Why do all bmw's look the same?

[shabby]

If you go to bmw's website www.bmw.com and look at the 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/x/z4 series cars you basically only have one design that differs only by its length, everything else is pretty much identical.
The front looks the same on every series, the back has some minor distinguishable traits with its tail lights but that's pretty much it. The interiors also look pretty similar to each other on every series, let alone to bmw's from almost 15 years ago.
Imagine if the camaro/corvette/suburban/cruze all looked the same but were longer/wider/taller depending on the model?
Can't bmw come up with an original design for each class range rather than using one design and manipulating it across all of its models?

 

[rommelrommel]

Design language taken too far I guess. The few that look a little different are ugly too IMO, mainly thinking of the 6 series.

 

[Kaido]

I am not a BMW guy & have had the same thought - never really understood the appeal. They all look like the same design to me, just stretched out from a coupe to a sedan to an SUV. Have never driven one, so that's probably why I'm missing out on the excitement haha.

But then, I like Deloreans and 23-window VW busses, so who am I to judge :awe:

 

[Crono]

I can't stand the signature BMW kidney grille and will probably never buy a BMW unless they happen to move away from it. It makes are their cars look aggressive, but not in a good way, more like an ugly bull. That's my own opinion, of course, I know all the BMW fans love it.

I'm more of a fan of British, Italian, American, and Japanese car design, though, most German cars don't appeal to me aesthetically. But if I happened to get an M5 for free or win one or something I would consider keeping it. Failing that, I agree with the OP, most BMW models look fairly similar.

 

[DominionSeraph]

BMWs are more status symbol than transportation. They'd fail in their role if you couldn't tell what it is by looking at it.

 

[Wuzup101]

BMWs are more status symbol than transportation. They'd fail in their role if you couldn't tell what it is by looking at it.

While I hate to think of it like this, I think that's what it's become. I'm a fan of a lot of BMWs - but mostly the older ones. The interior styling has stayed pretty close to what it was for the better part of at least 2 decades.

Now you can buy a 320i so you can get a 3 series with even less power!

 

[michal1980]

Design language taken too far I guess. The few that look a little different are ugly too IMO, mainly thinking of the 6 series.

This. A very strong marking/branding team. By strong I mean inflexible, and unimaginative.

 

[KentState]

Audi and now Cadillac have adopted this mentality as well. Just take the same design and stretch it accordingly.

 

[Kaido]

This. A very strong marking/branding team. By strong I mean inflexible, and unimaginative.

This is a problem I heard about at Apple as well...Ives designs all of the cool stuff, but then all of the other designers have to work around that, so you're basically stuck supporting the party line rather than being truly creative. But that's always the case anyway, unless you're a fine artist & can just pursue whatever designs you want.

 

[phucheneh]

Audi and now Cadillac have adopted this mentality as well. Just take the same design and stretch it accordingly.

It's pretty much all manufacturers now.

To start, you have the fact that competing cars, unsurprisingly, tend to be very dimensionally similar. Length, width, height, wheelbase. Then add in the general shape defined by optimal aerodynamics. Add in a few of the currently trendy styling cues...

...and the cars already look pretty damn similar, despite being made by different companies. Then add in the mentioned 'design language' within the same brand...same grille, similar headlamp/taillamp shapes, ect. Cars get boring.

Hard to tell the difference between a 3-series and a 5-series? Yeah. But also hard to tell the difference between a Focus and a Fusion. Or a Mazda 3 and Mazda 6. Volvo S40 and S80. It's pretty much brands from all continents and all market segments at this point.

 

[Zodiark1593]

My grandparents own a BMW 2003 station wagon with a V8. That thing is fast.

 

[ElFenix]

Audi and now Cadillac have adopted this mentality as well. Just take the same design and stretch it accordingly.

audi really only has one car.

seriously, the A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, and Q5 all use the same platform.

to be fair, audi and bmw were in the process of doing this 'same sausage, different lengths' car design at the same time.

But also hard to tell the difference between a Focus and a Fusion.

wat

 

[TechBoyJK]

I am not a BMW guy & have had the same thought - never really understood the appeal. They all look like the same design to me, just stretched out from a coupe to a sedan to an SUV. Have never driven one, so that's probably why I'm missing out on the excitement haha.

But then, I like Deloreans and 23-window VW busses, so who am I to judge :awe:

It's not about how it looks, but how it drives.

I had a z4. Wasn't the best looking car, but damn it was fun. I had the M6 Wheels and M Class Body Kit.

Looked similar to this.

 

[sandorski]

It makes them Distinctive. Same goes for Porsche, MB, VW, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and likely many more.

Corvette was mentioned as not doing it, but I say that they have and do. Most Makes/Models do it to a certain degree, especially if a certain style is a Market success.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Its how it drives. I used to have a 335i sport pack with michelin PS2's, JB4, 93 tune. Was a rocket.

Needed a bit more practicality and sold it for an N20 4cyl X1. Other than being an AWD crossoverish wagon thing it nearly handles the same. I found myself on the ass of a Mazdaspeed 3 the last time I was out in Temecula.

 

[MrCassdin]

While I hate to think of it like this, I think that's what it's become. I'm a fan of a lot of BMWs - but mostly the older ones. The interior styling has stayed pretty close to what it was for the better part of at least 2 decades.

Now you can buy a 320i so you can get a 3 series with even less power!

I was reading about the differences between the current 5 series and the previous model a while back, it's obvious BMW cut back on certain features which make it a "driver's car". Shame.

 

[Railgun]

BMWs are more status symbol than transportation.

Uhhh...no.

 

[solsa]

BMWs are more status symbol than transportation. They'd fail in their role if you couldn't tell what it is by looking at it.

a precise explanation

 

[Fritzo]

Germans are big on brand identification. They want you to know what you're looking at. That's why Audis and Porsches all have a particular look as well. You can't mistake them for anything else.

 

[phucheneh]

wat

Anyone who says they can tell the difference between those at a glance is full of lies.

 

[Fritzo]

Anyone who says they can tell the difference between those at a glance is full of lies.

Blame the guy that designed this:

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Mercedes go through a major design language every couple of years. I'm really liking the new one they're bringing up with the 2015 models.

 

[GTaudiophile]

It's funny, many industry articles use to refer to BMW designs as, "Same sausage. Different sizes." Then they brought Chris Bangle into the picture and he did a "great" job adding flare, flames, and controversy into the design language. I suppose it was too far because they fired him and brought in Adrian van Hooydonk to bring everything back to where they started.

Meanwhile, Audi is even worse at playing the same game IMO.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I was reading about the differences between the current 5 series and the previous model a while back, it's obvious BMW cut back on certain features which make it a "driver's car". Shame.

I think this is a dangerous game too because Mercs seem to generally have nicer interiors and Audis have better gizmos (and the higher end Mercs for that matter). Bring back the e38/e39/e46 glory days.

 

[Railgun]

Man...if you guys can't see the differences...

For the average Joe...meh...it's still not that hard to see.