German Car Zone

For a while there, a couple of years ago, some of us even myself had issues with Chris Bangle. Some felt that he had essentially begun to turn BMW in a direction that would evetually destroy it.

Now, in restrospect, I can see that we did not see where we were going, and that was probably why we were apprehensive. However, in my opinion, things have really changed and the designs have begun, if not all, to grow on me and many of you out there.

So, with that said, looking at things retrospectively, and being able to analyze the current production line, what are you feelings of Chris Bangle. Were you wrong to assert that he was taking BMW in the wrong direction? or, do you still think that he is a horrible designer.

I at one time thought that Bangle was not the best choice. However, I have changed my opinion, and I did this a long time ago. I don't know what it was but I really think it was the 7er. I know the 7er wasn't everyone's taste, but something about it called my name.

Well I always appreciated what Bangle was doing and was quite excited by the 7er ...and it is still a more fully resolved design than the W221's.

To be perfectly honest, I think too much was made of the 7ers "radicalism", is was right for the time.

I never really hated bangle but I did have a bit of a problem with the 7 though. I mean the car was really good looking but the front was really freakin' ugly. I had no problems with the so called "bangle butt" and I absolutely loved the rear of the car and ever since then I have liked all the cars except the X3, 1, and sometimes Z4 from some angles. I have tremendous respect for him, and I actually would love to talk to him about design one day.

Years from now, I think the original E65 will be looked upon as a watershed moment both for BMW and the premium car business in general.

I like all Bangle cars bar the 6er, kind of makes me agitated because I feel it lacks the definitive proportions that made the original 6er such a great looking car. The E63 is just kind of all over the place, however I find the M6 to be very attractive and mainly because I feel the wheels match the design of the car perfectly, better than any of the other available rim chioces. I've several 645's/650's w/ these wheels and the cars look great. I'll take a rain check for the next generation. Speaking of which I think will be quite attractive cars now that BMW's design team has had time to study the "flame design" philosiphy out in the real world in how it gels in w/ the landscape.

I have been a fan of Bangle's designs since the Z4 and E60 platform however I wasnt as sure about the 7 series even though overall i still liked it.

P.S. Like my inverted color avatar?? It shows the the design in a different light which kind of gives one a new fresh perspective..

I don't like him nor his designs that much, but I can't deny just how much of an influence his designs have made to the current crop of cars.

i was with him from the beginning, so i guess i have to vote the third option.

I've always liked BMW since before I can remember. When the 7er came out, I didn't care for it that much because I didn't see what the big deal was. Sure it went far from what old BMWs used to look like, but I didn't find it that shocking. I didn't think it was the prettiest car in the world nor did I find it the hardest to digest.
The moment I really paid attention to Bangle was when the Z4 came out. I remember thinking that this car looks like an aggressive shark (it was silver). Then the E60 came out and I thought that that looked great as well. The rest is history. I'm definitely loving the new cars.

I voted 'Yes, I was wrong to think that he was taking BMW in the wrong direction. He is a good designer!'

When I first saw the pictures of the 7er this is what I thought, but when I saw it in the flesh, it completely changed my mind!

I even remember putting down my name on that online petitionto get Bangle fired, how stupid I was!