View Full Version : Has Anyone Here Heard Of "The Ultimate Drive" That BMW Is Currently Doing?
I did a quick search before posting this thread, and didn't find anything so I decided to start this thread. I recently got an invitation to participate in an event that BMW is doing, with all contributions going to assist in the fight against breast cancer. Basically for every mile that one test drives a select group of cars BMW will/donates $1 to the cause. I don't know if this is a national event or regional one? :dunno: I registered and signed up to test drive the new 650ic, and 330i to support the cause. Check out the link below for additional info in regards to participating local BMW dealerships in your area:
http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EventsandPrograms/UDSK/default.htm
Here is a brief write up:
For the ninth year in a row, BMW will partner with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in the BMW Ultimate Drive program. As part of the program, fleets of specially marked BMWs travel across the Country to increase breast cancer awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research. Participants are invited to test drive one of these special BMWs. In return, for every mile these cars are test-driven, BMW donates $1 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to aid in the fight against breast cancer. The test drives are free to the participants. There will also be lots of information on breast cancer awareness, early detection, etc. In addition, a community resident is honored for his or her work in the fight against breast cancer. To participate in the Ultimate Drive for the Cure, call 1-877-4-A-DRIVE or visit BMW’s website, www.bmwusa.com, to make your reservation. Of course, you can also just stop by that day and drive as well, there will be plenty of spots available.
Please come on out and help support this urgent and worthy cause.
LDV330i
02-19-2006, 06:55 PM
That is a yearly event where BMW's covering the entire range tour all the US dealerships. You can sign up to drive all the cars you want through a designated route. For every mile you drive BMW donates a certain amount of money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
I checked the BMWUSA site yesterday and they have yet to announce the different dates at the dealerships. :dunno:
Edit: I just rechecked the website and they are allowing registration. Unfortunately for me registration will not be available until after July 28.:cry:
drw1926
02-19-2006, 09:03 PM
Don't know if it's the same information or not but there is also a link to this from the Owner's Circle...the link is on the right once you log in. I took a quick look and didn't see any dates either, but you can pull up all the different driving routes that are available. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun actually.
That is a yearly event where BMW's covering the entire range tour all the US dealerships. You can sign up to drive all the cars you want through a designated route. For every mile you drive BMW donates a certain amount of money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
I checked the BMWUSA site yesterday and they have yet to announce the different dates at the dealerships. :dunno:
Edit: I just rechecked the website and they are allowing registration. Unfortunately for me registration will not be available until after July 28.:cry:
Got ya.
Well as of "this evening", when I made my reservations for this event, the dates had already been announced in the DC Metro area, and this was at various different DC metro BMW dealerships? :dunno: I guess that it varies from region to region or market to market, you can go ahead and put my local zip code of "22206" in to see exactly what I'm referring to.
P.S.-I'm sorry to hear that they're not quite allowing registration in your market yet......I signed up to drive the 650ic, and 330i.........and I'm signing the Ms. up (and dragging her along) for the 550i, and 750i......that way I'll be able to drive "4" cars instead of the standard "2" that BMW is allowing....:p
Don't know if it's the same information or not but there is also a link to this from the Owner's Circle...the link is on the right once you log in. I took a quick look and didn't see any dates either, but you can pull up all the different driving routes that are available. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun actually.
Huh, that's interesting, given your location stated in your profile, I'm assuming that you're from NJ? :dunno: With that being said, the cars are "originating" in/from NJ, so I'm surprised that the DC metro area BMW dealers would have dates before NJ? That's odd.....:confused:
P.S.-I'm definitely looking forward to the event. :D I love to test drive other cars. In the DC metro area where I reside, various different luxury manufacturers (i.e.-Lexus, Mercedes, Range Rover, and BMW just to name a few) are constantly having "driving" events at FedEx Field and various different locations around the DC metro area, and I can't say that I've missed a single one yet.
mdsbuc
02-20-2006, 05:16 PM
We did this last year before making the decision on whether or not to buy our first BMW. You get to drive each model on a 10 mile course. We drove about 5 different vehicles and had a blast. The event sure helped sell us. :thumbup:
kendenton
02-20-2006, 05:40 PM
I've done this event for the past 3 years, and we've always had a great time. Very few manual transmissions, and no M cars. Still, getting to drive a 760Li by oneself is pretty sweet. And if you're on the fence about BMWs (which you're not because you're on this forum), the event will make a believer out of you.
plien69
02-20-2006, 05:57 PM
Don't know if it's the same information or not but there is also a link to this from the Owner's Circle...the link is on the right once you log in. I took a quick look and didn't see any dates either, but you can pull up all the different driving routes that are available. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun actually.No, they are not the same.
