BMW Ultimate Drive at Reliant Stadium September 22-23

[mtbscott]

Just got my invite in the mail yesterday for the annual Reliant Stadium Event. Funny, this year is only listed as being Friday-Saturday rather than the 3 day event like prior years. Focus vehicle will be the new 3 series coupes. I signed up for 830 am on Friday, hope to see some of you there.

[Dave 330i]

where do you sign up? BMWUSA.com "There are no planned events at this time" Never mind, you got the inv in the mail.

[hugh1850]

:( I can't make it this year...I'll be in Colorado for a wedding.

[tamum3]

Just call the number listed on this page...

http://www.thenew3drivehouston.com/index-2.html

[Dave 330i]

thanks, mtbscott. All slots were filled, including most of Susan Komen drive for cancer. I'm just going to have to go down there and demand that I be included. :D

[LDV330i]

thanks, mtbscott. All slots were filled, including most of Susan Komen drive for cancer. I'm just going to have to go down there and demand that I be included. :DThis has been announced on BF since last month here (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157784). :confused:

I am in on Sat. at 1:30 PM. :thumbup:

The E92 intro will have several autocross courses with one where you can go back to back with a G35. :tsk: Info courtesy of the Austin/DFW B'Fester gang that attended the event this past Saturday. :)

[afshawnt]

I'll be there guys. I switched my DFW reservation to Houston. I signed up for Sat. @ 3:00, but I'll try to see if I can get in earlier.

[hockeynut]

I would LOVE to do this but my kids have Tae Kwon Do belt graduation on Saturday. If someone can grab me a goodie bag I will be forever in your debt :D

[Dave 330i]

I'll be there guys. I switched my DFW reservation to Houston. I signed up for Sat. @ 3:00, but I'll try to see if I can get in earlier.
I'm trying to make the last session of Sat. The reason there is no Sun sessions is because the Texans are playing the Redskins.

[LDV330i]

This has been announced on BF since last month here (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157784). :confused:

I am in on Sat. at 1:30 PM. :thumbup:

The E92 intro will have several autocross courses with one where you can go back to back with a G35. :tsk: Info courtesy of the Austin/DFW B'Fester gang that attended the event this past Saturday. :)BMW did not honor my request. :mad: My confirmation post card came in showing that I was registered for the 10:30 AM session. :tsk:

[Dave 330i]

BMW did not honor my request. :mad: My confirmation post card came in showing that I was registered for the 10:30 AM session. :tsk:
I just showed up and got a spot late Saturday afternoon. In the 330i course the best time was 27.8 sec. I had the best time in my group, 28.3 sec. :D

I thought the 335i and the G35 coupe drove very similar, except as advertised the twin turbo had a little more power in the acceleration part of the course.

[LDV330i]

I just showed up and got a spot late Saturday afternoon. In the 330i course the best time was 27.8 sec. I had the best time in my group, 28.3 sec. :D

I thought the 335i and the G35 coupe drove very similar, except as advertised the twin turbo had a little more power in the acceleration part of the course.
I showed up at 10:30 AM and they did not have a badge for me nor was my name on the printed list. I offered to get my confirmation postcard from my car. They said they would go ahead register me. I later checked my postcard, I was registered for yesterday. :banghead:

I actually though that the 335i drove tauter than the G35. I was impressed with the power of the 335i. The 330i transmission sucked big time as it suffer from lag something that did not happen on the 335i. I was there until about 3:30 PM because the Austin B'fester delegation was late getting to Reliant Park. :tsk: They got there before 12:30 but the event was shut down for lunch and not suppose to restart until 1:30 PM. It actually did not get restarted until 2:00 PM. :rolleyes: The lunch offered to participants sucked, chips and dip plus cookies. Breakfast was a little better with bagels, croissants, OJ, etc.


In the 1:30 PM group a guy showed up driving a Ferrari. :D There was VW Eos parked near the entrance to parking lot. I did not realize they were already delivering those cars. Ugly car.

[Dave 330i]

I showed up at 10:30 AM and they did not have a badge for me nor was my name on the printed list. I offered to get my confirmation postcard from my car. They said they would go ahead register me. I later checked my postcard, I was registered for yesterday. :banghead:

I actually though that the 335i drove tauter than the G35. I was impressed with the power of the 335i. The 330i transmission sucked big time as it suffer from lag something that did not happen on the 335i. I was there until about 3:30 PM because the Austin B'fester delegation was late getting to Reliant Park. :tsk: They got there before 12:30 but the event was shut down for lunch and not suppose to restart until 1:30 PM. It actually did not get restarted until 2:00 PM. :rolleyes: The lunch offered to participants sucked, chips and dip plus cookies. Breakfast was a little better with bagels, croissants, OJ, etc.


