AutoBlog Writer 'PANS' The BMW X6?

As you know, we get invited to a lot of manufacturer trips to get you the early line on upcoming vehicles.

After all, when you're spending the kind of dough these guys are asking, you'd better do your research.

But who do you trust when you read these reviews?

We all the know the big mags are paid off, so you need to take their stuff with a grain of salt and when you read the average blog, you wonder if it's some kid living under the stairs, who even has a license.

We always review from the perspective that we have actually OWNED these caliber of vehicles and we have actually spent our hard earned money on them.

Yes, we get review cars, but we are REAL consumers...not wannabe's.

That said, it doesn't mean we're always right because when things are a matter of taste, you know how the saying goes.... 'Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one.'

So when you read our review on the new BMW X6, you can tell we're big fans and believe the new look will be a hit with the customers that BMW normally attracts and will conquest many potential Range Rover Sport, Cayenne, ML and Infiniti customers.

How can it go wrong with that sexy body and gripper like handling? Is it the Mercedes CLS of SUV's?

In other words, it's the next HOT thing at premium dealerships and it will be lusted after, in as much as one can in a world of $4.00 per gallon gas.

But it looks like our friends over at AutoBlog and many of the writers at other competitive sites are seeing this differently.

Sam from AutoBlog says he is not impressed with the X6 and in fact goes as far to say- "BMW is declining to say how many they hope to sell. They did indicate that exports will should account for about half of production, with Europe, the Middle East and Russia as the primary markets. Lou Ann and I agreed that BMW should help the U.S. trade deficit and export them all."

So is he saying he hopes that BMW ships them all far, far away because he dislikes it?

Or am I reading this wrong?

Elighten me AutoSpies.com faithful....Is it going to be the next thing or flop like Dominik Hasek.

It will be interesting what all these writers say when EVERY SINGLE ONE in the forecast sells.

Cause this is the sexiest Bangle butt yet.


 

bmwfan1513 - 4/12/2008 10:43:46 PM

+1 Boost

The X6 rocks!!!!

SixxFive - 4/12/2008 11:41:35 PM

+2 Boost

I enthusiastically agree with 001: the X6 will be yet another smash hit for BMW.

Matthew1 - 4/13/2008 12:03:29 AM

+13 Boost

This has always bothered me about American-based blogs and sites (autospies included):

Why does the bottom line on a car always rest at how many it'll sell? (predicted or otherwise).

Is this what enthusiasts and conscientious consumers care about? How many people are going to buy them?

Surely if you (the consumer) is smitten with the car, purchase it!

Yes it can be interesting in hindsight, after a car has been on the market for a while to see how well it fares with buyers, but BEFORE?

Please...

sholemon - 4/13/2008 12:11:18 AM

+9 Boost

Someone doesnt like a BMW?! WOW we definitely need to have an article about how wrong he is. (sarcasm)

Yonder7 - 4/13/2008 12:55:12 AM

+9 Boost

May be I am wrong but this car is a waste of time an money, is ugly and looks like an AMC Eagle:
http://www.edmunds.com/media/news/column/letterstotheediors/02.dec/83.amc.eagle.500.jpg

or ;

http://www.dodgeforum.com/models/avenger/images/Dodge-Avenger.jpg

I can´t belive BMW is spending money on that thing.

Let pass the time and we will see.

simmonsdp - 4/13/2008 4:20:44 AM

+14 Boost

I thought we talked enough about the X6 last week.....

Bored - 4/13/2008 5:04:42 AM

+4 Boost

I'm going to take the high road on this one and wait until I see one in the flesh.
The photos all look like a modernized Pontiac Aztek. I don't think I need to explain what was wrong with the Aztek (even though I like the fact that at least GM tried to think outside the box in the '90's). Obviously, this ain't no Pontiac, especially one from the mid '90's. In other words, this is by far 1,000 times better on all fronts!
Will this work? Maybe. It has a fighting chances on 2 points:
1) It's a BMW, so it's a premium worth paying for some.
2) It's not something that is as forgettable and cheap as the Pontiac Aztek.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/13/2008 12:47:46 PM

+7 Boost

Actually...

