[fusionnv]

This is my first bmw and it seems a lot of people the damn car. ESP on how it looks. My question did this happen with all the previous body styles. Will it be later on say 5 years from now, all of us going I hate the goddman E200. It ugly as crap, I wish they stuck with the E90 design more. Basically similar stuff that is happening now.

[marcus330i]

I'm sure the world will get used to the new 3 series. It took a while for people to adjust to the E60 but the sales are strong and that's the bottom line for BMW. Now, let's talk about the Z4. I think they missed the boat BIG TIME with this design. I love BMWs and will probably never drive anything else (except my pickup truck) but this is a really weird design. The new MBZ SLK350 is on the streets now and I think it makes the Z4 look like a mutant.
BMW can do MUCH better than that.

[EVO_S4]

I actually like the design of the E90 more than E46

[Flash]

Also think the E90 the best looking car ever. Its the looks that made me decide to buy my first BMW.

[vivid]

Lets not forget the E46 went through exactly the same thing that the E90 and every new model goes through, tons of haters... but look at all the E46 fans now... It seems that German car fans always seem to hate the new models where as Japanese and US car fans it’s usually love a first sight. Not sure why this is but there will be some tough times before the old school people come around, eventually they will

[Robin_NL]

Well, currently I know only 5 BEAUTIFUL saloons. They are:
1)E90 3 series with 18"
2)Audi A8
3)Rolls Royce Phantom
4)Mercedes CLS
5)Merc E Class

Nice looking are:
1)Jag XJ series
2)Maserati Quattroporte
3)MG Rover 75(V8)
4)Merc S Class
5)Merc C Class
6)Audi A4/A6
7)Lexus IS
8)E90 5 series
9)Volvo S40/60/80
10)7 series E65






378)Maybach
I'm a bit biased I know

[a burrito]

yeah it takes some getting used to. to me tho, i really like how it looks. staring at my 01 330ci everyday and driving in it is making the car boring to me. the e90 is my next car but just waiting for the coupe

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by vivid

It seems that German car fans always seem to hate the new models where as Japanese and US car fans it’s usually love a first sight.

Yeah,where's the brand loyalty at? I remember when the E46 came out, it was love at first sight for me. Back then all of the E36 owners were complaining too.

[bozo5521]

the term"growing on you" is the absolute truth when it comes to BMW's...when I first saw the concept pics of the E90, I was like, oh my gosh, let me get me E46 before its too late; this thing is UGLY! Now, I think its the best design ever...the whole world cringed at the E36, when they got rid of the "round lights" but now its an icon...

Nevertheless, some people say the E46 is starting to age...NEVER, this is a design that will be classy til the end..theres nothing like an E46 shined and cleaned, with a few simple mods, clears, nice type 44's on the feet, and some tints...I still drool when i see them...

But this is a new generation, and a new mindset...i believe the E90 will be the best selling Bimmer ever...The numbers already point to that...

[Athos]

The initial 'ugliness' of a new model is often present in a good design. At first, we feel unfamiliar with the new design because it dares to reveal a new character. There's something intriguing to the new character that challenges us to expand our own sensibility. Eventually, we begin to accept it on it's own terms and discover its individual beauty. Designs that don't challenge us, are boring. Although we might feel more comfortable with them at first, we quickly tire of them. That doesn't mean all bold new designs are good ones. But the world would be a pretty dull place if designers didn't stretch our sensibilities.

[marcus330i]

I think that's extra true for the E60....it's almost as if it changes in it's character over time . Perhaps this is part of the "flame surface" thing where there are not the hard boundaries marked by moldings and trim....maybe Bangle & team want the design to be multi-dimesional...just to keep it looking new and different for a longer time. Do you think Bangle gets stoned?

