[Penguino]

While looking at all the alternatives offered by BMW you can't void to run into something you experienced before. I've been owning BMWs for the last 16 years. Every new one used to create some level of excitement and I got to play with something new but now as I get ready to choose our next one, I feel like I'm buying the same car all over again.

The X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, 3-series and 5-series, all have the same interior. I want something new but feel I'm buying the same ol.

Seats look the same/very similar, dash or doors are nearly identical, the steering wheel is the same.

My only alternatives are MB which the GLE does do it for me and the GLS is too big.

Porsche is a good alternative but the Cayenne is a bit tame look wise.

The reality is I love BMWs but the new ones all feel old to me. Is anyone else experiencing this fatigue?

Can you guess which interior belongs to which model?

[HighlandPete]

I can see this topic dividing opinion, like most other threads which discuss whether users like change or not.

We get back to "evolution or revolution". Whichever way BMW move forward, BMW won't please everyone.

My own view, I see a lot of change to the interiors, than say the E60/E90 days.

[chassis]

Some would call it family resemblance, a good thing.

However, this seems to bore or fatigue you. Time to move on to a new brand?

Mercedes - watch out because they are junk.

Porsche - a higher level price point

Any thing else?

[Penguino]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I can see this topic dividing opinion, like most other threads which discuss whether users like change or not.

We get back to "evolution or revolution". Whichever way BMW move forward, BMW won't please everyone.

My own view, I see a lot of change to the interiors, than say the E60/E90 days.

There is a lot of progression from the older days, but within any BMW produced within the last 5 years, all share the same interiors, or in-differentially similar.

[megf]

I left BMWs about 7 years ago- part of the reason (not the only) was the plain interiors. I leased MBs for 6 years- and felt they had a much nicer interior.
Fast forward to my lease end on my C300, at the end of last year. Was really impressed with the X3 interior, and was part of the reason I came back to BMW.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by chassis

Some would call it family resemblance, a good thing.

I also like the 'family' approach, but even that is often challenged. "All the same", or when BMW do offer something different in a model range, the criticism follows. Why the departure? BMW can't win.

[alex2364]

If you’ve owned BMWs as long as you say you have, then you would know their interiors have always looked the same during the same era. Compare the interior of a E46 vs E39 and you can barely tell them apart. This is nothing new.

[Topcarbon]

Came from mercedes.
Wanted to try something different
So can appreciate the argument.
My choices are very limited and mercedes seemed to offer even more narrow a choice.
At least bmw has a color palate so when you look at your car, its not black, white or silver. This was change enough to sway me over to bmw.

[heavyD^2]

Just wait until the 3 series LCI that will get the large rectangular LCD screen on top of the dash. That will be the change you crave but it's also going to come at the cost of alienating those who hate change and want everything to stay the same forever. As said above an automaker will never be able to please everyone.

[SteveinArizona]

I am a fan of the family approach. I don't have to relearn what muscle memory has learned. I don't think twice about changing the volume because I do it without thinking about it, without looking, and keeping my eyes on the road. I think I have more than 20 seating adjustments; do I really want to learn these all over again?

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Penguino

There is a lot of progression from the older days, but within any BMW produced within the last 5 years, all share the same interiors, or in-differentially similar.

This was driven by the new CEO to reduce the number of unique parts per model and increase margins. From a business point of view sure I can see it but if you want to have a great product with unique features that will take a hit as you presented.

Another one hiding in there is the clar platform and zf8 auto ie no more dct.

I'd say pick the one that works for you or a diff brand or go back in time and get an older one. My dd is e90 and not planning to change it for the next gazillion years.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Mavus

This was driven by the new CEO to reduce the number of unique parts per model and increase margins. From a business point of view sure I can see it but if you want to have a great product with unique features that will take a hit as you presented.

Go back to the early days of the 3,5,7-series, you will have seen the same thing. We've seen this family resemblance and parts sharing (where possible), since the 1970's.

Used to be referred to as "same sausage, different skin".

When BMW move away from this approach, with a model which looks out of place, there is a lot of negative talk. "What is BMW thinking", "That's not a real BMW", etc.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Go back to the early days of the 3,5,7-series, you will have seen the same thing. We've seen this family resemblance and parts sharing (where possible), since the 1970's.

