Maybe BMW design is on to something after all?

Spydert · 07-01-2022, 06:15 PM

Today I was driving down the highway and glanced in my rearview mirror to observe an imposing presence barreling down the road towards me. It was ‘The Grill’.
For a moment I had this vision of it catching up with me, swallowing me whole (like a whale would fish in its path), and just moving on. In fact in my fleeting vision I actually saw my perspective change from behind me to in front of me, and the car just continuing on its way ahead of (a now swallowed) me.

It turned out to be a 4 series coupe and something surprised me - it actually looked ‘good’. Not beautiful or elegant per se, but it definitely had on-road presence. A kind of commanding authority. I was also surprised cos the general consensus is to choose body colors that hide the grill, but this was a black grill on Alpine white and it couldn’t get more contrasty than that. But it actually looked ‘good’ on the road. In fact looking at it in that moment, I felt BMW should have eliminated the smile under the grill and just left it alone to occupy the center of the face. I found this quite interesting.

It reminded me of the way I felt the first time I saw the new M240i on the roads. I had seen it multiple times at dealerships and didn’t think much of the design. It was just meh to okay, too blocky and angular, it lacked the elegance of the prior two series IMO. But when I saw it on the road ahead of me a few weeks ago, it had a quite commanding presence. Like it owned its lane and demanded to be noticed but not necessarily in an ostentatious way. I was honestly impressed.

Maybe that’s what BMW designers are aiming for? Cars that have in motion/on road presence - if not traditionally proportioned, beautiful stances when parked. I don’t know this for a fact but its a thought I guess.

overcoil · 07-01-2022, 07:21 PM

Agree about the 4-series and well stated.
Saw a red convertible 4-series at the dealer (4-cyl) with a tan interior and it quickly became my favorite car.

..Rush.. · 07-01-2022, 08:20 PM

I'm starting to get used to the design. However, I still prefer the smaller grill.

Westside Guy · 07-01-2022, 08:38 PM

When you see a 4 series in a dark color and the Shadowline trim it isn't as bad as some people are saying. That look is also growing on me.

10" · 07-01-2022, 08:44 PM

I've seen many now—and they all look tasteless to me. Overcooked and bleh. I don't think this grille will carry to the next generation they will return to better taste.

pz619 · 07-01-2022, 09:00 PM

Don’t mean to offend those that own the big grills, but it looks just as bad today as day one for me.

It’s just not for me. The CSL homage grill is a huge improvement on the current design. I hope LCI updates improve the grill as I was ready to move to a g80, but just can’t get past the looks.

CarsAndGuitars · 07-01-2022, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spydert

Maybe that’s what BMW designers are aiming for? Cars that have in motion/on road presence - if not traditionally proportioned, beautiful stances when parked. I don’t know this for a fact but its a thought I guess.

I felt this way the first time I saw a new Supra in motion. It had a perfect stance / presence.

As for the 4, there are a few convertibles near me, I really like it in black and Tanzanite, gaping grill and all

KevinC · 07-01-2022, 10:33 PM

See an optometrist. Immediately.

NickyC · 07-01-2022, 10:41 PM

They look worse than ever to me.

Horrid, horrid looking cars.

alex2364 · 07-01-2022, 10:43 PM

It’s as bad today as when it was released. I couldn’t believe it can get worse, but somehow they managed to do that with the split headlights.

wtwo3 · 07-01-2022, 11:32 PM

I love the G8X looks... I think it looks hyper aggressive and has SO much road presence.

The regular 4 series is ok.... And the iX I think is really ugly.

cooolone2 · 07-02-2022, 12:00 AM

It's worse now because they've entrenched themselves to prove they're right! But let the sales speak for the customer! They'll change again, it's just gonna take time! Lol

nerdogray · 07-02-2022, 09:47 AM

Sounds like something Dukec would post on an alt account. Nice try, Dukec.

///MPhatic · 07-02-2022, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spydert

Today I was driving down the highway and glanced in my rearview mirror to observe an imposing presence barreling down the road towards me.

it actually looked ‘good’. Not beautiful or elegant per se, but it definitely had on-road presence. A kind of commanding authority.

