thats bogus Martin. you would do a 10 times better work than him. You are the master with complex words. Dont you dare to be modest.

Hmm..I'm not a moderator, but shouldn't this be in the BMW 3-series forum?

correct spotted

Indeed, you're right. I didn't realize the location...

Thanks, thread moved!

edit: Ooops! Andreas was faster...

Thanks JM, that's very kind of you but here's my stark reality: if I had 10 percent of Clarkson's on-screen charisma, way with words and single-minded automotive vision, I'd be very wealthy and making money off cars instead of computers!

We'll all criticise him and pour scorn on his frivolous dismissal of some truly epic motor cars but the fact remains, JC is so flippin good that he can just about put forward any pre-substantiated opinion and he'd be justified. Even if it is bollocks. He knows cars and he knows the automotive environment incredibly astutely.

Sure his 3 star rating for the 335i is nonsense and contradicts every other opinion I've read on this car. F*&k, even "What Car" gave it a five dot rating! But the fact remains, BMW have opened the door on themselves for criticism on styling since 2001 and Clarkson is having a field day with it.

I agree, he definitely is a great writer and a on-screen presenter. The way he influences his audiences could make some car companies want to bribe him.

BTW Martin, where did you learn to write this good?

Well I suppose I'm lucky that the international language of the 'net is english. That said, my writing's not that hot. I tend to over-complicate my sentences and screw up the grammar. Fairly mediocre actually... but thank you nonetheless

That is a true point Martin, but as you said, BMW opened the ' Campbell's Criticise Me ' can in 2001 with the E65, but it's 2006/7 now and I'm still reading and hearing complaints and whining about BMW's radical styling. Exact same thing with I-Drive.

I know that car journo's have to write something interesting/controversial so in that sense I can see why they would keep harping on these two BMW traits.. but seriously, they need to get over it by now. I'm not referring to Clarkson in particular, but car journo's in general.

It's gettin a little old hearing the same old criticism dontcha think?

Yes of course I agree, this is the 21st century for Pete's sake! 30 years ago people were making movies about space travel to distant planets in 2010 and all we've got to show for it in reality is a space shuttle that loses its tiling on lift-off and a few "radically styled" cars. Please...

Radical, futuristic designs need to be lauded and encouraged by the market. We can't continue to rely solely on the microchip for progress. If the car buying public is so "future-averse" then marketers really have a problem in changing perceptions.

The problem is, radical does not always mean futuristic. Some of BMW's more radical designs merely look odd without ushering in a new era in the modern, futuristic interpretation of car styling. An example would be the 1 series to name but one.

So yes, the criticism is a tad long in the tooth but it's not unjustifiable. Funny thing is, I'm not to sure why he'd (Clarkson) level such criticism at the E92? I think it looks quite fetchingly svelte.

Good point... so which of the cars in the BMW line-up do you see as "ushering in a new era in the modern, futuristic interpretation of car styling." ..I'm not arguing, just curious as to see which of Bangle's babies you think sits outside the square of modern car design?

Another question for you my astute man...

All these new niche vehicles (eg: CLS, R-class, X6, Crossovers, and so on) are they actually a move forward in car design ..or simply a desperate attempt to tap into a niche market to create a small but marketable point of differentiation against sister models and/or competitors? (eg: CLS is different to both E-class and 5er/A6)

As for the E92's looks. Well my father wasn't much of a BMW fan even after the E90 hit the streets, but when he laid eyes on a silky smooth pearl white 335i strutting its stuff at the motorshow he openly admitted that he's enjoying BMW's new design direction and even conceeded that BMW had the most appealing and distinctive line-up of cars at the show. I agree, the E92 is a fantastic looking car... but hey, has Clarkson ever said that a single Bangle BMW has looked good?