Analysing The BMW 2 Series: Do BMW Keep Digging A Deeper Hole?

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Buy the t-shirt I'm wearing in this video from www.frankstephenson.com/lost-merch/ Thanks so much for watching! Let me know what you think of the 2 series below. Do you think BMW have dug themselves out of a bit of a hole or are you adding this to the list of BMW’s latest controversies? Enjoy.

[@verhu010]

BMW's fall from grace right before our eyes is tragic.

[@joshmiller7777]

It seems they are forgetting the design basics, and going for a "change for the sake of change" policy, not very BMW

[@paskowitz]

I just don't get why they didn't go with the M Next grille design. The grille is still "prominent" and a clear departure from previous iterations but it actually works with the rest of the car. Maybe that doesn't translate well to SUVs and cars like the 7 Series but for the lower/sportier number models... the grille should match. E46 and F80 M3s aren't going to be dethroned anytime soon.

[@nessuno5403]

Thank you Sir Frank, for sharing your expert analysis and views and not being afraid to do so especially with this new age Beaver Motor Works (BMW) brand of hideous cars.

[@dimi_iii]

I think they should have shortened the wheelbase between the frontwheelarch and the door, maybe make it rearwheeldrive only with a transaxle in the back (for 50:50 weightdistribution) ..that car just doesn't need 4wheel(x)drive 🙄🙄 The frontlights should maybe have been made a bit bigger then and the taillights should bulge out more, then it would be closer to the 2d drawing. i have to say it still looks good with those new design features and in the purple color especially, a dark metallic blue would even look better. The most important thing is and that the car drives good and defnitely the kink at the backwindow ...unlike the 4Series 🤢 The grill should just look like a bmw with some space between the kidneys... ...like this new 2 Series and the Z4 X2 iX and even i3 also how they fixed it on the M4 Coupe ...the 8 Series and X3M X4M X6M are ok ...but all the other BMWs look so bad with them being so big and then also close together🙄🙄 The previous 3 Series 😍 my Dad drives ist probably one of the best looking modern BMW's and the previous M2 is the one i like the most 😍😍

[@trodat07]

Frank's sadness for BMW is almost palpable.

[@QuickQuips]

He’s like a disappointed father.

[@pbjracing14yearsago49]

@@QuickQuips agreed. Not frustrated or mad. Just disappointed.

[@Exentriq1]

there is a huge problem in the design at BMW. 90% of thier new cars for the past 15 years has been a disaster, not to mention their abuse of LEASE programs which devalued the brand. AUDI is the new BMW nowadays, sadly they keep making huge mistakes. I think BMW NEEDS TO HIRE BACK FRANK ASAP.

[@gaara4667]

@@Exentriq1 Yh I have to strongly disagree that statement about that bland asf German brand being the new BMW.

[@stephen2282]

​@@gaara4667 bro think bland asf might just be too hyperbolic... They arent lamborghini, and even then i think their lineup can hold its own probably not in the way that BMW did in its "heyday" but this is a different time.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

There is one aftermarket company currently making the front ends of BMW's look a lot less terrible..... EuroNCAP!!!!!!

[@CrazyBRT]

XD bruh

[@JTM610]

Prior design might do it on the M4

[@diggernicks]

Loool

[@Nathan93Baker]

They should send the car back once done with it. With a letter saying 'Fixed it'.

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

😂

[@paskowitz]

"Let's move to the rear and see if it's the saving grace of this car"... Narrator: "It was not"

[@MuitoDaora]

It's comical as it's sad

[@vooku666]

"No."

[@sylvianblade75]

Ron Howard should narrate everything

[@TheBowerbird]

I find the rear even worse than the disgusting headlights, and that is saying a lot. I owned an M235i, and loved the front of that car. This new thing is offensive.

[@originalpunkSxE]

His face... that split second side-eye he gives the camera just says it all.

[@theoonesite]

The previous generation of 2 Series was just perfect

[@mmtot]

The new one is like looking at the old one whilst on a bad acid trip. The old one was even a bit dumpy looking and the back-end was a bit random. I think the first four series is the prettiest modern BMW. But the E46 coupe for me was the peak.

[@INeedsMoneys]

@@mmtot facts! BMW design team be on some other shit. New M2 defines the word UGLY Perfect

[@INeedsMoneys]

@@mmtot bmw be on some other shit.

[@Ayixlia]

It it said that it's a E46 successor which I totally agree.

[@theserna]

@@mmtot i had the 2015 235i and the back took getting used to, but initially it was ugly to most. i think this car might age well especially when the newer 4 and 3s have that huge ugly grill. I actually think this looks pretty good compared to the last 2 series attempt (the 2019)

[@Duncan94]

BMW has somehow managed to go from a very distinct, elegant design language to making their vehicles looks completely generic. It's unreal that designers are getting paid to come up with this stuff. It's totally uninspired.

[@amg863]

I don't blame BMW for this mess. I blame all the bozos who want a BMW no matter what and still buy them. Initially nobody liked the big goofy grilles but now I keep seeing people comment "actually it's starting to grow on me. It looks good in person". Bmw stans love the badge so much they don't mind if it's a 3 cylinder diesel engine with a front wheel drive drivetrain, a dated interior that looks 13 years old and a goofy design. The only BMW worth anything at the moment is the M5. Elegant design and good performance.

