Comparison Report: BMW 135i vs Chevy Aveo

[atr_hugo]

So I'm the fool that Hertz decided to schluff the Chevy Aveo off on and I thought, "Hey, there's a legit comparison to the 1er." So without further ado, here goes nothing:

Exterior

The 135i Coupe spent some time in gestation at the fabled BMW design studios. The brightest available worked to transform what many consider an ungainly hatch into a stunning coupe. The long hood and stubby trunk, flowing C-pillar and signature Hofmeister kink accent the design as do the BMW twin-kidney grilles. An almost nautical motif can be see in the shoulder-line that runs from the front through the rear deck. In addtion, the black chrome dual tip exhaust is just one piece of jewelry to be found on the 135i.

The Aveo has four doors, a trunk, what appears to be an engine bay, and a spoiler. The spoiler's KEWL. But I couldn't see the exhaust pipe (and getting my trousers dirty to crawl under the dam thing to check is outta the question).

Interior

The 135i is pieced together with soft touch plastics and leather. While appearing spartan (Germanic?), it offers elegant refinement that is rarely seen in a car this size.

The Aveo has an interior. Oh but they have cloth seats (and it ain't an option either).

Engine

The 135i sports the much praised N54 twin-turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine. A 183 cubic inch powerhouse, the N54 propels the 135i from naught to sixty in under five seconds.

The Aveo has something under it's hood. It shakes a lot at idle. It'll do naught to sixty in less time than it takes the big hand on the watch to go around once. (Hey sixty in less than sixty - kinda catchy.)

Handling

The 135i is impressive in it's ability to stick and yet return a comfortable ride. A well tuned spring/damper set is very sutiable for relaxed grand touring as well as occasional track duty. Options exist for the enthusiast to upgrade the suspension to meet their individual needs.

The Aveo is equally impressive in it's inability to stick and yet return an uncomfortable ride.

Steering Feel

While this is a subject of much debate on such 135i sites as this one; the 135i does return decent steering feel given the nature of its run-flat tires.

The Aveo has a direct connection between the steering wheel and that thing that shakes under the hood. Idling at a stoplight the steering column shakes more than my Lawnboy push mower running a bit shy on oil.

Pros/Cons

The 135i offers the enthusiast a powerful, comfortable, grand touring experience for two (and in a pinch four). It's supurb styling, drivetrain, and interior appointments are beyond entry-level luxury. That said, some consider the rear seats unusable and the price of entry into the BMW brand family is higher than some had hoped.

The Aveo has four tires and it does get up to speed, eventually. Oh and did I mention it's cheap? (pro) And did I mention it's cheap? (con).

Conclusion

In summary, for the last few years I truly believed that terrible cars were no longer being built. The Aveo may puncture that myth. ; -)

[oneaabe]

very well written !

[imported_Katera]

^^^

ROFL! That was good for a laugh.

[topvega]

Very nice review... I was considering trading in my 135 for an Aveo and spending the difference on booze and hookers but now I will hold off on that....

[OzF16]

Originally Posted by topvega

Very nice review... I was considering trading in my 135 for an Aveo and spending the difference on booze and hookers but now I will hold off on that....

I spend 80% of my money on booze and hookers. The rest I squander.

[atr_hugo]

^ ROTFLMAO!!!

[plien69]

Congratulations! You are now qualified to write for The Truth About Cars! Please consider making the Aveo the winner of your comparison just to "spice things up a bit."

Yours,
Editor, TTAC

[Duckw]

Reading between the lines, Hugo, I sense you weren't all that keen on the Aveo. I have to rent a car in Charleston, SC, later this week. If they offer me an Aveo, I'll turn it down at once. The last Ford Focus I rented, while it certainly isn't a substitute for the 135, was at least tolerable. I'm way too cheap to rent a Jag just to look cool at a wedding.

[DeathfromAbove]

I had a four door Aveo hatch as a rental car a couple months back. Piece of trash.

[atr_hugo]

The Focus beats the Aveo hands down. Funny thing is I'd driven an Aveo before and didn't feel it was that bad - but it was brand new. The rental I have has 17K on it and it is the proverbial POS.

[ruffstik]

that was a good read! lol

[professor]

funny!

[runNgun]

Thank you for the review and laughs Hugo!

And topvega and OzF16's comments made me laugh out loud! :biggrin:

[rcracer_tx]

this makes me want to go buy an Aveo...NOT

[hitthemark41]

well played sir!

[The Chad]

Don't knock the Aveo. I mean, just take this for example.

