Nit picking the BMW 135i

In driving our sporty blue 135i, the questions I heard a little too often were, “How much for the car?” and “Thirty-seven…what?!”

The love fest that surrounds the BMW 135i is pretty clear. It’s a fun little car that is a blast to drive, gets surprisingly good gas mileage, and performed well in our tests. It’s going to garner a lot of Personal Picks when the engineers and editors opine on the latest test group featured in the October issue. And I’ll weigh in there. Even though I’m not a died-in-the-wool Roundel worshiper, I really like this car.

But I’ve got some gripes that just can’t wait. So before the mushy adoration starts flowing, allow me to get in a few thoughts.

My nits to pick
At $34,900 base, the 135i is pricey. But it comes with some standard features you often have to pay for on less expensive vehicles: Xenon lights; rain-sensing wipers; cruise control (I’m looking at you, Volvo C30!); a power glass moon roof; and an auxiliary audio port (sadly, not the iPod connection we had in our 328i convertible).

But, come on BMW, can’t you put some sort of tie-downs or clips on the back of the floor mats for thirty-five large? Time and time again I found the driver’s side floor mat sliding forward onto the gas pedal. Not really what you’d expect in the Ultimate Driving Machine. Heck, Toyota had a recall in some Lexus and Toyota models because the mats slid forward. So let’s get some 10-cent clips, Velcro, or maybe chewing gum to hold these mats down, ASAP.

Next up, the radio display. Why is the climate control readable with polarized sunglasses, but not the radio? The BMW customer is probably more likely than most to sport an expensive pair of polarized sunglasses, so why should the radio be unreadable? And this isn’t new. A quick Web search shows owner complaints going back to the 2006 model year. Is this another case of “Germans know best” and we’re supposed to just deal with it? Sounds vaguely familiar to our complaints about iDrive, too.

Finally, we chose the optional Sports Package for $1,000, which included really great sport seats. Sure, the manual adjustment on a car costing $37,650 out-the-door is surprising, but the lack of motors is less complex and probably saves weight. (Makes you faster, right?) But how about a lumbar adjustment, BMW? I can tilt the front and rear of the seat independently, extend the thigh cushion, and set the recline, but there isn’t even a knob to give my back a bit more support?

Are these items deal breakers? Heck, no. While the floor mat can be a safety issue, the others, for me, are simple annoyances. For 2009 BMW is raising prices by an average of 2.1 percent. Let’s hope they can at least provide some Velcro and maybe a spare lumbar knob for that increase. Beyond addressing those nits, please don’t change a thing.

See more road test videos from the October issue sporty car group. And also check out our 300hp shootout: 135i, Evo, STi.

—Jon Linkov

Behind the wheel: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Last week Consumer Reports Senior Automotive Engineer Jake Fisher and I drove the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V over highways and two-lane roads, as well as flogged it at full tilt on a race track. Now, this is a very rare opportunity for us. Automotive media events, called long-leads, consist of the manufacturer flying in journalists from around the country, putting them up in fancy hotels and treating them to a five-star new car introduction. Heck, who wouldn’t go? And, who would jeopardize similar future trips by writing a bad "review" of the car?

Of course, we don’t accept those types of perks, so we rarely participate in these events. But Cadillac planned this introduction in our backyard, starting off in nearby White Plains, New York, and finishing at the new Monticello Motor Club. Plus, it was hard to resist. After all, resident hot-shoe Jake not only conducts performance testing at our track, but races on weekends, while I conduct high-performance driving instruction at race tracks across the country. The prospect of getting behind the wheel of the most powerful American-made sedan at a brand-new track is enough to quicken even our jaded pulses.

What is it?
The V-spec version is the ultra-performance version of the CTS. We really liked the previous generation CTS-V and the new base car when we tested it, competing well with the Infiniti G and besting sports sedans such as the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300. (See video road tests comparing the CTS against is upscale peers.)