[@shikharsingh8267]

I'd argue the newer BMWs don't look generic. They're below that. Generic design isn't offensive. It's acceptable.

[@enderzebak2863]

@@amg863 m8 as well

[@ro952]

@@amg863 ... It broke my heart when they dropped the M6.... I love my F90, but the F06 is one of my all time favorite classy, elegant car designs

[@brianmclendon1647]

Exactly, it looks generic. That’s what I was looking for.

[@patrickbateman9887]

Frank, we appreciate the honest assessment, warts and all. Too many in your position would be unwilling to "criticize a colleague."

[@TheLuisg92]

There's so little cohesion in its design that it looks like a Grand theft auto ripoff of a BMW.

[@gaara4667]

There is going to a RIP of the M2 coming in a few weeks on GTA 🤣🤣😭😭but I’m definitely buying it

[@ii7317]

The GTA ripoff looks much more like a BMW than this one tbh.

[@sinenomine4540]

why insult gta car designers? :(

[@FacuGonz3]

TOTALLY lol

[@FacuGonz3]

@@ii7317 true, the new 2 Series from the Tuners DLC lol

[@roadhouseguy]

This must be what happens when BMW designers are working from home. Everyone emailed their piece and someone sent it to print.

[@louridah2]

This car was designed long before remote work became the norm

[@hothi92]

@@louridah2 You must be fun at parties

[@RoccoHernandez87]

Blame the interns!!!! They must put the pieces wrong and print this thing

[@BleedForTheWorld]

@@RoccoHernandez87 fire Jose Alberto. He obviously rendered something that wouldn't translate well into the final product.

[@MultiWalrus1]

Definitely looks like design-by-committee.

[@AnonYmous-iw6rh]

Frank: "Now let's move to the rear and see if it's the saving grace of this car" Morgan Freeman: "But it wasn't the saving grace of the car..."

[@tonywillans7556]

did Morgie say that?

[@DavonDepp]

Mentally his voice spoke for us lol

[@Christoffelstein]

"You can't fix something like this" - Sadly sums it up perfectly.

[@nopomegranates1876]

The sigh he had when he got to the rear of the car was absolutely hilarious! Oh how I do wish BMW would get its act together on design again.

[@valgehiir]

BMW is lost completely. They need to fire this whole design team behind M3 and this 2 series.

[@daftboy11]

They went with this same design language on the newest X3. But just on the tail lamps. They don't flow with the design of the SUV at all.

[@sejtanskifazoni5752]

@@valgehiir Dont get me wrong M3/M4 if you dont look at that Grill its awesome car its really good ar driving and fun grill aint that bad in real life but on pictures sometimes is good sometimes bad depends on the angle

[@alphatrion100]

BMWs were already moneypits as they age and now they are ugly too

[@itIsI988]

@@sejtanskifazoni5752 They still look bland on the sides though. The last gen was so nicely sculpted and actually looked like a BMW.

[@Sky-ym3nb]

I consider myself a BMW fan , owned several past models . But lately , specifically the current lineup just lost its image . It looks like they are trying to be Lexus . Actually , new Lexus’s looks nicer . If the design stays like this it’s the end of my loyalty to buying the next one. Well said Mr Stephenson

[@ouimongate5961]

Go to mercedes amg, always been the better compagny my man 😂

[@stasisthebest]

Especially considering how they are trying to put automatic gearbox in anything with more than 3 pots.

[@stasisthebest]

@@ouimongate5961 ever since A45amg I cant take them seriously

[@ouimongate5961]

@@stasisthebest what? The a45 is really sexy...

[@ouimongate5961]

@@stasisthebest u wanna know something? I'm starting to hate people like you so badly. You talk about manual cars yet they are all sitting in the dealership, no one buying them. And people that say manual NEVER BUY MANUAL. u have 120k, u will buy m4 manual? Never in this life. U wanna buy a car that's for everyday and your girfriend can drive or friend or wtv... so stop talking about manual cars i'm fed up

[@Wcruby]

Absolutely love these films. My untrained eyes can can look at a car design and see that it looks wrong but Frank tells those eyes why it's wrong! A fabulous insight into design. Thank you.

[@BigfootsWeWe]

Eloquently said. Also, same.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Wayne Carrington Hi how are you?

[@kirra77]

He just gave them a $75,000 consultation. For free :). Very nice assessment of the vehicle. The BMW at Goodwood not receiving attention, reminds me of when I owned an Art gallery, watching an Artist observe the viewing area where his/her work was displayed, it’s tough to watch people bypass the work without captivation.

[@trut52]

believe me they are watching.

[@SpinachDaily]

But they are not listening.

[@peterhammer4644]

still BMW is selling like crazy. They are doing something right, no?

[@AreaofInterestTV]

Most confused cardesign award goes to..

[@Ryan-uk6zq]

"Would you say this car was designed in the dark?" Such a brutal design burn

[@Robert-Cinque777]

Especially if it's coming from Frank

[@johannes1498]

@@Robert-Cinque777 Why? The x5 he is associated with is one of the ugliest.

[@markdonalds7735]

@@johannes1498 hmmm that car looks like an e46 suv .. maybe that’s why it looks kinda weird.

[@george40nelson4]

A camel is a horse designed by a committee. Was a committee involved in the end product?

[@jacqdanieles]

This 2 series design looks like it was designed by the Chinese as a BMW knock-off 😁

[@DaewooAirfryer]

Really a shame, the last generation was beutiful, terrible fall from grace

[@romulus_]

they could have kept the front almost the same and then modernized the tail lights and everyone would be happy. but no, they've created a pig.

[@wtfrofllolxd]

@@romulus_ it's all because of the switch from longitudinally mounted engine and real wheel drive to transverse engine and front wheel drive. The proportions have to follow that and it shows unfortunately

[@geraldsitorus]

@@wtfrofllolxd Emm this 2 series is still rwd...

[@augustsawzak5401]

Honestly I disagree. I don't really love any BMWs designed since the 80s. They look so boring, like every other car. Now they look uglier than every other car.

[@pmg757]

I really thought BMW nailed it with the newer M2 and M8 faces. So sad to see they've left that behind instead of evolving it further. This design will make me a safer driver as I don't want to risk replacing my car with this.

[@AlbertBuckinghamEllison]

As an exhibition and events designer I can say that whoever chose to go for a dark purple model posed dead straight on being shown on a dark backdrop should be sacked.

[@andyyoung6574]

my thoughts exactly, raise and tilt people!

[@AlbertBuckinghamEllison]

@@andyyoung6574Agree, raise, tilt, 45-degrees, turn out the wheel a little and an on-brand colour, BMW Blue, white etc.

[@rc2k524]

purple isnt the color for BMW

[@AlexSchwartzATV]

i was thinking the same. i absolutely love that purple but like... what. it blended right in.

[@TC-lk2ev]

They might've done it to hide the (many) lines on the car.

[@bob808]

The headlights and tails _do_ share a design cue, the DRL, it's simply upside down. (At least to _my_ eye.) Overall though, hard pass.

[@kyleog6527]

Was going to comment exactly that but scrolled down to see if someone else thought the same. Still doesn’t work at all. That rear and front end are a total mess

[@dukefreeze9490]

F and R lights share the same ‘small and far away from each other as possible’ design language for sure

[@mendistudio]

So I thought. They just look like they’ve been copy and pasted from a completely different car

[@duncanidaho7494]

I was thinking about the same thing as you. For some reason, the tail lights make me think of the tail lights found on the E90 pre lci !!! Anyone else thinking the same thing ?

[@kevinlow69420]

The taillights looks like it belongs on a Volkswagen sedan

[@TheSeliMD]

as a BMW owner for many years, i won't have a new bmw anymore. It breaks my heart, because i love the feeling of driving a bmw. It's a driver's car. But new design line isn't a bmw anymore

[@WardenOfTerra]

They're not driver's cars at all lol

[@M3dicayne]

@@WardenOfTerra Well, that's just false. BMW are THE driver's cars. But the looks went to the bin with this. The Skoda looking thingy with the 5 series was also not great.

[@missouriresole4726]

Yuo can really feel Frank sadness as an ex BMW designer analysing this car .

[@KB-bh9hp]

@@creamwobbly I mean, he designed the sierra cosworth, revived the mini, revived the fiat 500, created the amazing Maserati mc12, and led McLarens design team all the way until they completed the p1. He's had quite a few hits I'd say.

[@curtr.5083]

Owned a OG M2 and currently own a M2 CS; I was very excited for this release but after seeing a lot of footage of it, it’s a huge let-down. The M2 CS is one of the most visually comprehensive cars and it portrays a perfect visual representation of its driving character. I just don’t understand how they botched this so badly. I know I will not be buying any 2-series of this generation.

[@Robert-Cinque777]

Og m2 / 240... Is the prettiest

[@pigeonpoo1823]

100% agree. The perfect blend of handsome aggression, beautifully proportioned and has the hardware to back up those incredible looks. And it's not sullied by M Sport cars pretending to be Superman (Fiesta ST/ST-Line, I'm looking at you) Pub fact. Exactly the same size as an E46 M3 CSL, which is 'right size.'

[@curtr.5083]

@@Robert-Cinque777 yeah so sleek and pretty, they did a great job on it.

[@ytaltacc8008]

I am kind of an idiot when it comes to car design, so I gotta say, I really like this design of the new 2 series. I agree with pretty much everything frank said, but I look at the car again and I really like it. I dont quite know why, but I just do, and I think its miles better than the M3 and M4

[@sejtanskifazoni5752]

New M2 is gonna be a monster trust me people aint gonna like it from begining but later everyone will love it specially an M2 good engine beautiful interior kinda good exterior this car is going to perform great

[@jomsirimongkolkasem3871]

Very much agreed with Frank’s analysis and comments here. This car feels unfinished at many levels such as the proportion, line works and details are all over the place. I’m even more surprised that BMW allows the design to pass into the production. Seriously, what were they thinking?