The Chevy Aveo is faster at 75mph than the 135i is at 60mph. :-D

[HardTech]

I wouldn’t knock the little Aveo, he gets a good laugh at the pump ya know it. They have been know to get 56 mpg on the highway.

Now how you people end up with Aveo's at a car rental place I will never know, you must be short or something. About the smallest car I have been in from a rental was a Jag type X. Normally end up in a Olds-mobile or a Buick. I’ve told them to quit giving me SUV's and HD trucks :/

I would take an Aveo, it may prolong my life longer than my current 330. Because my current car is going to kill me trying to keep it clean and taking care of it (if it squeaks or rattles it gets taken care of in 24 hours or less. All maintenance schedules are done regardless of where it falls, even if that’s a 3am oil change). My neighbors think I have OCD now

[DeathfromAbove]

Originally Posted by HardTech;169977
[COLOR=black

Now how you people end up with Aveo's at a car rental place I will never know, you must be short or something. About the smallest car I have been in from a rental was a Jag type X. Normally end up in a Olds-mobile or a Buick. I’ve told them to quit giving me SUV's and HD trucks :/[/COLOR]

It's called a corporate travel agency. And I don't know how you're getting HD trucks and Oldsmobiles as rentals, considering the last new Oldsmobile was built in 2003.

I've got Gold status with Hertz which means I usually get upgraded for free anyway but, sometimes, you get an Aveo or similar.

[ChrisK]

That's it... i'm selling the 1er

[ptack]

Oh great, now you're gonna start a flame war with all of the Aveo enthusiasts - well as soon as he gets a computer.

[OrientBlauZHP]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

So I'm the fool that Hertz decided to schluff the Chevy Aveo off on and I thought, "Hey, there's a legit comparison to the 1er." So without further ado, here goes nothing:

Exterior

The 135i Coupe spent some time in gestation at the fabled BMW design studios. The brightest available worked to transform what many consider an ungainly hatch into a stunning coupe. The long hood and stubby trunk, flowing C-pillar and signature Hofmeister kink accent the design as do the BMW twin-kidney grilles. An almost nautical motif can be see in the shoulder-line that runs from the front through the rear deck. In addtion, the black chrome dual tip exhaust is just one piece of jewelry to be found on the 135i.

The Aveo has four doors, a trunk, what appears to be an engine bay, and a spoiler. The spoiler's KEWL. But I couldn't see the exhaust pipe (and getting my trousers dirty to crawl under the dam thing to check is outta the question).

Interior

The 135i is pieced together with soft touch plastics and leather. While appearing spartan (Germanic?), it offers elegant refinement that is rarely seen in a car this size.

The Aveo has an interior. Oh but they have cloth seats (and it ain't an option either).

Engine

The 135i sports the much praised N54 twin-turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine. A 183 cubic inch powerhouse, the N54 propels the 135i from naught to sixty in under five seconds.

The Aveo has something under it's hood. It shakes a lot at idle. It'll do naught to sixty in less time than it takes the big hand on the watch to go around once. (Hey sixty in less than sixty - kinda catchy.)

Handling

The 135i is impressive in it's ability to stick and yet return a comfortable ride. A well tuned spring/damper set is very sutiable for relaxed grand touring as well as occasional track duty. Options exist for the enthusiast to upgrade the suspension to meet their individual needs.

The Aveo is equally impressive in it's inability to stick and yet return an uncomfortable ride.

Steering Feel

While this is a subject of much debate on such 135i sites as this one; the 135i does return decent steering feel given the nature of its run-flat tires.

The Aveo has a direct connection between the steering wheel and that thing that shakes under the hood. Idling at a stoplight the steering column shakes more than my Lawnboy push mower running a bit shy on oil.

Pros/Cons

The 135i offers the enthusiast a powerful, comfortable, grand touring experience for two (and in a pinch four). It's supurb styling, drivetrain, and interior appointments are beyond entry-level luxury. That said, some consider the rear seats unusable and the price of entry into the BMW brand family is higher than some had hoped.

The Aveo has four tires and it does get up to speed, eventually. Oh and did I mention it's cheap? (pro) And did I mention it's cheap? (con).

Conclusion

In summary, for the last few years I truly believed that terrible cars were no longer being built. The Aveo may puncture that myth. ; -)

[Genericuser1]

Originally Posted by plien69

Congratulations! You are now qualified to write for The Truth About Cars! Please consider making the Aveo the winner of your comparison just to "spice things up a bit."

Yours,
Editor, TTAC

Its soo funny because its so true.