Adding in the V badge brings the performance level up a notch… or 10. The engine is a supercharged V8 that puts out 556 horsepower, and drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic optional). The result, according to Cadillac, is a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 12.0 seconds at 118 mph, and an aerodynamic-limited top speed of 193 mph. The 4,200-pound sedan is halted by large Brembo disc brakes front and rear, and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control keeps the car planted, whether it’s trundling past local cops at a 35-mile-per-hour speed trap or blasting down the racetrack at 140-plus mph.

The interior is a slightly revised version of the already-nice CTS. The hand-stitched leather that is optional in the base cars is standard here, as are nicely bolstered sport seats. Those buyers who aspire to track the V can opt for Recaro sport seats with more aggressive adjustable side bolsters. Jake and I both found the standard seats plenty comfortable for both slow- and high-speed motoring. While we like the bolstering of the Recaros, we both thought the head restraints made it difficult to get comfortable wearing a helmet (mandatory and smart during the track portion of the event), though most buyers who opt for the Recaros probably won’t spend the majority of their time on the track.

So, what did we think?
The new CTS-V certainly won’t disappoint, with its increased power (the old CTS-V put out just 400 hp), better interior, and improved ride. It takes the things that we liked in the base car and adds in power and aggressiveness. But this is a 4,000-pound plus car, and we were always aware of that on the track. Even at 130-mph through the slight kink on the back straight (and no, we didn’t lift or brake, unlike some other drivers!), the car felt composed. But you know it’s a heavy car when braking or moving it through right-left-right turn combinations.

Jake and I both felt the CTS-V was more at home on the back roads and highways. Heading back from the track along Route 17 in New York, we were able to cruise comfortably with the traffic flow, but had ample passing power even in sixth gear. The supportive seats, good forward visibility (rear visibility is still a negative), and comfortable ride left us refreshed. We used the OnStar system to program the built-in (optional) GPS system with our destination, and the turn-by-turn navigation was direct yet non-distracting.

Pricing and projected sales volume of the CTS-V hasn’t been announced yet, but it will surely undercut the BMW M5 that Cadillac used as a benchmark. It would be great to get the CTS-V into the CR garage for a full test, but this limited-volume car (and its expensive Audi RS6, BMW M5, and Mercedes-Benz E63 competitors) isn’t the top priority for our program right now. Until such time, enjoy the embedded video of our regular CTS review.

—Jon Linkov

Clocking the Murano - Nissan, do I have permission to continue?

Recently, on my way to work in our Nissan Murano, I realized the clock was off by 18 minutes. I could leave it alone, but I’d rather not do math to calculate my arrival time while driving in rush-hour traffic and monitoring traffic reports. Let’s see, 7:15 plus 18 minutes means… bumper to bumper traffic on the route I just took because I missed the radio report. Arrrgh!

So, just a simple adjustment and I’d be content in the knowledge that I am not significantly late for work. Based on recent experience driving our Infiniti EX35 and Murano, I know can adjust the radio, iPod controls, climate system, and even the trip computer when moving. Other than the integrated iPod controller, these functions don’t even require using the multifunction controller and its attendant bank of buttons. So far, so good.

But adjusting the clock? Not so fast—it’s buried deep within the vehicle settings menus, and the ability to adjust it is locked down when the vehicle is in motion. Hit “Settings” and… “Clock selection” is dim until you stop. Makes total sense.

Radio and iPod: Safe to adjust when moving. The clock: Not so much.

Nissan, why is it considered appropriate to navigate through the detailed iPod menu, browsing folders and songs, while driving at 65 mph, yet a simple clock adjustment is so convoluted that I’m not allowed to do it when driving? Sure, I change iPod tracks a whole lot more frequently than I adjust the clock’s time. (The need exists at least twice a year to adjust the clock and possibly more often, as I recently discovered.) You made redundant and simple hard keys for almost everything else, and our Murano doesn’t even have navigation, so why not just drop the mobile dashboard desktop look, sadly de rigueur for a luxury car, in favor of the luxury of simplicity? Or, just let me adjust the clock with the current, high-tech setup.

—Jon Linkov

Have you encountered a frustrating control or function with your car? Share your experience in the comments below.