Design: BMW
Reliability: Lexus
Performance: BMW
Handling: BMW
Fuel economy: Lexus
Green "rating:" Lexus
Build quality: BMW
Interior: BMW
Comfort: BMW
Value: Lexus
Luxury appeal: BMW
Interior space: Lexus
Transmission: BMW
Luggage space: Toss-up (Lexus has a pretty small trunk)
High-speed stability: Obviously BMW.

This is coming from someone who used to own an RX330 and now has an X5. The X5 and X6 have identical interiors aside from the rear seat/trunk space.

Dr550 - 4/13/2008 1:52:23 PM

+2 Boost

Enough about that Camry on stilts. Read in Car magazine about upcoming X1 and X7 SAV's. This is going to become a very busy website.

Bored - 4/13/2008 11:18:25 PM

+2 Boost

@ Go0bama,

You are so completely incompetent that I'm asking, no, begging you to not vote. You're bound to screw that up, too.

MunichRob - 4/13/2008 6:06:23 AM

+5 Boost

When you see it in person the Aztek may very well be one of the last cars you think about as it's really sleek in person. I definitely was pleasantly surprised when I saw it at the autoshow & preferred it to the X5.

MunichRob - 4/13/2008 6:13:55 AM

+3 Boost

BTW I definitely think this is going to be a success, it's too unique to fail.

I remember when the CLS was coming out & people thought it looked like a banana with over-styled headlights, now it's considered one of the best looking cars on the road by many & one of the most influential.

M53R - 4/13/2008 7:23:34 AM

+4 Boost

Well, I for one, am gonna buy one when I finish all my X5 payments. I love the styling (saw one today, and also in the Dubai Auto Show). It looks way to sleek for anything else! The engine is a masterpiece. I havent driven it yet, but a 4.4l tt V8 sounds too good to be real! Just look at how much praising the tt I6 got, and consider how much more torque and power this new V8 has. Dash layout looks like my X5, which is brilliant. Options seem great. I love this car!

farabira1 - 4/13/2008 10:48:33 AM

+9 Boost

Agent 001 is conditioning the mind of the readers to accept the X6 as a success story. He is going on indefinitely about his unconditional support for the X6 and by continuing to publish countless articles about BMW and it's latest model, he is increasing the brand awareness and because of it's increased publication and circulation, the names X6 and 1 series become a very common knowledge and people start to accept the car as a success, because they think that since they have heard so many times about the car, then it must be doing well.

And most people are buying into it. In the beginning people were expressing their mind, and many were objecting to the design(even ppl who had seen the car). But now because of vast circulation of such articles by 001, ppl are thinking that X6 is well accepted among their peers, and so to be in conjunction with their peers, those who objected are not even voicing their opinion. Peer pressure folks.

For me, i don't like the design because the design as a whole just does not look to make a natural looking form, almost gives the impression that different parts of the car was designed in isolation then was put together as a design of one single car.

The design is just un natural, that is why it is not pleasing to my eyes.

Hachee2001 - 4/13/2008 1:35:28 PM

+4 Boost

Farabira, I think you are assuming that Autospies and "Agent 001" (quotation marks are intentional), has far greater reach and influence than it/they really do. I agree that there's some odd bias here, but this is a blog - subjective opinion is what it's about, which is what makes it interesting. So let 'em keep lovin' the X6 - I don't think a large swath of the public is going to be reading this.

farabira1 - 4/13/2008 10:39:59 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah actually i was only referring to Autospies bloggers, not general public.

MunichRob - 4/14/2008 5:33:42 AM

+3 Boost

I may disagree with your points on the X6 "farabira1" but that was really well said. I also notice more of a sudden following for this car on this site since 001 started expressing his love for it. Mind you I changed my mind on how I felt about the design after I saw it in person & really liked it.

Larry - 4/13/2008 1:32:05 PM

-1 Boost

The X6 design is amazing, I hope the other new concept that BMW releases looks just like a this, reminds me of a porsche 928.

EL34 - 4/13/2008 1:34:06 PM

0 Boost

Right on Larry ;-)

simmonsdp - 4/13/2008 2:55:01 PM

+1 Boost

Larry, are you that cable guy?? yeah the BMW X6 that looks and reminds you of the 928,,, A-OK....