[@RAHULVISWAN]

They are on some kind of high quality drugs🤣

[@Ilovetoes6996]

honestly we should have all seen this coming when the 2 series gran tourer came around

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

@@Ilovetoes6996 lol fr

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

@@Ilovetoes6996 gran coupe

[@benjibradshaw69]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics this monstrosity kzbin.info/www/bejne/rV6Qpoloat5_jbM

[@guillermomansilla6018]

As a designer and bmw fan myself, I agree 100% with Frank's opinion. This design should have never left the drawing board. The 2 series was, in my opinion, the best looking bmw of it's generation. Now it's the other way around.

[@sonydominates]

Excellent examination. I love how you dissect the line flow, proportions, and shapes. Cohesive design always ends aging well and even timeless if done right. I personally feel that in modern cars, the late 2000s and early 2010s had the most amount of cars with clean lines and good proportions. These days it feels like they're adding lines and creases that don't make sense just for the sake of going in a new direction. Thanks for the videos, and keep it up!!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

👍

[@andygriffiths9916]

Honda Civic is hellish

[@plottwist1733]

Yeah. The BMW 1M is a great looking car from the early 2010's and this is coming from someone who isn't even a massive BMW fan. They just got everything right with that car design wise in my opinion, unlike what they're putting out nowadays.

[@juuljitsu]

As someone who’s been emotionally attached to BMW aswell, it has truly hurt to see the reveals of the new series this year.

[@farhankamil9358]

The front end looks like what my attempt to copy the last gen 2 series on Automation and failing miserably.

[@Sbinott0]

This man need to play automation

[@Danis8Pastry]

"Overdesigned" is the word I think you are looking for. :) - Seems to be a trend these days. Then again, it is cheaper to punch lines in a box, than to turn a box into a sculpture.

[@bestduckyrblx2944]

No it’s not the word he was looking for; Mr Stephenson surely knows his vocabulary. The issue is simply a matter of inconsistent lines and features.

[@Danis8Pastry]

​@@bestduckyrblx2944 I beg your pardon.

[@humanbeing1675]

It is overdesigned. There is not an inch on this car without a curve, an edge or something like this. The design looks insecure, afraid of spaces without any "decorations". Compare it to car design of the 70ties/80ties. A good shape stands for itself.

[@bestduckyrblx2944]

@@humanbeing1675 Mmmm no. Tons of cars that have curved designes but have well balanced lines and edges that make them look properly designed and not overdesigned. This car doesnt have an excess of curves or lines like overdesigned cars do, but the couple of ones it has have no connection or sense with each other. That is why this car does not look pretty.

[@Danis8Pastry]

@@bestduckyrblx2944 A "couple"? XD When you hear the word "overdesigned", what cars come to your mind? To me the latest Audi RS6 comes to mind.

[@fmartingorb]

I love these shows. This is exactly what a design critic session should be like. Constructive criticism giving a solid rational. It is not just a opinion, but a great argument pointing out the flaws. I am not an industrial designer, but hearing you is inspiring

[@peterhammer4644]

I have seen it live a few times and it looks great! Much improved from the earlier boring design. But people complain whatever BMW does. If it's not the grille, it's something else. Like Frank does, too.

[@humbertoamorim8130]

By that harsh intro alone we all know where BMW stands right now

[@kylecope4412]

They're in trouble

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Humberto Amorim Hi how are you?

[@stevem2323]

@@kylecope4412 Yeah the sales numbers are dropping, wait...

[@TheGamingNorwegian]

@@stevem2323 Atleast in Norway i barely see any new BMWs.... I see tons of F-generation`s, but i very very very rarely see any of the G-generation, ive seen one new 1-series thats a driver school car, one new 2-series (that ive only seen once), a few new 3 series`s, no 4 series`s, a few new 5 series`s, one or two new face lift 7 series`s and no 8 series`s. You cant just judge from the sale numbers, this generation is probably gonna sell decently. But the NEXT generation if BMW keeps making bad designs is gonna drop in sales, this generation is the last straw before people leave BMW in favor another brand. People buy the G-generation BMWs for the brand loyalty, not because they desperately love the design.

[@stevem2323]

@@TheGamingNorwegian Norway? I don't know about that, but you should check worldwide sales of the 3, 5 and 8 series, X series are kicking some major ass in sales too. Norway is already gone into electric BS, so not really any sign of anything.

[@Shineblind]

about the headlights and rear lights, they look fairly similar if you take the rear lights and flip them upside down

[@tolga1cool]

So in a rollover accident the rear lights will look allright then?

[@Patient_Lion_BS]

That's the problem, they dont flow at all or contrast with the headlights. To me personally, the tailghts are absolutely hideous

[@otm646]

That's what makes it so weird, it's close but not close enough. Those tail lights have a weird kink to them not present in the headlamp assembly. If it was a mirror image top/bottom that would look massively better

[@VaunShiz]

He's talking about the the shape , no the led break light design

[@jordanbellamy6993]

being a MINI R50 owner and fanatic, i would love too see a video on how Frank would design a new MINI these days :)

[@Nathan93Baker]

Like he did the old one. Using a bulldog.

[@andrewpease3688]

The new minis are fugly, especially the countryman.

