BMW XM. What are they thinking?

[Fish Fingers]

I can't believe how bad BMW have got some things recently, but this is a new low.

And according to the reviews, it's as bad as it looks.

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2023-bmw-xm--ph-review/46966

Come on BMW. We used to love your cars.

 

[AyTifosi]

I always loved BMWs and finally dove into the deep end with an E60 M5 with the V10. Amazing car I adored, until the Vanos went and cost my warranty company $10K. Time to trade. Picked up an F82 M4 - Austin Yellow. Loved that car. I was hoping a new G82 M4 would be next. Then I saw it. Nope. Maybe an i4 M50? Then I saw it. Nope. I don't care how nice it might drive. If I walk away hoping no one will see me and I can't stand looking at the car, no thank you. Awesome company and many many really nice people in the club. It's just the design department that needs their crayons taken away and to be sent to their room without dinner.

 

[f1eng]

Maybe this is what people actually want???
From an engineering POV the most logical EV I have seen has been the BMW i3 which was indeed engineering driven but the market went meh! since the vast majority obviously have no engineering knowledge or interest and it was too different.

The market wants SUVs now it would seem and more macho sells well...

 

[Crazymind]

I find the design of this bmw better than recent ix products. The look of this is more defined, masculine. The side is nice.
I kinda like it.

 

[andb]

Despite 'ugly' designs, BMW sales are going up and they took over MB.

 

[Dabz]

The rear end is awful!

 

[simcity]

It’s the automotive equivalent of ‘brutalist’ architecture.

That only took 40 years to gain some (through gritted teeth) sense of admiration!

Even then…??

 

[WuffvonTrips]

It’s the automotive equivalent of ‘brutalist’ architecture.

That only took 40 years to gain some (through gritted teeth) sense of admiration!

Even then…??

That's an interesting analogy- but IMO it doesn't have the functional honesty or simplicity of the architecture- with all that bling I reckon it's more "mock-brutalist" (with the automotive equivalent of fake tudor beams).

 

[simcity]

All of a sudden Bangle designed cars seem quite pretty ?

 

[Fish Fingers]

I can't believe the front grill lights up.
Just in case you miss it!
?

 

[ciaranob]

OMG that is truly BUGLY (butt ugly ) - really enjoyed the design ethic of my prior M cars (other than bangleisation!) but agree entirely they are now lost to the (Chinese market) wind!!

 

[XLR82XS]

Never. I'll stick with my E39 M5s....

 

[Fish Fingers]

OMG that is truly BUGLY (butt ugly ) - really enjoyed the design ethic of my prior M cars (other than bangleisation!) but agree entirely they are now lost to the (Chinese market) wind!!

The thing is, one of our Chinese based members on here previously said that the new BMW designs divides opinion over there as well.
Who's buying them?

 

[Fish Fingers]

Funny thing about this one is that people might not actually mind the hideous front end grill quite so much..........once they see that the back end is even worse.

 

[ciaranob]

New owner sent me a pic of my prior M4 convertible at Red Rocks - def pining a bit for this car - 8 years, a daily driver and not a single issue (seriously!). Design-wise light years ahead of current crop.

In Houston:

Now in Colorado: