I think he had a positive and lasting effect on BMW. Look at what unit sales growth has been during his tenure.

Too many are bashing him for pushing the envelope a little, IMO. If you want everything to keep looking like an E39, fine, but BMW would be in trouble (or broke) if they had followed that path.

__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Bangle butt has been copied by several others including MB and Lexus.

But he left because of difference of opinion with CEO and board.

I hope the new design will be better look than it is.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/upto...-bids-adi.html

Comments
I thought the Z4 Swoop looked great, Dan. And the Bangle Butt is a lot better looking than yours.

Posted by: P H D | February 03, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Really, Chris Bangle styled my 1996 E39? That was my fourth - and last - BMW. I thought that model was as elegant as the subsequent model was Miami Vice. I drive an XJ now, as I've quit my coke habit.

Posted by: Dimitri | February 03, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Resentment towards Chris Bangle derives mostly from the fact that he never seemed interested in oil, gas and combustion, and instead talked a lot about 'design vocabulary'. Perhaps he'll be more passionate about designing carrot peelers for Target, or post-modernist housing for very special pets.

CG Stuart

Posted by: CG Stuart | February 03, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Good riddance.

Unfortunately, neither BMW nor Daimler seem to have a clean and simple design.

Posted by: Peter M | February 03, 2009 at 05:17 PM
See ya, Chris, and don't let the door hit your Bangle Butt on the way out.

The Bangled BMWs are among the ugliest of any cars ever designed.

I am glad I drive an E46 M3: the last of the classic looking BMWs.

Posted by: Jim | February 03, 2009 at 09:09 PM

I like some of the designs Bangle supervised, and I hate some of them with a passion. In the end though I think that, love or hate, his designs were always interesting and that put him and BMW ahead of the rest. If Bangle hadn't been there to push the envelope I dread to think how boring cars of today would have been.

Case in point - If I wasn't able to piss and moan about how the new 7 looks like a hideous whale trawling for plankton, Bangle would have failed because it would have 'just been another car' otherwise and thats far worse than being ugly.

For that I would hope that people would stop bashing him - just think of the alternative.

__________________
- Ravenheart

Maybe some designs weren't the best but it's good to see change through out the line. His designs always took time for me to start liking but after a bit I fell in love with almost all of them.

__________________
MY X5 PICS:
http://www.xoutpost.com/members/bmwl...ms-my-bmw.html

RIDES
2005 BMW X5 4.4i Toledo Blue...RIP
Foose Edition S/C Ford F150 #0238
Chevrolet Trailblazer SS
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Interesting article on Bangle's work.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6463773/...ary/index.html

Did Bangle have anything to do with the Range Rover Sport design, before Land Rover was sold to Ford? I believe the concept (Stormer - my avi) appeared in 2004 but the company was sold in 2000.

Bush out of office
Bangle out of BMW

...the gods are listening

damnit. Don't you guys know Bangle came directly to x5world to bask in the glory of Bangle fans?

I just hope they bring the 7 back into reality. it's getting there...