New 3 series ugly?

[pattyg]

Having seen quite a few on the roads I can't help thinking that the styling is a step back from the last of the previous generation 3 series.

The rear of the car is much too busy (ugly) IMO with too many lines converging all over the place...front is OK.

Its not that I'm not a fan of current BMs because I love the new 5 series.

Anyone agree/disagree?

[planman350i]

Agree some of the humdrum models look pants from the back, narrow tyres and too much of rear suspension arms on show.

[Gimlet]

Well I like it.

Roll on the release of the E90 B3.

>> Edited by Gimlet on Thursday 1st September 22:14

[360stimo]

I think BM's are great driving cars and i've had 4 different models. Im sure they are still great cars to drive, but with the new 3 series out now, i dont think there is a model i would buy, cos they are all so bloody ugly !

Few of my buddies have also been BMW drivers but they have also jumped ship now due to the latest styling.

Decided not to order a new M3, it think i might go down the new XKR route instead or an SL Merc as everyday car !

[turbobloke]

As a big fan of the E36 3-series (former owner) and as someone who's just rejoined the bee emm club with an E38 740i, I'm afraid I have to echo those PHers who are questioning the direction that BMW styling has taken. I've had a suspicion for some time that the Blue Propeller Execs were courting innovative designs by putting psychotropic substances in Bangle's design studio coffee machines. Bad luck guys, time for Plan B.

[silverback mike]

Totally agree, I have always been a BMW fan. In fact my first car was a hearing aid beige(safari beige )316, and have owned approximately ten since. However, the new designs don't do it for me unfortunately.
For me the most BMW BMW was the E34 M5. It seemed to epitomise BMW styling perfectly.
Yes, things have to move on, but imo not in the right direction.

[Gompo]

I dont mind the very back so much, the problem I have is with the rear quarter/wheel arch area and the bit just before that from front to back. Something missing there, doesnt look right at all. Will be interesting to see if IF BMW can sort it out.
I generally like the other new BM's..

[shortshiftin]

Looks like a Saab!

[redleicester]

Aaaahhh the Cars That Bangle Spannered...... ruddy Yanks....

[Marquis_Rex]

I think styling wise- anything that isn't "sharknose" is bland and "un-BMW" looking/watered down.
Anything done by Bangle is hideous and pretentious IMHO. Yanks indeed, just like the new Minis styling which I can't stand either.

That means my favouritely styled BMW of each series is

E12 or E28 for 5 series,
E23 for the 7 series,
E21 for the 3 series
E24 for the 6 series!

[ascender]

TBH I just find the new 3 series totally dull and bland. Its difficult to get excited enough about it to deem it ugly.

Loks like a bit of a half ar$ed effort by BM who maybe panicked about giving it the full Bangle-esque treatment, but their challenging looks clearly haven't harmed sales so they should have just gone for it.

[800]

Marquis_Rex said:

I think styling wise- anything that isn't "sharknose" is bland and "un-BMW" looking/watered down. Anything done by Bangle is hideous and pretentious IMHO. Yanks indeed, just like the new Minis styling which I can't stand either. That means my favouritely styled BMW of each series is E12 or E28 for 5 series, E23 for the 7 series, E21 for the 3 series E24 for the 6 series!

Ah, now there's a man who knows his BMW's.
I agree completely, Sir.
More 'shark' styling needed.

Followed a 3 Series yesterday. The back really is a mess!
The 'innovative' 5,6,7 are aethetically challenged, to say the least.
The 'conservative' 3 Series looks worse than a Lexus.

[RobbieM-Evo]

I was at BMW Coopers in Surrey the other week and had a good look around a 320d they had in the showroom. After telling the salesman that I thought the E90 looked a bit like a nissan primera he was quick to tell me he has seen pics of the new E90 M3, as a M3 owner myself I began to listen!

The new E90 M3 = 18 months away!
Will produce a saloon this time
(Again as E36 came as sallon)
And wait for it a M3 Touring!!!
Can't wait to see what that looks like!

However im still not getting the E90 yet!

[r988]

1 series - I'm growing to like it, but will never consdier it beautiful or a great design

3 series - Just rather bland really

5 series - growing to like it, looks fantastic from some angles but akward and ungainly from others.

6 series - same deal as the 5er

7 series - TBH the front is almost passable but the rear end is really just awful.

Z4 - I have to admit, I hated the Z4 when it first came out, but it really has grown on me to the point where it is easily the best looking car BMW make right now, though maybe thats because the rest are so awful

It strikes me that the current crop of beemers probably looked quite good as drawings in the studio but that it didn't transfer into real life quite as well as they hoped.