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I just finished reading your BMW 135i Four Seasons Review in your July edition.  I was stunned that you gave it a generous 4-star review rating.  I will concede that it has a very good engine and transmission, however, the engine/transmission cannot overcome a shocking as tested price ($39,125)for a very SMALL car, the POOR performance of the suspension over bumpy roads, the loss of 30% of the car's value in ONE year, the replacement of a fuel pump at 5600 miles, and the replacement of the OEM run flats for an eye opening $1,000 after just 17,000 miles!

Yes, I have owned 2 BMW's - a 2001 and a 2005 X5.  I will never own another.  BMW is clearly living off their reputation and making buyers pay DEARLY for any BMW. I propose that folks who are buying BMWs have more money than sense, particularly since BMW's historically strong resale/residual values are now history.  If BMW is listening, your recently introduced auto gear shift lever has the feeling of a cheap computer joystick as well as a non-intuitive, nonsensical shift pattern.  

Image is everything.
BMW is clearly not a value leader, and have not been for a long time.
THAT SAID, I still ache for a 2002 M Coupe  

Sure the M Coupe was a sweet looking machine.  I'll never find anything to praise though in a X5 makeshift station wagon.  I know BMW's just trying to survive when it comes to machines such as that.  Their forte will always be with sports sedans though, particularly the 3 Series.  That's not to say the 1 Series is a dog either though.    
Austin Cooper

I fully agree with this comment.  I own a 2008 535 and it continually has had fuel delivery problems.  The latest while my wife and I were on a short trip in the mountains of East Tennessee.  The car starts jumping up and down and the Engine Malfunction Reduced Power signal comes on.  I am in a remote area with no BMW dealer anywhere nearby and this recurring problem pops up again.  I am not a rich person, only one who has been duped by the hype of BMW and its enablers in the Automobile Publications.  The Automobile journalist need to look deeper into the fuel pump problems with the 35 engine and take BMW to task for this piece of garbage.  Yea the engine has loads of power when it is performing properly but the problem is that normal for this engine set up is unreliable as it relates to the fuel delivery system.  BMW has even now come out with a 10 year 120,000 mile extension for the High Pressure Fuel Pump.  I have now had two to go out in 15,000 miles and I have read on other blogs of owners already on their 4th HPFP.  If this is BMW quality I will opt out.  And for the 30% drop in value in one year; that is simply highway robbery with BMW being the robbers in overpricing a piece of garbage as it relates to the 35 engine .