Why so many garbage reviews?

[Tj303]

I personally haven't read any trash reviews of the 135i

[amurph182]

I haven't read any that really trash the car, but just about every review that I've read shares a similar complaint: that you can spend just a bit more and get a 3-series. I think the problem is that people get stuck in a "3 is better than 1, therefore the 3-series is better than the 1-series" mentality, or they look at the model line up and see the 1 as an entry level BMW, with the intention of buyers "graduating" to the bigger car at some point. If you have that point of view, then yes, the 135 is overpriced.

But that point of view is wrong. Maybe, and I mean MAYBE, you could make that argument about the 128 because it is so much less expensive but that's the only way I see that argument holding any water at all. Is it cheaper and smaller? Yeah. But it's a different car designed for a different experience.

The simple fact is that the same journalists who review the 135i and say "but it's almost as much as a 335" are still comparing the 135 against the 370z and Boxster/Cayman, as well as other sports cars, and not the 335 for the simple fact that they're completely different cars.

[MOCKBA]

Be prepared to a new comparo where 1ser definitely loses. Just got a brochure from Infiniti for new G37 convertible. A car is absolutely gorgeous and with 330hp will beat 135vert easily. Interior is G37has very rich look and feel especially with redwood trim. Yes, G37 is hardtop, that makes me think it handles better than 135vert. Needless to say that G37 navigation, back view cameras and any other gadgets are far away what 1ser can offer in electronic department. Price? I can guess it will be cheaper. Will I buy new G37 convertible instead of 135vert? Definitely not, however I have succeeded in writing a bad review about 1ser.

Correction: it has only 320hp and 7speed auto. Perhaps manual is available, however nothing in the brochure .

[Epidemic]

Just looked this car up online.. it allows for 6 speed manual.

It will hit 0-60 in under 4 seconds stock.

I think though, that given the choice of the 135i or the new infinity, I would still choose BMW. The convertible is hardtop (nice), and only $33k (I believe) as opposed to (vert) 135i at $40k.

The reason being is that while the car will be fast, it just doesn't have a sports car feel to it. If I saw it on the road I would doubt it hit 0-60 in 6 seconds. Maybe it looks better in person, I donno. But if I'm dropping $35k on a sports car, I'm gonna look damn good in it!

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Yes, G37 is hardtop, that makes me think it handles better than 135vert.

...wat

[jsdaniels]

MOCKBA:

As has been mentioned on this post before Reviews are just another word for opinions, and I will say right now your "opinion" of the new infinity is just that :P

Because my two cents? Its no where near as sexy as the 1 series.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Be prepared to a new comparo where 1ser definitely loses. Just got a brochure from Infiniti for new G37 convertible. A car is absolutely gorgeous and with 330hp will beat 135vert easily. Interior is G37has very rich look and feel especially with redwood trim. Yes, G37 is hardtop, that makes me think it handles better than 135vert. Needless to say that G37 navigation, back view cameras and any other gadgets are far away what 1ser can offer in electronic department. Price? I can guess it will be cheaper. Will I buy new G37 convertible instead of 135vert? Definitely not, however I have succeeded in writing a bad review about 1ser.

Correction: it has only 320hp and 7speed auto. Perhaps manual is available, however nothing in the brochure .

MOCKBA,

I think you're wrong on all counts. The car wont be cheaper, faster, or handle better than the 1conv. Its going to weigh almost 4,000lbs!! All the new hardware adds 450lb to the G37 Coupe. MotorTrend says the car will have a base price of about 45k and cost it at least a .2sec penalty to 60mph.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by Epidemic

It will hit 0-60 in under 4 seconds stock.

Ummmm.... no.

[Alext]

G37 looks quite like a 370z.

[gtaday51]

Originally Posted by Epidemic

It will hit 0-60 in under 4 seconds stock.

I dont even think that an F430 Spider or a Gallardo Spider can even manage that.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

I think the poor reviews of the 1-series are from journalists who don't understand the meaning of the car. They just see a smaller version of the 3-series that almost costs nearly as much.

Originally Posted by amurph182

I haven't read any that really trash the car, but just about every review that I've read shares a similar complaint: that you can spend just a bit more and get a 3-series. I think the problem is that people get stuck in a "3 is better than 1, therefore the 3-series is better than the 1-series" mentality, or they look at the model line up and see the 1 as an entry level BMW, with the intention of buyers "graduating" to the bigger car at some point. If you have that point of view, then yes, the 135 is overpriced.