[@Jimbo_Jumbo]

The new minis are way too large. They need to make a fiat 500 / Aygo sized mini

[@thatcopenguy]

I honestly quite like their latest iteration but I'm a bit sad that they had to put fake grilles on the rear bumper of the normal Cooper. The part I really like about the 2nd & early 3rd gen new MINI is the really clean rear bumper with zero lines.

[@MrAchilles113]

Mini Cooper got progressively less charming and more generic with each subsequent generation. I think it looked its best in the "R" generation, where its proportions were spot on. However, the interior is easily at its best right now. It was positively awful in the older cars. I currently run a "F" series Cooper S and I can NEVER ever get used to looking at the massive shnozz (front overhang) on that car, its just awful.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

I don’t know why But the new BMW back ends tend to remind me a lot of the newer Acura’s. As I have also payed close attention to newer Mercs and Audis, the rear ends all seem to be coming to a direction where they all look so similar. I use to have an M3, my bro and RS4 and RS5 and my dad a CLK55 and SL55. We are all huge car fanatics and we discuss this stuff all the time and everyone seemed to notice the same thing. Kinda glad I got out of the M. We all drive 911s now

[@YourTypicalChannel]

They look like quadrofoglio

[@ccTube-n5d]

The entire vehicle is a cheap rip off of a Toyota 86, SMH -- I like 86, but this G42 is no comparison, it is just UGLY

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So many car designers don't draw reality, they have too large a wheels, too low etc. Sketching is good for generating ideas, but the should always be added to a 3D CAD model for verification.

[@OnTheRocks71]

E46, especially in coupe form, is probably one of my favorite BMW's in my lifetime. Still had a nice big greenhouse, but with a smooth body pulled over the mechanical bits. As far as cars designed in the 90's, I think it has maintained it's grace very well.

[@gomo.]

The last bmw, in my opinion

[@GT-pl1wx]

Exactly my opinion! I owned an e46 for about 6 Jahr! Still miss it!

[@demoniack81]

@@gomo. The E46 is the quintessential BMW. When I think "BMW", the E46 is what pops into my mind. The E90's front looks weird. The F30 is fine again, still very BMW and looks good. The G20's grill is awful and ruins the whole front.

[@54tristin]

Botched again

[@Cabriofahrer2]

I own a E46 conbertible for 20 years now. It still looks kind of fresh and interesting compared to most other cars of this era.

[@MTNorville]

When KIA hired on those guys from BMW for the Stinger GT, they must have brought their design team with them.

[@koruki]

The stinger is ugly too lol 😆

[@mvaght87]

Weren't they from Audi? I think you're confusing it with the Hyundai N brand.

[@nightlybob]

@@mvaght87 they hired a lot of European designers. Some came from bugatti , BMW, audi and volks

[@otm646]

@@koruki Ugly? Maybe. But at least the Stinger design language is coherent and consistent.

[@MTNorville]

@@koruki I wouldn't call it a beautiful car, but it'll tickle the pickle a lot easier than most cars.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

They went all JDM with the random design lines that mean nothing, but at least they got rid of that ghastly beaver grill.

[@TheSiege2]

I had never considered a BMW before because I did not care for their styling, until I saw the M240i. I went and ordered one the same day.

[@woodreg]

Frank, you're spot on with your comments. I've owned several BMWs (ending with the e46), as my father did before me. The only saving grace to me is the glasshouse area. I simply don't understand how a car company with so many iconic design cues in its back catalog can go so badly wrong. The weird thing is that they are still capable - for me, the CSL Hommage was the best modern BMW, and I do see elements of that in this. Maybe they were caught off guard with the reaction to the 4 series, and they had to quickly change it just before production? That would explain some of the mismatches of the frontal area... But even then, there are so many other missteps in the design. And I get what they were trying to do in the renderings - especially around the rear wheels and tapering of the rear window above, but that was hard to get right and BMW have got that wrong on both the 4 series and 8 series, with such a huge gap between the base of the rear window and the top of the wheel arch. It makes the body look blobby and fat! Quite possibly they tested this car at the wrong design clinics, because I can't imagine the global feedback would have been anything other than bad...

[@sidrens5292]

When you take away the grill 😳🙈 … front lights are too short from the mid-point and too high up to bonnet - the front lights are meant to compliment the front grill and the sweeps of bumper section - they don’t in this case at all! The rear… 🙄

[@ross3423]

Please review your dogs design Mr Stephenson, just so we can see them

[@DestinysComputer]

Yeah they're so beautiful.

[@timol437]

Great looking Bernese Mt Dogs, sadly only one of my two fit nicely in my 2015 BMW series 2 convertable X-Drive that does a great job tooling around Montana mountains. Do you think the Berners would make the 2022 2 Series look better?

[@tobyfellas6086]

I felt the 4 series design review was quite diplomatic and conservative. I’m glad he thrown that all way and says what he wants to say now.

[@jeffreyadams335]

Thanks Frank for translating and verbalizing what we see. Simplicity and consistency seems to be "out" in many current designs and makes me appreciate my '15 2 series that much more.

