Evo mag review (UK)

danp · 11-14-2007, 11:40 AM

Nice mini-review in this months mag, if you can get a copy of arguably the UK's best mag for petrolheads I'd do so!

Not on their web site yet tho' ( http://www.evo.co.uk/ )

It was a solid 4* car, comments echoed most of the other reviews that I have read, my Management Summary is as follows!

- fast (but poss not as wild as expected)
- a little understeery
- challenging looks from some angles
- better room in back than expected
- much better ride than the hatch (poss as stiffer shell with softer suspension)
- steering a little lacking in feel
- a mini-M3 for a lot less money (in gear accel not far off)

Overall a thumbs up for a car in this sector.

Will try and scan it in if you guys are interested.

Edit: Scans below, a little small but you should be OK with good eyes/big monitor.

danp · 11-14-2007, 11:46 AM

oh yes, it was in silver with red leather, made a nice change from sedona! (IMHO!)

joelk · 11-14-2007, 11:56 AM

nice! thanks. scan if you get a chance please!

MrRoboto · 11-14-2007, 12:14 PM

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

1ster · 11-14-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

Not me. What have these reviews told us that we couldn't have predicted? That the car looks "a little awkward" from some angles? That it's not an oversteery track monster? Did anybody really expect anything different?

What about these reviews disappoints you?

MrRoboto · 11-14-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ster

Not me. What have these reviews told us that we couldn't have predicted? That the car looks "a little awkward" from some angles? That's not an oversteery track monster? Did anybody really expect anything different?

What about these reviews disappoints you?

I dont know...just me getting tired of waiting I guess.

I am really looking forward to some real testing by Jeremy Clarkson or Tiff Needell. For the money I really dont think there is going to be anything better. I have to keep hope alive.

dna550 · 11-14-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

Bring on the tii Concept Coupe!

Propagator · 11-14-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

I dont know...just me getting tired of waiting I guess.

I am really looking forward to some real testing by Jeremy Clarkson or Tiff Needell. For the money I really dont think there is going to be anything better. I have to keep hope alive.

Well I wouldn't trust Jeremy Clarkson for anything but pure entertainment. Tiff is pretty trusworthy though.

I tend to trust Evo on things like steering feel and suspension balance. They really are very critical in dynamical aspects, and it always seems to me that they know what they are talking about much better than most American mags. They do like hooliganish cars a little too much though.

cracka · 11-14-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

"A mini-M3 for a lot less money"

Nope, can't says I'm losin' any interest at all. :biggrin:

mlevere1988 · 11-14-2007, 01:16 PM

I definately wouldn't trust Jemery Clarkson. If you have seen or read any of his reviews of BMWs, he isn't particulary fond of them.

MrRoboto · 11-14-2007, 01:29 PM

Jeremy is a bit harsh on BMW. I am interested to see him thrash it around the track. Should be interesting to see how it does with the Stigg at the controls.

Better yet. I would like to see Sabine Schmitz flog it around the ring.

Ratsback · 11-14-2007, 01:38 PM

evo is by and far the least biased car rag out there (at least in English). I put a lot of faith in their ability to tell it like it is. Stig = Tiff. I miss 5th Gear!!!! (Glad Top Gear is back on US TV!!!)

*edit* These reviews have done nothing to diminish my 135i desires... GIMME!

MrRoboto · 11-14-2007, 01:41 PM

Fifth Gear is still on. Just on a break till after christmas.

ibeam81 · 11-14-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danp

a mini-M3 for a lot less money

That's what I've been hoping the 135i would be.

imported_MPower · 11-14-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlevere92

I definately wouldn't trust Jemery Clarkson. If you have seen or read any of his reviews of BMWs, he isn't particulary fond of them.

Except for the fact that he is the biggest fan of the M5 and M6. He is not huge on BMWs, generally, but if he does like one, you know it is very, very good.

kurichan · 11-14-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danp

- a little understeery
- steering a little lacking in feel

Since when did the above two traits become even marginally acceptable in a BMW?

Very disappointing.

kurichan · 11-14-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

I sure as hell am. Understeer and vague steering feel are totally, completely, hopelessly inexcusable for this car. BMW blew it. I'll drive one and judge for myself, but this is really bad news.

rupertisalive · 11-15-2007, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?

Agreed - the thing that is missing is the enthusiasm in teh reviews - it seems as if they are a teeny bit bored with it, that it doesn't involve them. A car can be forgiven lots of faults if they engage you nevertheless. Seems to me that this car is a bit too 'engineered' into a position under the 3 series but without threatening the 335i. The reason I ordered one was that I thought it would be a bit rawer and more fun than 3 series - doesn't seem that it is though. It's just quick.

