There has been a heated debate on the design of the new BMW cars. Considering the E60 interior and exterior design, what is your opinion. This is not going to be a views exchange topic but rather opions on the design (interior and exterior).

 

I must say that the first time I saw the E60 I wasn't that sure about the exterior.

But now I must say that the E60 will live long and strong what comes to design,
both interior and exterior.

The E90 was, and still is, a disappointment, the E91 is a better,
and I'm not sure about the X3 either...

But I love the E63/64 and the 1-series, 7-series and the Z4.


But todays winner is: the new E92 coup?! A classic is born!

 

Bangle and his team are without question the gold standard for automotive design. No other design team has bigger balls and would have taken the radical direction they took. When you think about the BMW designs of the past, perhaps most specifically the E39, E46 and their predecessors, they were in the main beautifully understated and conservative designs. The safe option - that almost every other "mainstream" manufacturer would have taken - would have been to round out the edges and gently "update" the classic BMW three box design. Bangle, Arcangeli (RIP) and and van Hooydonk were way ahead of their time - which is why our E60's still look fresh four (US) model years in, and their influence on other designers is apparent. Total respect for these guys - biggest balls in the industry.

 

I love the exterior and interior of the E60.

In the UK when the e60 was released it got a bashing from the press for its controversial looks. But most of the Car journos wear cardigans, so what do they know!....Even Jeremy Clarkson says he likes the way it looks now he's got used to it.

I think it just looked different from what they were expecting, a lot different from the previous shape, I think this also upset people who owned the previous shape as the E60 now made their car look really old, but if BMW had only 'evolved' the previous shape I wouldn't have bought one.

I was going to get an e-class, but thought I'd wait for the new E60. I'm so glad I did. Magazine pictures do not do it justice, you have to see one in the flesh to appreciate the amazing design. I went to see one at my local dealer and I knew that was it, I'd be getting one. I also like the iDrive which takes most of the buttons off the dashboard making the interior less fussy, better looking and more comfortable. It makes the interior of the e-class look ancient, they have more buttons & flashing lights than the bridge of the Enterprise, no thanks!

The E60 has a sharp young and modern look which I really like. I hope they keep the headlight design & they don't 'soften' any new version's looks like they have with the brand new 3 series, I don't like that at all.

It's amazing to see how many other manufacturers are now copying the 5 series looks.

 

I'd like to have more love to detail in the interior. E90's interior looks much better


Compare:

 

That E90 interior looks great!! That said, I don't think it's a standard E90 interior. The E60 pic also shows an older lower spec interior (with no NAV etc) so those two pics don't really provide an apples to apples comparison!!

 

Thankyou for the accurate analysis! I am sure the open minded to change are those who embrace the new design with all the goodness. Change is inevitable, Change is good! Yes!! The new design is the definite way to go in radical designing methodologies that bring about a whole new change in vehicle aerodynamics and looks. Chris and his team should see this as a total success and I hope they will keep and improve on it rather than the myopic views of poor design we are getting. Or are the negative critiques old and fashion dead... Whose time is it now?

 

I think that E60 interiors look much better in a very dark wood trim and silver door handles. I had a new shape 3 series loaner for the day, it had an all silver strip, I didn't like it at all.

I used to like 3 series, but now I'm used to my 5 I like the extra space & comfort. I'd still consider a 3 series coupe if I didn't need the room though!

 

Agree!

 

The exterior of the E60 didn't look good to me the first time, that was during the dealer's unveiling party. It grew on me thereafter, somehow. I think a lighter colour shows off its features better than a darker colour, especically if you have the M-Sport aero bits. My car is silver and my business partners' are jet black & carbon black metallic, respectively, and I always get better comments for mine than theirs. People also seem to notice the M-Sport bit more in a lighter colour car.

Somehow I think the interior of my Audi A6 is a lot nicer (black leather with dark wood trim).