[@BruceLeedar]

About the only thing I don't agree with here is the dislike of the front wheel placement: I don't mind the long front look. It's a very 'classical' luxury car aesthetic, whether there is a V12 or not. I don't like how the flat area around the wheel arch extends at the back side, however. It makes it look like they had to extend the front end at the last moment and used a clone tool to patch over the gap .

[@HondaExige1]

Yeah no idea what that was about, making it look like a front wheel drive Audi with a massive front overhang? Crazy.

[@brostelio]

This design is all over the place. Design for design's sake. A brand that once oozed maturity is now aimed at people too young to afford it.

[@friendswithwheels3703]

Frank: I hope with their next design they won't be distancing themselves any further from what is recognizable as a classic BMW cause it could become dangerous. BMW: Yo check out this new X8 with split headlights and vertical exhausts!

[@patrickbateman9887]

The guy who made the thumbnail put the sedan in it, a TOTALLY DIFFERENT car from both structure and design. Please specify you're reviewing the coupe. I almost didn't click because who cares about a FWD BMW?

[@cyanah5979]

The design of this car left me clueless when I saw it first. It's amazing how you can point out to such a degree why I felt so puzzled. Really love your channel.

[@eddymichaels5486]

Renderings are one part.. As an architect I always, always, learnt that you have to make a model of the object. Because it usually does not look what you intend in the first place. You then have to rework it, and build another model and another one until the desired result is there A scary thing is to be a part of a project that looked good on screen, but the building standing there is something completely different. In a digital world we tend to miss out on the aspect of relating to objects the way they appear in the physical world

[@strech5412]

When they won’t even send a rep to staff the stand, that means someone’s gotta go. The PR boss, or the Design boss. I hope both of them get their pink slips today.

[@tavirosu25]

I feel like all this was because they couldn't translate the drawing into a doable 3D that had real body parts that won't be expensive. After all the 2 series is entry-level in BMW, so they most likely cut corners, hence why that many lines in the pannel...use less material, cover more space.

[@DiscoR53]

Shorten the front overhang, that would help. For a long time BMW’s in the 3 series had short from over hangs but had a elegant long-ish hood. Pushing the wheels to the edge does wonders for handling.

[@pandamator]

It's just surface noise is my new favorite sentence regarding BMW's recent designs.

[@kiyan110]

I was kinda tearing up when I saw the empty stand :( How did they manage to mess up so badly

[@DonatoFaruolo]

Really like your point of view. Is not a “I like/I don’t like” manner, but a substantial and rational reading of a work of design as a language. Thank you very very much. Really appreciate.

[@joachims5367]

You are completely right, most recent bmw designes are highly questionable to me. It started more or less with the FWD 1series the front of which looks like a rat in my opinion. But to be honest Daimler isn‘t really doing a better job on their „lower budget“ cars recently.

[@jacksimpson54]

It would be great to see in-person reviews of these cars, I know they’d be harder to make and perhaps longer videos but I’d be happy to sit through 20/25 minute in-person reviews.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Jack Simpson Hi how are you?

[@RichardM740]

BMW needs to start fresh with an entirely new design team. They used to be "The ultimate driving machine and now they look like they're trying to appeal to appeal to s13 different audiences. It's gotten hideous.

[@ro952]

I have heard people say it's like they are copying the Civic with the cheap & tacky over exaggerated styling..

[@RichardM740]

@@ro952 I don't see why they would follow the Honda demographic but I wish they'd scrap everything, go back to the 90s, even 80s and start with sensible, tasteful evolutions of those models. Look at the new M4, where's the BMW dna in that?

[@trut52]

Designed by committee... never works

[@toesuf94]

I am also a BMW lover. Several new and old BMW's in the fleet. I love the new design language of the M240ix. Not much of a fan of the lesser models of the same car as they seem to lose the burliness the M240 offers. Wife has already began the order process for a Midnight Thunder version to replace her 440i GC!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

This is a really interesting breakdown. While I don't consider myself a designer in my day job, it is my background, so I can at least understand the concepts you discuss deeply. Full disclosure, I just ordered an m240, and absolutely *love* the design. Interestingly, I don't have a strong tie to historical BMW, so everything related to history, while important, is just a bit lost on me. At the end of the day, I just *like* the car. And, controversially, I also love the M2 shape. It feels very contemporary and crisp. So, thanks for the breakdown either way.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

A pleasure Justin.

[@samcjsattt]

Love your video Frank! I owned the last generation M2. I think that is one of the best looking M car BMW ever design, the look the proportion the line is nearly perfect. even the regular 2 series is good too. it’s just saddens me to see the new design.

[@allentan2513]

Completely agree.

[@dmark2639]

Agree!

[@marcobusch]

It seems that the board are betting blindly in a lot of questionable things, even in their communication. Any moment they will have to rethink all of this and do some transformation.

[@lisalisa13]

I just bought my first BMW last year and I absolutely love it. RWD in that car is such a blast to drive and those drives probably saved my sanity during the covid lockdown. ;~) I have admired the design of the 2 since they came out and now I'm so glad I didn't wait for the new body style. Your video was so spot on and made me appreciate my 2020 even more.

[@nikolishutinski2952]

Hmmm, I wasn’t too into this design a year ago when I first saw it. Somehow it’s grown on me a lot and I currently have a blue over red M240i xDrive on order.