But it actually looked ‘good’ on the road. In fact looking at it in that moment, I felt BMW should have eliminated the smile under the grill and just left it alone to occupy the center of the face. I found this quite interesting.

It reminded me of the way I felt the first time I saw the new M240i on the roads. I had seen it multiple times at dealerships and didn’t think much of the design. It was just meh to okay, too blocky and angular, it lacked the elegance of the prior two series IMO. But when I saw it on the road ahead of me a few weeks ago, it had a quite commanding presence. Like it owned its lane and demanded to be noticed but not necessarily in an ostentatious way. I was honestly impressed.

I had the same sort of experience.

When I first saw the new G80/G82 design (forget the front for a moment) I didn't like it at all, no elegance, bad proportions, cave-man blocky, but once I saw it on the road my impression quickly changed. I still don't like it as well as the F80/F82, but it certainly has a commanding attitude on the road.

As for the grill, the big black holes coming up from behind certainly do make an impression. IMO if BMW would have made the front MATCH the rest of the car, instead of going overboard, they would have had a winner. Unfortunately they chose presence over balance, which works for a lot less of the population.

To me, this picture illustrates that presence perfectly.

SteveinArizona · 07-02-2022, 11:46 AM

As of now, BMW design is driving me away. I have reserved a Lucid Air and a Cadillac Lyriq as a backup. I love the way BMWs drive but unlike the OP, I can't stand the current looks (and, to me, it is not just the Edsel grille).

So...I am not just a whiner. I am talking with my feet.

Higgs Boson · 07-03-2022, 06:08 PM

I also didn't like it at first and now I have a 23 M4CSL and a 23 M3 on order, lol. The car looks awesome in person, sorry. I hope they don't go back.

chris719 · 07-03-2022, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex2364

It’s as bad today as when it was released. I couldn’t believe it can get worse, but somehow they managed to do that with the split headlights.

I don't think the grille is that bad. The split headlights are far worse in my opinion. I haven't seen split headlights on any car that look good.

BMWILUVU · 07-08-2022, 01:17 PM

The G 4-series is ugly. The M division made the G look work better but the F80 and F82 still look better imo.

freakystyly · 07-08-2022, 01:20 PM

I still point and laugh when it is safe to do so.

I think these can be the new punch buggy.

ShocknAwe · 07-08-2022, 03:23 PM

Can I say it? The folks in that photo look vaguely homeless. Is that style now? I'm in my 30s, I don't know what to make of that.

Don't care much for the new gen bmws but then again I wasn't wild about the F chassis either. Fatter and fatter. F87 was a step in the right direction for a split second.

Entropy89 · 07-08-2022, 05:20 PM

I mentioned on another thread that I've seen a lot more 4 series recently (like past month or so) so I guess they are gaining popularity. I initially hated the grille on the 4 series, more than the M3/M4, but with the right color and maybe shadowline package, I don't think it looks that bad anymore.

For the record, I think the F80 M3 is still one of the best looking M3s ever made tho. And with that said, I like the larger grille on the M3 more than on the M4...it just fits better on the M3 in my opinion.

Artemis · 07-08-2022, 06:26 PM

G80/G82 front grille design: leaked pictures - test mules - launch - marketing - seeing it in the flesh up close: past and present, personally I don't like it.

Happy for others if they love it, like it, or start to like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis

From the thread "Domagoj Dukec: "Good Design isn't about Pretty or Ugly"".