The link from the OC is for UltimateDrives.com, which is just a collection (10 or so) of suggested multi-day roadtrips that you can take, presumably in your BMW. There are no dates, no schedules, and no events as such.
It is also not the Ultimate Driving Experience, which is a series of guided autocross-type events in large parking lots across the country.
The Ultimate Drive for the Cure (to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation) is where a couple of roving collections of new BMWs visit select BMW dealerships across the country, and you can sign up to test drive the cars along a predetermined test route chosen by each dealership.
The routes are designed to last about 20 minutes, and can vary in driving excitement. Some take advantage of local driving roads, others concentrate more on highway driving. Basically, the event is just glorified test drives, but it goes towards a good cause. Plus, they usually have refreshments or other food on hand.
RSPDiver
02-20-2006, 06:54 PM
Basically, the event is just glorified test drives, but it goes towards a good cause. Plus, they usually have refreshments or other food on hand.
Yes, and with the added advantage of no sales pressure or expectation. Just expect lines and dumbonis to be there. Last year, there was this large lady trying to wedge a car seat in all the most fun, sporty cars, taking 30 minutes to get ready. And I'm sure the seats weren't any better for the wear. There will be attempted line jumpers, also. Make sure you reserve a couple of slots, and tell the coordinators you have a reserved slot for head-of-line privelages ahead of the walk-ups.
We did this last year before making the decision on whether or not to buy our first BMW. You get to drive each model on a 10 mile course. We drove about 5 different vehicles and had a blast. The event sure helped sell us. :thumbup:
Thanks for the helpful info., I'm definitely looking forward to the event. :thumbup:
I've done this event for the past 3 years, and we've always had a great time. Very few manual transmissions, and no M cars. Still, getting to drive a 760Li by oneself is pretty sweet. And if you're on the fence about BMWs (which you're not because you're on this forum), the event will make a believer out of you.
The only downside I see is that neither the "760i/760il" with be offered to drive at this year's event. :( Regardless, it will be a great event, for a "more" than worthy cause.
..... refreshments or other food on hand.
That "almost" makes it worth it by itself.......:p
icemanjs4
02-20-2006, 10:51 PM
I went this past year and had a great time. I test drove about 5 or 6 cars. they took us out on the twistiest road in Austin - it was GREAT! In fact DoubleVanos and I had a little race between a 7series and a Z4. Not bad at all! :-) The 540 was by far my favorite ride though. Definitely make time to go this year - it's free - if you don't like it you can always pack up and go home.
I went this past year and had a great time. I test drove about 5 or 6 cars. they took us out on the twistiest road in Austin - it was GREAT! In fact DoubleVanos and I had a little race between a 7series and a Z4. Not bad at all! :-) The 540 was by far my favorite ride though. Definitely make time to go this year - it's free - if you don't like it you can always pack up and go home.
I'm getting more and more anxious with every posted comment.
kendenton
02-21-2006, 03:01 AM
Plus you get to drive by yourself - not always an easy thing to get at a dealership. Here's a couple of pics from 2003's drive:
http://www.thedentons.org/BMWTest/
Bart001
02-21-2006, 03:23 AM
At my first Ultimate Drive I drove the (old) M coupe. I've not seen any M cars at an Ultimate Drive since, but that was fun!
BMW (and MB as well) has held events in the Boston area at the old air force base in Norwood. Each time I've seen several local police cars with radar set up, once on the local streets just outside of the base and once on the base. While "racing" in those cars might sound fun, do be aware that the local police know about the event and may be using it to attain their quota of speeding tickets that month!