NItePhire - 4/13/2008 1:37:33 PM

+4 Boost

I have always made it known that I have a fondness for the prior generations of BMW styling, however having said that, when I came across the 02 7 series I knew that it was BMW's future and that it would probably sell well due to its unique styling. It still drove like a BMW it just didn't look like one anymore. I unfortunately just don't get that vibe when I see the X6. I had to pleasure of seeing one at the NAIAS in January and I just don't like the styling. My wife thought it was cute, but I just couldn't get into it at all. Yes it will and does have a world class power train along with world class ride and handling. Hopefully for BMW's sake unique those givens will be enough.

NItePhire - 4/13/2008 1:39:17 PM

+2 Boost

"unique styling and those givens will be enough"

09CTSVforMe - 4/13/2008 3:14:07 PM

-2 Boost

The AzteX6 will probably sell out the entire production run to fanbois who think anything with a blue & white propeller is automotive godliness, while the rest of the world will continue to progress in design and improvements and BMW continues to think they are unassailable.

M1k3 - 4/13/2008 10:56:30 PM

+2 Boost

Would have bought it, but the fact that it has no fifth seat kinda kills it. Why did BMW put a little slope in the middle of the back bench, kinda a waste of space. Great overall design. Love the car, great job BMW.

993Turbo - 4/14/2008 6:36:34 AM

+1 Boost

I talked to two BMW owners over the weekend (X5 and 5 series) and they told me their cars are electrical nightmares and not to buy a BMW. One guy's car shut down and stranded his wife in a bad area!

JRobUSC - 4/14/2008 1:25:31 PM

0 Boost

this coming from someone whose handle is a Porsche. Great car, sure, but let's not get into the reliability argument Mr. Iliveinaglasshouse.

blacktip007 - 4/14/2008 8:37:41 AM

+1 Boost

No area is a good area. Unless its at the dealer.

answer - 4/14/2008 10:53:20 AM

+1 Boost

"We all the know the big mags are paid off."

Um, no we don't. Please provide proof.

And do we really need another "news post" proclaiming how autospies.com knows more than everyone else?

I'll always put more trust in magazines with several decades of experience (and..gasp..heritage) before this website and its transparently biased staff.

Look 001. We're all glad you had such a good time at the X6 press roll-out. And we're sure you want to go to future BMW events. But how about writing BMW a nice thank you email instead of a series of silly "news" stories about how truly great the X6 is.

Agent001 - 4/14/2008 3:01:32 PM

0 Boost

Find ONE scathing review in the mags where a major ad campaign is happening or has recently happened.

Not gonna find it.

Their coverage angles are planned well in advance and they know if someone has made a big ad commitment.

001

Agent001 - 4/14/2008 3:03:03 PM

0 Boost

Plus if they're good to the manufacturer, the manufacturer will comp them exclusive on certain cars before others, so they have to play into their hands.

001

speedmaster - 4/14/2008 2:32:55 PM

0 Boost

This truck will fail for one reason and one reason alone. I can't fit my baby's $1200 Bugaboo stroller in it. There, you have it. Soccer moms, and new thirty something chic mommys will not buy this SUV unless you can fit an Orbit, Bugaboo, or Peg Pregro stroller in it.

Sorry.

adambravo - 4/14/2008 3:16:28 PM

+2 Boost

Didja hurt yourself patting yourself on the back?

So the Autospies folks are 'real consumers' and Autoblog writers are 'wannabes'?

Your apparent sample size of one--whereby none of the major magazines who are carrying X6 ads hate it--is pointless. Plenty of cars debut--with big ad campaigns--that are less-than-enthusiastically received (<cough> Focus <cough>).

Nice work with the selective reading comprehension, by the way--conveniently noting that Autoblog admitted it may not be their cup of tea, but some people might like it (and the news isn't "all bad"). Not a rave, but hardly a 'pan'.

And, since you seem to be supporting the allegedly-paid-off big buff books, one would argue that you--unlike Autoblog, Jalopnik, et al--are the ones getting paid under the table.

Finally, considering the level of detail and analysis in the Autoblog writeup, I'd consider their review to be far more professional than one littered with 'OMG', ALL CAPS, and exclamation points.

And, no, I don't work for Autoblog--just a fan. In the future, I'd prefer you spend more time on news and less time ineffectively criticizing your competition.

gooch - 4/14/2008 4:05:55 PM

+1 Boost

That photo of the X6's rear reminds me of the 6-Series' rear. Interesting.
The car will sell -- it's a Bimmer. It has a unique look and people will love the drivetrains, once they take a test drive.