I subscribed to Car and Driver about a year ago, I am liking their articles. A couple that stand out recently are interviews with industry pool development drivers and RSR Nurburg. They are not the exact titles of course.
In regards to BMW, I feel it is like anything else. When you take some exclusive and extend it to the masses something will have to give. At the same time what is good or bad is really all in the eye of the beholder.
On thing I can say, BMW still stands strong with the media it seems. If there is a car wreck on the news and it is a BMW, the media will say "the BMW" or "a BMW". ALL other manufactures do not get this recognition.