Artslinger
02-21-2006, 04:14 AM
I've done the drive a couple of times, it was fun, my only complaint no M3.
xspeedy
02-21-2006, 04:44 AM
I went this past year and had a great time. I test drove about 5 or 6 cars. they took us out on the twistiest road in Austin - it was GREAT! In fact DoubleVanos and I had a little race between a 7series and a Z4. Not bad at all! :-) The 540 was by far my favorite ride though. Definitely make time to go this year - it's free - if you don't like it you can always pack up and go home.
Hey, we all need to go to Temple this year. It is always on a weekend, and the lines are shorter, especially as the day wears on.
LDV330i
02-21-2006, 05:41 AM
At my first Ultimate Drive I drove the (old) M coupe. I've not seen any M cars at an Ultimate Drive since, but that was fun!
BMW (and MB as well) has held events in the Boston area at the old air force base in Norwood. Each time I've seen several local police cars with radar set up, once on the local streets just outside of the base and once on the base. While "racing" in those cars might sound fun, do be aware that the local police know about the event and may be using it to attain their quota of speeding tickets that month!It does not help that the cars are siver with pink ribbons. Not very stealthy. :cry:
http://www.bmwusa.com/nr/rdonlyres/1a7c61d4-322f-445b-b704-1f9f04d6bb1c/0/udsk_main.jpg
icemanjs4
02-21-2006, 07:25 AM
Hey, we all need to go to Temple this year. It is always on a weekend, and the lines are shorter, especially as the day wears on.
Yeah we can make a little event out of it - I'm bringing my V1 again. Cops nailed an X3 on Spicewood Springs last year
Bart001
02-21-2006, 08:08 AM
It does not help that the cars are siver with pink ribbons. Not very stealthy. :cry:
It wasnt always this way. The first few years of Drive for the Cure had more "normal" looking cars I seem to recall.
I've been participating in these events since the mid-90's.
Lord Bodak
02-21-2006, 08:43 AM
I've done the Ultimate Drive three times now, it's been enjoyable each time. Definitely something worthwhile to do-- you get to drive some of the new BMWs and the money goes to a good cause.
Plus you get to drive by yourself - not always an easy thing to get at a dealership. Here's a couple of pics from 2003's drive:
http://www.thedentons.org/BMWTest/
Thanks for the great pictures, looks like you had a great time. :thumbup:
.......do be aware that the local police know about the event and may be using it to attain their quota of speeding tickets that month!
:doh:
Yeah we can make a little event out of it - I'm bringing my V1 again. Cops nailed an X3 on Spicewood Springs last year
That's a good idea.....I'm gonna make sure to bring my V1 as well. :D
I've been participating in these events since the mid-90's.
Wow...so you're definitely a "seasoned" veteran of this event.....:p ....and enjoying the wonderful BMWs.
........ you get to drive some of the new BMWs and the money goes to a good cause.
That's what I'm hearing, and why I'm planning on going. :thumbup:
mdsbuc
02-21-2006, 01:45 PM
It is also not the Ultimate Driving Experience, which is a series of guided autocross-type events in large parking lots across the country.
We did this in the morning, followed by the Drive for the Cure in the afternoon. The whole day was a total blast.
kendenton
02-23-2006, 06:59 PM
Thanks for the great pictures, looks like you had a great time. :thumbup:
We sure did. I think we've done 5 of these now, at 2 different dealerships. Huge difference in routes between dealers. At the first one, it was about a 4 mile slow route around surface streets. The second dealer had a route that was about 15 miles and included a stretch on the Atlantic City Expressway. I'm pretty sure every car saw 100mph+ on every drive on that section (not when I was driving, of course ;) ).
We sure did. I think we've done 5 of these now, at 2 different dealerships. Huge difference in routes between dealers. At the first one, it was about a 4 mile slow route around surface streets. The second dealer had a route that was about 15 miles and included a stretch on the Atlantic City Expressway. I'm pretty sure every car saw 100mph+ on every drive on that section (not when I was driving, of course ;) ).
Definitely looking forward to some 100mph+ passes.......:p
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