In the 1:30 PM group a guy showed up driving a Ferrari. :D There was VW Eos parked near the entrance to parking lot. I did not realize they were already delivering those cars. Ugly car.
I guess I missed you. I would never want to drive a slushie in twisties. I got there about 3pm and saw the Ferrari, no big deal to me. I took the X3, X5 and the 330i out for the Susan Korman foundation. I didn't go through 610-Buffalo Spdway course, but drove south of 610 to the remote area and allowed the German exchange student who had never driven before, drive. :yikes: He had a big grin after I drove back. We couldn't drive the 6 and 7 because they were booked solid.

[LDV330i]

I guess I missed you. I would never want to drive a slushie in twisties. I got there about 3pm and saw the Ferrari, no big deal to me. I took the X3, X5 and the 330i out for the Susan Korman foundation. I didn't go through 610-Buffalo Spdway course, but drove south of 610 to the remote area and allowed the German exchange student who had never driven before, drive. :yikes: He had a big grin after I drove back. We couldn't drive the 6 and 7 because they were booked solid.I was only able to drive the 7 series because everything else was booked. I embarrased myself by not knowing how to put it in reverse. :cry: Damn paddle shifter.

[mtbscott]

I had the very first session at 830 Friday morning, which we all know is really 900. It was a little different than other BMW events I've been to, more specific push on the 335CI as opposed to the overall driving experience in earlier schools. I thought the 335CI was pretty fun, almost the same rush as my old M3, but a bit softer. I was surprised how good the G35 felt, better than expected. The biggest flaw in both the 335 and the 330's used elsewhere is how quickly their DSC's kick in. The G35 never tried to stop the fun, while everyone was commenting on the dead spots in the tight corners with the Bimmers. My other revelation was with the Z4 3.0Si Coupe in the test drive section. This was the very first coupe I'd seen in the flesh and it's a very aggressive future meets retro kind of look. My only complaint about it was its extremely rough ride and it wasn't even the M version. Now here's my dilemma....I've ordered a base Cayman to go along with my MINI. I want to consider the Z4 coupe, but the possibility of driving an M version before my Pcar gets here next month is waning. I spoke to several BMW marketing types there about how it seems BMW is almost trying to keep the car a secret. One guy in my group worked at Momentum and gave me a standard "we don't need to give test drives for M cars" garf, but another manager from Momentum kind of agreed with me. He said they'd had no trouble selling the couple they had received but most certainly would sell more if they had one to show. I also got in a brief word with two of the regional marketing folks. They had no solution for me but did agree it's an issue.

[JayK330]

I was only able to drive the 7 series because everything else was booked. I embarrased myself by not knowing how to put it in reverse. :cry: Damn paddle shifter.
You should have stuck around for a while. My friend and I spent at least an extra 2 hours to drive the cars. Honestly, I would never consider a 7er. I didn't like it at all. I'm a gadget freak, but too many buttons and electronic gizmos for a car. The shifter was cool in theory, but I'd much prefer it on the console.
I had the very first session at 830 Friday morning, which we all know is really 900. It was a little different than other BMW events I've been to, more specific push on the 335CI as opposed to the overall driving experience in earlier schools. I thought the 335CI was pretty fun, almost the same rush as my old M3, but a bit softer. I was surprised how good the G35 felt, better than expected. The biggest flaw in both the 335 and the 330's used elsewhere is how quickly their DSC's kick in. The G35 never tried to stop the fun, while everyone was commenting on the dead spots in the tight corners with the Bimmers. My other revelation was with the Z4 3.0Si Coupe in the test drive section. This was the very first coupe I'd seen in the flesh and it's a very aggressive future meets retro kind of look. My only complaint about it was its extremely rough ride and it wasn't even the M version. Now here's my dilemma....I've ordered a base Cayman to go along with my MINI. I want to consider the Z4 coupe, but the possibility of driving an M version before my Pcar gets here next month is waning. I spoke to several BMW marketing types there about how it seems BMW is almost trying to keep the car a secret. One guy in my group worked at Momentum and gave me a standard "we don't need to give test drives for M cars" garf, but another manager from Momentum kind of agreed with me. He said they'd had no trouble selling the couple they had received but most certainly would sell more if they had one to show. I also got in a brief word with two of the regional marketing folks. They had no solution for me but did agree it's an issue.
I know what you mean about about the G35, but I still didn't like it. For what's suppose to be a luxury sports coupe it's far too loud. My old 99 Silverado with exhaust was quieter inside the cab than that. I'd expect/want that kind of noise from a muscle car, but not an infiniti.

I did want a slightly stiffer ride in the 335, but that's why there's an aftermarket. But I'd like to drive it in real world, to really get a good feel. It was disappointing that they didn't have a 335 to test for the cancer drive.

I couldn't agree more about the Z4. That thing was oozing with fun. I felt like I was in a go-cart. The ride didn't really bother me, but it's a little too small for an everyday car for me. Although, it would keep me from having to lug people around.