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Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:46 pm
by GG.
McSwede wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:41 pm
With regards to Jobbo mentioning the E46, I'd say the M versions look bloody awesome. The normal versions look a bit weedy and shit.
This is a problem with the whole exercise - the hot models don't always follow the same ranking. I guess you've got to base your judgment on which base car looks the best (in which case I agree with you, it definitely wouldn't be the e46 for me).
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:47 pm
by Swervin_Mervin
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:07 pm
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:05 pm
E34 is my answer to the thread title.
Such an obvious one I should have said it in the first post. Best looking BMW ever.
Hmm, not sure about that. E28 and E38 are better looking for me. E38 best 7-series (JL utterly wrong on this one) and E28 best 5 for me. 3-series it would be the E46 coupe and saloon, but I think the E46 Touring<E91 Touring as I think it looks too tall and skinny.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:51 pm
by Rich B
ZedLeg wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:46 pm
Ah that's a different story though, there's a few M cars that have vastly improved an underwhelming standard car. E36 & E90 M3 spring to mind as well as the E39 M5.
Estate versions have improved a few as well.
E36 328i sport was a decent car - and the E36 M didn’t look any different.
I hate that most cars seem to have skinny rear arches in particular. Merc coupes and 2 series BMWs look particularly lame in cooking versions.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:57 pm
by ZedLeg
Aye, one of the things I hate in general about modern cars is that loads have a lot of flat featureless metal around the c pillar and rear arches. Make's them look flabby. A flared arch or even just an interesting swage line can really tighten it up.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:57 pm
by Nathan
X300 facelift XJR
D2 A8 facelift with xenons
pre facelift SE spec E46 coupe with amber lenses
late R129
Early R8 V8
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:58 pm
by Nathan
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:47 am
As for the C-class, the W204 (pre-facelift for me) is definitive; the current one might sell really well but the W204 was so right in my eyes that I doubt Merc will ever better it.
Lovely cars. I really think they are a modern day W124
Interesting development program too
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:01 pm
by Jimmy Choo
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:05 pm
This is up for sale locally, 20k or so:
Had to talk myself down from that one. E34 is my answer to the thread title.
I'd say E39 Sport and E46 sport saloon
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:05 pm
by Jimmy Choo
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:07 pm
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:05 pm
E34 is my answer to the thread title.
Such an obvious one I should have said it in the first post. Best looking BMW ever.
How can you say that when the E31 exists?
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:10 pm
by Jobbo
Jimmy Choo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:05 pm
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:07 pm
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:05 pm
E34 is my answer to the thread title.
Such an obvious one I should have said it in the first post. Best looking BMW ever.
How can you say that when the E31 exists?
The E31 was less attractive than the Vauxhall Calibra. Never understood the love for that fat toad of a car.
Nath, do you have a history of the W204 which you can share?
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:15 pm
by JLv3.0
Of course not as that would ruin the mystery.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:26 pm
by Nathan
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:10 pm
Nath, do you have a history of the W204 which you can share?
I say that because of bits and pieces I have read over the years. I think it was a first in using CAD simulation for prototype testing before actually making a prototype.
Interesting to me it had passive rear steer
This has some of it
https://www.speedheads.de/auto-specials ... 09393.html
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:31 pm
by Nathan
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:15 pm
Of course not as that would ruin the mystery.
'In the summer of 2003, the development of the W204 C-Class involved the use of a "digital prototype", which put a 2.1 terabyte digital replica of the car through a 15 million mile road course. This is an industry first which allowed for crash testing and more, before a physical prototype was constructed. The design of W204 was selected in 2003 and German design patents were first filed on 9 September 2004, showcasing a W204 fiberglass design model'
Not my words, but those the the W204 Wikipedia article.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:40 pm
by mik
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:10 pm
by NotoriousREV
Fat Elise.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:15 pm
by Jimmy Choo
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:10 pm
The E31 was less attractive than the Vauxhall Calibra. Never understood the love for that fat toad of a car.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:23 pm
by Mito Man
Jimmy Choo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:15 pm
Jobbo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:10 pm
The E31 was less attractive than the Vauxhall Calibra. Never understood the love for that fat toad of a car.
I generally don’t love anything which is from before my time so I’ll also go for this or the Z8 but as the Z8 was a one off I will have to go for the 8 series. At Goodwood they had the 550 bhp M8 prototype with carbon fibre wheels which blew my mind that it was so advanced for its time.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:47 pm
by JonathanE
Rich B wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:45 pm
All of these are improved with wide arches.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:51 pm
by Sundayjumper
JLv3.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:05 pm
This is up for sale locally, 20k or so:
Nice. Get it bought.
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:51 pm
by integrale_evo
Im pretty sure they were just carbon fibre front covers for the same 17in forged alloy wheels you could get on a normal 8 series...
Re: Best looking iteration of long-running car models
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:53 pm
by GG.
JonathanE wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 2:47 pm
Rich B wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:45 pm
All of these are improved with wide arches.
Stunning
Unfortunately though the Countach is another where original is best in my opinion. LP400 is perfection for me.