[@devanman7920]

This is such amazingly good content honestly Frank Thank you!

[@marcnobel3938]

Wonderful explained and displayed! Good to have a professional that can put the feeling we have with the right words. - Great Video!

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Marc Nobel Hi how are you?

[@cicalinarrot]

God, I love hearing people who really know design talking. It's hard to explain even to most cars enthusiasts what design is about and that it's not just a matter of taste, there are unspoken rules and objectively good and bad elements.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

👍

[@rorisxng]

I rate the kidneys are an improvement over the buck teeth we've seen on recent models. I am also satisfied with the updated interiors. I'd become accustomed to the distinct line that ran across the side profile through the door handles as well as headlights that were instantly recognizable in your rearview mirror. I like what you did with darkening the image and highlighting the area(s) you're focusing on. The scrambled lines give it an odd "surface tension" as though they tried to pull and stretch the material in every direction to cover the car. The rear looks borrowed from the BRZ

[@blacktoothfox677]

I was at the rapid festival outside of Chichester too... to be honest, for a saloon car to draw attention there.. would take something VERY special! Glad the weather held for everyone, hope you had a great time!

[@pauloyo3648]

I love mine. When I saw in person for the first time I felt in love.

[@alasdairstuart3394]

Great video. Completely agree. M240i was my previous BMW - great car, easy to love. New version - main issue is the bonnet is too long for 2 series and the rest is over designed. They need to nail the interior (they have), the performance (they have) and keep the rest as evolution not revolution.

[@stevem2323]

Absolutely great advice. I have a strange suspicious that someone in Bmw board went full woke with this designers.

[@ThaMythbuster]

It's strange how the BMW M4 has everything good looking except the grille, but on the 2 series, the grille is the only thing that looks decent. The rest isn't necessary bad, but it's "Meh".. I do like the greenhouse and especially the doorhandles though. Flipup doorhandles are the best! I think I'd rather be seen in this 2 series than an M4 though!

[@retardray5701]

I agree that the 4 series looks otherwise really handsome, with nice classic proportions and flowing lines. I have to say the tall grille looks even more out of place with the M4's more aggressive front bumper. The 2 series does feel almost like an intentional opposite to the 4 series with its very cartoonish, less-graceful design, while oddly being more conservative with the grille.

[@TheGamingNorwegian]

4 series looks good everywhere but from the front because its a Mustang, same as the 8 series...

[@longebane]

The rear 3/4 of the 4 is shit. Even worse than the grill. Like the guy above says, it looks more mustang than anything bmw.

[@allentan2513]

Just buy the outgoing 2 series. Looks so much better.

[@VaunShiz]

I disagree I think the 4 series design is weak, look at the side profile , it has no character at all

[@holyworrier]

I see all those folds and creases and I'm reminded of several of the more elaborate and ridiculous Lambo designs. It's the busyness of the surfaces. The 'Transformer' look.

[@ronaldkreimel8501]

I bet in several years down the road the impact of sharing insights like this to such a large audience will become apparent. As it has been apparent in the movies and games industry where concept artists started to share their approach as early as the late 90s, sparking interest by showing their portfolios and process online. It used to take about 20 years for things to become noticeable. Bet it happens even faster in the future.

[@TheJohnsonseviltwin]

I absolutely love this design. Reminds me of the E82 shock when I first saw it, and that design has grown really well for me over time.

[@Gorbyrev]

Interesting thoughts and grateful for your articulation of the issues. One thing that I am seeing more and more with high waistline cars is dead space between the rear wheel arch and the lower line of the greenhouse. Looks wrong to me, especially given how slender many contemporary wing panels are.

[@tailgatetommy1571]

Before watching the video - "Man, I'd love to drive something like that one day. M2 is one of my favorite cars". After watching "Just dreadful. Who would want to be caught driving this monstrosity?".

[@car_designs_drawings8048]

Your videos and analysis are amazing Frank. I hope you don't stop posting new videos ever, I love every video you post. Thank you!

[@Maky313]

They have taken what was one of the last beautiful BMWs and turned it into a Hyundai. The classic lines and look of the now previous gen 2 Series/M2 was what reminded one of what BMWs should look like.

[@richardfiennes3616]

The rear of this car is as UNCOHESIVE as that new Toyota Supra's rear end! Employ Giorgetto Giugiaro to produce beautiful BMW's once more! That early 2002 tii was sublime and looks even more so now. Another enjoyable synopsis Frank - thank you.

[@1LE_Ciko]

Love the new supra from every angle especially in person jus my opinion tho..

[@izzdin6228]

@@1LE_Ciko Supra's rear view is best view. It's got curvy hips.

[@X22GJP]

Very few cars are cohesive, and most are ver6 generic now. Line all of the sporty hatchbacks up in a row and they all look very similar. At least this has unique proportions amongst peers.

[@portnaluinge]

Yeah, I have to agree with every word of this. I just don’t get BMW’s current design language - I can’t even see what they’re *trying* to do. For a company who used to produce some of the most coherent, ageless designs to head down a path of utter confusion is baffling to me.

