[RobUK]

Feast your eyes on this hunk of loveliness...

[Oceanic]

God just look at it, and this is progress?

[MashinBenzin]

I like it, especially the front end which I think works better than the X3 and even the (newer) X5. Feels like they held back the styling of the X5 a little to give the X7 the most modern front.

[Blacktemplar]

I am of the view the BMW have lost the plot with their design language, at least as far as European tastes are concerned. I buy a car (almost) as much for its external looks as how it drives; call me shallow (and you undoubtedly will) but I want to take pleasure in looking at what I've spent a shitload of money on, not faintly nauseous.

If we lived in a country where driving could be enjoyed to the potential of our cars, without either becoming a 'public menace' or having a compacted spine and no fillings, then I might gloss over the looks of a car to a degree in favour of power/handling/poise. Sadly though we increasingly have to put up with third-world roads policed by risk-averse vegan joy-deniers, so maybe style does matter over substance.

If this is how BMW are evolving the look of their cars - at least the ones I can afford - then sadly I'm out at renewal next year.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

I am of the view the BMW have lost the plot with their design language, at least as far as European tastes are concerned. I buy a car (almost) as much for its external looks as how it drives; call me shallow (and you undoubtedly will) but I want to take pleasure in looking at what I've spent a shitload of money on, not faintly nauseous.

If we lived in a country where driving could be enjoyed to the potential of our cars, without either becoming a 'public menace' or having a compacted spine and no fillings, then I might gloss over the looks of a car to a degree in favour of power/handling/poise. Sadly though we increasingly have to put up with third-world roads policed by risk-averse vegan joy-deniers, so maybe style does matter over substance.

If this is how BMW are evolving the look of their cars - at least the ones I can afford - then sadly I'm out at renewal next year.

I agree with you overall on BMW's design direction - dislike the new 3 and 7 LCI. I do like the new lights on the X7 though.

Styling has always been a matter for compromise for me, as I can't see it from inside. But the F36 years have been immensely enjoyable, I still can't resist looking back at it and even yesterday, returning home driving my wife's car, I thought how damn good it looks sat on the driveway.

I don't see a single model in the Gxx range that would have me feeling the same way, even the 8-series is overdone and at that price I would be looking at different manufacturers for a style-led choice.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

I agree with you overall on BMW's design direction - dislike the new 3 and 7 LCI. I do like the new lights on the X7 though.

Styling has always been a matter for compromise for me, as I can't see it from inside. But the F36 years have been immensely enjoyable, I still can't resist looking back at it and even yesterday, returning home driving my wife's car, I thought how damn good it looks sat on the driveway.

I don't see a single model in the Gxx range that would have me feeling the same way, even the 8-series is overdone and at that price I would be looking at different manufacturers for a style-led choice.

I agree that there are elements of BMW design that I quite like, but I think the overall coherence of the language has been lost in an effort perhaps to be all things to all markets. I think the bloated grille is a case in point, which I understand is a sop to Asian markets where a 'statement' is more relevant. I guess it's a cultural thing, and as a global manufacturer it's hard to come up with a design language & style that ticks all cultural boxes.

How we emotionally engage with things is as important as what they actually deliver, and your point about the F36 is well made.

Say what you will about Audi in terms of driving satisfaction and overall design, but they've worked hard I think to create a consistency across their ranges that is significantly more coherent and canted towards understated style than either BMW and Mercedes in recent years.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

I agree that there are elements of BMW design that I quite like, but I think the overall coherence of the language has been lost in an effort perhaps to be all things to all markets. I think the bloated grille is a case in point, which I understand is a sop to Asian markets where a 'statement' is more relevant. I guess it's a cultural thing, and as a global manufacturer it's hard to come up with a design language & style that ticks all cultural boxes.

How we emotionally engage with things is as important as what they actually deliver, and your point about the F36 is well made.

Say what you will about Audi in terms of driving satisfaction and overall design, but they've worked hard I think to create a consistency across their ranges that is significantly more coherent and canted towards understated style than either BMW and Mercedes in recent years.

You've seen the Q8, right?

Again, I agree with you overall. Mercedes lost me years ago, with their emphasis on bling. Their interiors in particular are a million miles away from being to my taste. Versus Audi's very tasteful interiors that also coherently work with the exterior.

As you say, emotional connection is a major factor and I do struggle with that with Audi, they leave me a bit cold. BMW would too, if it wasn't for the engineering excellence that lives underneath most models. Emotional connection has been one of the major factors in my next car choice, ultimately it's the cars that I connected with and felt at home in that jumped to the top of the list.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

You've seen the Q8, right?

Again, I agree with you overall. Mercedes lost me years ago, with their emphasis on bling. Their interiors in particular are a million miles away from being to my taste. Versus Audi's very tasteful interiors that also coherently work with the exterior.

As you say, emotional connection is a major factor and I do struggle with that with Audi, they leave me a bit cold. BMW would too, if it wasn't for the engineering excellence that lives underneath most models. Emotional connection has been one of the major factors in my next car choice, ultimately it's the cars that I connected with and felt at home in that jumped to the top of the list.

I find my Audi gives me that feeling of engineering excellence which recent experience with BMW had not given. I like the interior, and I think it looks OK from outside - but the main thing is it looks discrete.

I am not sure about Mercedes. Been in son in laws E450 coupe recently and that is nice inside, I think it is the AMG badged models that are too blingy...

I know that you have something new on order - and I do like the looks of those. I just couldnt buy one because of the lack of excellence in manufacture (and the RR badged ones are way too OTT inside for my taste). Having had two F Pace's in the family that have had too many electrical gremlins (one of which was returned) I am out for now on them... which is a shame as I like the I Pace.

The X7 seems to have taken the worst bits of the Merc GLS and Q7 (neither of which are lookers) and made them worse. Still it could be a D5

[Wills2]

Looks fab.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Oceanic

God just look at it, and this is progress?

In China and the States there isn't really a BMW 7 seat offering, plugs a fairly critical market for them I'm sure.

Agree that 'still' shot looks terrible, no idea why they've gone back to that style of roof rails too. In some specs and colours it looks reasonable.

it is what it is though of course, giant beast of a car.

[Soul_Glo]

[TodmordenLad]

I really dont like big SUVs so I will try to be as objective as I can.
I think it's looks awful.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Feast your eyes on this hunk of loveliness...

Keep that Matt man crush under control!

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Keep that Matt man crush under control!