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      03-29-2008, 10:31 PM   #89
edge350
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadburn View Post
It's a fairly crappy review, working too hard to be cute, full of references to "mine's smaller than yours" at the stoplight, etc. Nitpicky on price & other things.
I have to agree with roadburn's description. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._test/(page)/1

I don't understand how you could write this paragraph:

Words you almost never hear at the stoplight: “Hey, mine is smaller than yours!” The 135i may have to endure some size snobbery, but only until the green light. The last E46 M3 we tested [September 2005] hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The 135i does it in 4.7. That $48,995 M3 chewed through the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 108 mph. This 135i does it in 13.3 seconds at 106 mph, also about identical to the M3’s then-competitors, the Audi RS 4 and Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG.

Then proceed to complain about this:

Even so, the 135i may struggle at its price. Presented with the numbers, most buyers, we expect, will step up to a 3-series, perhaps by trading away the turbo engine and associated extras. A mere $400 separates the base 135i from the slightly dearer 328i coupe with its gorgeous bod. The 135i may drive with the grace of larger cars, but to pass up that deal, you’ll have to be one of the few who don’t fear downsizing.

Doesn't he answer his own question? It comes down to performance! Look at the cars you're comparing the 135i to in the first paragraph!
It's sloppy for a car magazine to fixate on PRICE when the driving experience between 135i and a 328i is SO completely different.
If they really wanted to provide a thoughtful analysis, they would compare the dynamics between the 135i and 335i.
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      03-29-2008, 11:42 PM   #90
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My letter to Car & Driver

Who knows if they will print it, but I sent a letter to Car & Driver about their May 2008 review of the 135i:



Aaron "Little Big Man" Robinson spent most of his review of the new, 172.2-inch BMW 135i fretting about "shrinkage" and whether "mine is smaller than yours."

In the future, you should stuff him with the "male enhancement pills" advertised on Page 135 before you send him out on test drives.

Maybe then he could re-tailor his slacks, relax and enjoy a sports sedan that's the perfect size for performance.
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      03-30-2008, 12:00 AM   #91
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Such a mix of glowing and negative reviews.. I often wonder why they don't get the cars intent and what the objection to the styling is. I simply don't understand.

-Spook
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      03-30-2008, 12:17 AM   #92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadburn View Post
Who knows if they will print it, but I sent a letter to Car & Driver about their May 2008 review of the 135i:

Aaron "Little Big Man" Robinson spent most of his review of the new, 172.2-inch BMW 135i fretting about "shrinkage" and whether "mine is smaller than yours."
In the future, you should stuff him with the "male enhancement pills" advertised on Page 135 before you send him out on test drives.
Maybe then he could re-tailor his slacks, relax and enjoy a sports sedan that's the perfect size for performance.


Awesome. Since the editors can't recognize quality, you have no hope of getting published, but you'll give your fellow 1Addicts a good laugh.
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      03-30-2008, 02:00 AM   #93
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Well at least C&D won't be accused of being on BMW's payroll anymore.
I don't know about you but I can't wait to downsize.
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      03-31-2008, 12:33 AM   #94
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another review :

http://www.wintonsworld.com/cars/a-c.../bmw-135i.html
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      04-10-2008, 08:38 PM   #95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aus_buster View Post
I guess he doesn't like it at all.

I hope the 1 doesn't sell well. That way I can get a good discount in 297 days. PLUS not many on the streets. COOL :thumbup:
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      04-11-2008, 11:54 AM   #96
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Automobile Mag

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ble/index.html
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      04-11-2008, 04:13 PM   #97
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The Truth About Cars

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-bmw-135i-review/
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      04-11-2008, 05:21 PM   #98
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The Automag review is worth a read.
The Truth About Cars article is a joke.
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      04-12-2008, 01:15 AM   #99
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Nicely appreciative review in USA Today. This guy actually gets what the car is all about.
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      04-12-2008, 08:53 AM   #100
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The Chicago Tribune "Gets it"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...6127126.column

It's obvious the 135i isn't an entry-level car, and best BMW not try to promote it as such. Several years ago Porsche added a low-cost 924 to get more folks into the sports car family. But that put Porsche owners' skivvies in a knot and protesting the cheapo version, saying if anyone could afford one why not just call it a Chevy. The 924 didn't last long.

This is a car for enthusiasts. Not just quick on straightaways, but also agile in corners thanks to the sports-tuned suspension and 18-inch performance tires.
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      04-12-2008, 09:57 AM   #101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FuzzyMD View Post
I get the vague impression he didn't like it. Just me?
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      04-12-2008, 10:06 AM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodgy View Post
I get the vague impression he didn't like it. Just me?


