BMW influence on various automobiles

[rwh11385]

This is rather interesting. I've noticed various instances where a car company copies off certain BMW traditions or features.

On a trip with my family, i noticed my mom's 2004 Grand Prix had similar cruise control stalk. The old Buick cruise control was on the left on the turn signal lever, with a twist control. Now on the new GPs, the stalk is iindependent on the right. And the decel/accel and resume/cancel is nearly idential to the E30! Not only that, but the wipersalso are practically the same.

My old '92 Infiniti G20 had the window switches on the center, just like a bimmer.

Those are the two I've noticed so far, or at least remember now.

Has anyone else seen examples where car companies have copied BMW design?
I personally love the cruise/wiper controls, and i guess so did the Buick engineer who stole the design!

[Jarvis]

Name any company that markets one/some of their car(s) as a "sport sedan"... copied BMW. Bimmers were the first real bridge between practical passenger sedans/coupes and true sports cars.
The new 7-series came with the world's first 6-speed auto (not sure if BMW actually designed it though, ?), now there's a couple of those on the market.
Nissan Sentras from the early '90s have a very similar form (structurally, proportions wise) to E30s, especially 2-dr models.

[Inspar8r]

Lincoln LS and Mitsu Diamonte with the headlight setup.

Older style buicks (80s) with the front end where the hood stretched over the front bumper, although buicks used square headlights.

Projector lenses (ellipsoids)

Pontiacs with the center kidney grilles.

Sporty style M3 mirrors o nthe grand am grand prix

Short distance from front of car to wheel well.

[mspiegle]

window switches in the middle are kind of a german thing. I've been in BMWs, porches and a benz that have had them.

[Pedro]

my roomate has a jeep liberty renegade and his window switches are on the middle console. i know ours are right next to the shifter but those are close.

[LarsG]

I believe that Benz was the first to place the window switches in the center.

I heard that a long time ago, one of their race drivers was killed in a fire after not being able to find the window switch to get out of the car, so from then on, they always placed them in the middle. Don't know if that's true, it sounds kind of like an urban legend.

[Inspar8r]

I believe that Benz was the first to place the window switches in the center.

I heard that a long time ago, one of their race drivers was killed in a fire after not being able to find the window switch to get out of the car, so from then on, they always placed them in the middle. Don't know if that's true, it sounds kind of like an urban legend.

Race car driver, and power windows....... they don't mix, usually, depends on the racing. Prolly an urban legend.

[CiLK WuRM]

window switches are in the middle so the wiring doesnt stretch and break.

[rwh11385]

window switches in the middle are kind of a german thing. I've been in BMWs, porches and a benz that have had them.

window switches are in the middle so the wiring doesnt stretch and break.

i know that the window switches position isn't definative of much, and nor is it uncommon, but it was just the most noticable similarity of the G20. :roll:

The G20 in particular was known in it's own circles are the "poor man's BMW." It lacked power, RWD, and the feel, but it played on the "sports sedan" idea. :)

I do agree that it seems BMW has started a genre in itself. Back in the day, there were sports cars, economy cars, and luxury cars. Now a lot of cars today are luxury sport models. BMW raised the bar for automobiles from simple transportation to a hell of a ride, while also adding luxury and class to a sports car. I'd had to say compromise because of the connation, but BMWs are a great balance between sports and luxury. 8)

Would the Acura TL, Lexus IS300, Nissan Maxima, Audi A6, or Infiniti G35 be here today if not for BMW? :twisted:

[franz]

I agree about the Sentra, and the old Maxima looks just like an e30 too, especially with that little IS type spoiler. First Camry as well.

[Charlie]

As much as I am a fan of BMW, I take issue when people claim that BMW "invented" the sport sedan market with the 2002.



The Alfa Romeo 1600 & giulia, circa 1962, predating the 2002 by a number of years.

-Charlie
closet alfisti

[Rob]

the automotive industry is chock full of borrowing ideas and styles and stuff, not just everyone else copying bmw...


and my new favorite comparison

[e9nine]

the automotive industry is chock full of borrowing ideas and styles and stuff, not just everyone else copying bmw...

[Jarvis]

....ok, I'll edit my statement and say that BMW perfected the "sport sedan" and set the standards

[rwh11385]

shoot, and i was about to say if BMW didn't create the genre, they sure as hell strengthened it.

I think that car breeds are kinda like Darwin's Theory, the strong survive, and companies adapt. Where the hell is the 2004 Camaro? Oh yeah, doesn't exist!

Car companies need to always improve and adapt, and i believe BMW is always at the peak of its game. With BMW's existence, the entire breed of sport sedans is made better.