BMW Ultimate Drive featuring F10 5 Series

TODAY at Gulfstream (Casino/RaceTrack) Park Hallandale, Beach Florida - next session from 11am-1pm. Go figure I didn't receive any info in the mail, nor anything from my dealer. Luckily I live right down the block. I am going to see if I can get some seat time in the new 5.

Of all the ways to find out about this .. the morning news (WSVN 10). As I am sure many of you, I have attended several of these ride and drive events in the past- they are usually pretty fun. Looks like they have a few competitors on hand to drive as well - Lexus GS, Mercedes E, etc.

If you are in South Florida (Dade or Broward) and didn't know this was going on - might be worth your while to check it out. I hear space is limited - but from my experience they usually try and fit folks in.

Of course the F10 handled the best, the MB E350 was second and as expected - the Lexus GS350 last. They should have at least brought along some sport packaged equipped cars to drive, or at least the one 550 on display to go along with the 535's we were allowed to drive on the course.

According to the marketing rep, people in attendance at these sessions are among the first group of people in the US to actually drive the car. He stated that the cars for the event arrived in port last Monday and were driven to Gulf Stream in enclosed trailers until commencement of the event. They kept daily mileage logs to ensure that the vehicles were not driven prior to the event. Aside from the cars in rotation at the recent auto shows, these are the first production car ready cars in the counrty. The marketing rep also stated that upon conclusion of the Ultimate Drive Events scheduled across the country these cars will be auctioned off to dealers as CPO demos - they should have no more than 300-400 miles on the odo when the events wrap up.

For those of you who have ordered the F10 I am sure your expectations will be met. I was just curious to see what similarities existed between the F07 and the F10. The answer is hardly any, save the front - lower air dam , exterior door handles, interior knobs and switches, while the center stack orientation is different. The F10 is much narrower than I expected interior wise, however, the exterior seems notably wider, and slightly longer in comparison to the E-60.

The standard suspension cars, which are the ones we were allowed to drive, handle very well. We were allowed to beat on them pretty well - keeping in mind there is only so much one can do on a slalom course errected in a parking lot - but I personally was able to get the rear to step out in a controlled fashion while on the throttle. The professional drivers just plain dogged the cars

Come on guys and gals we need to get this information out there! If you know or have heard of an F10 driving event in your area be sure to post when and where it will take place?

There's supposed to be one coming to Houston the weekend of May 21st at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque. - http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...87&postcount=1

any in SFO bay area?

Is the interior beige with oyster headliner?

Originally Posted by pharding

Is the interior beige with oyster headliner?

The cars i drove/saw had beige interior with beige headliners.

Originally Posted by zibawala

any in SFO bay area?

My dealer in Concord hinted yes

There's one in Atlanta, GA this weekend (5/7-9) at Turner Field. I got an email invite a couple weeks ago and promptly signed up. They usually fill up very quickly.

-MrB

Originally Posted by rudegar

My dealer in Concord hinted yes

I called BMW. Nothing is currently scheduled for Nor Cal according to the call. It is invitation only.

From my experience, if you are already an owner, you're less likely to get an invite - they've got you already, right? Or, it may key off info you give when you sign up at the BMW website. So if you haven't signed up recently, you may be less likely to get an invite.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

I called BMW. Nothing is currently scheduled for Nor Cal according to the call. It is invitation only.

From my experience, if you are already an owner, you're less likely to get an invite - they've got you already, right? Or, it may key off info you give when you sign up at the BMW website. So if you haven't signed up recently, you may be less likely to get an invite.

You might have to excuse the pun "crash" the event - just don't crash any actual cars in the process No seriously, If you can get the date/time of the event you should be able to get some seat time. They may grumble a bit, but there are almost always "no shows" and to be honest they want as much exposure as possible. I think your logic about current owners not receiving an invite is on point.

All I can say is these Ride/Drive events allow you to really test drive the cars. Much more than one is likely to experience in a regular test drive from a dealership. Just make sure you have a cool instructor who lets you explore the limits

Looks like you where in the red group. I was in the green. I got a video of the "Hot Lap". Lea was my pro driver. She was hot and damn could she drive! Lemme see if I can post the video. Its kind of bad cause I used my digi cam.
Lets try this.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ivingEvent.flv

Originally Posted by xpcgamer

Looks like you where in the red group. I was in the green. I got a video of the "Hot Lap". Lea was my pro driver. She was hot and damn could she drive! Lemme see if I can post the video. Its kind of bad cause I used my digi cam.
Lets try this.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ivingEvent.flv

Since I kinda crashed the event I was green, then red LOL! Didnt matter to me as long as I got a chance to drive. I saw Lea and the other girl, I was wondering how aggressive they would be behind the wheel. I road with Danny - he stated that he started off with cart racing, drove at 12 hours of Sebring as well as the Daytona 24. I think he's trying to get into Indy Lights.

Your video lets folks see that the pro drivers didn't hold back. Good Job!

Originally Posted by car-fan

You might have to excuse the pun "crash" the event - just don't crash any actual cars in the process No seriously, If you can get the date/time of the event you should be able to get some seat time.

Yes. I've done this a few times in the past. Fridays and Sundays, early in the day, seem to be best bets.