But that point of view is wrong. Maybe, and I mean MAYBE, you could make that argument about the 128 because it is so much less expensive but that's the only way I see that argument holding any water at all. Is it cheaper and smaller? Yeah. But it's a different car designed for a different experience.

The simple fact is that the same journalists who review the 135i and say "but it's almost as much as a 335" are still comparing the 135 against the 370z and Boxster/Cayman, as well as other sports cars, and not the 335 for the simple fact that they're completely different cars.

Exactly, and many 1er buyers including myself who can go either way actually picked the 1 for what it is. I've driven the 135i and the 335i back to back, and I picked the 1 because it's tighter than the 335i, a much more focused car. If I want more luxury I would pick the 3 - everything is a little bit refine - but if you want a car to have fun, you'll take the 1. Could have gone Z4 too, but 2 seater is just too impractical for me. Could have bought the M3 (besides the fact that I will get a divorce for spending that much on a car), you can't have fun on public road - I've reached the speed limit when I just starting to have fun @ 8000 rpm.

The only car for me is a 1.

[rawbert54]

335 feels like a fast sedan to me. I dont have anything negative to say about it, i just like the 1 series better. I zip through traffic with more ease in my 1 than my friend's 3. His car is fast though. ( thanks to dinnan)
I wouldnt care if they dropped 420 HP in an infinity. it still drives like crap. Ive driven a worked g37 with upgraded sway bars, strut tower braces, springs and some other small stuff. the car had no soul. the feedback from the road, the feel of the materials, even the steering ratio all produced a sum total experience that was, Blah. the car was pretty fast though. It seems like nissan cant decide if they want the g to be a sports car or luxury car. just my opinion (but my opinion is fact hahahahaha!!!!1) just kidding

someone else made a good point earlier. When reading reviews, consider who wrote it. In medicine, no one bothers to read a published study until they have evaluated the quality of research, researcher, journal published in, statistical methods and even the ethical implications of the research.

[tbird]

Originally Posted by rawbert54

335 feels like a fast sedan to me. I dont have anything negative to say about it, i just like the 1 series better. I zip through traffic with more ease in my 1 than my friend's 3. His car is fast though. ( thanks to dinnan)
I wouldnt care if they dropped 420 HP in an infinity. it still drives like crap. Ive driven a worked g37 with upgraded sway bars, strut tower braces, springs and some other small stuff. the car had no soul. the feedback from the road, the feel of the materials, even the steering ratio all produced a sum total experience that was, Blah. the car was pretty fast though. It seems like nissan cant decide if they want the g to be a sports car or luxury car. just my opinion (but my opinion is fact hahahahaha!!!!1) just kidding

someone else made a good point earlier. When reading reviews, consider who wrote it. In medicine, no one bothers to read a published study until they have evaluated the quality of research, researcher, journal published in, statistical methods and even the ethical implications of the research.

Totally agree with you on the Infiniti. Jeremy Clarkson still calls them "Datsuns", funny.

Good to see another 1er in FLL. Have you heard of any meets in our area? Even general car meets?

[jpick]

I could have bought a 3. I wanted the 1 BECAUSE it is smaller. The 3 is great, don't get me wrong, but I also get tired of all the mommys driving around in 328s and I didn't want to look like them. No offense to 3 drivers meant. It's a fine car too.

[Epidemic]

Edit on the Infiniti post, I meant to say under 5 seconds (it'll be really close to 5 though), and somehow I mixed the prices up with a different Infinity, it's probably going to be much more than that

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by tbird

While there may be som similarities, there are still inherent differences on a 2seat vs 2+2. The carmakers love to push "classes", and many are bogus, but many are not.

Even one of the supercars, the Gumbert (recently reaching #1 fastest car on Top Gear), does not even allow you to move the seat on the car because it would affect the F/B Ratio. All of it matters.

The problem is that there are very few cars that even compare. "Sport Compact Coupe, 2+2, Premium" is a slim market. Most are either 2 seat or Midsize. So the 1 gets unfairly compared to other cars that have different wheelbases, different weights, different aerodynamics.

In looking at the April 2009 Consumer Reports issue online, I did their car comparison tool. The only really comparisons were the RX8 and the Volvo C30, of which the 1 easily beat.

Got to love Top Gear. You are right, there are inherent differences but they don't necessarily affect everyone. In my case, I cross shopped the 350Z and 135. It's unfortunate that the 1 sometimes gets an unfair comparison.