Detroit auto show - Personal picks

The Cars team reflects on the 2008 Detroit auto show, selecting their personal picks for the most memorable, significant, or simply favorite cars at the event.

Audi R8 V12 TDI:
Last week, I gushed over the brilliant Audi R8 V12 TDI concept (see blog). The intoxication of it has stuck with me like a bad cold...I can't seem to shake it. The look is mean. The headlights squint at you like Clint Eastwood. The engine looks like it should be in a museum of modern art. And while Audi also had a "standard" R8 on display, it was one of only a few cars people were waiting in line to sit in. This car could reside in my garage forever.—Mike Quincy

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1/Hummer HX:
These pure vehicles push American icons to new reaches. The ZR1 is history in the making. It is an amazing performance machine that will fuel my automotive fantasies for quite some time, and is certain to be chronicled for generations to come. The Hummer HX represents the long-rumored H4, a Jeep Wrangler alternative intended to provide an attainable entry to the off-roading brand, and, now it may also represent a potential production savior for a brand that has become the pariah of the Green movement. Make it affordable, with a traditional square back and a thrifty diesel, and watch the Hummer "jamborees" flourish. Granted, the Corvette and Hummer are quite  different vehicles, but each represents extreme fun, and who doesn't want more of that?—Jeff Bartlett

Fisker Karma:
Designed by custom car designer Henrik Fisker (who also penned the BMW Z8, one of my favorite cars ever), the Fisker shows that hybrids -- even futuristic advanced plug-in hybrids that will run all day on electricity -- aren't just for environmentalist ninnies. It looks great and reportedly goes fast. (A top speed of 125 mph and 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds are as fast as any mere mortal should need to go on land.) In short, it should give even the most jaded car enthusiasts an environmentally friendly hybrid they can lust after.

In terms of affordability, however, I've got to name the Honda CR-Z as my runner up. It marries hybrid efficiency to sports-car fun just like the Fisker. It isn't as advanced, and it is limited by being a two-seater. But it has the fun-to-drive element sorely lacking in Honda's last mileage champ, the Insight. And best of all, most car shoppers should be able to afford it.—Eric Evarts

Jeep Renegade/Cadillac CTS coupe:
This was my 15th time attending the Detroit auto show and, overall, it was a relatively boring event. There were no outrageous introductions such as a Chrysler minivan landing on stage, no retro chic surprises like the Volkswagen New Beetle, or first-time viewings of highly anticipated significant vehicles.

That said, I'd have to go with styling features that caught my eye. The Jeep Renegade concept, for example, was eye candy that I hope someday becomes a modern beach buggy. Forget the electric drive. Cash-strapped Chrysler is busy enough trying to survive. Not to mention the paradox of"go anywhere" marketing and getting stuck with an empty battery. A much more realistic and closer to production styling statement was the Cadillac CTS coupe. Even though I'm not much of a coupe fan, it looked spectacular.—Gabe Shenhar

Honda CR-Z:
I really liked the Honda CR-Z. With styling that is a dead-ringer for the old (and beloved CRX), the CR-Z's possible hybrid powertrain looks to vault this little runabout to the top of the fuel economy mountain... just like the original CRX. Honda is also disciplined at keeping weight low and suspension tuning interesting, so I imagine driving one will be a ball. Let's hope it's affordable.—David Champion

Toyota Venza:
Over the course of the show I was consistently drawn back to one car: the Toyota Venza. But not because I'm wowed by its styling, price, powerplant, or features. It's because I have no idea where it will fit in the Toyota lineup. Between the RAV4, Highlander, Avalon, and even the base Sienna, how many 5-passenger people movers are needed from one manufacturer? This odd vehicle certainly drew my attention each day... and the resulting quizzical stares as I tried to determine its niche.—Jon Linkov

Also read Cliff Weathers' pick for best in show.

See our complete coverage of the 2008 Detroit auto show. And discuss the event in our auto show forum. 

