmw world stopped.. cause his designs were like that of a japanese automaker.. he needed to stick to the basics like those before him.. not a smart move by him and hence his exit...

[m3f_Black328iS_4f40b49a23]

to bangle's defense though, ive seen alot of new concept cars for other companies that are starting to look very Bangle-ish. BMW's designs seem to be the ones that most other "lesser" car companies try to imitate. Especially the 3 series.

[m3f_M3_Dave]

Originally posted by Drifter

Dave most of us E36 people don't go into the E46 forum.



unlike you drifter....damn!

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

M3Trav, a company can be profitable, but be poorly managed and still have trouble. Porsche is a perfect example. And it was the Boxster, not the Cayenne that "saved" Porsche. I've read that sales of the Cayenne aren't so great. Of course, a healthy dose of better management and more aggresive prices and financing of the 911 may have accomplished the same thing as the Boxster did, we'll never know.



BTW, most motorheads agree that Volvo and Jaguar are much better companies under Ford. They certainly are making better cars. BMW's aquisitions haven't been nearly as successful, at least until the MINI came out.



And BTW, BMW was plenty profitable before SUVs or Banglemobiles. In fact, from everything I read it was the envy of the auto industry. But like many of today's companies they couldn't define when enough was enough and almost completey lost their direction in the process. That's becoming a pretty mainstream problem that's very common amongst a great deal of today's companies.



Just ask yourself what market were they going for with the Banglemobiles? What crackpot market research or focus groups told them that people wanted those? And was it worth throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water?

[m3f_96M3Power_4547fc3d60]

Originally posted by Todd Templeton

BTW, most motorheads agree that Volvo and Jaguar are much better companies under Ford. They certainly are making better cars.



I think ford is making very good cars lately, and they're making them at the right price. The new Mustang Coming out is so sweet. Ford has changed into a quality car company. I could never put "Found On Road Dead" to a ford anymore just because I believe that they're great automobiles.



Jag and Volvo are lucky to be part of Ford.

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

Here's the best Bangle design of them all.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

i completely agree.. she was the hottest of all! :thumbsup:

[m3f_Drifter_23d8df4bc6]

It has nice lines

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

This is all good news to my ears. I am new to the BMW world, and had never heard of Bangle. However I am glad to hear that the person who was in charge of those new designs is going to be out the door. BTW, what is the 1 series going to be like?

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

i do'nt know.. but hopefully they don't follow the design he had inline.. actually i hope they change it all right away!@

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

Agreed. I love the lines of the e36 and the older (97-2002) 5's

[m3f_phongie]

Originally posted by 96M3Power





I think ford is making very good cars lately, and they're making them at the right price. The new Mustang Coming out is so sweet. Ford has changed into a quality car company. I could never put "Found On Road Dead" to a ford anymore just because I believe that they're great automobiles.



Jag and Volvo are lucky to be part of Ford.





the new mustang coming out is based on the design of their old models the Ford Shelby mustang and i think it looks ugly, ford does have nice cars for outside US market tho such as a XR6/8.

[m3f_ACDM3_ced0d57879]

I like the new mustang, it does look like the old ones. Of course not nearly as much as my M. :thumbsup:

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

The new Mustang in it's production form is a big let down to me. The show car prototype had all the elements of a real winner. But the car Ford's selling has much smaller wheels and tires, tons of cheesy looking fender well gap with the car sitting much too high (the biggest visual problem with the old car also). I also read that the car is still using the seriously antique live rear axle. That configuration just has no place on a modern performance car. Even SUVs are starting to move away from live axles!



And they were getting soooo close!

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

I know every car company does it, but am I the only one that gets tired of the bait and switch? Kudos to VW/Audi who's prototypes almost always look exactly like their production cars.