I am surprised the C30 came up in the comparison as it is a FWD hatch. I suppose it does fit into the "Sport Compact Coupe, 2+2, Premium" category as you stated. I would think a GTI and R32 would fit that category as well. Either way, they are all very nice cars in their own respects.

I've always said that true enthusiasts can appreciate any car that performs well.

[Add1ct]

the opinion of only one automotive journalist matters to me and Jeremy Clarkson said of the 135i "The fact of the matter is this. The 135 coupé is the best car BMW makes. I have no hesitation at all, then, in giving this long-awaited return to form the rare accolade of five stars." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle3103294.ece great review, none of the rest matter!

[Judge]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Be prepared to a new comparo where 1ser definitely loses. Just got a brochure from Infiniti for new G37 convertible. A car is absolutely gorgeous and with 330hp will beat 135vert easily.

According to Car and Driver (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_g...t_drive_review), the G37 convertible does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. 16 mpg city. Base price $43,000+

How does this beat the 1-series?

[tbird]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Got to love Top Gear. You are right, there are inherent differences but they don't necessarily affect everyone. In my case, I cross shopped the 350Z and 135. It's unfortunate that the 1 sometimes gets an unfair comparison.

I am surprised the C30 came up in the comparison as it is a FWD hatch. I suppose it does fit into the "Sport Compact Coupe, 2+2, Premium" category as you stated. I would think a GTI and R32 would fit that category as well. Either way, they are all very nice cars in their own respects.

I've always said that true enthusiasts can appreciate any car that performs well.

I really think that there needs to be a more thorough definition on car classes, and especially on what is premium and what is not. The 1 gets compared to everything from MB and Audi (which do fit), to Mitsubishi and Nissan (which don't).

How about Alfa or Fiat, no comp on them? The new Brera, how does that compare? Volvo is a premium, but the C30 has not been in comparisons to the 1. Yes, the 1 beats it by a country mile, but it still is in the same class.

We compare 2seat with 2+2 but we won't compare two similar cars because one has FWD and the other is RWD. The 1 gets compared to the Evo and WRX, this is RWD to AWD. All these different types, it just seems like nothing is a true comparison.

Let alone that people like to say "Such-and-Such car does 0-60 faster than the 1, so it is better", and while that is pathetically stupid to utter, people still do.

I contend (and this is debatable until proven/disproven otherwise) that there is no car out there that is truly comparable to the 1. Not a "mindless 1er sckup" bit, I just don't see a car that is similar in basic specs. Not a point of speed or such, but basics of length, width, weight, drivetrain, etc.

[gtaday51]

Originally Posted by tbird

I really think that there needs to be a more thorough definition on car classes, and especially on what is premium and what is not. The 1 gets compared to everything from MB and Audi (which do fit), to Mitsubishi and Nissan (which don't).

How about Alfa or Fiat, no comp on them? The new Brera, how does that compare? Volvo is a premium, but the C30 has not been in comparisons to the 1. Yes, the 1 beats it by a country mile, but it still is in the same class.

We compare 2seat with 2+2 but we won't compare two similar cars because one has FWD and the other is RWD. The 1 gets compared to the Evo and WRX, this is RWD to AWD. All these different types, it just seems like nothing is a true comparison.

Let alone that people like to say "Such-and-Such car does 0-60 faster than the 1, so it is better", and while that is pathetically stupid to utter, people still do.

I contend (and this is debatable until proven/disproven otherwise) that there is no car out there that is truly comparable to the 1. Not a "mindless 1er sckup" bit, I just don't see a car that is similar in basic specs. Not a point of speed or such, but basics of length, width, weight, drivetrain, etc.

I would agree with you for the American market. But in Europe the 1er hatch makes perfdect sense. It is comparable to an Audi A3 and a Volvo C30 and the Brera. The problem is that until the hatch comes here(if it ever does) The 1 will not have a true competitor in its class. So what the mags are doing is comparing cars that are likely to be cross shoped, instead of just on specs.
Hence the MotorTrend Evo v 135i comparo back a yr or so. They openly said the only car that has similar performace specs for a similar price is the Mustang GT. But who is going to crossshop a Mustang and a Bimmer? So they went with the Evo which is likely to be crosshoped.

[tbird]

The old "Put Up Or Shut Up" bit is always true. So, if we are going to complain about the reviewers, we need to do accurate reviews ouurselves.

So I just created a thread on this, called "A Real Challenge". Take a look. We need to make a more accurate review, and then we can blast that info out to all the reviewers out there, to get their heads our of their a**es.

We 1Addicts are good with research, let's do it to it.