                                                                                                           

                   

Detroit diesels - the powertrain show buzz

Every year at the Detroit show, there seems to be a predominant theme that the automakers gravitate toward, be it high performance, hybrids, trucks, or fanciful, retro concepts. This year, the buzz is all about diesel engines. Acura/Honda, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Subaru, and Volkswagen are among the many manufacturers making noise about their upcoming powerplants. In passenger cars, the Germans manufacturers have a solid head start. They are the closest to having 50-state legal (CARB Bin5) diesels for sale, with new models featuring urea injection and SCR catalysts ready to hit our shores. Other import nameplates are hot on their heels, though. Today, Subaru mentioned its imminent boxer diesel, and Honda spoke of a diesel model or two ready for 2009, starting with an Acura vehicle.

Our recent experiences with diesels have been quite positive; the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetech (Ratings available online to subscribers only) did very well in our tests, delivering 29 mpg overall and an outstanding 630-mile cruising range. And our test of a 2006 VW Jetta TDI also produced good mileage - 34 mpg overall and a bladder-busting 560-mile range.

The latest engines are quieter and cleaner than those in the past, and our tests showed them to be fairly lively performers—quite an appealing combination

But will U.S. buyers take to the new engines? Many people are still sore about the models from the early 1980s that proved to assault the senses and in some cases become reliability nightmares. For now, though, with modern, direct-injection, quick glow plugs and cleaner emissions, perhaps diesels look poised to make a comeback. While this year is the beginning of the automaker hype, we expect next year to see a growing number of engines will be unveiled in production-ready form. Diesels have been for sale in Europe for years, but American shores have only had them available in a limited number of cars or heavy-duty trucks.

What are your memories of diesels past? And, if the price of diesel fuel was the same—or less—than Regular gasoline (currently it's about 47 cents more) would you consider buying one? Let us know; post your thoughts in the Comments below.

—Mike Quincy and Jon Linkov

See our complete coverage of the 2008 Detroit auto show. And discuss the event in our auto show forum.

Show time in Detroit!

At 6:50 a.m., only the most dedicated line up outside sealed doors of the media center at the North American International Auto Show, ready to stake their claim for a coveted spot at a table. If you don't get there early, you don't get a spot for your computer. With the number of attendees increasing year over year, the 2008 show should see more than the 6,700 journalists who attended Press Days for the 2007 show.

Rest assured, our contingent of 7 editors, 4 engineers, and 1 hardy blogger are at the show, somewhat rested, and ready to go. Bookmark our main Detroit show coverage page because we have three days of intense coverage on the horizon, with text, photos, blogs, and videos to be posted around the clock.

Should be a wild ride. Hope you join us!

—Jon Linkov

Luxury car feature creep

When the advanced plan for the November-issue luxury car group was put on paper, I began anticipating where to drive and what to do with these sedans. Now, there are groups where I drive the cars, then there are groups where I drive the cars. And this proved to be an enjoyable group, indeed. However, the injection of more and more technology into cars is taking that enjoyment away.

I accept, and wholeheartedly endorse, unobtrusive safety technology. Give me more air bags, better crash structures, and active head restraints. I like ESC...so long as I can turn it off or, at the least, engage a competition mode like in the Chevrolet Corvette. And advanced engines and transmissions that deliver seamless power without sacrificing fuel economy? Bring it on.

But features for the sake of features (keeping up with the Automotive Joneses, if you will) drives me nuts. The cruise control on the Volvo that some colleagues find intriguing, with its distance settings, for me replaces "ease of use" with "frustration." It works fine on empty roads. But add in just a bit of traffic and it is always slowing and stopping and accelerating...but never at what feels to me like the proper time. The other Volvo bells, whistles, and lights are a bit too much. Blind spot warning systems? What happened to paying attention and setting your mirrors properly? Poor design that leads to obstructed visibility is a problem. "Fixing" it with a warning system is going from bad to worse.

After many opportunities (BMW 530i, 745i, 650i, X5, and our recent 535i) to play with it, I'm comfortable with iDrive. But that still doesn't make it necessary. Certainly these systems are powerful, but the move by many manufacturers to a multi-function, driver-interaction system is not a positive.

