[EXE46]

Originally Posted by danf72

I will go out on a limb and guess that he will hate the new M3/M4. I also like his reviews. But he's not much of a BMW fan.

Ironic lol, but you're right and this is why I take issue with his reviews. He's overly biased against BMW but adores Toyota no matter how mediocre the product. He gave the Lexus RCF rave reviews but I am certain he won't be pleased with the G80 since he wasn't with the F80. He will decry the new M3's weight despite the RCF weighing more. I don't care that's he's not a BMW fanboy, the hypocrisy and the overt adulation for Toyota is what I take issues with.

[See5]

Chris Harris. I disagree with him sometimes but doesn't pull punches and he has a high enough level of driving skill for me to take his driving assessments seriously.

[ASAP]

Motorweek lmao

[OF Hero]

Is it weird that these cars are in/finishing production and about to ship...and no driving reviews yet?

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

Is it weird that these cars are in/finishing production and about to ship...and no driving reviews yet?

yes, and we have argued over the reasons for that.

i've been told by BMW employees it's because of covid. When they do driving events for reviewers, they do them "big," i.e., fancy hotels, etc.

No one is traveling, no one is doing anything over there right now.

Others have disagreed with me, but it really is the only plausible explanation and BMW employees have confirmed it.

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

yes, and we have argued over the reasons for that.

i've been told by BMW employees it's because of covid. When they do driving events for reviewers, they do them "big," i.e., fancy hotels, etc.

No one is traveling, no one is doing anything over there right now.

Others have disagreed with me, but it really is the only plausible explanation and BMW employees have confirmed it.

I don't think it's because of COVID.

The M440i driving reviews started showing up after mid-October which if I remember correctly was only a week or two before that model made it to local dealerships.

At that pace we may not see M3/M4 driving reviews until late February / early March

I hope I'm wrong!

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by M-SP0RT

I don't think it's because of COVID.

The M440i driving reviews started showing up after mid-October which if I remember correctly was only a week or two before that model made it to local dealerships.

At that pace we may not see M3/M4 driving reviews until late February / early March

I hope I'm wrong!

With all due respect, why doesn't it matter to you at all that a well-placed BMW source is saying that it IS covid?

[solstice]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

With all due respect, why doesn't it matter to you at all that a well-placed BMW source is saying that it IS covid?

It matters and thanks for conveying that. It also show how inapt BMW is to adapt to circumstances.
Instead of handing cars to the top tier reviewers as a filler they do nothing but irrelevant fluff. Poor.

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

With all due respect, why doesn't it matter to you at all that a well-placed BMW source is saying that it IS covid?

I'm not saying it doesn't matter what your sources are saying. I just find it hard to believe that BMW never planned for a different way to provide the G8x to the press for driving reviews. COVID has been an issue since early 2020 so they had plenty of time to come up with a plan.

Were the M440i driving reviews delayed for the same reason?

When did the first M340i driving reviews occur compared to customer deliveries? This could be a good pre-COVID reference to compare.

[EXE46]

Indeed bullocks, COVID shouldn't have prevented driving reviews, people are still working and traveling. It's not like all of us are quarantined at home.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by M-SP0RT

I'm not saying it doesn't matter what your sources are saying. I just find it hard to believe that BMW never planned for a different way to provide the G8x to the press for driving reviews. COVID has been an issue since early 2020 so they had plenty of time to come up with a plan.

Were the M440i driving reviews delayed for the same reason?

When did the first M340i driving reviews occur compared to customer deliveries? This could be a good pre-COVID reference to compare.

The technical and driving reviews for the F80 came out almost immediately. M340i was sometime after it was revealed because at first we only saw the lower 3 series.

COVID has been an rapidly devolving situation. It got better, it got worse, it got better and then it got worse. I'm going with what I'm told but since you didn't hear it from the proverbial horse's mouth, I can't fault your skepticism.

[Darth One]

When making a buying decision I'd really only trust those sources that both do not receive any incentive (financial or otherwise) from BMW, and perform extensive technical testing and share the data.

Which basically leaves MT, C&D and Top Gear I think. Maybe Evo.

I realize some of these mags (C&D especially) have been criticized as being in the pocket of their advertisers through the years, but I think at this point they're much more impartial than the influencers. I've always heard that Top Gear/BBC was always the most scrupulously careful to not accept influence from carmakers.

Not that you shouldn't look forward to the videos of the YouTubers and influencers, but I take that as more of a source of information and entertainment.

[ABenLauda]

Originally Posted by See5

Chris Harris. I disagree with him sometimes but doesn't pull punches and he has a high enough level of driving skill for me to take his driving assessments seriously.

Chris already shat on it (on Instagram) for the looks (the M performance loaded red G8x). I can’t wait for his driving reviews. This is also why I love his reviews. He speaks his mind and doesn’t kiss BMW’s ass like many of the “influencers”.

[JustChris]

Any that doesn't waste 3/4 of the video time pressing every damn button, infotainment this and that and putting bottles in every hole possible.

Anyone who drives it. These sit in 'reviews' are getting very tedious.

[TargaM2]

Chris Harris
Henry Catchpole
Harry Metcalfe
Matt Prior

Have no interest in others as they have zero credibility imo & will likely just repeat everything they hear the above experts say anyway.
Only interested in the opinions of real world motoring journalists. I'll watch plenty of the YouTubers for entertainment value but pay no credence to their views whatsoever.
Definitely no one from either the US or Australia that's for sure.

[M3AWD]

I'm impressed that over 26% voted for Throttle House at this point. I really like what they're doing as their reviews are entertaining and still provide good input for the average car enthusiast. They may not be experienced auto journalists but they provide a good overall review with street performance, track performance, drag racing, etc.

[themnmd]

No votes for Shmee 😭

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Auto Motor & Sport / Sport Auto and Autobild are the ones I am the most looking forward to as they are very thorough. Track videos by Tim Schrick are also pretty reliable.

From the US, Car & Driver and Automobile Pro racer's take usually are good ones.

Funny that none of these are in the poll...

Sport Auto was positive in their pre test on a track earlier this year 😉

G82 M4 test drive review by Sport Auto https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1744192

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by M-SP0RT

I'm not saying it doesn't matter what your sources are saying. I just find it hard to believe that BMW never planned for a different way to provide the G8x to the press for driving reviews. COVID has been an issue since early 2020 so they had plenty of time to come up with a plan.

Were the M440i driving reviews delayed for the same reason?

When did the first M340i driving reviews occur compared to customer deliveries? This could be a good pre-COVID reference to compare.

G82 M4 test drive review by Sport Auto https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1744192

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Sport Auto was positive in their pre test on a track earlier this year 😉

G82 M4 test drive review by Sport Auto https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1744192

Yes, I remember reading it and it is encouraging.

[M3AWD]

bumping this for more votes now that the reviews will be released next week!!

[Jproos]

Originally Posted by themnmd

No votes for Shmee 😭

Shocking, right!?