Used to be referred to as "same sausage, different skin".

When BMW move away from this approach, with a model which looks out of place, there is a lot of negative talk. "What is BMW thinking", "That's not a real BMW", etc.

Yes read about those complaints and that's why Bangle wanted to create differenttiation btw series. I think the issue now is that we have x models and they have the same dash parts, gages, center consoles, hvac switchgear, steering wheels, xmsns etc. The portfolio is larger yet the differentiation is smaller.

X5 should provide different cabin/dash layout compared to 240.

[LogicalApex]

I personally think the similarities play to a strength and not a weakness. It helps to give them an ability to make the BMW feel familiar and inviting no matter where in the lineup you go. Which I think it much more common than it was in the past (but I'm in my 30s so maybe I'm wrong here). I feel people now may get an X5 and then go to a 5-Series or even an X3 later and etc...

They want you to be able to jump into a BMW connect your profile and have that car feel familiar to you. The car to act as if it knows you. Setting various settings to your liking and etc.

All this while allowing you the flexibility to go where you're pulled at any given time. It is a longterm good strategy I think as you'll end up feeling deeply connected to BMW as time goes on if you're brand loyal.

[micvite]

I sort of have the same gripe, for example the new m3s and the m5s are basically the same car, have most of the same features, close hp levels and 0-60 times, and almost identical interiors which makes the m5 feel not as special as it should iMO. The size is bigger, heck it's the same size as the m5 almost... just add soft close door locks to a fully loaded model and you get to get rid if the climate display everyone gripes about and the failing lcd on it as well lol.

[King_Leonard]

I suppose this is the auto industry's version of shrinkflation.

[DanG]

Maybe it is me but I am not a fan of the new instrument display. I prefer the round dials as in my M2.

[Germanauto]

Save for the Bangle era I think BMW has always put nearly the exact same interior throughout all of its models.

I personally more differentiation especially in the more expensive models like the 7-series, 8-series, and X7. All of these, in my opinion, have very uninspiring interiors given their price.

[Our03z4]

Don't be afraid to check out Audi, I'm personally done buying Bmw. Better Indy shops for Audi/Vw as well if you do long term ownership. Even the online groups as more friendly and helpful. Tons of mods if you are into that. Very comfortable cars and tons of power, not so great in the twisty though. A lot of my clients have moved from Merc, Bmw and Porsche as well for higher end Audi's.

Oh and my Audi is giving me a back massage as I type this.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

A lot of my clients have moved from Merc, Bmw and Porsche as well for higher end Audi's.

Sold Audi alongside BMW and Porsche for nearly 20-years. Wouldn't own either the A or the P—even though those are my first two initials!

Our sister P+A store is right next door and a friend who manages the P+A store gave me a ride home last week in his new RS4. Engine had such a flat sound you'd think it was a Subaru!

Don't know what else BMW has to do to entertain you. Maybe a backwards tach? Oh, they did that already. Swap gauges like Audi?

Isn't this enough of a change in interior for you? Or just velcro your iPad to the dash so it looks like every other modern car.

[Patton250]

I am relatively new to BMW. My first one and I still own it is a 2020 fully loaded X3. As far as cars go I came from Mercedes-Benz and while I love my new M3 my Mercedes was a lot nicer inside. I think as a whole Mercedes has better interiors at least the AMG‘s do. I think Mercedes has the same problem you are talking about though where the interiors are pretty much all the same including their SUVs. They have been for like the last seven years I think. Best thing to do would probably be change brands like you were thinking. At least for a while anyway. Definitely Audi is awesome. Why not a 911?

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Patton250

I am relatively new to BMW. My first one and I still own it is a 2020 fully loaded X3. As far as cars go I came from Mercedes-Benz and while I love my new M3 my Mercedes was a lot nicer inside. I think as a whole Mercedes has better interiors at least the AMG‘s do. I think Mercedes has the same problem you are talking about though where the interiors are pretty much all the same including their SUVs. They have been for like the last seven years I think. Best thing to do would probably be change brands like you were thinking. At least for a while anyway. Definitely Audi is awesome. Why not a 911?

Mercedes interiors look more flashy but quality is easily a notch below BMW and Audi, this has been extensively reaffirmed by journalist/media types too. Lot more hard plastics, creaking/squeaking in their cabins, etc.