[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

so maybe 10 years ago my brother and I were invited by NA to one of those comparos they do from time to time: some sort of A6, an E class and a recently introduced 535. was in a giant parking lot at 6 Flags, got to flog each around a very large cone course, twice, 'instructor' in the right seat. the Benz was so bad that we accused the instructor of sabotage, likely by disconnecting the rear bar based on massive, cartoon-like under steer. instructor denied sabotaging the Benz insisting that's how they sell them. car was a joke.

Lol. I'll give them credit as their cars are better in that regard now. They are certainly competent handling, but I still have yet to drive a Merc (including AMG division) that handles like a go kart and immerses your fingertips with proper steering feedback. They are more content accelerating and cruising on a highway.

Nice cars but not for me and never will be. The only Merc I lust after is a red R107.

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Lol. I'll give them credit as their cars are better in that regard now. They are certainly competent handling, but I still have yet to drive a Merc (including AMG division) that handles like a go kart and immerses your fingertips with proper steering feedback. They are more content accelerating and cruising on a highway.

Nice cars but not for me and never will be. The only Merc I lust after is a red R107.

the only merc I want is the AMG GT, nicest one I could afford but since they are all 6 figures that'll be a minute haha

[gatorfast]

That is an awful looking car. I miss BMW. Such a storied brand with an enthusiast following. Used to make cars that look great, perform even better, and were the true "drivers cars" compared to their peers. Now it's just blah.

[Quentin007]

I don't know, I don't know ... the headlights aren't too "bad and cool" ... BMW can do it better...

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

the only merc I want is the AMG GT, nicest one I could afford but since they are all 6 figures that'll be a minute haha

AMG GT Black Series for me.

[440i6MT]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

.

Wow, where is this?

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

Wow, where is this?

Snapper Rocks, near Point Danger, Queensland

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

That is an awful looking car. I miss BMW. Such a storied brand with an enthusiast following. Used to make cars that look great, perform even better, and were the true "drivers cars" compared to their peers. Now it's just blah.

Actually, BMW used to make cars that looked bland, very unreliable, and ahead of its peers ONLY in terms of driving experience.

Now, they’re more ahead of their peers that they’ve ever been before. In the 90s you would get Audi for traction, Merc for comfort and quality, BMW for the driver. Now, BMW for everything. Critical acclaim and sales numbers support this.

When someone’s says “BMW was amazing now it’s bland”, what he/she actually says in most cases: “I had a great time when I was younger, now I’m sad and depressed and I don’t like anything anymore”.

[Teutonic]

Cute Toyotas

[Frank_Zuccarini]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Actually, BMW used to make cars that looked bland, very unreliable, and ahead of its peers ONLY in terms of driving experience.

Now, they’re more ahead of their peers that they’ve ever been before. In the 90s you would get Audi for traction, Merc for comfort and quality, BMW for the driver. Now, BMW for everything. Critical acclaim and sales numbers support this.

When someone’s says “BMW was amazing now it’s bland”, what he/she actually says in most cases: “I had a great time when I was younger, now I’m sad and depressed and I don’t like anything anymore”.

Very well said..................... Frank

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by swagon

What the fuck is bmw thinking with the rear diffusers that go so damn high up for no good reason

..the steps before the transition to SAV

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Cas29

Obviously, we have LED, and laser lights, but what is the third set of headlights? Looks like they went full retard with the lasers... everybody knows you never go full retard.

double plus lasers ha

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by eljay

Nope. Kia Rio GT looks better.
And I mean it.

I'm surprised that on the road many of KIA designs grab my eye and look seamless, attractive and modern. There are many ways to stand out.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by eljay

Well, it was done on a Impulse.

ha ha! well played. ~

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by couchflyer

I do believe that BMW has shifted its focus away from its core buyers. The new cars are so ugly, such disjunction in their design doesn't look good. Maybe BMW designers went to Klaus Schwab design school.

I really think Merc is the way to go.

I never used to think the kidneys were poorly integrated in the past, there is a desire for the kidneys to "float" as a separate entity to my eyes.. if it sells so be it but it feels disjointed from the design on many new models. I'm just surprised and perplexed.

[Frosty]

[QUOTE=iifymbro;28904638]absolutely not lol, an actual functional diffuser looks like this, have to be under the rear end:

...I think the goal was to emulate a skidplate and transition the buyers to SAVs slowly

[Ikester19]

Looks okay but the pre-lci looks better IMO, the front bumper has that weird L shaped bit on the sides like the X3 lci and the shape of the rear diffuser makes the rear look like it sits high. The headlights look quite bland compared with the pre-lci. Let's see what it looks like in real like but first impressions are meh!

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Actually, BMW used to make cars that looked bland, very unreliable, and ahead of its peers ONLY in terms of driving experience.

Now, they’re more ahead of their peers that they’ve ever been before. In the 90s you would get Audi for traction, Merc for comfort and quality, BMW for the driver. Now, BMW for everything. Critical acclaim and sales numbers support this.

When someone’s says “BMW was amazing now it’s bland”, what he/she actually says in most cases: “I had a great time when I was younger, now I’m sad and depressed and I don’t like anything anymore”.

lol ok. Aesthetics are obviously subjective, but I know I am in the vast majority that does not find the current 3/4 series visually appealing.

[akgambino]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Nobody ever refer to the F30 as a beauty either. I''l just leave it at that, boring /vanilla sure but certainly not beautiful.

Ok. But nicer than this new uninspired pile of meh

[RavenGX]

I had already an order in for a G21 before i saw the pictures...
I think I'll call tomorrow to ask if i can swap it to the pre-lci or cancel it.

The design looks a bit cheap to me, maybe with a different front and rear bumper and a proper exhaust

[TruthOne]

The rear diffuser made me LOL. I'll reserve my opinion until I see the M340 version.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

Exactly this... this is what BMW design seems like. Case in point...

"I have an idea! Let's take the grill opening & just turn it upside down! Amazing!"

But notice how the lines once that mouth is turned upside down just don't flow anymore. This is what BMW's current designers miss completely. I will say this isn't as offensive as some of the other designs we've seen lately. Exception for that rear diffuser... WTF.

Thanks for the side by side picture. I definitely prefer the headlight and grill shape on the new version. The bottom seems to align with the new X3 language.

I think I like it…I always feel confused when I see pictures of the new models…I don't know whether to like it or hate it at first. Need to see it in person.

The rear diffuser is a miss for me though.