I did a search on this site as well as Google and the only name that come up is Chris Bangle.. Is he the designer responsible for the BMW E39.... I thought as fans we should know who it was... Does anyone know if this is correct? His name omes up as the Chief Designer for BMW in regards to this model, but I am not certain this info is correct....







This car has been widely praised in all aspects; many say it is the best BMW in the world. Consumer Reports gave the 2001 530i its highest car rating ever. The diesel engines available in the European models provide great torque and smoothness with better economy. The M5 has been called "the ultimate in discreet speed" with 369 lb·ft (500 N·m) of torque and a 0–60 mph time of 5.2 s. The only downside was its smallish cabin and trunk space of 11.1 ft³ (314 L)
The very first E39 BMW 5 Series rolled off the assembly line on June 18, 1996.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bangle

Here's a link for you. It says he oversaw the design of the 5-series.

When he joined BMW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW) in 1992 , he became their first American chief of design although he had little experience designing complete cars. The first car heavily influenced by his design principles, the 1999 Z9 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z9) concept car, marked a controversial departure from BMW's traditional conservative style. BMW's production vehicles incorporating Bangle's styling themes have been similarly controversial, but they have sold well.

In 2004, Bangle became the Chief of Design for the overall BMW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW) Group, including Mini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini) and Rolls Royce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Motor_Cars).

That is where I got his name... I am looking very hard for this info... But that is as close as I have gotten.... I feel as though I have a love for this car, but have no true idea who is responsible for such a wonderful overall design...

I forget the guy's name, but if I recall correctly the lead designer for the E39 and several other BMWs was a Japanese fellow.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409288&highlight=design

Refer to that for who designed what BMW. :)

this man has killed BMW. He is american and he needs to design Cadillacs and all the other american crap.he has no clue how bmw's should look.

"I say we stab him!!!!"
"Then we tattoo him!!!"
"Then we hang him!!!!"
"And then we kill him!!!"

"YEAH!!!!!!"

Joji Nagashima: E36 3 series, Z3, E39 5 series


This is a great man... We should have a day to honor him every year, I nominate June 18..... What say ye?

Joji Nagashima: E36 3 series, Z3, E39 5 series
Wow, that's a surprise, never thought it was a Japanese guy. But how much influence does he have on the design, does he simply look at the designs drafted by various designers and okay them, or did he actually draw them up?

I honestly think he is the actual designer. That Bangle guy is the one who looked at a bunch and approved it. That is the job of the lead designer, and that is why I did not stop when I came across Bangles name.. I knew there had to be a guy who actually came up with the concept....