[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by hb

That's such a false narrative.

Of course, you are correct, as I also know from the OEM side working with journalists on such trips and presentations for many years. However, given the state of our society, I am not surprised at the distrust and cynicism many have been led to experience and realize that, for a large segment, even true and factual information often cannot penetrate.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Eric500

I expect the American youtubers/media/press to not really say anything bad yet if there are media drives. Their incentive is views and to keep getting invited to these paid for trips.

They have no reason to be honest until they get a week long loaner to test and even then some aren't that honest

I expect there will be some of that, because for many social media is an income generator, “life style”, and gravy train.

There will be some that critique harder than others, and that is refreshing, but generally I trust my own findings and never base a decision on what someone said on the internet, they are just data points.

[hb]

Originally Posted by avi66

I expect there will be some of that, because for many social media is an income generator, “life style”, and gravy train.

There will be some that critique harder than others, and that is refreshing, but generally I trust my own findings and never base a decision on what someone said on the internet, they are just data points.

There is still a distinction between traditional media/journalists and social media influencers, but that’s not the focus of this discussion. In my experience, most media professionals, including YouTubers, strive to be honest in their reviews, which is clear in the majority of their content.

However, you may notice differences between reviews due to natural human biases. These biases are not because someone is paid off or concerned about losing access to future events. Instead, they come from personal preferences, what each reviewer values most in a car, how they perceive it, and their individual experiences with the product.

[MidnightLight]

Even if a reviewer is tempted to write a glowing review just to maintain their gravy train with the OEMs, this will be tempered by their need to maintain credibility with their audience (readers / viewers). If a reviewer constantly writes reviews that are too good to be true, folks will notice eventually--and many people will start looking elsewhere. In this age of fierce competition for eyeballs, this is a strong moderating force.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

Even if a reviewer is tempted to write a glowing review just to maintain their gravy train with the OEMs, this will be tempered by their need to maintain credibility with their audience (readers / viewers). If a reviewer constantly writes reviews that are too good to be true, folks will notice eventually--and many people will start looking elsewhere. In this age of fierce competition for eyeballs, this is a strong moderating force.

There are so many “reviewers” across so many media platforms it doesn’t really make any difference.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by hb

There is still a distinction between traditional media/journalists and social media influencers, but that’s not the focus of this discussion. In my experience, most media professionals, including YouTubers, strive to be honest in their reviews, which is clear in the majority of their content.

However, you may notice differences between reviews due to natural human biases. These biases are not because someone is paid off or concerned about losing access to future events. Instead, they come from personal preferences, what each reviewer values most in a car, how they perceive it, and their individual experiences with the product.

We all have our views.

It largely becomes irrelevant once the small window of new product access expires and people can experience products for themselves.

[hb]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

Even if a reviewer is tempted to write a glowing review just to maintain their gravy train with the OEMs, this will be tempered by their need to maintain credibility with their audience (readers / viewers). If a reviewer constantly writes reviews that are too good to be true, folks will notice eventually--and many people will start looking elsewhere. In this age of fierce competition for eyeballs, this is a strong moderating force.

You nailed it.

[ASAP]

this is just me talking... but the biggest issues with reviewers today are that they are all immediate reactions based on a one time drive or a drive with limited time... rarely is anyone not impresses by something they see for the first time unless it is REALLY bad... to further that, they try to release the video first to get as many clicks... there should honestly be some longer term 5k mile review law lol

the F87 m2 comp reviews were absolutely glowing and i truly enjoyed it on my test drive but absolutely dreaded it day to day and having to live with it... no one really did a living longer with the car review and instead only did track reviews which were isolated to perfect surfaces

[hb]

Originally Posted by avi66

We all have our views.

It largely becomes irrelevant once the small window of new product access expires and people can experience products for themselves.

You're absolutely right. Lately I end my reviews with this note: you should always go and try the car for yourself before buying it. Way too many variables today, some people value tech over driving, others seat comfort over performance etc...

[hb]

Originally Posted by ASAP

this is just me talking... but the biggest issues with reviewers today are that they are all immediate reactions based on a one time drive or a drive with limited time... rarely is anyone not impresses by something they see for the first time unless it is REALLY bad... to further that, they try to release the video first to get as many clicks... there should honestly be some longer term 5k mile review law lol

the F87 m2 comp reviews were absolutely glowing and i truly enjoyed it on my test drive but absolutely dreaded it day to day and having to live with it... no one really did a living longer with the car review and instead only did track reviews which were isolated to perfect surfaces

That's not up to us. These events are setup so they get as many journalists/youtubers/influencers behind the wheel of a new product over 2-3 weeks. So clearly, time is limited, especially since these days most events have 2-3 products to review. The latest 1 Series/X3 drive had 6 products in total to review/produce content: 120, M135, X3 20, X3 M50, Mixed Reality M135 and new 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The time allocated? About 12 hours over 2 days.

The true tests are always later when we get to review them for a week, or sometimes months like I did with an iX.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by hb

That's not up to us. These events are setup so they get as many journalists/youtubers/influencers behind the wheel of a new product over 2-3 weeks. So clearly, time is limited, especially since these days most events have 2-3 products to review. The latest 1 Series/X3 drive had 6 products in total to review/produce content: 120, M135, X3 20, X3 M50, Mixed Reality M135 and new 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The time allocated? About 12 hours over 2 days.

