The Perfect Formula? Consumer Reports Ranks BMW M235i Over Porsche 911 And Chevrolet Corvette!

People who look to Consumer Reports for guidance on cars get what they pay for.

You mean as opposed to less than what they pay for? Consumer Reports is typically considerably less "gut feel" than other publications. Naturally people should look to a combination of sources for "guidance on cars" because each will have some sort of bias in it and looking across multiple sources is the best way to smooth out that bias. But your sweeping assertion is just silly. If any publication makes an effort to reduce bias it's Consumer Reports. They're far from perfect, but the alternatives, if you're going with any single one, are still worse.

Lawdy lawdy!! We found a true believer! I shall assume you work for them given your need to defend their sainthood. If a person believes CR is an authority on cars, they are also appeasers of their socialist government and worship the religion of global warming.

Poe's Law alert. Can't tell if sarcastic or crazy. Religion of global warming? Does it have tax-exempt status?

I subscribe to them and have no issue with C/R. They are not funded by any special automotive group. They test products for safety issues, recalls and on various products including cars. If the vehicle doesn't meet safety or fuel mileage standards as stated by the automaker, they'll call you out for it. I don't think they're perfect, but they do a fine job.

Consumer Reports caters to the morons that cannot make educated decisions by themselves in this country. Same morons that lost their homes because they didn't understand what an interest only mortgage was, morons that state "None of the BMW motors my uncle had were reliable" because he is probably living at home and cannot afford a BMW, the same morons that are so biased for a car brand that cannot think outside the box.

I find it hilarious that people believe that because they do not take ads that they are unbiased. That's as logical a statement as "Because Rolls Royce doesn't build front drive econoboxes that the Pope is from Mars." ALL magazines have an editorial bias.

And yes, if you are buying an appliance (ie. CAMRY) then trust CR.

Remember the KEY word in "Consumer Reports" is CONSUMER. This is not Sports Car Reports. Since they serve the consumer, that means CR serves people who buy cars like the were buying appliances and cookware. HOWEVER, the CR car testing team appear to be actual car enthusiasts. If you listen to their podcasts, it's nothing like how the CR publications are written and reflect the sort of comments we see here. I'm not a big fan of the publication (dummied down for the average 'consumer') but I am a big fan of their C/R Car Podcasts now - solid reviews and comments from the point of view of the "consumer who loves to drive".

I admit I do look to Consumer Reports for guidance on cars to get what I pay for. No one else provides a more complete analysis and breath of vehicles.

cant wait for the M2 !

I just listened to this C/R podcast (911 vs. Corvette) and at the end, the hosts were asked which cars they would choose. The hosts who enjoyed all around balance, day-to-day livability and control at the edges chose the Corvette, the one host who wanted his car to be raw and harder edged chose the Corvette. However, the moderator didn't want either because they were both built to be the highest performing cars for use on track conditions - he would rather have a sports car he can drive everyday without having to go to the track - he selected the M235i. But again, his point was that he would never choose these sort of cars purpose built to hit the best times on the 'Ring.

The podcast is worth listening to, because they do not sound like what you expect CR staffers to sound like - these guys are gearheads and the sort of "sport" driving enthusiasts you'd find here and on Jalop. Seriously, they know how to drift their cars and drive it like they stole it. Newfound respect for CR based on that podcast alone.