14 - 16 May, Arlington, TX, Rangers Ballpark. 800-511-5269

On my way to Harold's BBQ in Atlanta I ran into a BMW driving exhibition in the parking lot at Turner field. So I stopped and they invited me to drive since they had several no shows. The cones marked a course around the parking lot that had several turns. They encouraged you to drive as fast as you felt you could. The professional driver took one lap to show you the course then one lap fast! There were two persons per car plus a Pro driver but I was by myself with a pro driver so I drove twice as much. Since I have only driven a BMW once in a test ride this was eye opening. You could easily tell the BMW 535i had the best acceleration, cornering ability, and braking. I have gone to MB and a Lexus model introductions but we took only one lap around a very mundane parking lot track. This was way better. Some of the drivers really had these cars sliding and sqealing. I was surprised how they let you really push the cars to the limit. I'm glad I didn't have to ride in the back when someone else drove as I would have lost Harold's BBQ after a few laps!

CCB

Originally Posted by CC Brown

On my way to Harold's BBQ in Atlanta I ran into a BMW driving exhibition in the parking lot at Turner field. So I stopped and they invited me to drive since they had several no shows. The cones marked a course around the parking lot that had several turns. They encouraged you to drive as fast as you felt you could. The professional driver took one lap to show you the course then one lap fast! There were two persons per car plus a Pro driver but I was by myself with a pro driver so I drove twice as much. Since I have only driven a BMW once in a test ride this was eye opening. You could easily tell the BMW 535i had the best acceleration, cornering ability, and braking. I have gone to MB and a Lexus model introductions but we took only one lap around a very mundane parking lot track. This was way better. Some of the drivers really had these cars sliding and sqealing. I was surprised how they let you really push the cars to the limit. I'm glad I didn't have to ride in the back when someone else drove as I would have lost Harold's BBQ after a few laps!

CCB

Great!! Good for you!! I love this story! Truly insightful experience by a non BMW nut. I imagine you are now ruined to BMW!

Yes, when BMW puts on a driving event they know how to do it. In case you don't know they have a Performance Driving Center in South Carolina where you can take performance driving lessons or if you order your BMW you can take delivery of it there and get a morning of driving instruction, all at no additional cost (except you have to get yourself there and drive home). This is something that I think really sets BMW apart in their commitment to produce The Ultimate Driving Machine.

I have a 535i GT on order for ED in August. I was buying because BMW has every new safety feature and implements them better. Example: Night vision+ Heads up display or blind side warning+wheel vibrates if you put on turn signal and you try to turn into it. So to be able to see these cars in conditions that I don't intend to see in real life and how they handled was a real eye opener! I have owned MB for years but to see the difference in the BMW 535i and the MB E-350 really surprised me. I once took a one day driving course with AMG MB at Road Atlanta. We drove those cars up to 125 mph before we got into the turns but none seemed to handle as well as the BMW. All the MB has lots of understeer.

I had intended to have the car re-delivered to Spartenburg to the PDC. Now I am absolutely sure now to do that. It also turns out to be free!

Thanks
CCB

June 10 - Nor Cal. Invitation required to reserve a spot.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

June 10 - Nor Cal. Invitation required to reserve a spot.

Hi Chang,

is this letter i got from local fremont dealer, mbz e vs 5 series test invitation? or some thing different?

Likely the same. I'm at East Bay.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

Likely the same. I'm at East Bay.

great! I wonder how would dealers deal with this event though.

seems E class, sedan, coupe and now convertible are doing well, and hopefully bmw keeps 5 series, competative enough, price, promotion wise to earn customers from mbz

I don't think BMW has to worry too much about the E-class. Unlike the 5 series, the E-class shares a lot of features and feel of the C-class which is a crappy car. I think the new 5 series also looks a lot better than the E-class. I cannot get over the design of it - including the two fog/driving lights on the bumper.

Originally Posted by Munich77

I don't think BMW has to worry too much about the E-class.

I disagree.

BMW's goal was to make the 5er more appealing to Lexus and Benz buyers - grow their market share. I don't think they have done enough to get those folks. Sure, it's a very good BMW 5er, but it's not the segment changer they were targeting. Cars like the BMW E30, first Lexus LS400, W126 Benz S-Class, Honda NSX were in that realm. Those cars made current competition passe, resulting in huge market swings. Cars that sold for MSRP - or more.

Not going to happen with the F10.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

I disagree.

BMW's goal was to make the 5er more appealing to Lexus and Benz buyers - grow their market share. I don't think they have done enough to get those folks. Sure, it's a very good BMW 5er, but it's not the segment changer they were targeting. Cars like the BMW E30, first Lexus LS400, W126 Benz S-Class, Honda NSX were in that realm. Those cars made current competition passe, resulting in huge market swings. Not going to happen with the F10.

Perhaps not a game changer but it is getting me back after I had E28 and E39 and rejected E60. And I love the W211 so BMW got me back. So individually I think it is a game changer and if they pick up some ticks on market share that is big..

Originally Posted by chrischeung

I disagree.

BMW's goal was to make the 5er more appealing to Lexus and Benz buyers - grow their market share. I don't think they have done enough to get those folks. Sure, it's a very good BMW 5er, but it's not the segment changer they were targeting. Cars like the BMW E30, first Lexus LS400, W126 Benz S-Class, Honda NSX were in that realm. Those cars made current competition passe, resulting in huge market swings. Cars that sold for MSRP - or more.

Not going to happen with the F10.

I have to disagree with that. The new 5er is aimed squarely at the new E Class. And it beats it with a stick. I do agree BMW raised the luxury level in the 5er to attract Benz buyers, but BMW buyers and Lexus buyers are a very different crowd. The new E Class looks like it was designed by various committees that were not allowed to communicate with each other.