The quoted part: what Dukec said in the 2021 interview:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis

Quote:

"Early on in my career, there were always rules, almost design laws. This always must be parallel; this is forbidden; you can't put three lines to one point. But later on I learned that, actually, there are no rules. Everything is possible.
In my eyes, the 4 Series Coupé really isn't as radical as it is made out to be by the the media. It's a very elegant car with very good proportions. The only thing that could be perceived as unconventional is the shape of our kidney grille.
It makes me wonder, in a way, how people are so superficial that they judge on one detail. It's like judging a human being on one thing – big nose, long legs, big head. You wouldn't say to a chef, 'Okay, this three-course menu is great, but what is your favourite ingredient?' Salt is just salt; a tomato is just a tomato. It's really the composition of all the ingredients that is important.
I always admired Karl Lagerfeld for what he did at Chanel, but also for his attitude. He didn't care what people thought. Because the truth is, if you want to create something that is really daring or bold, people will follow if you're confident enough to know what the brand deserves."

Imagine a chef deciding to make excessive/disproportionate use of salt "to make a statement", explaining "there are no rules - I don't care what people think - I'm confident enough to know what this restaurant deserves".

Subsequently watch how people in the restaurant react.

07-01-2022, 06:15 PM	#1
Spydert Private First Class 212 Rep 135 Posts Drives: M2 LCI 6MT, 530i M Sprt Pckg Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Maybe BMW design is on to something after all? Today I was driving down the highway and glanced in my rearview mirror to observe an imposing presence barreling down the road towards me. It was ‘The Grill’. For a moment I had this vision of it catching up with me, swallowing me whole (like a whale would fish in its path), and just moving on. In fact in my fleeting vision I actually saw my perspective change from behind me to in front of me, and the car just continuing on its way ahead of (a now swallowed) me. It turned out to be a 4 series coupe and something surprised me - it actually looked ‘good’. Not beautiful or elegant per se, but it definitely had on-road presence. A kind of commanding authority. I was also surprised cos the general consensus is to choose body colors that hide the grill, but this was a black grill on Alpine white and it couldn’t get more contrasty than that. But it actually looked ‘good’ on the road. In fact looking at it in that moment, I felt BMW should have eliminated the smile under the grill and just left it alone to occupy the center of the face. I found this quite interesting. It reminded me of the way I felt the first time I saw the new M240i on the roads. I had seen it multiple times at dealerships and didn’t think much of the design. It was just meh to okay, too blocky and angular, it lacked the elegance of the prior two series IMO. But when I saw it on the road ahead of me a few weeks ago, it had a quite commanding presence. Like it owned its lane and demanded to be noticed but not necessarily in an ostentatious way. I was honestly impressed. Maybe that’s what BMW designers are aiming for? Cars that have in motion/on road presence - if not traditionally proportioned, beautiful stances when parked. I don’t know this for a fact but its a thought I guess.
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07-01-2022, 07:21 PM	#2
overcoil Major General 3121 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Agree about the 4-series and well stated. Saw a red convertible 4-series at the dealer (4-cyl) with a tan interior and it quickly became my favorite car.
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07-01-2022, 08:20 PM	#3
..Rush.. Captain 981 Rep 928 Posts Drives: AW E88 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I'm starting to get used to the design. However, I still prefer the smaller grill.
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07-01-2022, 08:38 PM	#4
Westside Guy Major General 7259 Rep 5,227 Posts Drives: 22 Z4 M40i, 21 228i Retired Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.72]	When you see a 4 series in a dark color and the Shadowline trim it isn't as bad as some people are saying. That look is also growing on me.
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07-01-2022, 08:44 PM	#5
10" Colonel 5108 Rep 2,297 Posts Drives: orange BMW 1M. Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: world iTrader: (0)	I've seen many now—and they all look tasteless to me. Overcooked and bleh. I don't think this grille will carry to the next generation they will return to better taste. __________________ don't read this. too late...
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07-01-2022, 09:00 PM	#6
pz619 Brigadier General 3333 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla Highland 3P Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Don’t mean to offend those that own the big grills, but it looks just as bad today as day one for me. It’s just not for me. The CSL homage grill is a huge improvement on the current design. I hope LCI updates improve the grill as I was ready to move to a g80, but just can’t get past the looks.
