A must read: Edmunds.com responds to last week's 745 article
Our users speak out as well
So after our article on Edmunds.com ran last week, we got an email objecting to our article from their CFO, Kenneth Levin
Here’s a tidbit from the email we received from him:
"We take no issue with the fact that you disagree with our article. However, Edmunds.com has no business relationship with BMW, has never run any advertising for BMW vehicles, and receives no money from that company. Your assertions to that effect are false and without any factual foundation."
Here are the links he provided to us to show they have been objective regarding the 7-series:
Here are links to just a few articles that disclosed problems with the 2002 BMW 745i.
Road test July 3, 2002 “However, we encountered multiple "glitches" with the system that could not be explained by anyone at BMW.” http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/66142/article.html
Introduction, May 2002 “Our initial test drive proved more troubling than exhilarating…” http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/article.html
June 2002 “After 10 minutes, and numerous tries, they stumbled into the correct method…”
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page001.html
July 2002 “Unfortunately, on our car, we haven't been able to activate the voice prompts.” “…we were told, "Sorry, no help on the weekends, the certified computer technician is only in on weekdays." http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page002.html
August 2002 “Our satisfaction quickly evaporated when we attempted to make a telephone call and got no response from the voice-activated telematics system.” http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page003.html
We appreciate Ken being a ‘stand up’ guy regarding our article and bringing this to our attention.
We had not seen the other articles he provided before we did the story.
That said, we still believe Edmunds.com takes the ‘politically correct’ route more often than not and most of our users seem to agree.
Users also told us they have seen BMW banner advertisements in Edmunds.com from time to time…
Here’s the feedback from our users and their opinions regarding this issue…
Subject: Edmunds.Com is Trash
Edmunds is the biggest joke on the internet. They are being paid by BMW to say good things about their cars. Their are hurting for money and their President, Peter Steinlauf is in bed with Bimmer. They have 2 BMW's in their long-term test fleet and this is the second time that they have tested the BMW 3-Series.
In almost every single review that they do, no matter SUV, pick-up, minivan, car, they always compare it to the 3-Series. They are a bunch of California bums who own and drive cheap cars. Every time they get into a Bimmer, it strokes their ego's.
Just recently the Infiniti G35 landed on Car and Drivers 10-Best list, was Motor Trends Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine comparo winner, Road & Track comparo winner, and has won so many reviews beating the 3-Series, but Edmunds still writes garbage about it. How pathetic can a website be?
Thanks for writing the truth about those scum-bags.
Dan Foster
Los Angeles, CA.
Hello,
i'm just writing to come to the defense of Edmunds.com editors. first of all, let me say that i am a regular reader of both of your websites and respect both points of view...especially when i compare your viewpoints to print magazines like R&T and C&D. autospies is definitely always the first to get the scoops, though - thanks for that!
the edmunds article you linked to on this week's newsletter is actually just a part of a series of articles...a monthly update in a long-term road test. i have included several links to some of the past updates in this series. as you can see, they have, in fact, had several electrical problems with the 7.
problem w/ voice prompt: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page002.html
"several" problems: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page003.html
explains the resolution of some of the problems: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/62788/page004.html
i've never driven a new 7-series, so i'm not qualified to have an educated opinion on the car. i like the styling except for the trunk. the presence of the car, however, cannot be denied. especially with the optional 19-inchers. i also like the z4 alright; not any less than the z3 anyway.
i thought i'd write and advise you about your article before you alienate one of the (other) few unbiased automotive journals. true, edmunds has always favored BMWs - but who doesn't? and just to reinforce that they can be fair - a 330 actually lost to an acura TL in a comparison test: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/46528/page017.html
Regards,
Nick Garcia
Subject: Edmunds Being Paid-Off
Edmunds.com is losing money and they are being paid off by BMW. Why else would they have two Bimmers in their long-term test fleet? This is the second time that they have tested the BMW 3-Series.
Edmunds even admits that they have a bias towards BMW. Everything they write is pure trash. It is nice to see Auto Spies seeking the truth.
Cole
NY, NY
On a side note, one user points out:
Have you noticed that 'Autoweek' magazine keeps putting off their review of the 745's? They have had it in their list of cars they are requesting owners comments and many cars that were listed after the 745's have been in the magazine but they keep skipping over the 745's!!!!
Your newsletter is OTT--very good information.
Thanks,
Stephen McAuliff
If you would like to express your opinion on this send us an email to rumors@autospies.com
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