Modern Cars - Plastic!

-westy-

-westy-

-westy-

Soldato
Joined
7 Nov 2002
Posts
12,576
Location
Snorbans, UK
Hi,

Having sat in a fair few new cars at the Motorshow on monday, I couldn't help but feel diappointed at some of them. They're plastic. I had a poke around a Hyundai Coupe, including looking under the bonnet. I lifted up the bonnet to be greeted by a sea of plastic. You had to remove a number of screws just to get to the battery :eek:

This feeling also continued with the more 'prestige' cars. BMW 320D - plastic. The dash was just an array of plastic buttons, everything was dark and hard, and nasty.

It was a relief to get into my own car and actually look at something with character. Even opening the bonnet was a joy, As I could actually see what I was working on!

So is it just me, or is modern car design going downhill? Its more and more difficult for enthusiasts to work on their own cars, everything's getting covered in bloody plastic :(

Ben
 
Remember, car manufacturers make cars for Joe public who wants a quiet reliable car that they take to dealers for work/servicing.

Us car enthuasts are only 1% of the market, plus rarely do we buy brand new cars.
 
I didn't like it at first, but now i'm used to it, I like the large cover over my block, and the simple sliding cover over my battery, it just makes the whole engine bay look a lot neater.

Its not a huge problem to turn two screws (only need to turn them 90º) to remove the engine cover, or an even smaller problem to just press and lift the battery cover.

Why would you want to see a mass of dirty crud anyway?

As for the interior, I don't know what generation beemer you are talking about but every BMW I have sat in has had soft touch "plastic", nothing "hard" anywhere. As for dark, i'm really not sure what you mean... would you prefer a white dashboard and switchgear?
 
paradigm said:
I didn't like it at first, but now i'm used to it, I like the large cover over my block, and the simple sliding cover over my battery, it just makes the whole engine bay look a lot neater.
Click to expand...
I imagine it would make it a damn sight easier to keep clean too.
 
When it comes to interiors....

DSCN0405.jpg


Is the only way to go :D ;)

Nothing feels lightweight, it's all solid 'real' materials, doors have a solid, self closing thud to them and nothing rattles. Acres of real wood, nice velour upholstery and tacticle rubber. Even a dash of leather here and there.

Lovely! :)

I join you in the anti-plastic cover brigade. The only reason you put plastic covers in your engine bay is if you've made a hideously unattractive engine - all they do is add weight, get in the way and tend to come loose and rattle about like no end. Most modern engines just look like (although aren't!) garbage, which is a dying shame.

And the 'dirty' thing - who cares? How often do you sit with your bonnet open? It's not that difficult to keep an engine clean, I'd much rather have a well worked looking engine than a tacky plastic cover! :)

TBH : Oily bits > Plastic cover!
 
Last edited:
It is a bit depressing, my brother left his '05 Golf Sport Diesel thingie while he went on holiday. So I thought I would take a look in the engine bay only to be greeted by a large bit of plastic saying "Volkswagen" and some filler caps for oil, screenwash, coolant etc.

I prefer looking at my rusty zetec covered in mud and dust.
 
-westy- said:
This feeling also continued with the more 'prestige' cars. BMW 320D - plastic. The dash was just an array of plastic buttons, everything was dark and hard, and nasty.
Click to expand...

Whereas your 205 is a sea of wonderful quality non plastic materials :confused:
 
It is true, for both the interior and exterior. Its cheaper to make, and its also cheaper to replace if you have an accident.

Does make you wonder what a 06 plate 3 series will be like in 20 years, and if they will be able to stand the test of time.
 
rare said:
Does make you wonder what a 06 plate 3 series will be like in 20 years, and if they will be able to stand the test of time.
Click to expand...

Judging by the state of most 1986 3 Series still around, no they wont.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom