Are our cars ugly?

[jwellsiii]

Don't get me wrong, I love my 135i SGM, with black ARC-8's. But as I walked out of the restaurant tonight, maybe the light hit the car just wrong... but I thought "damn, that car is ugly!". The proportions are just a little off. The stance... aggressive for such a boxy little family car.

In a world of plastic perfection... is this "just a little off" what attracts us to our cars?

This, of course, coming from someone who still thinks the E36/8 must be one of the best BMW's to own.

[fwmcb]

It's still nicer than a Maxima!

[ianc]

It's not as handsome or agressive-looking as an E90, but we all knew that going in.

It's got characta!

ianc

[sdpauly]

looks are subjective, but I dont think ugly fits.

It's not a sexy, swooshing, sculpted work of art like a Ferrari or a Lotus, but to me that's part of it's charm. I like the subtle and conservative look with sporty aspects in all the right places. A car enthusiast would notice things like the large scoop and brake vents up front, the 18 inch wheels and giant brakes, but to any layperson who doesn't know it's just another BMW. Nothing special. I think it's the sleeper aspect that draws a lot of us to this car, we dont need an attention-getting appearance, because the performance of the car speaks volumes on it's own.

[amalgamman]

Ugly? No way!

Loved the look of the car as soon as I saw it.

Best views in my opinion:

Rear
Rear three quarter
Side

Less flattering view:

Front three quarter

I need to restrain myself from looking back at the 1er whenever I park her and begin walking away.

[emtrey]

The boat line at the lower edge of doors could be a bit smoother. Liked it the first time I saw it and still do.

I really do not care for the 3 series styling at all. In fact, excluding the new Z-4, the 1 is the only BMW I would want to own.

[Judge]

It certainly depends on the angle from which you're looking at it. For the life of me I don't know why they had to add that extra inch on top to make it look boxy compared to the 3-series.

I think even BMW regrets it. Certainly it doesn't resemble this sketch:

[ulrichd]

The car has an unflattering angle from the front 3/4, where the drooping rocker panels are most obvious. I have taken to parking my car with the wheels turned over, it looks better that way.

[emtrey]

that sketch does look great and that roofline sure would be nice.

But, no doubt interior head room, shrinkng interior shoulder width and all that practical BS killed it.....too bad. I have yet to have someone in the backseat.....

[titancrusher1]

OMG I LOVE THAT SKETCH! Stupid BMW making it look like a bubble in the back grrrr Anybody willing to mod their car to look like that lol. I think all you would need is new windows, a redesigned rear top chassis and some stripping hmmm

[titancrusher1]

I have to admit, I kinda hate that people call the car Cute. Im hoping some CF parts like the diffuser and BMW CF Spoiler will change that

[ulrichd]

Good angle vs. bad angle.

[perral1]

Originally Posted by titancrusher1

OMG I LOVE THAT SKETCH! Stupid BMW making it look like a bubble in the back grrrr Anybody willing to mod their car to look like that lol. I think all you would need is new windows, a redesigned rear top chassis and some stripping hmmm

Or you could just get the vert and put the top down

Honestly I think the 3 series has just been out too long and I think it looks boring. At first sight of the 1 series I said (as I recall) "looks squished". It's grown on me a lot though and I'd now say the 135i is my favorite looking BMW - which is why I have one on order

[gts135]

I've had lots of cars and I can't recall getting as many positive comments from people in the first five weeks I've owned the 135 (cashmere silver with M Sport pkg). And I've got a Cayman in the garage, had a 2005 Boxster before that and they got comments too but I was pleasantly surprised with the 135.

Overall looks - it is a little stunted compared to the 3's etc but then I figure the 3's are starting to get a little gangly compared to my '99 323 - they're starting to remind me of the last of the discontinued Camaro's. And some of my favourite BMW's are the 3.0 and 3.5 CSL's that ran in IMSA back in the '70's. They weren't beautiful by any stretch but they were purposeful. And the classic 2002 had a beauty that was deeper than its looks too.

I love the little bugger and that's all that matters to me!

[jwellsiii]

The 3 series is boring. And I was drawn to the 1 for the stealth factor... a monster of a track car (with mods), and yet doesn't say "look at me".

Our cars do look great from the inside, reminds me of my old E30.

I'm thinking (hoping?) that the slighly off look of the 1 will stay interesting for years to come.

[thez99]

I love how someone buys a car and then goes on a site like this and asks people to tell them what they should think about the car they just bought...

You either like the look or you dont..or maybe you impulse bought it cuz u have too much money or you just do things like that..who knows??

I think my car is dead sexy, very sweet curves, well made all around and it just oozes bmw quality without being too boaty and overly large like the 5-7 series, so theres MY opinion on what you should think about your car

[mtla4]

Not pretty but thats what got me interested in that car...sleeper factor

[BMW86]

The 135i will grow on you it takes time. I'm biased but I think AW and BS look the best probably because these are the only 2 colours I've owned. I think the CF additions really bring out the best in the car, in stock form it can look a bit plain and boring from some angles.

Here's some pics of our 1ers at our last cruise with a gorgeous looking M3 for comparison. I think our cars look pretty good, of course the M3 will always look the best!! http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...Brisbane+Drive

[soltz14]

No.

[Noer]

Computer says no.

[TP 135i]

Pet Peeve of mine.....
You say that you have a 2010 SGM 135.
SGM (Sparkling Graphite Metallic) was a 2008 ONLY color.
Yoy probably have a SG (Space Gray) car.
Sorry for the minor thread jack.

As for the looks of the car...People have thought that it was UGLY from day ONE......more power to them. The more that think it's ugly, the more that won't but one and the more rare each one is.

[rsjean]

E30 - loved it
E36 - worked but 'no so much'
E46 - loved it again
E9X - way too Japanese/Korean/me too
E82 - like it. It's problem areas may be what keeps it from being too Japanese/Korean/me too, and for that I give it a pass.

Just my opinion. Taste is so subjective.