OV9

996.1 to 996.2 takes some beating for me (with apologies to any owners of the former, the latter looks massively more cohesive to these eyes)

Ferrari 360 to 430 Scuderia

Here's the non RS 996.2 for you

Mazda MX-5 MK2 to MK2.5 is a good one

mik wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 1:34 am 996.1 to 996.2 takes some beating for me (with apologies to any owners of the former, the latter looks massively more cohesive to these eyes)

then they did the 997 and actually got it right.

Was this thread inspired by the De Tomaso Pantera?

First thought was the E46 M3 where the only visual changes were to the rear numberplate plinth and fitment of LED rear lights. But that’s being facetious.

Alpine A610 perhaps?

Ferrari 348-F355?

Best facelift I can think of was the Bug eye to the hawkeye Impreza.

Rich B wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:23 am Best facelift I can think of was the Bug eye to the hawkeye Impreza.

It’s a good one, but you skipped the BlobEye, which contravenes rule 764.c.

I'm happy to say the blob eye was also a great facelift to the bug eye.

I concur.

Jobbo wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 8:49 am First thought was the E46 M3 where the only visual changes were to the rear numberplate plinth and fitment of LED rear lights. But that’s being facetious.

Can you imagine how odd the E46 M3 would look with the softer, facelifted front end on it?

Eeewww.

I seem to remember the first BMW 1 series had been thoroughly thrashed with the ugly stick but they improved it a lot with the facelift?

Beany wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:38 am

Jobbo wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 8:49 am First thought was the E46 M3 where the only visual changes were to the rear numberplate plinth and fitment of LED rear lights. But that’s being facetious.

Can you imagine how odd the E46 M3 would look with the softer, facelifted front end on it?

Eeewww.

people have done it - Tim Shaw (Car SOS) did it to his - and yes, it does look worse than the OEM M3 front.

https://www.catune.co.uk/demo-bW9kZT12aWV3JmlkPTMz.html

Literally zero presence in those shots. For all that EXTREME MALE BEAUTY it looks, frankly, flaccid.

On a more 'cooking' level, the major 306 update was a pretty good facelift - the original looked pretty good but was clearly a bit older in it's design origins, the facelift looked suitably modern and fresh (mainly thanks to the clear headlight lenses) but still cohesive and very much a 306.

Kinda similar to the above MX5 Mk2 --> Mk2.5 change, but I think the Pug did it better.







pics nicked from here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buy ... uide/34887

The X350 XJ facelift is a lot better resolved that the pre facelift (to my eyes anyway).

S Type the same, the facelifted S Type R is a decent looking car, the early ones are all a bit ungainly.

I can think of more cars that got worse than better I think!

The early (Ford era) XFs had pretty stupid headlights, and the post Tata facelift cars were substantially nicer from the front end. Really smartened the whole look of the car.

Simon wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 12:31 pm The early (Ford era) XFs had pretty stupid headlights, and the post Tata facelift cars were substantially nicer from the front end. Really smartened the whole look of the car.

Yep that's a very good one, I hated the headlights on the first XFs.

With the benefit of hindsight, the STI bugeye Impreza looks better now. The blobeye looks bland and the hawkeye looks over styled and has a horrible nasal grille.

This is specifically the bugeye STI though with the projector lights in the dark background.

Beany wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:38 am

Jobbo wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 8:49 am First thought was the E46 M3 where the only visual changes were to the rear numberplate plinth and fitment of LED rear lights. But that’s being facetious.

Can you imagine how odd the E46 M3 would look with the softer, facelifted front end on it?

Eeewww.

I was gonna find the pic of my M3 next to a 318i, but I don't think it qualifies under Miks criterion.

Marv wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:14 pm

Beany wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:38 am

Jobbo wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 8:49 am First thought was the E46 M3 where the only visual changes were to the rear numberplate plinth and fitment of LED rear lights. But that’s being facetious.

Can you imagine how odd the E46 M3 would look with the softer, facelifted front end on it?

Eeewww.

I was gonna find the pic of my M3 next to a 318i, but I don't think it qualifies under Miks criterion.

Well given that Mik's counting the GT3 to GT3 RS as a facelift, I'd say the M3 and 318i is also a valid comparison!