[akhbhaat]

Both the E46 and E36 before it were raked over the coals as the E90 has been. The E36 for such changes as the enclosed headlight assembly (thus reducing the effect of the BMW trademark quad headlight appearance) and streamlined, "non-Teutonic" appearance. The E46 for it's general roundedness and supposedly "bloated" appearance (yes, many purists circa 1998 actually declared the E46 to be "bloated"). Nevermind the fact that the E46 in particular took on the qualities of a miniature E39, inside and out. It's no longer a true sport sedan, they said. It's become incredibly fat and unwieldly. Hmph, well, not quite.

This process is becoming a something of a time-honored tradition. Likewise, assuming precedent holds true, within a few years many will already have declared the E90 to be the best looking 3er sedan ever.

[Broken1]

It took me some time to get used to the backlights. The first time I saw it I thought it looked cheap and i didn't want the car, now I think it looks cheecky and excites me :-) The drive of the car is far superior to it's predecesor!!

[fusionnv]

Originally Posted by vivid

Lets not forget the E46 went through exactly the same thing that the E90 and every new model goes through, tons of haters... but look at all the E46 fans now... It seems that German car fans always seem to hate the new models where as Japanese and US car fans it’s usually love a first sight. Not sure why this is but there will be some tough times before the old school people come around, eventually they will

Yeah, i come from the japanese car forums. They freaking love every new model that comes out. They do complain about it a little. Like Y it so expensive, or Y does it come with AWD etc etc. Valid complaints, but on other forums for BMW are OMG car is so ugly. I would never buy it etc etc, then reviews saying the car is ugly etc. WOW they really beat the crap out of the new little kid in the family.

[bozo5521]

Very true..EXCEPT for the "new" Accord..I love Hondas to death, and especially Accords, but believe it or not, the new Accord design is what pushed me to look at a bimmer for the first time 9 months ago...Now I will never go back...

[ogrady]

Originally Posted by fusionnv

Yeah, i come from the japanese car forums. They freaking love every new model that comes out. They do complain about it a little. Like Y it so expensive, or Y does it come with AWD etc etc. Valid complaints, but on other forums for BMW are OMG car is so ugly. I would never buy it etc etc, then reviews saying the car is ugly etc. WOW they really beat the crap out of the new little kid in the family.

Good observation. I also came from japanese cars/forums and I think there's just more blind brand loyalty in general among the japanese car crowd. Seems BMW owners are more discerning and are willing to call it as they see it. I appreciate that.

[peakpro]

Originally Posted by marcus330i

I'm sure the world will get used to the new 3 series. It took a while for people to adjust to the E60 but the sales are strong and that's the bottom line for BMW. Now, let's talk about the Z4. I think they missed the boat BIG TIME with this design. I love BMWs and will probably never drive anything else (except my pickup truck) but this is a really weird design. The new MBZ SLK350 is on the streets now and I think it makes the Z4 look like a mutant.
BMW can do MUCH better than that.

Different strokes....

I think the E90 is looks bloated and the rear end looks hideous.

I have a Z4 and love it. The Benz is nice also but it looks like a pumped of version of the Honda S2000.

[pharding]

I like the e90 a lot. If anything I wish the body would have had even more radical design. As an architect I can tell you from experience that new, cutting edge design is generally well received by the general public, but some conservative individuals are slow to accept it. E60 sales are strong and getting stronger.

[CnoteMD]

I was also very worried about the new exterior of the 3 series. I had almost made up my mind to get an E46 before they sold out. But after sitting in the E90 at the NY Auto Show, I quickly changed my mind.

My wife, who hates ALL of the new BMW styles, even liked it. The day I placed my order, they had an E90 330i with sport package parked next to an E46 M3 (with 19 inch wheels). As much as she loves the M3, she thought that the new 330i looked better.

Michael

[JBOO]

I love all of em', the 7, 5, Z4 and 3.

However, my initial reaction to each was quite the opposite.

I really thought BMW screwed, but as time passed,

I started to love each design. Bravo BMW!

[collinp]

There's an iconic design historically associated with BMW. These new designs seem to be a radical departure from this. I think this is disappointing / upsetting to long time followers of BMW. Considered on their own I think the new designs are excellent.

- Collin