Simplicity is relative in these cars. While most controls in the LS 460L benefit from using a more simple touchscreen (although regular buttons would be even simpler), it could really use a joystick controller for adjusting the hands-free-parking system. Plus, the Toyota/Lexus still refuses to let you program the navigation system when the car is moving, even if an adult is in the front passenger seat. That's ridiculous.

No, this feature creep is not for me. I was recently talking about this with a friend in the automotive industry. We wondered where the simple, user-friendly cars have gone, the ones without rain-sensing windshield wipers, distance-sensing cruise control, automatic headlights, and driver-interaction systems. They're still for sale, but there are fewer and fewer new ones available each year. And that's a shame. I think we're creating and coddling more and more drivers who can't think for themselves and ably control a 3,000-plus pound vehicle without these systems, let alone when they're busy adjusting their cell phone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, or satellite radio.

--Jon Linkov

Also read: "Luxury cars - What is luxury?" and "Autopilot: Coming to luxury car near you, almost."

Share your views using the Comments link below.

Dealing with car vandalism

I recently returned from a vacation to find my personal car, a 1996 Audi A4, vandalized. I left the sedan at an off-site, private airport parking service. Apparently the company did not put it in a secure parking lot, and thieves looking to steal it, presumably for parts, created some significant damage.

Vandalism to your car is something most of us know could happen, but don't always worry about. However, it's important to know what to do in the event this happens. In my case, the car was parked about 2 hours (120 miles or so) away from home, making this situation even more stressful, since I wasn't sure how I was getting home. Although I grew up in New Jersey, I wasn't familiar with where I should take the car to be repaired/stored/fixed/inspected. Plus, getting home meant taking an epic taxi ride or calling in a big favor from a friend or family member, or renting a car.  Not a good position to be in after a trip.

I've taken away a few lessons from this situation and want to share them with you to make sure you are prepared in case you suffer a similar fate.

1 - Keep important data handy. Before you even get into a situation like this, make sure you have your insurance company phone and policy number with you at all times. Keep this information in a date book or PDA, or even on a slip of paper in your wallet or purse. Include with it your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and license plate number. Depending on paperwork or a cell phone that was left in your glove box won't help you if the entire car is stolen or has been rifled through.

2 - Call the police. Insist that they come to the location so you can file a report. Get the name and contact number of the officer who takes the report, and find out when and where you can get a copy of the report. This information will be important later on when dealing with your insurance company.

3 - Contact your insurance company immediately. They will take down relevant information and guide you as to what to do. Make sure you ask them any question you may have, such as towing or rental car needs. Don't assume anything.

4 - Document everything. Document all of the damage done, as well as any missing items. If the car was damaged when in the hands of a valet, garage, or when under the care of another party, go over the list with them and fill out any necessary paperwork. Request a copy of this paperwork, although they may claim that company policy prevents them from giving it to you. Get the name, title, and contact information for all of the people you deal with. If you have a camera, or even a camera phone, take pictures of everything.

Going forward, keep a folder of all paperwork, receipts, and notes of conversations you have regarding the vehicle. It's important to keep this organized and at hand, as you will inevitably be dealing with adjusters, the police, company representatives, and the repair shop at various times over the next few days and weeks.

5 - Finally, keep calm. It sounds silly, but getting mad or frustrated won't help. Yes, you feel violated and vulnerable, but you need to keep your wits about you to make important decisions over the next few hours.

This isn't a hard-and-fast list, and everyone's situation will vary. But use it as a guide to prepare yourself and your family members if it should ever happen. College students, in particular, often live hours or days away from home, and should make sure they are prepared in advance in case their car is damaged.

In the end, my car came close to being totaled by the insurance company. The high labor rates and prices for some of the parts totaled over $4,000. The value of the car was just past the threshold for automatically totaling the car. I chose to get it repaired, since it is mechanically solid. It took almost three months before I got back the car and had my deductible reimbursed by the parking facility's insurance company. I am still waiting for my rental car costs to be reimbursed. And yet, without the police report and accurate record keeping, the process would have been worse.

