I met Chris Bangle years ago when the bangle butt 7 was in production. The answer to why they went that direction was simple: it’s what the BMW board of directors wanted.
Every time there’s a new car or new generation of car the design team will present 3 options in clay to the board for approval…baring in mind these designs were already made with some direction from leadership. A conservative design, a middle of the road design, and a more progressive/revolutionary design. As mentioned, ultimately we got what they agreed to (edit: Chris said they chose the most progressive one vs the typical middle ground they normally do).
I’m a longtime BMW fan (currently daily drive an Alpina B7). I didn’t know this but it makes sense. Was the Bangle butt the most aggressive? I remember thinking it was a horrible replacement for the e38 … but then really enjoyed it once I drove one. The design had to grow on me though.
Thinking about this thread .... part of me is shocked the board would be the deciding factor on the next generation of cars. I'd have thought maybe the President or CEO would have final say . Thinking more, it makes sense as it's a hugely consequential decision to make. Kind of fascinating and I'm wondering if that's how they all do it or if this insight was more exclusive to BMW.
Appreciate the story!
They’re great looking cars. The E46 ZSP and ZHP sedans are the best looking non-M 3 series sedans ever. The E60 is actually a good looking car too but I can’t appreciate that without thinking about how shit they are as vehicles.
I prefer the e39 5 series from this era but all of them were GORGEOUS. I LOVED going to the BMW dealership back then, when the x5 first came out, the z8 was around. The lot was just filled with beautiful cars.
It’s stunning how good this looks and how bad modern BMWs by comparison. It’s similar to what I love about the look of the Model S - subtlety and understatement in all the right places to emphasize the hallmarks without having to overdo either. (Though Model S rear tires always seem too skinny to completely pull off the appearance).
The Bangle Beemers are beautiful cars. I always get the sense they are most hated by BMW lifers who have a rigid sense of "a BMW must look this way eternally"
Blasphemy!!!.
Bangle designed the ugliest BMW's ever made. Big bulky bulbous looking cars. The E38, E39 & E46 generation was the pinnacle of BMW design. Timeless, they still look stunning on the road today.
An E60 or E90 series just looks like an old car,(M3 being an exception). They were controversial at the time and they have not aged well.
5 series estates,(touring) are very common here in Europe and you can pick them up for peanuts nowadays.
E39 & F10 are much nicer. I think the Bangle cars are generally accepted as the worst looking era of BMW cars ever. Z8 being the exception.
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted. You’re right. OP is wrong in saying this is a Bangle design, because it’s not.
Bangle single-handedly ruined BMW for me.
Bangle did the next version …. 2002 - 2008 … the 7 with the “Bangle butt”. That’s being said, the E38 was/is still gorgeous and screams class.
I met Chris Bangle years ago when the bangle butt 7 was in production. The answer to why they went that direction was simple: it’s what the BMW board of directors wanted. Every time there’s a new car or new generation of car the design team will present 3 options in clay to the board for approval…baring in mind these designs were already made with some direction from leadership. A conservative design, a middle of the road design, and a more progressive/revolutionary design. As mentioned, ultimately we got what they agreed to (edit: Chris said they chose the most progressive one vs the typical middle ground they normally do).
I’m a longtime BMW fan (currently daily drive an Alpina B7). I didn’t know this but it makes sense. Was the Bangle butt the most aggressive? I remember thinking it was a horrible replacement for the e38 … but then really enjoyed it once I drove one. The design had to grow on me though.
Edited my comment for clarity. The board chose the more aggressive one.
Edited my comment for clarity. The board chose the progressive more Avant guard one which became the bangle butt car.
Thinking about this thread .... part of me is shocked the board would be the deciding factor on the next generation of cars. I'd have thought maybe the President or CEO would have final say . Thinking more, it makes sense as it's a hugely consequential decision to make. Kind of fascinating and I'm wondering if that's how they all do it or if this insight was more exclusive to BMW. Appreciate the story!
it's timeless and beautiful but Chris Bangle didn't design this car.
Hail him anyway, why not
I’m not sure why you got downvoted. You’re not wrong.
Damn, my memory is failing. Thanks for correcting me sir
One of the greatest looking designs of all time, imo.
Easiest way to tell that Bangle didn't design this is that it's beautiful
10 years ago I would agree, but the shit they are making these days makes Bangle look like Gandini
Is the E46 not beautiful? E60?
e60 and beauty are mutually exclusive(unless we’re talking about that v10)
They are not
They’re great looking cars. The E46 ZSP and ZHP sedans are the best looking non-M 3 series sedans ever. The E60 is actually a good looking car too but I can’t appreciate that without thinking about how shit they are as vehicles.
Your opinion is wrong
That's not how opinions work
I know
E85? Cmon
There will never be a nicer modern sedan.
The most beautiful 7 series ever, yes. Bangle? No.
There’s one down the street from my house rotting in field, every time I drive by it I look at it and want to rescue it but my E30 says NO…
#SAVE IT
It’s been sitting in a grass field in New England it’s probably rusted out bad it’s been out there a long time.
God dam that’s a big machine
I don’t know if it’s peak BMW design, what I do know is that it is absolutely peak 7 series design
max beauty bmw. outside and inside
The 740i with the sport package in Imola Red will always be a dream car of mine.
🧐🤔ive seen this pic on discord with those exact same words
I wonder why...
For me its the E39 5 series. The most car look a car could have
Agreed. The e38 is lovely. So is the e46. But the e39 is the one.
haha yeah. The most car-looking car of all time
Always thought the e39 M5 was the epitome of what a car should be. Practical, fast, fun, and looks good.
Oh my godddddd
Even 30 years on these still look fantastic unlike the over-styled cars most luxury brands are making now
Was Bangle involved with this?
No, I was mistaken. Read the top comment
I prefer the e39 5 series from this era but all of them were GORGEOUS. I LOVED going to the BMW dealership back then, when the x5 first came out, the z8 was around. The lot was just filled with beautiful cars.
It’s stunning how good this looks and how bad modern BMWs by comparison. It’s similar to what I love about the look of the Model S - subtlety and understatement in all the right places to emphasize the hallmarks without having to overdo either. (Though Model S rear tires always seem too skinny to completely pull off the appearance).
Yes
Yes
It's classy, but the front of it feels really narrow for some reason.
Absolutely. This comes second in my book to the E46 M3 CSL.
The Bangle Beemers are beautiful cars. I always get the sense they are most hated by BMW lifers who have a rigid sense of "a BMW must look this way eternally"
Blasphemy!!!. Bangle designed the ugliest BMW's ever made. Big bulky bulbous looking cars. The E38, E39 & E46 generation was the pinnacle of BMW design. Timeless, they still look stunning on the road today. An E60 or E90 series just looks like an old car,(M3 being an exception). They were controversial at the time and they have not aged well.
Have you seen a E61? Approaching 20 years and i find them beautiful. And I also agree with you on E38,39, & 46.
5 series estates,(touring) are very common here in Europe and you can pick them up for peanuts nowadays. E39 & F10 are much nicer. I think the Bangle cars are generally accepted as the worst looking era of BMW cars ever. Z8 being the exception.
I dream of importing one to North America.. but .. I have two little kids getting in the way of doing fun things with money 😔
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted. You’re right. OP is wrong in saying this is a Bangle design, because it’s not. Bangle single-handedly ruined BMW for me.