[Badger]

As it is said, one picture is worth thousand words, so take a look and...

What the heck??

I could understand similarity to the Merc, but this? Cheap brands?? Why?
Another thing is that if VW 'borrows' some stylistic solutions from premium brands, not much can be done with it (however Golf 7 FL debuted 3 years ago, while 7er this year); it also should be noted that - ironically - in some cases VW is getting similar more to the BMW (above-mentioned LEDs in Golf or side profile in Euro-Passat), than to its closest VAG's cousin - Audi.

Anyway, does anybody remember year 2000? Great revolution (still in use!), when unparalleled to any other thing E39 LCI appeared with its unique rings (angel eyes) emphasised in modern way one of the most famous BMW feature which are 2 pairs of the headlights...

Hey, BMW, we need something like that now... A hallmarks for another 20 years. There are so many fresh and good ideas, fan renders, why not to apply them... I know that now LEDs are very cheap and everyone may use them in any imaginable way, but this works both ways...

PS Looking at the 5er LCI spyshots it is too late for the rescue

[IAmATeaf]

Mercedes might be saying the same for the new1 series which does look remarkably similar to the a class?

[Redd]

BMW design started going downhill after Chris Bangle left.

[Burrcold]

I don't know...I feel like there's only so many things you can do with the daytime running light. The old BMW halo lights were basically copied by everyone (in some way) and then everyone started copying Audi's light design. There's no wow factor anymore with headlight design. The other day I saw a really nice headlight in my rear view mirror and thought oh this is going to be something nice. Turned out to be some 50-60 year old lady driving a Nissan Murano.

[EricVR4]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I don't know...I feel like there's only so many things you can do with the daytime running light. The old BMW halo lights were basically copied by everyone (in some way) and then everyone started copying Audi's light design. There's no wow factor anymore with headlight design. The other day I saw a really nice headlight in my rear view mirror and thought oh this is going to be something nice. Turned out to be some 50-60 year old lady driving a Nissan Murano.

I do this constantly. I see stuff a ways off in my rear view and get excited to see what it is.....and when it gets closer I realize it's a Chrysler/Nissan/Hyndai/etc and it's actually really annoying

Like you stated though, almost all brands are copying one or the other now so it's difficult to stand out. I get what BMW is doing by changing theirs to make them look more aggressive/different and I actually don't mind some of them. I'm sure it's irritating to some of the more die-hards since they're not the signature halos but still. I prefer the new style lights as opposed to the new style grilles so I guess 1 out of 2 ain't too bad

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by Redd

BMW design started going downhill after Chris Bangle left.

I don't know, I think before, still prefer pre Bangle, E60 pre LCI was awful...

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I don't know...I feel like there's only so many things you can do with the daytime running light. The old BMW halo lights were basically copied by everyone (in some way) and then everyone started copying Audi's light design. There's no wow factor anymore with headlight design. The other day I saw a really nice headlight in my rear view mirror and thought oh this is going to be something nice. Turned out to be some 50-60 year old lady driving a Nissan Murano.

We are getting to a point of saturation where LED's are cheap enough that all automakers can put out a fancy LED headlight. The BMW halo lights were unique at the time but that's because the technology was new and it was cost prohibitive to be used on lower end cars so you only saw them on BMW's. I know when I got my M2 that everyone wanted the LCI hexagonal LED's over the traditional halos that have become somewhat dated. Not exactly sure what you can expect BMW to do as they have to adhere to government restrictions so to an extent most LED designs going forward are going to be somewhat similar. As the OP's pictures show the BMW LED's are similar to the VW ones but it's important to note the VW LED's are pretty sharp themselves so you have to ask what's more important? Looking good or looking different for the sake of looking different? The latter mentality brought forth the massive grilles many of us loathe.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by clee1982

I don't know, I think before, still prefer pre Bangle, E60 pre LCI was awful...

Well he did the E9x M3 so gets extra points for that. 😂

[GenXer]

My '19 F36 still has 4 round halo LEDs

[izzyM2]

My 2020 M2C still has halos due to no exec. I love the traditional look.

[1MOREMOD]

Is this english

[GTF]

Audi was distinctive, then everyone introduced their own variations.
The only remaining truly distinctive, and the best IMO, is the Porsche 4-point. Unique, simple, and classy.

[pennsiveguy]

I feel like BMW styling, in general, is getting less courageous and more generic. My F15, to my eyes, has a look that's distinctly different from the vehicles I also considered - the XC90, the Q7, the Merc (can't remember the model). But yesterday I saw a G05 parked 2 spaces away from an XC90 and could hardly tell them apart. And don't get me wrong, I think the XC90 is a handsome vehicle (with a buzzy engine), but I don't want to pay upwards of $80K for a vehicle that's not at least somewhat distinctive in its styling.

[allinon72]

No lighting package on my car, so i have the poverty HIDs with regular halos. Wouldn't have it any other way.

[NorthCountryGuy]

I’ve always regarded the halos as a BMW staple. The thickened six sided halo was a more modern iteration of the same. The new lights are not ‘halos’ or closed polygons.

One used to be able to ‘pin out’ an oncoming BMW from a quarter mile away.
Now they look like VW’s.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

I feel like BMW styling, in general, is getting less courageous and more generic. My F15, to my eyes, has a look that's distinctly different from the vehicles I also considered - the XC90, the Q7, the Merc (can't remember the model). But yesterday I saw a G05 parked 2 spaces away from an XC90 and could hardly tell them apart. And don't get me wrong, I think the XC90 is a handsome vehicle (with a buzzy engine), but I don't want to pay upwards of $80K for a vehicle that's not at least somewhat distinctive in its styling.

Have you seen the new grilles? This is why automakers can't win. Make only subtle changes and it's too generic. Make big changes and they are ridiculed.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Have you seen the new grilles? This is why automakers can't win. Make only subtle changes and it's too generic. Make big changes and they are ridiculed.

You're completely correct. I don't envy them.