Why so many garbage reviews?

[Epidemic]

Hey everyone,

I was looking online at BMW 135i reviews today, and found that either reviews said it was an amazing car, or it was complete trash.

Some claim it is way too overpriced, which I am clearly not seeing.. it is half a second slower than the M3 and for half the price.

My views on the looks are irrelevant. I think it looks good, others claim it looks like trash. This is purely your opinion I suppose.

Obviously everyone here is biased.. but why is there such a difference in reviews? (I can understand some difference.. but there seems to be a love/hate going on here)

[elite]

I AM A TROLL!

taking a timeout
8 )

[Epidemic]

I don't actually own a BMW 135i.. yet. So I'm not complaining about the fact that people are dissing my car.

I'm just confused as to why it gets such mixed reviews. I have see professional reviews that say it's awesome, and then others that say the COMPLETE opposite. Doesn't make sense to me =\

[elite]

We all have our opinions and perceptions.

Honestly I think the 135 is the Honda Civic of BMW's. It's cheap, easy to mod, and available to anyone.

[MOCKBA]

I do not care about reviews, I have my own opinion. I bought 1ser after testing over 20 different models, so I am confident, it is a good car.

[Novator]

I own the car and honestly I am very content with it, but now with a few add ons from BMW Performance it just a little bit more enjoyable.

[AtomiK]

Originally Posted by Epidemic

I'm just confused as to why it gets such mixed reviews.

I have the answer. People have different opinions, that is generally how things work.

If you are going to be insecure because of the reviews, don't buy the car.

[Epidemic]

Obviously cars have mixed reviews. However, when you see such ridiculous differences in reviews, one wonders why.

I have never driven the car so I cannot comment. When I see that half the reviews claim it is amazing, and half claim it is complete trash, I question why. Surely there is going to be some differences in reviews, nothing is perfect. It just seems odd there is such a huge difference in the reviews for this car.

And obviously I like the looks, I am contemplating buying it, so perhaps I should take that out of the original thread, before this post becomes a flame fest.

[Robert]

1 series is a polarizing car.

[creepy coupe]

I'd read many many reviews before buying mine and have to say 99% were more than positive.

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by elite

We all have our opinions and perceptions.

Honestly I think the 135 is the Honda Civic of BMW's. It's cheap, easy to mod, and available to anyone.

In what way is a 135i cheap, slow, or more available to everyone compared to the 3 series? the civic will always be a civic, and not have the potential of the turbo RWD 300hp n54 BMW... How is that comparison supposed to work again?

[C_Topher]

Take it for a drive. You will love it. It is not a 3-series, or a Cayman, or a G37. It is it's own car. Whatever you choose, choose it because it is right for you.

[tbird]

Originally Posted by Robert

1 series is a polarizing car.

Definitely! Reviews are polarized, people's opinions of the car are polarized, people's opinions of the car's options are polarized, people's opinions of the car's modifications are polarized, it's a bit crazy.

For example, you can buy the stripped 128ci for about $31K, which is quite affordable (not Honda-cheap, but cheap on its price to the wealth of amenities you get), or you can deck out the 135cic for about $56K which is not cheap (unless you won the lottery or you have a sugar daddy).

Reviews are the same. Some say it is a clean, well-appointed interior. Others complain about two inches less space than the 335ci.

The car is what YOU think of it. Pick out each car you are looking at, put them all up side-by-side, compare every single feature, from specs (HP, mileage, handling, etc) to standard features to options, TO WARRANTY, to even the quality of the dealership. Then compare car insurance on it as well, that counts quite a bit too.

Once you have three cars, then drive each, putting them through their paces, thinking about how you will be driving this car day after day, how does it feel? Pick out all the pros and cons on each, and then make your choice.

As for the 1Series, the 1Addicts forum is a great place for info. When we get one of our threads going on a topic, people really give the info. Yes, some fiery debates to be sure, from steering ratios to modifications, it gets lively in here, FAR BETTER than some whiny little magazine jagoff who doesn't know the first thing about car comparisons sitting in his cubicle and writing about cars this week and then laundry detergent the next.

Raw data + your personal opinion = your choice.

On just my humble .02, the 1Series has the best blend of everything. Once you drive it, from its feel to its classiness to its #1 Warranty in the entire car biz, + so much more, you just can't really go wrong with a 1, no matter what model you get.

Good luck.

[ptack]

Unfotunately, some the reviews were done more in response to the press packet than the car itself. BMW tried pushing this car as the reincarnation of the 2002. That was a stupid move because it set the stage for direct comparisons or worse, nostolgic comparisons. The other thing some reviewrs can't figure out is how this car is not a 3. To me that just reflects what a shlub the reviewer is, because the 135i drives very differently than a 3. It was targetted at younger buyers who want a performance coupe and I think the did a great job balancing price, performance and comfort. The review that by comparison underlines how subjective most automotive journalists are is the Consumer Reports one. As always, they try to be like Joe Friday "just the facts Mam" and look just at the car. The result was that the 135i is one of their highest rated cars.

[gtaday51]

^+1 this always pissed me off. In Car and Driver's recent comapro between the 135i, 370Z, Solitice, and RX-8 in the cons section of the 135i's column they said "not as pretty as a 3 series". Why does this matter when a 3 isnt even in the comparo!

Also, its not a 2002. That was stupid of BMW to bring that up. I have said from the start it is sort of a continuation of the design language of the E4X 3 series, which I think look much better than the E9X. All im saying is, nobody cared when a 3 was smaller than the current 1.

And its a small F-ing car its going to have a small F-ing seat! Deal with it and shut the hell up, or deduct points from a Honda Fit for having a small backseat and get on with your lives.

[tbird]

+2

Those cars aren't even in the same class, only the RX-8. The others are all different car classes, again showing how dumb some of the reviewers are.

[Mad Dragon]

Originally Posted by rcracer_tx

In what way is a 135i cheap, slow, or more available to everyone compared to the 3 series? the civic will always be a civic, and not have the potential of the turbo RWD 300hp n54 BMW... How is that comparison supposed to work again?

Well... people are slapping M badges on the trunks. That's the equivalent of a Type R sticker.

[jotapeh]

Go take a test drive.

[sunking420]

Maybe the bad reviews are because American car companies give payola to the reviewers. Lately, I don't trust anyone...I have a car that outperforms a Cayman at
$25k less and I think its looks are tits.....If you don't like it, I have two words for ya...

[rawbert54]

i think there is a market for bad reviews. certain people want to read something bad about a car. so, write an article praising the car, extolling all its greatness then, a few months later, write one saying how it sucks. This way, all the people who bought an overpriced m3 or whatever will have something to feel good about when they read car and driver.

[JB135i]

There are differing opinions amonst the owners too. There are several threads here on the boards where "dissenting" opinions can be found. Not unexpectedly, most the owners' here on 1addicts love the car, some not so much, but they are the minority.

Take advantage of ALL these reviews and opinions. Some of the negative aspects of the car that are brought up, may also be important to you. Some you may not care at all about.

No car is going to be perfect, and/or be perfect for every person.

[mackzilla]

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

Well... people are slapping M badges on the trunks. That's the equivalent of a Type R sticker.

Mine came from the factory with 8 or more "M" badges throughout the car. I could see where someone might add #9 and not feel very bad about it.