New BMW 7 Series

[SilverSaloon]

Isn't that a posh way of saying 'face-lift'?
John

no

 

[Shude]

The first BMW Bangle designed was the E65 7 series i.e the present ones. Bangle started @ BMW in 2001 IIRC. By then the E39 5 series (96/97 on) and E53 X5 (2000-2007) had beem designed.

Wikipedia isn't exactly gospel but take a quick read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bangle

He became the first American chief of design of BMW in 1992

 

[fyonn]

I think the new 7 is a great looking car, but then I kinda liked the older 7. I'd have had one had the fuel and tax concerns not been more pressing.

I'm a bit disappointed that they have re-introduced the gearstick though. why does it need a central gearstick, taking up space on the centre console? stick gear selection on stalks or even buttons would be better IMHO.

dave

 

[SilverSaloon]

I think the new 7 is a great looking car, but then I kinda liked the older 7. I'd have had one had the fuel and tax concerns not been more pressing.

I'm a bit disappointed that they have re-introduced the gearstick though. why does it need a central gearstick, taking up space on the centre console? stick gear selection on stalks or even buttons would be better IMHO.

dave

yes i had one and much prefered the stalk on the steering column to select gear. It just felt more special.

 

[V8mate]

yes i had one and much prefered the stalk on the steering column to select gear. It just felt more special.

My mum says I'm special. But I'm probably just 'different'

 

[hawk20]

Like Mercedes wouldn't kill for BMW's UK sales figures!

You're joking. The S class outsells the 7 series, and has year after year, by a country mile.

 

[CiaranMcKeown]

Very Star Wars Interior!!!

 

[tim.100]

BMW always manage to make the Sports versions look quite good but overal the old E36, E39, E30 and E34's were much more handsome cars.

Don't forget the E32 and the E38 - both very elegant 7-series. They epitomised understated elegance in their respective eras.

I'm not suprised the new 7 'looks like a big 3-series.' Nowadays BMW have a very recognisable brand in their styling. More so than Mercedes massive model range IMHO.

 

[hawk20]

Don't forget the E32 and the E38 - both very elegant 7-series. They epitomised understated elegance in their respective eras.

I'm not suprised the new 7 'looks like a big 3-series.' Nowadays BMW have a very recognisable brand in their styling. More so than Mercedes massive model range IMHO.

Yes: a genuine house style based on what's the word I'm looking for. Umm. Ugliness.

 

[tim.100]

Yes: a genuine house style based on what's the word I'm looking for. Umm. Ugliness.

Well maybe - in the eye of the beholder. Each to their own etc...

I wouldn't buy any modern BMW or Mercedes based on looks alone at present.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i'll get flamed for saying this but...

the E65 7 series i had (2003 model) was definatly better than the W220 S class I checked out.

IMHO of course!!

I would prefer a newer S class though over the outgoing 7 series.

I am sure the new 7 series will be a superb car. But i very much doubt i will be delving into these type of cars again. Its old mercs for me all the way if i'm funding myself!

Still considering that 123 estate................. if i was going to buy a gass-guzzler i'd opt for an older 80's S class.

 

[st4]

Wikipedia isn't exactly gospel but take a quick read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bangle

I well and truly stand corrected. It must have been the flame surfacing that appeared first on the 7 series, the first of many ugly cars to come.

 

[Shude]

I well and truly stand corrected. It must have been the flame surfacing that appeared first on the 7 series, the first of many ugly cars to come.

After some reading it turns out that although he was in control of the designs he wasn't the designer for a lot of them!

 

[hawk20]

I love that phrase 'the cars Bangle spannered'. Fortunately he has now been promoted (sideways and up as they say) and has had his pencil taken away.

 

[SilverSaloon]

you can take the pi$$ but his 'bangled butt 7 series' design has been copied by most manufactuers since.... including MB!

dont you think the new S-class looks surprisingly similar to the E65 BMW?

in think its turned full circle and the design is now considered good looking!!

 

[hawk20]

you can take the pi$$ but his 'bangled butt 7 series' design has been copied by most manufactuers since.... including MB!

!

Sorry but you are wrong there. Bangle copied it from Mercedes who first showed it at the 1997/8 Detroit show IIRC on the prototype Maybach. See Wikipedia on the 'bangle butt' if you wish to confirm. It is in there somewhere.

 

[Dragon]

Photos of new Beemer 7

Bland rather have the S-class.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/3080704.001/photo1001/new-bmw-7-series