He's one of those "everything is negative" bashing auto scribes (if you can call him that).

http://www.blognetnews.com/autos/aut...stin_Berkowitz

Take a look at the assortment of swill peddling this guys does. I don't believe he wants to write anything positive, and people dig controversy these days, so it gets printed. Using his "reviews" as legitimate journalism is akin to having a fart competition as entertainment at a royal wedding.
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      04-12-2008, 06:49 PM   #103
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This is what I posted on their website in response to the truth about cars review:

I will not recommend that you stick to Civics because it's hard to heel and toe in Birkenstocks. While that might be cute I honestly don't think either demographics or basic lack of perspicacious insight were why you panned a great car. What I do think happened is that the car wasn't what you had hoped. Let me guess, a $30,000 E30 M3? How vain to review a car from that point of view. If I might exercise my verbosity with an overlong retort:

This car is less of what you don't need in a 335i and more of what you want. And what other cars come close? Compared to the 335i, the 135 is hotter styling, 9/10 the size, 9/10 the cost, 10/10 the quality, and 11/10 the performance. If you need a backseat or your preferences for styling drive you to the 335i, then by all means drop the extra $5000 - $6000. Not like there's another choice. EVO? STI? Faster on the track if that's your thing and you don't mind a wing and swelled fenders. Not too pleasant as daily drivers. Infiniti G37? Nice big car. Slower. Can't see out the back. Smaller trunk. Lexus IS350? Floaty and isolated. Get it with a decent stereo and it's $8K (and up) more. BMW Z4M coupe? Less practical as a daily driver or touring car. Many more $ for same performance. So.. not needing a big cruiser, I bought a 135 to be picked up in Munich. And I don't get the impression the car is selling slowly. They are going to blow through their 10,000 cars in under 12 months. We'll see how much less. And no, they aren't mostly leases (re: automotive news, they sold 1500 in March)

Addressing some specific observations in the article, I've read probably over 25 reviews. Not a single one has said the steering was too heavy or the clutch was overbearing. Most said it had the best steering they have felt on a BMW and a great shifter. I feel comfortable in their published view having checked for myself in a test drive of the 135 6M. The shifter wasn't as good as an S2000, but was crisp and gratifying to use. The hydraulic steering was engaging, not cumbersome. As for looks, some love it, some hate it. I find the styling on a 335i OK, but a bit republican orthodontist. The 135 looks like a fast, tight car.

So everyone hoped for a $30,000 E30 M3. Yea, whatever. This is more like an E36 M3. Made for the freeway and in town, not for the track. Made to be both comfortable and fast. Made with quality components not compromised by bargain basement marketing. Look at what it is as opposed to your hopes and expectations and you might find it's a damn good car for the pragmatic enthusiast.

And this was Mr. Berkowitz's very civilized, but I think inconsistent with the review, response posted to the public list:

Justin Berkowitz :

@alschrec :
I’m not sure why you feel the review panned the car. The interior, aside from the non-sport seats, is great. The engine is phenomenal and among the top 5 engines in cars under $100k.
My biggest issue with this car, more than anything else, is that I found it clinically good to drive. The stats on it are amazing. It’s very fast, it holds the road very well, but I can’t say I loved driving it. The steering is too heavy and the car’s grip exceeds what you can do at legal limits (that’s a good thing for safety of course). For me, it’s just not as much fun as the M Coupe, or a MINI, or a Boxster, or my daily driver GTI. I’d be curious to take out a 135i for track time.
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      04-16-2008, 01:56 PM   #104
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Here's a link to the ChicagoTribune.com review.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...6127126.column

It's a great review, I love this quote:

"BMW boasts zero- to 60-m.p.h. acceleration of 5.1 seconds. We were unable to verify the claim despite several attempts. It seems the the speedo needle had crossed the 80 or 90 m.p.h. mark whenever we tried to check on 60. Oops."
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      04-16-2008, 03:34 PM   #105
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Canadian Review
http://www.thespec.com/article/349032

I didn't know that:
"The driver's pedals move back automatically with a predetermined amount of deformation in the event of a frontal collision so that the risk of driver foot injury is reduced."

:w00t:
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      04-16-2008, 03:37 PM   #106
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^^ Thanks!

Reads more like a BMW press release than a review, however.
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      04-17-2008, 07:28 AM   #107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whiplash View Post
Here's a link to the ChicagoTribune.com review."
Excellent review. Sensible, informative. Points out deficiencies clearly without making a national issue about them.

Sounds like I'm going to struggle with the kids and baby seats in the back. Should've got the 'vert so could just drop 'em in!
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      04-17-2008, 08:43 PM   #108
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Not sure if this review was posted, but I thought it was decent. Up until he compared the 128i Vert with the price of the 328i vert. Saying they are the same price is idiotic. There is a 9k difference in price.


http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/04/01/on...tible-reviews/
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      04-18-2008, 09:34 AM   #109
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Australian Review

http://www.redbook.goauto.com.au/mel...F?OpenDocument
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      04-21-2008, 05:39 AM   #110
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BusinessWeek! Really getting off-axis from he automotive world here, but a positive review.
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