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07-01-2022, 10:33 PM	#8
KevinC your average JAMF 3504 Rep 4,181 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [5.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [3.50]	See an optometrist. Immediately.
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07-01-2022, 10:41 PM	#9
NickyC Lieutenant General 19237 Rep 11,190 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	They look worse than ever to me. Horrid, horrid looking cars.
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07-01-2022, 10:43 PM	#10
alex2364 Brigadier General 3449 Rep 3,008 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP / 2023 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 [10.00] 2023 BMW X3 M40i [9.75]	It’s as bad today as when it was released. I couldn’t believe it can get worse, but somehow they managed to do that with the split headlights.
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07-01-2022, 11:32 PM	#11
wtwo3 Major General 19099 Rep 5,676 Posts Drives: 23 X7 40i; 23 M3; 24 cooper s Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Mini Cooper S ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M3 [9.40] 2023 BMW X7 40i [9.75]	I love the G8X looks... I think it looks hyper aggressive and has SO much road presence. The regular 4 series is ok.... And the iX I think is really ugly. __________________ 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i 2023 BMW M3 6MT 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible '20 BMW m340i... '20 BMW X5 40i... '16 Infiniti Q50 RS 400... '10 Lexus RX 350... '08 Lexus IS 350... '00 Nissan Maxima... '93 Nissan Maxima
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07-02-2022, 12:00 AM	#12
cooolone2 Captain 682 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 20' M240iX B58, 01' 330XI E46 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NY, USA iTrader: (0)	It's worse now because they've entrenched themselves to prove they're right! But let the sales speak for the customer! They'll change again, it's just gonna take time! Lol
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07-02-2022, 09:47 AM	#13
nerdogray Captain 1472 Rep 721 Posts Drives: Beater Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	Sounds like something Dukec would post on an alt account. Nice try, Dukec.
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07-02-2022, 11:46 AM	#15
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3099 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	As of now, BMW design is driving me away. I have reserved a Lucid Air and a Cadillac Lyriq as a backup. I love the way BMWs drive but unlike the OP, I can't stand the current looks (and, to me, it is not just the Edsel grille). So...I am not just a whiner. I am talking with my feet.
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07-03-2022, 06:08 PM	#16
Higgs Boson In the Details 1851 Rep 878 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Texas Hill Country iTrader: (0) Garage List 1963 Split Window [0.00] 2022 R8 Quattro Spyder [0.00] 2023 718 Spyder [0.00] 2024 Sierra [0.00] 2024 Grand Highlander [0.00]	I also didn't like it at first and now I have a 23 M4CSL and a 23 M3 on order, lol. The car looks awesome in person, sorry. I hope they don't go back.
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07-08-2022, 01:17 PM	#18
BMWILUVU Lieutenant Colonel 827 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 340ix Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The Boibs iTrader: (0)	The G 4-series is ugly. The M division made the G look work better but the F80 and F82 still look better imo.
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07-08-2022, 01:20 PM	#19
freakystyly Colonel 3596 Rep 2,016 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I still point and laugh when it is safe to do so. I think these can be the new punch buggy.
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07-08-2022, 03:23 PM	#20
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3564 Rep 8,124 Posts Drives: E82, E70, 991.1 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Can I say it? The folks in that photo look vaguely homeless. Is that style now? I'm in my 30s, I don't know what to make of that. Don't care much for the new gen bmws but then again I wasn't wild about the F chassis either. Fatter and fatter. F87 was a step in the right direction for a split second. __________________ Build: 1er Project8 Hauler: M57 Truck Daily: 991.1 GTS
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07-08-2022, 05:20 PM	#21
Entropy89 Private First Class 205 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G20 M340ix Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M340i xDrive [0.00]	I mentioned on another thread that I've seen a lot more 4 series recently (like past month or so) so I guess they are gaining popularity. I initially hated the grille on the 4 series, more than the M3/M4, but with the right color and maybe shadowline package, I don't think it looks that bad anymore. For the record, I think the F80 M3 is still one of the best looking M3s ever made tho. And with that said, I like the larger grille on the M3 more than on the M4...it just fits better on the M3 in my opinion. __________________ 2022 G20 M340ix - Current. 2018 F30 330ix - no more. 2005 E46 325xi - I want this car back.
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