New review of the 135 from the TTAC blog

Robert · 04-11-2008, 02:16 PM

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6231749/...35i/index.html

ChrisK · 04-11-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

Just like rumors that 1 series don't use the same high strength steel as the 3.

:iono:
I am amazed that someone would believe BMW would use different steel. BMW has a reputation and crash tests to consider. Ohhh well.

ChrisK · 04-11-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6231749/...35i/index.html

FYI to all that read the article above:

"There are a few other tiny missteps. Like a radio display that utterly disappears with polarized sunglasses on."

I have NO problems seeing the Navi screen etc with my Maui Jim Polarized sunglasses on. :biggrin:

968PORSCHE · 04-11-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eventually

When ever I see a review with official marketing picture/material, my immediate reponse is...the reviewer didn't drive the car or at least not for a long extended time. Therefore, it goes straight into the trash bin like the LA times "review".

Dan Neal is the guy that writes the car reviews for the Times and he just won a Pulitzer for his reviews. A first for someone that writes car reviews. Maybe you better pull Thursdays out of the can and read it. :thumbup:

0002s · 04-11-2008, 03:05 PM

He needs some cheese for his hatertots

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 04-11-2008, 03:11 PM

People either hate it or love it. As far as I'm concerned, bad press is good news for us owners. The more people that stay away from the car the better!

Did anyone else notice on his review, the under-the-bonnet photo is of the 128i? There are so many things wrong with that review I don't have the energy to address them all.

Christos · 04-11-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

It's the same ZF transmission. I am sorry that you acted on misinformation. Just like rumors that 1 series don't use the same high strength steel as the 3.

No it's not the same ZF AT, look at the sticker on a 135i and 328, they both read AT made in France, plus after 3 separate 135i test drives I noticed the same bad jerkiness/quirkiness of this French made General Motors AT. The ZF is a gem of a AT.

SCSedona1 · 04-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Straight from ZF corporate news....

http://www.zf.com/content/en/import/...=P&dbID=308168

read down to where it says the BMW 1 Series Coupe would be supplied both tranny's by ZF.

Case Closed.

Spook · 04-11-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriskurn

I have no issue with the MT at all. 800miles now. It gets better as it breaks in.

I don't believe R&T or C&D had anything bad to say about the MT either. :iono:

What is your take on his comment that it's a 'two foot' clutch pedal? Does it wear your left leg out?

Spook · 04-11-2008, 05:11 PM

My overall impression is that some people just don't 'get' this car. Someone said it's 9/10's the size, 9/10's the cost and they don't see the need. I guess they missed that it's 10/10's the quality and 11/10's the performance. We give up things we don't need like back seat room and get more of what we want: Fast and fun. As for looks.. I really do prefer the looks of a 1'er to the 3 series and I actually like the 3 coupe. I don't get why they don't like it, but not going to lose sleep over it.

-Spook

ramair311 · 04-11-2008, 05:18 PM

So - it appears as though he never drove the car at all (just posted a follow-up stating that he got the numbers from BMW). Interesting

GT3 · 04-11-2008, 06:13 PM

I guess he's not a fan...

Dan203 · 04-11-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorob

So - it appears as though he never drove the car at all (just posted a follow-up stating that he got the numbers from BMW). Interesting

I think he was saying he got the 0-60 number from BMW. It still sounds like he drove the car. Although for all we know all he got to do was drive it around the block and based his entire review on that.

Dan

Christos · 04-11-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCSedona1

Straight from ZF corporate news....

http://www.zf.com/content/en/import/...=P&dbID=308168

read down to where it says the BMW 1 Series Coupe would be supplied both tranny's by ZF.

Case Closed.

I do see that, I don't know, for me case is not closed, ZF's are not made in France! they are made in Germany. How do you explain what's on the window sticker? besides go drive one it clunks just like the GM AT

aus_buster · 04-11-2008, 06:58 PM

From the ZF website: "In the year under review, the Consolidated ZF Group achieved sales of euro 12.6 billion. The number of employees was 58,000.
With 120 production locations in 25 countries ZF is among the top
fifteen companies on the ranking list of the largest automotive
suppliers worldwide."

