Worst motoring magazine articles
Discussion
s m said:
Justin Case said:
Every single article in What Car. It must be the only motoring magazine ever published aimed at people who have absolutely no interest in cars.
If you look at the ones from the 80s/90s the group tests were pretty good
ks. See July EVO, page 037, bottom of column 1. No idea where this 'fact' originates from.EVO seem to be particularly bad at doing massive U-turns E.g., M135i was raved about as a landmark car in 2012, got through to the final of ECOTY 2012, and came a close second to the Megane RS265 in a hot hatch group test. Cut to 2014 and Richard Meaden states "it's as if this is BMW's 1st attempt at a rear drive car" and it comes behind the Cupra 280, Megane RS265 and Golf R.
aka_kerrly said:
Top Gear to, they used to do proper group tests of a half a dozen or more cars with huge amounts of data and pictures of the vehicles involved.
Beat me to it ! I was surprised TG had not been mentioned sooner. To be fair, it would be easier to focus on the best article (or 'least worst ?) every month. The choice is not that vast 
daveknott5 said:
EVO seem to be particularly bad at doing massive U-turns E.g., M135i was raved about as a landmark car in 2012, got through to the final of ECOTY 2012, and came a close second to the Megane RS265 in a hot hatch group test. Cut to 2014 and Richard Meaden states "it's as if this is BMW's 1st attempt at a rear drive car" and it comes behind the Cupra 280, Megane RS265 and Golf R.
To be fair to Evo that's probably two different journalist's views, and isn't a new thing. I was flicking through a copy of Car from 1992 and there was a letter in it making the same point regarding Roger Green's negative review of the Ala 75, a review that was at odds with their own GBU.EVO seem to be particularly bad at doing massive U-turns E.g., M135i was raved about as a landmark car in 2012, got through to the final of ECOTY 2012, and came a close second to the Megane RS265 in a hot hatch group test. Cut to 2014 and Richard Meaden states "it's as if this is BMW's 1st attempt at a rear drive car" and it comes behind the Cupra 280, Megane RS265 and Golf R.
Steve7777 said:
Escort3500 said:
Pointless articles on overpriced watches in 'upmarket' car mags 
Those articles are so obviously just there so the writers can get free watches.daveknott5 said:
EVO seem to be particularly bad at doing massive U-turns E.g., M135i was raved about as a landmark car in 2012, got through to the final of ECOTY 2012, and came a close second to the Megane RS265 in a hot hatch group test. Cut to 2014 and Richard Meaden states "it's as if this is BMW's 1st attempt at a rear drive car" and it comes behind the Cupra 280, Megane RS265 and Golf R.
I've seen this feature moaned about before. They didn't say that the M135i was a bad car. I guess the competition has just moved on (as you would expect).Alfa numeric said:
To be fair to Evo that's probably two different journalist's views, and isn't a new thing. I was flicking through a copy of Car from 1992 and there was a letter in it making the same point regarding Roger Green's negative review of the Ala 75, a review that was at odds with their own GBU.
True, - this was the opinion of Meaden vs prior opinions from (Catchpole/Duff) - but the individual journo represents the magazine as a whole. 2 different opinions from the same magazine smacks of a lack of integrity/consistency. Especially when Meaden was part of ECOTY judging and called the M135i "quick, fun, really really good car" at the time..... St John Smythe said:
I've seen this feature moaned about before. They didn't say that the M135i was a bad car. I guess the competition has just moved on (as you would expect).
This may be true - I just find it hard to believe that 2 FWD cars and 1 Haldex 4WD car can be more fun than a 6 cylinder rear drive car. By their nature, FWD & 4WD cars tend towards understeer at the limit, and cornering attitude can't generally be dictated so much by the throttle. Throttle adjustability and the noise and performance of the 6 cylinder engine seem to be key differentiators for the M135i.Hey ho.
daveknott5 said:
2 different opinions from the same magazine smacks of a lack of integrity/consistency.
Don't read EVOs analogue supercar test then, half of them really didn't see the fuss about the f40, the others adored it.Not that I think that's a bad thing, the f40 is as much a legend as a car now, so its bound to be underwhelming to some given the hype.
Strawman said:
Steve7777 said:
Escort3500 said:
Pointless articles on overpriced watches in 'upmarket' car mags
Those articles are so obviously just there so the writers can get free watches.Barchettaman said:
silverfoxcc said:
The worst motoring magazine article has not yet been written
however i can give you a good indication
It will be written by Pippa Middleton
Having seen some of her 'expert' advice in the cooking area, its just a matter of time before some sycophantic, arselicking neophyte will suggest it to her.
Then watch out for some gems
That´s quality right there.however i can give you a good indication
It will be written by Pippa Middleton
Having seen some of her 'expert' advice in the cooking area, its just a matter of time before some sycophantic, arselicking neophyte will suggest it to her.
Then watch out for some gems
Evo magazine and Octane are fine as a purchase if you have subscribed to them once.
Then they call you up after you end the subscription and ask if you want to trial 3 editions for a pound.
Cancel after delivery one, still get the next two, and you float up in the system in 2 months time for them to offer you the deal again.
tada, so far three years in I get subscription copies at the above price.
Last one was 5 editions for a fiver, and I was getting bored of the magazine by the laFerrari copy, but then other morning eating breakfast I realised the sub had lapsed again, and lo phone call later that week offering the deal again.
Dennis are great
Then they call you up after you end the subscription and ask if you want to trial 3 editions for a pound.
Cancel after delivery one, still get the next two, and you float up in the system in 2 months time for them to offer you the deal again.
tada, so far three years in I get subscription copies at the above price.
Last one was 5 editions for a fiver, and I was getting bored of the magazine by the laFerrari copy, but then other morning eating breakfast I realised the sub had lapsed again, and lo phone call later that week offering the deal again.
Dennis are great
cologne2792 said:
It would also be an Auto Express article from the time of the newfangled unleaded petrol. An article written with the accent on the glaringly obvious that yielded little previously unknown to the readership and then came the clincher; The guide to determine if your car was unleaded ready:
' If it can run on unleaded there will be a specific code stamped on the inlet manifold '
All good so far but then they lose the audience by stating:
' If you don't have the correct code on the inlet manifold then the vehicle can be safely run on unleaded by swapping the inlet manifold for one that does '
Priceless!!!' If it can run on unleaded there will be a specific code stamped on the inlet manifold '
All good so far but then they lose the audience by stating:
' If you don't have the correct code on the inlet manifold then the vehicle can be safely run on unleaded by swapping the inlet manifold for one that does '
This reminds me of the time when Autocar was 'relaunched' many moons ago and they made a big song and dance about how they would never use photoshops, etc. as their AutoExpress rival was keen to do at the time.
I forget how long this great new rule lasted but it wasn't very long - I suspect long enough for the first sales figures to come in - and now they are just as bad as the rest.
I forget how long this great new rule lasted but it wasn't very long - I suspect long enough for the first sales figures to come in - and now they are just as bad as the rest.
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