I cant take it anymore!! Too Ugly To Party with, take my position - Page 5

thebishman · 18th December 2004, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

Richard,
I think you mean: wedge on wheels.

For all ye who miss the olden times, have no fear, the styling will resolve itself. Remember, all good things to those who wait.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!

Jerry,
Are you suggesting that there will be a major re-vamping of the E60 styling soon, to 'un-do' some or most of the 'Bangle' damage; OR are you saying that the next generation 5 series will appear far better than the E60? If the later, we have one he-l of a wait!!

Mike0804 · 18th December 2004, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

Michael,
I seriously doubt I will end up with an E60 M5. Its just not doing it for me. Mostly due to SMG.

I think the SL55 is a fantastic vehicle and I can see it being a very long term hold for us. It works for both my wife and I, and as far as I am concerned, shifting it with their step tronic is just as involving- or not- as SMG. I can even get it to shift smoothly and when I want by measuring my throttle inputs- just like... SMG. What I miss is throttle blipped downshifts. But thats it. I plan on keeping my E39 M5 for as long as she will run. I love the combination of virtues it provides. Its main weakness is the steering, which was helped with Pilot Sport tires. Its still a little numb, but its by no means bad.

As for styling, my best info says don't get too married to this design language. I hear BMW WILL go back to the past for all their new designs! Hooray!!! But it will be a modern take on the past, no droopy eyebrows, etc though. They are concerned that they have lost the "BMWness" in their designs and I concur. Yes, the move upstairs for Bangle was the beginning of a program to get him out gracefully. Don't ask how I know, I just do. Don't agree- then sit back and wait.

Hmm...
A move away from the Bangle design direction is welcomed news indeed, even for many (like me) who have made piece with the new design. However it could adversely affect resale on 1st gen E60/E60M5's, when this information is publicly confirmed. The prospect of a tastefully updated version of the E39 wrapped around that magnificent V10 is, frankly, mouth-watering.

In a way, I'm starting to agree with the Mercedes guys. They've had their E55AMG's and SL55AMG's for two years now, everybody that has one loves it, and here we are still waiting and hoping, with only the highly controversial Bangle designs to look forward to. A situation that becomes especially difficult when I know I could go get a new E55AMG today.

I'm a 10 months away from my new M5, and a lot can happen in a year.

rebel1 · 19th December 2004, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by António Duarte

That was exactly my point... You prefer the E34 to drive, it is more fun TO DRIVE... but now, which one is your daily, E34 or E39? My money is on the E39, right?

What I meant was that regular E34 vs regular merc of it time was a closer call than E34 M5 vs the E500 porsche tunned car. A regular E39 is by far better than the E class of it's day, but comparatively, the respective AMG and M products are a closer call. And the E500 by porsche had an outrageous price!

My daily driver is my GMC Sierra Denali, But if I was to pick one of my M's I'd pick the E34 by by virtue of it's exclusivity and all out fun factor... It has better brakes, is 300 lbs lighter, EDC III self leveling suspension and the saaaaweeetist six banger ever made. The sounds that come from that 347 HP motor are intocxicationg! Lets not forget there was only 215 examples made in 95.

MEnthusiast · 19th December 2004, 12:43

Bart,
To do the former would be to admit a mistake. That is not the BMW way. That is why you see Chris Bangle being gently edged upstairs. In the next several years they will come up with a dignified way to let him retire.

What I was told, to put it bluntly, is that when we look back at BMW history 20 years from now, this current crop will stick out like a sore thumb.

You won't have to wait quite as long as you think. The new 7 will be out in 2007 as a 2008 model. Remember the first model year on the E65 was 2002. That would make the E65/6 the shortest production run of any series BMW (only 6 years- they usually range from 7-9).

Have patience. If you don't like what you see today, I say wait for tomorrow. Wait and see. From what I hear, the future looks -literally- great.

M6 Forever · 19th December 2004, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

Bart,
That is why you see Chris Bangle being gently edged upstairs. In the next several years they will come up with a dignified way to let him retire.

The slight problem I have with this "foresight" is that the entire team which Bangle is in charge of, including van Hooydonk, are all sharing his avant-garde approach. So retiring Bangle is not enough, they would need to retire the entire team!

I still think their desgin cues will continue. Look at the 1 series, and look at the 3 series, both are the Bangle type designs - although the new 3 is more toned down.

MEnthusiast · 19th December 2004, 14:21

AVH did what he was instructed to do. The 6&7 are more Bangle than him, but this way they can spread the "blame" if the design doesn't work out. This is all about saving face.

beewang · 19th December 2004, 15:48

This is one pointless thread and should be deleted.

Opinions are like a$$holes and everybody has one (my self included).

You are not going to change other peoples mind w/ these silly internet msg board debate.

Let's stick w/ more productive discussion please.

cheers,

beewang

rsteele · 19th December 2004, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by beewang

This is one pointless thread and should be deleted.

Opinions are like a$$holes and everybody has one (my self included).

You are not going to change other peoples mind w/ these silly internet msg board debate.

Let's stick w/ more productive discussion please.

cheers,

beewang

These messageboard debates are intertaining, informative, and quite frequently do cause us to appreciate and respect other opinions, but, of course, you have a good point that heated argument over these opinions is pointless.

We also need to retain the perspective that this is a conversation among a very small group of people dominated by an even smaller minority. This oftens leads to a mistaken impression of "consensus," such as was seen in the surprise results of the SMG v. "manual" transmission poll. Neither a majority opinion is expressed nor a consensus reached when a handful of us vehemently and repeatedly express an opinion. A messsage board member may state 2000 times that he dislikes the Bangle body style, and it would still count only as a single vote.

Richard

António Duarte · 19th December 2004, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel1

My daily driver is my GMC Sierra Denali, But if I was to pick one of my M's I'd pick the E34 by by virtue of it's exclusivity and all out fun factor... It has better brakes, is 300 lbs lighter, EDC III self leveling suspension and the saaaaweeetist six banger ever made. The sounds that come from that 347 HP motor are intocxicationg! Lets not forget there was only 215 examples made in 95.

Well,let's keep it quiet... I "need" to have one of those in my garage (at least for a few years, possibly for ever) and i don't have big money, so don't remind me there's only 200 (probably less now) to go arround...

And i want mine in avus blue... oh, and since i'm dreaming, make that a black touring also (maybe for the future wife...)

rebel1 · 19th December 2004, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by António Duarte

Well,let's keep it quiet... I "need" to have one of those in my garage (at least for a few years, possibly for ever) and i don't have big money, so don't remind me there's only 200 (probably less now) to go arround...

And i want mine in avus blue... oh, and since i'm dreaming, make that a black touring also (maybe for the future wife...)

I am planning on selling my E34 if your interested.. Need da cash.......