The company headquarters is located in Germany, but it has 120 production locations within 25 countries.

This doesn't answer the reason why you experienced the transmission to be "clunky"...

chewablechain · 04-11-2008, 07:02 PM

I didn't find the auto to be "clunky" at all. It is funny though all the people who are concurring with him though. I wonder about how many of them actually sat in the car (much less be able to actually buy anything BMW makes). Like the rest on this site, no amount of bad press and/or stupidity will keep me from loving my dear little car.

imported_Katera · 04-11-2008, 07:47 PM

That review was complete and utter BS. That guy is obviously upset that he is not writing for a real mag, so he is trying to make a name for himself. Pathetic and weak.

raisemyrent · 04-11-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriskurn

FYI to all that read the article above:

"There are a few other tiny missteps. Like a radio display that utterly disappears with polarized sunglasses on."

I have NO problems seeing the Navi screen etc with my Maui Jim Polarized sunglasses on. :biggrin:

I think he meant the peasant's radio screen; other addicts have reported being able to see the nav with sunglasses on...

my jetta does the same thing... it's not that the light is weak or anything... they have to pick a colour and scheme and sometimes it conflicts with shades... oh well, bring your sunglasses down your nose, you'll look sexy

aus_buster · 04-11-2008, 08:04 PM

My 2 cents: I think most negative reviews have stemmed from the fact that they don’t like the design. Due to this, the reviews have been clouded and not very informative...

warmtoes · 04-11-2008, 10:27 PM

I'm not sure what people are complaining about on the auto either. I hit it pretty good on the autocross course BMW setup for us and it seemed just fine to me.

spudw · 04-11-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Runner

Exactly.

Jeremy Clarkson says its the best car BMW makes and some chump named Justin Berkowitz slams it with his theory that BMW "intentionally botched" the car. What an idiot.

I'm all for people having their own opinions, but it seems like this guy's M.O. is to sound as creative as possible by throwing in references to pianos, Jay Shoemaker's chihuahua, cherry bombs, and leatherette covered hills.

I believe the expressoin is 'touche'

Justin Berkowitz · 04-12-2008, 09:54 AM

I'm the author of the article discussed in this thread. Thanks to all for your comments.

I'm posting here to encourage one of you to write a counterpoint review. It does not need to agree with my review of the 135i, and in fact it would be great if you felt differently. TTAC will publish it without editing the content (only grammatical issues might be altered). They'll even pay you to do it.

Feel free to contact me if you want more info on how to do this - email is my name at yahoo.

___
As an aside, you might find it helpful to have a few answers to the questions posted here. The reason my 135i review cited BMW's 0-60 time is that TTAC does not perform instrumented testing of cars. The 0-60 times printed by most magazines are based on the single best result (it does not need to be repeated, let alone be the average) from dozens of attempts on a track, with the best conditions.

I don't have a Prius, but I did end up with one as a rental from Enterprise once. I write on the internet because my day job is as an attorney.

Thanks to all, and I really hope you'll consider writing a BMW 135i review of your own for The Truth About Cars.