[@sejtanskifazoni5752]

They are trying to be diffrent from other car manufactures trying to make their models look diffrent from eachother but somehow fucking up the Design

[@ohgodwhy]

I know we all think it's ugly but it's always great when a professional calls it ugly too. BMW design department need sacking. Shame because the cars capabilities are probably the best they've ever been.

[@dmark2639]

Don't forget, the Sr. Executives gave the approval to build it. And probably gave direction to the design team to shake things up. The responsible execs should leave too...

[@colinl7816]

I can already hear the sighs, when Frank first sees the new split headlights on the upcoming 7 series and X8

[@01123581321341]

I love to hear Frank talking about design language. Real beautiful metaphor. Nobody critiques a car design with more style, sympathy, knowlegde and grace.

[@michaelmak866]

Another great video as always! Actually I would love to hear your opinion on the design of Mazda 3 hatchback. In my opinion it is one of the highlight in this era of extravagant.

[@gabrielm185]

Yes! After seeing Mazda's videos about the design of the 3 and kodo in general and the works with clay and light reflection, I immediately thought: this should be analyzed by Frank, he would probably like it too.

[@nzuncovered1845]

The problem with mazda is they concentrate on the "flow' design but the car underneath is absolute junk they are based on the old 90s mazda 323. As the mazda 6 is an old 626 underneath. The best mazda is the mazda 2.. Which is pretty much a toyoya yaris

[@rhesaobineche2744]

Love the content Frank! Please, please, PLEASE dedicate one episode to showing your ideas for a current day Mini!🙏🏾

[@ilgwent8061]

E36: The most iconic 3er of the modern era. Definitely revolutionary compared to the E30. The E46 was meant to be like an reasonable evolution of the E36 but I never found it attractive as the 36. Obviously IMHO and with all due respect 👌

[@PrisonerD]

Yes - interior aside (where the e46 is a definite improvement over the e36) the e36 was a more chiseled / no fat design. Think thin Elvis vs fat Elvis. I'd take the e92 (m-sport) over either though for a modern BMW, even though it is the size of an 80s 6 series!

[@hypecorvette6818]

It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to tell the team, our team, when they have lost their soul because without us buying their art pieces they cannot continue. They audition for our love, we do not audition for theirs.

[@giovannicarrasco147]

I literally feel uneasy when looking at this car. When I look at my 3 series I am reminded of how beautiful and well BMW design stands against time. Huge difference that I think is pushing away so many people

[@gzeus7534]

I would love to see you "redesigning" the new BMW 2 Series or any other cars, that don't represent the brand, like they should

[@Sphyn0x]

Well as he said in the video, he would have to start from the scratch, its that bad lol

[@djc2526]

I would be really interested to hear Frank's opinion on the current Peugeot range and direction. I know it is not a premium brand but their current design language is really interesting. I can't decide if I truly like it or that I just like that it is quite bold for a brand of it's type. Like, what are they going for? Have they succeeded? Will it stand the test of time? I always notice them on the road and I think I love that eLegend concept. Franks take would be so interesting!

[@BL4K_B4BIES]

That would be interesting 🤔

[@filipesantiago2182]

By the way, would love to know your views on where Mercedes is going. I’m hating their “melted cheese” design (as Sketch Monkey calls it) and the fact that all models look the same. Really hard to distinguish a C from an E or an S, or even a CLA from a CLS. As far as premium brands go, I’m currently more excited with Volvo and Land Rover, for example.

[@mrflippant]

New Volvos look the business!

[@tiagomnlmnl]

Imo I'd rather take consistency and sameness over whatever the hell BMW is doing. But yeah, Volvo is doing good stuff rn

[@hakankarakurt1100]

I agree on melted cheese design but I really like matryoshka doll lineup. It looks cohesive across the lineup and if you know your Mercedeses enough there are enough visual cues to tell them apart easily. I could understand an S buyer being angry about spending the 3-4 times the money over the C and look similar but I personally wouldn’t mind…

[@movingshadow702808]

I remember drooling over an E36 M3 in Midnight-Violet in the BMW showroom in the 90‘s. And I remember first seeing an Alpina 850 in person around that time - that was the golden era of BMW… 😢

[@danwhelan]

Thank you Frank for doing these critiques. As a BMW fan and driver, I'm losing hope that they'll turn the ship around. They had such a strong legacy of icons to choose from when designing their new vehicles..

[@MultiWalrus1]

That’s a generous score Frank! Very diplomatic 😜

[@laurentiuprisacariu9905]

insightful as always. loved the giugiaro reference :)

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Laurentiu Prisacariu Hi how are you?

[@guesstheglobe7635]

I used to always own at least one BMW. I just sold my last one. No intent to buy another in the future. They've lost their way.

[@joesmalley8421]

I have to agree with you Frank, BMWs design direction recently has been questionable. Take one look at the E46 M3 CSL and you can see they've stepped backwards, it was such a fluid sensual design, yet still very muscular and BMW. In fact there are still so many E46's in all versions of the 3-series still driven on the road, and they still look good today. I doubt the same will be said of the 2-series in 20 years time.

[@zackklapman3569]

Will you be analyzing the M2 or is that not worth a standalone video?