Are German cars off their prime?

[Ran]

all u gotta do if look at a M5 or SLR and see that german cars rule

In terms of performance you are correct, but both of those cars are downright ugly. BMW has looked like @ss ever since Chris Bangle destroyed the classic image. The M5 is no exception. Perhaps the only BMW I've liked since then is the new M Coupe.

The SLR is a supercar so of course it's going to have the balls under the chassis. The car is f*cking hideous though. A nose front end that makes the Viper's nose look like a pig snout, a horrendously designed grill, and APC-design fender vents all combine to create quite the eye-strain. At least it has enough speed so that I don't have to look at it for very long.

Just my $.02.

[man]

BMW has looked like @ss ever since Chris Bangle destroyed the classic image.

Just for clarification, Chris Bangle hasn't designed a car since 2001.

[Roadster]

<--Major BMW fan. Grew up with them, had one before my Miata.

To me, the last of the real BMWs, the ones that really sum up the old school mentality of the marque, are the M Coupe/Roadster, the E39 M5, and the E36 M3. Everything since seems to be uber posh, computerized, and aimed too far upmarket for those of us that love the older BMW's for their no frills, minimal creature comforts, performance through all motor efficiency and chassis balance attitude. Not to mention they're all tanks now and ugly as hell.