The true tests are always later when we get to review them for a week, or sometimes months like I did with an iX.

oh yea that's not on you necessarily, its just the nature of the industry and how hype and marketing works by the brands... it just sadly results in us not always getting the full or real picture

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by ASAP

this is just me talking... but the biggest issues with reviewers today are that they are all immediate reactions based on a one time drive or a drive with limited time... rarely is anyone not impresses by something they see for the first time unless it is REALLY bad... to further that, they try to release the video first to get as many clicks... there should honestly be some longer term 5k mile review law lol

the F87 m2 comp reviews were absolutely glowing and i truly enjoyed it on my test drive but absolutely dreaded it day to day and having to live with it... no one really did a living longer with the car review and instead only did track reviews which were isolated to perfect surfaces

Yup. One of the reasons I spend tons of time on message boards and Facebook groups for whatever car I'm interested in to get a much better sense of the ownership experience.

There are many cars that are ranked highly in their class by various mags/sites but when you go to the forums the actual owners have all sorts of quality and reliability issues that testers just can't or won't be able to find on shorter test drives. Case in point, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has gotten glowing reviews as a performance EV but the FB groups are now starting to show a bunch of folks having issues with their ICCUs failing.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by ASAP

this is just me talking... but the biggest issues with reviewers today are that they are all immediate reactions based on a one time drive or a drive with limited time... rarely is anyone not impresses by something they see for the first time unless it is REALLY bad... to further that, they try to release the video first to get as many clicks... there should honestly be some longer term 5k mile review law lol

the F87 m2 comp reviews were absolutely glowing and i truly enjoyed it on my test drive but absolutely dreaded it day to day and having to live with it... no one really did a living longer with the car review and instead only did track reviews which were isolated to perfect surfaces

I always take a new car for some hours or days before buying.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by hb

There is still a distinction between traditional media/journalists and social media influencers, but that’s not the focus of this discussion. In my experience, most media professionals, including YouTubers, strive to be honest in their reviews, which is clear in the majority of their content.

However, you may notice differences between reviews due to natural human biases. These biases are not because someone is paid off or concerned about losing access to future events. Instead, they come from personal preferences, what each reviewer values most in a car, how they perceive it, and their individual experiences with the product.

Again, you describe the situation most accurately. My comments and experiences that align with yours were based on professional journalists, not random online “content creators/influencers”.

[puckhead85]

Has anyone seen any 30 reviews? I've also noticed they don't show the full door only the upper part near the ambient light and fan control.... I wonder if they told the press not film the whole door

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by puckhead85

Has anyone seen any 30 reviews? I've also noticed they don't show the full door only the upper part near the ambient light and fan control.... I wonder if they told the press not film the whole door

Autogefühl complains about the cheaper hard plastic on the bottom of the doors here (around 11:50 in):

[ModernAngel]

Car Confections X3 M50 Review

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Car Confections X3 M50 Review

At the 26:31 mark, the G45 M50 cabin dB reading is actually higher than the outgoing G01. If we call it a wash compared to the prior gen, then I think we can confidently say no acoustic glass continues for US?

[drex89]

Originally Posted by EWL5

At the 26:31 mark, the G45 M50 cabin dB reading is actually higher than the outgoing G01. If we call it a wash compared to the prior gen, then I think we can confidently say no acoustic glass continues for US?

Not so sure that is confirmed since they mention in their video that they normally don't do their sound readings on the interstate, but they did with the G45. That easily could have increased the sound level reading based on the surface.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by drex89

Not so sure that is confirmed since they mention in their video that they normally don't do their sound readings on the interstate, but they did with the G45. That easily could have increased the sound level reading based on the surface.

Let's just say it wasn't a step change and certainly doesn't give me any confidence that "value" was restored in the G45. This actually makes the lowering of the standard HiFi audio system that much worse now that it's only 100W!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Let's just say it wasn't a step change and certainly doesn't give me any confidence that "value" was restored in the G45. This actually makes the lowering of the standard HiFi audio system that much worse now that it's only 100W!

Given the US spec G01 M40i LCI didn’t have acoustic front side glass, and was probably using run flat tyres, I would have expected a significant reduction on the M50 riding on non run flat tyres, with supposed reduced wind noise aerodynamics, and fitted with supposed acoustic front side glass. That’s before even thinking about the softer suspension as another noise reducing factor.

Maybe check what BMW’s marketing speak really means, and it’s also worth considering if BMW reduced the sound deadening qualities in the doors/door cards or other areas.

The standard audio spec is a travesty.

It was like being in a Jedward nightmare in that review lol. ��

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by ASAP

this is just me talking... but the biggest issues with reviewers today are that they are all immediate reactions based on a one time drive or a drive with limited time... rarely is anyone not impresses by something they see for the first time unless it is REALLY bad... to further that, they try to release the video first to get as many clicks... there should honestly be some longer term 5k mile review law lol

the F87 m2 comp reviews were absolutely glowing and i truly enjoyed it on my test drive but absolutely dreaded it day to day and having to live with it... no one really did a living longer with the car review and instead only did track reviews which were isolated to perfect surfaces

And many reviewers don't even know much about:

Body roll, suspension setup tuning / type installed, advance differentials like LSD, eLSD, torque vectoring, how great the chassis set up is to comment on those.

Many just make the vehicle rear slide when they're AWD/RWD, measure acceleration. With today's vehicles easily having 400 or more HP and lb./ft., I don't think I am even interest in knowing top speed, 0-60, etc.

One thing I've learned the past few months is BMW's infotainment system is one of better ones out there lol.