BMW Through the Decades: A Nostalgic Look at Style Evolution
![](https://assets.allautoexperts.com/resize/upload/blog/34462/600x400-yxjbfsM8GD8FY14qXEc5r74gRVRP7JKqTmAjrYT1.jpeg)
by AutoExpert | 26 July, 2024
Remember the days when BMWs were the epitome of cool, sleek simplicity with perfect proportions? Those were the cars that turned heads and set hearts racing. I’ve been a BMW fan since before I could even drive, constantly pestering my dad to take me to dealerships to drool over the latest models.
One dealership, in particular, held a special place in my heart — Foreign Motors on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. It was a treasure trove of luxury, housing brands like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, and yes, where Jay Leno once turned wrenches.
It was there, back in the late ‘60s or maybe 1970, that I first laid eyes on what I considered one of the most aristocratic cars ever — a BMW 2800 CS coupe. It was decked out in a regal metallic green with a saddle interior that just stopped me in my tracks. The car had a confident simplicity and proportions that just felt right, including a tall, glassy, pillarless upper that today might seem a bit out of fashion.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself pondering BMW's current design path. The brand has evolved tremendously from those days. Initially, the 2800 CS itself wasn’t a completely fresh start but a significant refresh of the 2000 CS introduced in 1965. The earlier model, despite sharing many aesthetic cues with the 2800, sported a shorter wheelbase and a less flattering front-end, characterized by isolated kidney-shaped grilles and large, awkwardly shaped composite headlamps. It looked, well, a bit bucktoothed.
The evolution of BMW's designs has included some hits and some controversial misses. Take the iconic 3-Series, a car that practically defined the sports sedan category and inspired legions of imitators. The third-generation E36, which started rolling out in 1992, was a game-changer with its short front overhang and the side view dash-to-axle ratio that just screamed efficiency and purpose, especially in the coupe.
Then there was the era under Chris Bangle, BMW’s then-chief designer, known for trying to differentiate the looks of the 3-, 5-, and 7-Series. His approach was, to put it mildly, polarizing. The 2002 E65 7-Series under his watch was bulky and lacked the previous generation's grace, marked by what became infamously known as the “Bangle-butt.” It was a design that didn’t exactly win hearts, leading to a return to more traditional designs in subsequent models.
And now? The current G70 7-Series and other models like the iX EV and XM PHEV seem to be taking BMW in a new direction that’s both bold and somewhat brutal, lacking the graceful lines that once defined the brand.
BMW is at a crossroads, grappling with its visual identity and how it should evolve. While the brand remains highly desirable, known for its quality and prestige, I can’t help but hope for a return to the design principles that made BMW stand out. The perfect mix of elegance, simplicity, and cutting-edge technology that once made cars like the 2800 CS so breathtaking.
As BMW continues to navigate its path forward, I find myself both nostalgic for the past and eager to see where they will go next. Will they recapture the magic of their earlier designs, or will they carve out a new identity in this ever-changing automotive landscape? Only time will tell, but I’m here for the ride.