04-11-2008, 02:16 PM	#45
Robert Major General 414 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	http://blogs.motortrend.com/6231749/...35i/index.html __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
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04-11-2008, 03:05 PM	#49
0002s Mein Führer! I can walk! 45 Rep 822 Posts Drives: Not a BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bunker iTrader: (0)	He needs some cheese for his hatertots
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04-11-2008, 03:11 PM	#50
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	People either hate it or love it. As far as I'm concerned, bad press is good news for us owners. The more people that stay away from the car the better! Did anyone else notice on his review, the under-the-bonnet photo is of the 128i? There are so many things wrong with that review I don't have the energy to address them all.
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04-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#52
SCSedona1 Private 0 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 08 SGM 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Planet Road iTrader: (0)	Straight from ZF corporate news.... http://www.zf.com/content/en/import/...=P&dbID=308168 read down to where it says the BMW 1 Series Coupe would be supplied both tranny's by ZF. Case Closed. __________________ 135i Coupe... Sparkling Graphite Metallic/Coral Red, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, Auto. It is MINE!!! YAY!!! :thumbup::roundel::headbang: 1er's....the REAL zoom, zoom!
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04-11-2008, 05:11 PM	#54
Spook Bring Bail Money 12 Rep 492 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (0)	My overall impression is that some people just don't 'get' this car. Someone said it's 9/10's the size, 9/10's the cost and they don't see the need. I guess they missed that it's 10/10's the quality and 11/10's the performance. We give up things we don't need like back seat room and get more of what we want: Fast and fun. As for looks.. I really do prefer the looks of a 1'er to the 3 series and I actually like the 3 coupe. I don't get why they don't like it, but not going to lose sleep over it. -Spook
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04-11-2008, 05:18 PM	#55
ramair311 Second Lieutenant 60 Rep 269 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (2)	So - it appears as though he never drove the car at all (just posted a follow-up stating that he got the numbers from BMW). Interesting
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04-11-2008, 06:13 PM	#56
GT3 Track addict 5 Rep 233 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	I guess he's not a fan...
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04-11-2008, 06:58 PM	#59
aus_buster Private First Class 12 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	From the ZF website: "In the year under review, the Consolidated ZF Group achieved sales of euro 12.6 billion. The number of employees was 58,000. With 120 production locations in 25 countries ZF is among the top fifteen companies on the ranking list of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide." The company headquarters is located in Germany, but it has 120 production locations within 25 countries. This doesn't answer the reason why you experienced the transmission to be "clunky"...
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04-11-2008, 07:02 PM	#60
chewablechain Private First Class 5 Rep 114 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	I didn't find the auto to be "clunky" at all. It is funny though all the people who are concurring with him though. I wonder about how many of them actually sat in the car (much less be able to actually buy anything BMW makes). Like the rest on this site, no amount of bad press and/or stupidity will keep me from loving my dear little car. __________________ [SIGPIC]image.php?type=sigpic&userid=3223&dateline=1203215 484[/SIGPIC]
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04-11-2008, 07:47 PM	#61
imported_Katera Captain 42 Rep 890 Posts Drives: Join Date: Nov 2007 iTrader: (0)	That review was complete and utter BS. That guy is obviously upset that he is not writing for a real mag, so he is trying to make a name for himself. Pathetic and weak. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Vert! -Jet Black -6 speed Manual <Who says Vert's are for girls!> -Boston Grey Leather with Black High Gloss Accent -Moonlit Black Top -Comfort Access -Premium P. -Sport P. -Premium Stereo -IPOD/USB -BMW Performance Pedals -BMW Windscreen -Sat Radio Meet Kat! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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04-11-2008, 08:04 PM	#63
aus_buster Private First Class 12 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	My 2 cents: I think most negative reviews have stemmed from the fact that they don’t like the design. Due to this, the reviews have been clouded and not very informative...
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04-11-2008, 10:27 PM	#64
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	I'm not sure what people are complaining about on the auto either. I hit it pretty good on the autocross course BMW setup for us and it seemed just fine to me.
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04-12-2008, 09:54 AM	#66
Justin Berkowitz Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	I'm the author of the article discussed in this thread. Thanks to all for your comments. I'm posting here to encourage one of you to write a counterpoint review. It does not need to agree with my review of the 135i, and in fact it would be great if you felt differently. TTAC will publish it without editing the content (only grammatical issues might be altered). They'll even pay you to do it. Feel free to contact me if you want more info on how to do this - email is my name at yahoo. ___ As an aside, you might find it helpful to have a few answers to the questions posted here. The reason my 135i review cited BMW's 0-60 time is that TTAC does not perform instrumented testing of cars. The 0-60 times printed by most magazines are based on the single best result (it does not need to be repeated, let alone be the average) from dozens of attempts on a track, with the best conditions. I don't have a Prius, but I did end up with one as a rental from Enterprise once. I write on the internet because my day job is as an attorney. Thanks to all, and I really hope you'll consider writing a BMW 135i review of your own for The Truth About Cars.
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