LonghornTX · 11-15-2007, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupertisalive

Agreed - the thing that is missing is the enthusiasm in teh reviews - it seems as if they are a teeny bit bored with it, that it doesn't involve them. A car can be forgiven lots of faults if they engage you nevertheless. Seems to me that this car is a bit too 'engineered' into a position under the 3 series but without threatening the 335i. The reason I ordered one was that I thought it would be a bit rawer and more fun than 3 series - doesn't seem that it is though. It's just quick.

At this point the review are all over the board, so I wouldn't be too worried. Some have had quite a bit of enthusiasm.

Mike Roberts · 11-15-2007, 05:34 AM

I wouldn't be too worried about reports of understeer, all carmakers engineer that in to protect the masses should they get 'out of shape' it's easier to correct... nothing a set of 25mm Hartge ARBs (sway bars?) and a slightly wider front tyre won't sort out!

dervdave · 11-16-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Better yet. I would like to see Sabine Schmitz flog it around the ring.

Your not the only one :biggrin:

grant · 11-16-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupertisalive

Agreed - the thing that is missing is the enthusiasm in teh reviews - it seems as if they are a teeny bit bored with it, that it doesn't involve them. A car can be forgiven lots of faults if they engage you nevertheless.

Agreed! I can tell we might feel similarly, based on what you're driving now. Unfortunately, I have removed my name from the wait list. Might get back on for the Tii version. In the meantime, I may be buying a used GT3 like yours, but a MkII (we didn't get the MkI in the US).

For those who think it's ridiculous to opt for a car that costs over 50% more than a 135i, I am disappointed myself. I hadn't wanted to spend so much. I'm not saying that 135i should be able to compete with the GT3, but I wish it was just a bit more driver-focused (like the Tii).

Cheers

11-14-2007, 11:40 AM	#1
danp Private 6 Rep 78 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2007 iTrader: (0)	Evo mag review (UK) - (now with scans) Nice mini-review in this months mag, if you can get a copy of arguably the UK's best mag for petrolheads I'd do so! Not on their web site yet tho' ( http://www.evo.co.uk/ ) It was a solid 4* car, comments echoed most of the other reviews that I have read, my Management Summary is as follows! - fast (but poss not as wild as expected) - a little understeery - challenging looks from some angles - better room in back than expected - much better ride than the hatch (poss as stiffer shell with softer suspension) - steering a little lacking in feel - a mini-M3 for a lot less money (in gear accel not far off) Overall a thumbs up for a car in this sector. Will try and scan it in if you guys are interested. Edit: Scans below, a little small but you should be OK with good eyes/big monitor.
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11-14-2007, 11:46 AM	#2
danp Private 6 Rep 78 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2007 iTrader: (0)	oh yes, it was in silver with red leather, made a nice change from sedona! (IMHO!)
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11-14-2007, 11:56 AM	#3
joelk Lieutenant Colonel 37 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: Space Gray E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	nice! thanks. scan if you get a chance please!
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11-14-2007, 12:14 PM	#4
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Anyone else loosing interest in this car based on some of these reviews?
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11-14-2007, 01:16 PM	#10
mlevere1988 Private First Class 13 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 06 325i; 89 325is Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	I definately wouldn't trust Jemery Clarkson. If you have seen or read any of his reviews of BMWs, he isn't particulary fond of them.
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11-14-2007, 01:29 PM	#11
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Jeremy is a bit harsh on BMW. I am interested to see him thrash it around the track. Should be interesting to see how it does with the Stigg at the controls. Better yet. I would like to see Sabine Schmitz flog it around the ring.
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11-14-2007, 01:38 PM	#12
Ratsback New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	evo is by and far the least biased car rag out there (at least in English). I put a lot of faith in their ability to tell it like it is. Stig = Tiff. I miss 5th Gear!!!! (Glad Top Gear is back on US TV!!!) edit These reviews have done nothing to diminish my 135i desires... GIMME! __________________ 2005 BMW //M3 (Interlagos) 1997 BMW //M3 Coupe (Artic Silver)(sold)
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11-14-2007, 01:41 PM	#13
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Fifth Gear is still on. Just on a break till after christmas.
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11-15-2007, 05:34 AM	#20
Mike Roberts Sideways just kicked in, yo! 1 Rep 87 Posts Drives: N54 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't be too worried about reports of understeer, all carmakers engineer that in to protect the masses should they get 'out of shape' it's easier to correct... nothing a set of 25mm Hartge ARBs (sway bars?) and a slightly wider front tyre won't sort out! __________________ N54 135i M3 control arms, ARBs, bushes and some other stuff....
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