What the hell is going on with BMW design? | Ti podcast 224

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel are joined in the studio by Steve Saxty, who arguably knows more about BMW design than anybody not affiliated with the company. Steve's book, BMW Behind the Scenes, explores the past, present and future of the marque's often beautiful, sometimes baffling designs.

Many of its latest efforts, such as the XM SUV, are among the most contentious designs of the modern era. So why did BMW choose to go down such a divisive path and will it continue in the same direction?

#bmw #bmwdesign #carpodcast

This is episode 224 of The Intercooler podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.

[HammyMansell]

As a kid in the 80s and 90s, the 3 series, 5 series, 7 series (with the 6 & 8 series alternating in between) had real style and presence on the road. But now they are two a penny, are usually driven by ignoramoses, and have no style at A shame.

[briancorkery]

When the BangleButt 7 series showed up I was horrified. So I bought my first BMW, a 2003 330i out of fear that he would ruin the 3 series too.
Now, twenty years on, I have no interest in current BMWs purely because of the design philosophy. The grills, the shapes, the multitude of different models now, but to me, the loss of the classic interior design and ergonomics.
My 2016 F10 535d will be my last BMW ever I feel

[tellmyfortunes]

Photos showing the cars being discussed would have been nice.

[dappergent]

From a child, I had a high admiration for BMW. Their designs were elegant and sporty. Fast-forward 2024. Their designs are simply grotesque. There is not a single angle on their range of cars which is attractive.

[brettreaby]

"Snotty McButtface" is what I call them these days. I had bmw from 1985-2008 exclusively, loved them.

[markbiggart]

I get it, I’m middle aged. And I absolutely adore the E31, E34, E38, E39, E46. I actually love the Bangle Z4 Coupe, convertible and 6 series, always have. But aside from the current gen X5 (which is previous gen design language), and the 8 series and the 3 series - IMO every other available bmw is FUGLY and there’s not a single one I’d buy as a result of the design.

[darrenjenkins]

Really enjoyed this discussion. Having previously owned an E92 M3, F80 M3 and a 1M, I’d have to say that then 1M was the car that I couldn’t stop looking at on the driveway. Those arches just look so good imo!

[kairikkola]

I grew up as BMW guy. My late dad had Beemer's since '70s. I've had E30, E32, E34, E36, E46 and E90. Last one was shit quality. Now I have in my garage Z3 and E36 coupe but daily drive now is Mazda. It looks and feels good and quality is top of the world. E36 era was still that.

[mc]

What an amazing storyteller. Loved every bit of this. So informed and better than ‘you’re so shouting at each other about toothy grilles’! Very funny!!

I am now looking up where I can get an e34 3.8 in Orinoco…

[dane]

Proud owner of an F80 M3. Absolutely love the design 🔥

[Rasscasse]

I remember being horrified back then, when a friends neighbour turned up in a new Bangle 7 series with its horrible big lardy backside.
I couldn’t believe anybody would buy one . I couldn’t believe that nobody at BMW said, wait a minute.. isn’t this fugly !

[johncallahan]

Hi ! 😃 Great podcast very informative. The fact that pictures of the vehicles talked about really help and add so much to the point of publishing a video.
My favourites BMW designs are : the Z8, the E46 3 series, E39 5 series, E38 7 series, 1st gen X5, the E90 330i LCI (especially with the M pack), 2nd gen Z4 ❤, the 1M, the last gen 2 series coupe and M2 (with the N55), F30 3 series & same generation 4 series gran coupe, F80 M3 (a dark metallic blue manual, competition one would be my ultimate daily) and the last gen 5 series.
Keep going like this. 😄

[BimmerGuyFL]

I’m sorry but BMW is known for their handling, steering, refinement, and last but not least, their designs. When I think of a BMW I think of the designs from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s as they look like an evolution from generation to generation. When the “Chris Bangle” designs came out to me it was a major mistake. When you look at a Porsche 911, they have stayed true to that design and BMW should have done the same. BMW peaked with the E46, E39, and E38 generation. Sales of the XM have been horrible and dealerships are discounting them and even then they’re having trouble selling them. Go back to your roots BMW and listen to your loyal fan base.

[russ]

The BMW e30 still remains one of my favourite looking cars. My dad had one and always remember the quality of the car

[fizziani]

The behind the scenes talk of proportions, designs etc to then produce the horror they have.. the key was in one sentence the 4 series coupe sold well so they continued that grille… it would have sold well with any front due to the dynamics

[I.LikeCars]

I loved the mid 2000s cars, the e92 was elegant and well proportioned

[lucdevriese]

As a BMW fan, it hurts to see how BMW is doing everything to destroy one of the key brand values: attractive design and excellent ergonomics. How on earth could this happen? I know that esthetics is not an exact science but there is more. In several instances, we actually detect poor quality design, irrespective of esthetics. Lines that do not seem to have any connection, inconsistencies, unbalanced proportions, poor ergonomics, etc. One would almost think that the Chinese are paying the head of design to damage the BMW design image.

[ClintWestmetal]

A company that relatively recently (in the grand scheme) brought us the e46, e39 and e38. Absolutely unbelievable what the majority of BMW's have become.

Latest 7 series is a particular disgrace.

[eugenux]

that 2002 revival would have been sublime!, 1000 kgs, rwd, manual and 2-300 hp; driving bliss!

[markseeger]

Sometimes cars of course grow on you overtime but I can’t imagine many of the current range ever will, I still don’t like many of the so called Bangle era models .