[Nativetexan]

Meh, they both look good...

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by sjak92

Heritage in angel eyes? Behave, they've been around for 19 years, not a 100

didn't say angel eyes but desgns meaning multiple design details. Lights are one of many design details.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

I think the 3 series lights looks more Corolla-ish if anything. People have copied BMW's angel eyes or corona rings and unless they go back to the full circle design, you're going to see a lot of manufacturer DRL's look like this because there is only so much you can do in a headlight design. I wish the 3 series looked more like the 5 in fact.

I am on the other side on this one, as I strongly believe that there is a lot you can do to be modern but keep the angel eyes identity too.
Some previous models managed that without going to have generic, Skoda, VW, Toyota headlamps. They do have a BMW identity. See 2 Series for example.
BMW headlight started to be very well known in the past and even earned a reputation that a BMW has a "Geh mir aus den Augen / Get out of my way" face. Do not recall exactly the expression but pretty close.
Today, you will look in the back and think "what the Skoda guy wants from me?"

I truly believe that some very distinct elements that some manufacturers will die to have them- are voluntarily thrown in the garbage for whatever reason.

[iamvanja]

With all the design abominations that recently came out of BMW, this is very solid. Not a big fan of Accord taillights, but otherwise a nice refresh.

[ActionDH]

Looks less unique and aggressive, more and more like an everyday generic sedan

[antzcrashing]

I highly doubt I am first to say this but that grill shape is whack. Literally needs a blackout grill to cover up the oddness

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by sjak92

Heritage in angel eyes? Behave, they've been around for 19 years, not a 100

Exactly! People's vantage points only go as far as the tree line. All this talk about what BMW is or isn't is just annoying. What BMW - or any manufacturer for that matter - is remains fluid. Styles change. It's imperative. I've said this before......nostalgia does not sell cars, nor does it keep a company profitable/solvent. What some young buck considers heritage differs from what an old-timer would think.

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Exactly! People's vantage points only go as far as the tree line. All this talk about what BMW is or isn't is just annoying. What BMW - or any manufacturer for that matter - is remains fluid. Styles change. It's imperative. I've said this before......nostalgia does not sell cars, nor does it keep a company profitable/solvent. What some young buck considers heritage differs from what an old-timer would think.

Well said.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by limeypride

Well said.

I bet when the Angel Eyes debuted, the old timers were probably like, "WTF is this googley-eyed fluorescent light tube BS BMW is throwing into our headlights?!?"

[SabineBimmer]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I bet when the Angel Eyes debuted, the old timers were probably like, "WTF is this googley-eyed fluorescent light tube BS BMW is throwing into our headlights?!?"

Touché

[lago1974]

Definitely has a more modern look but I'm not sure I actually like it better. Could grow on me... but people also tend to find reasons to like what they already have to justify the timing of their purchase decision, myself included. Nothing wrong with that.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Exactly! People's vantage points only go as far as the tree line. All this talk about what BMW is or isn't is just annoying. What BMW - or any manufacturer for that matter - is remains fluid. Styles change. It's imperative. I've said this before......nostalgia does not sell cars, nor does it keep a company profitable/solvent. What some young buck considers heritage differs from what an old-timer would think.

What makes them fluid is the tech department who keeps them floating. If that will be low, with the design they are pulling out lately, the BMW will be in trouble.
Styles change. I agree. But they can change while keeping the DNA. Look at Porsche. And they are really "fluid".
The new Skoda face, Honda back doesn't sound fluid to me. Au contrary. Sound like a design team that is so poor that are unable to sketch a nice headlight and a beautiful taillight.

Never thought that BMW will became the plagiary...

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

What makes them fluid is the tech department who keeps them floating. If that will be low, with the design they are pulling out lately, the BMW will be in trouble.
Styles change. I agree. But they can change while keeping the DNA. Look at Porsche. And they are really "fluid".
The new Skoda face, Honda back doesn't sound fluid to me. Au contrary. Sound like a design team that is so poor that are unable to sketch a nice headlight and a beautiful taillight.

Never thought that BMW will became the plagiary...

Porsche is not BMW. They build essentially ONE variant of sports car and ONE passenger car. BMW sells tons more cars than Porsche and caters to a significantly wider audience. They are not apples to apples.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Porsche is not BMW. They build essentially ONE variant of sports car and ONE passenger car. BMW sells tons more cars than Porsche and caters to a significantly wider audience. They are not apples to apples.

We talk about heritage elements integrated in contemporary design. Can be done.
Your point is irrelevant.

[buckybadger]

Not bad.... I would pick the X5 over the 5 sedan.

[mjr24]

This is precisely why you need to go with bigger grilles and smaller headlights. I just don't think the 5 will look that great with this because it's a smaller car.

The 7 LCI looks BOSS with the big grilles and similar headlights......but it's a wide/big car. That is also why it works for the X7. It's no coincidence that BMW is going this way given that this is what worked for the RR Phantom many years ago, too.....small headlights, big grilles on a wide car......road presence. I like BMW's direction with that.....but the Phantom is also a huge car. The 5 is too small for this look.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

We talk about heritage elements integrated in contemporary design. Can be done.
Your point is irrelevant.

Angel Eyes aren't a heritage element. Porsche 911 iconic SHAPE IS.

[Bmwtechgeek]

They nailed it on this one. It looks stunning. The grill is in proportion to the rest of the front end.

Great job BMW!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I bet when the Angel Eyes debuted, the old timers were probably like, "WTF is this googley-eyed fluorescent light tube BS BMW is throwing into our headlights?!?"

I'm not an old timer, quite the opposite but I remember the first time I saw the revised LED angle eyes, on a BMW, I believe it was a 3 Series, around 2010, I was totally blown away by how vibrant the styling looked. It was quintessential modern BMW and appeared rich. Even if you didn't own a BMW, you knew how to identify one.

This new design are clean, bright LEDs, which is always good but it has no brand signature, it's just like, whatever, for each model.

I think BMW of the past spoiled us in having us believe they'll always carry on the same sequence in design but they made a complete 180 and went with something new.

I'm not complaining but I understand current BMW fans grievances.

[SchwarzerReiter]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Life Cycle Impulse. Car manufacturer lingo.

Is that another way to say "facelift"?

[BMthusiast]

That front end is looking classy! Luxurious and cunning. The rear on the other hand looks generic to me. Maybe in person with the taillights illuminated it looks better but to me those (new) taillights cheapen the overall aesthetic of the vehicle.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I'm not an old timer, quite the opposite but the first time I saw the revised LED angle eyes, on a BMW, I believe it was a 3 Series, around 2010, I was totally blown away by how vibrant the styling look. It was quintessential modern BMW and looked rich. Even if you didn't own a BMW, you knew how to identify one.

This new design is clean, bright LEDs, which is always good but it has no brand signature, it's just like whatever, for each model.

I think BMW of the past spoiled us in believing they'll always carry on the same sequence in design but they made a complete 180 and went with something new.

I'm not complaining but I understand current BMW fans grievances.

Furthermore, while the the actual corona/angel eye design wasn't introduced until much later (approx. 2001), it was clear that it was an evolution from the circular lens that have been with BMW since the beginning. With these new headlight designs, that progression and reference to design seems to have been broken since there isn't that circular design reference - the ICON headlights was as far as you could take the design while still referencing the past.

There are things that you can change but some details should just be left alone because they don't necessarily "age" the design. While the G30 LCI isn't terrible looking, it has now become a car that is built and manufactured for the now. I could cover the roundel and I would not know it was a BMW - there are too many generic details being used instead of using traditional BMW ideas.