--Jon Linkov

Personal pick: An SUV with direction

While my colleagues have discussed the merits of two- and three-row SUVs in their Personal Picks, I want focus this month on a pet peeve of mine that came up while driving models from the August test group. The nit I will pick here is with built-in GPS systems that can't be used when driving.

One day in June, Associate Editor Jim Travers picked me up at my house and we spent the day at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center driving the full-size pickups we're now writing up. During our drive across Connecticut in the Lexus RX350, we encountered a mysterious traffic jam. There was no warning on the radio. It was just five or so miles of unreported, slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic.

I figured we'd just call up the destination on the integrated navigation system and find a route around the mess. Unfortunately, Lexus had other ideas.

In order to minimize driver distraction (and possibly to avoid lawsuits), addresses can't be entered or modified in the Lexus GPS systems if the vehicle is moving. (Admittedly, this is also true of many integrated systems.) So, in the slow creep of a traffic jam, as the passenger, I couldn't use the GPS. Our choices were to get off the road and stop, pull off to the shoulder, or stay stuck in traffic.

The first choice, getting off of the road at a random exit, defeats the purpose of GPS. You use GPS to KNOW where to go, not guess. Sure, the system could re-route you, but the exit could also put you on a road heading in the wrong direction, without an accompanying on-ramp to return to the highway. Pulling off was unappealing, with the narrow shoulder and clogged, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

So, we stayed in the traffic jam for a few miles, until we reached a familiar exit. Pulling off, we stopped at a traffic light long enough for me to call up our destination.

Jim and I both vented at the system for dictating to us what could be done during this situation. Another staffer ran in to the same scenario recently while on family vacation. In this case, the family was driving down the highway at speed when finding a lunch stop became a priority, yet the front passenger couldn’t use the point of interest feature to find a nearby restaurant.

These navigation systems are too expensive to be this frustrating. We both believe it would be better if the built-in navi would link to the occupant classification system in the front passenger seat. If the front seat is occupied by an adult, it should allow him/her to input route and destination changes.

And, if you must know, my personal pick for a mid-sized SUV is actually a sporty wagon such as the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series, or a Subaru Legacy GT.

--Jon Linkov

Tire maintenance tips

Federal officials have ordered the recall of 450,000 tires imported from China.  These lack a safety feature that prevents the tire tread from separating. While Consumer Reports has not tested this brand of tires, it's important to follow the basics of proactive maintenance and inspection, particularly with summer just starting. Heat is the enemy of any tire, and with summer heat combined with high levels of summer travel, we recommend that consumers do the following:

• Inspect your tires. Replace any worn out tire as well as any tire with a bulge, crack, or cut. We'd even suggest replacing all four if they're nearly worn out. This keeps the best tread on all four corners of your car instead of only one. Check the wear across the tire's tread and determine if it is wearing evenly or wearing more on one side than the other. Uneven wear could be a telltale sign of wheel misalignment, suspension damage, or wrong inflation pressure. Have the vehicle serviced.
• Check the inflation pressure. It is important to do this routinely, preferably monthly. The correct inflation pressure is on a tire information placard found on the driver's door jamb. Adjust the inflation pressure when the tires are cold or when the car has been parked for three or more hours. 
• Watch the load capacity. Adhere to the vehicle load capacity recommended on the tire information placard. Too high a load and/or low pressure will overstress a tire and could lead to failure.
• Check your steering. Should you experience a vibration or steering pull, stop and inspect the tires, and replace a tire with the spare if needed. If you can not determined a tire abnormality, then either drive or have the car towed to a service center immediately. Always avoid highway speed travel on the way to the service center.

When it comes to your tires, consult our performance ratings on the tire that best suits your needs. Also, see our complete Ratings and recommendations on all of the tires that we've tested. For more in-depth information see our reports on the early signs of tire failure and tire maintenance. 

--Jon Linkov