Okay, here is the first batch of pictures and such as requested...
So what we did today was pick up our new BMW from the BMW Performance Center in Greenville, SC.
So we got to the performance center bright and early in the morning for a performance driving class. There were about 10 or so of us taking the class (7 new car owners and their guests)... and each owner got a car to take out on the test track. The teacher is a race car driver who has taught for Richard Petty in the past (that means nothing to me, but it might to some).
First, we did a breaking exercise to demonstrate the car's ABS... on wet pavement. We did some hard breaks going 35, 45, and 55 mph respectively. You wouldn't expect it, but that really got the adrenaline pumping. Next was a short circuit road course that included a slalom and some hard turns... and they encouraged us to go as fast as we felt comfortable going. It was a lot of fun, though I ran over a cone and almost spun out into the grass once.
Finally, he took us out on the "skid pad" which is slick concrete that they've wet down with water. The point was to demonstrate their traction control system by comparing driving on a circular wet, slick course with and without the traction control enabled. Basically, if the system was not enabled, if you accelerated through the turn you spun out pretty violently and ended up facing the wrong way, and that didn't happen with the traction control enabled. The spinning was clearly the fun part though.
After the track driving, they took us on an off-road course in the X5. They took us through deep water, steep inclines, and uneven road that had only 2 wheels on the ground at a time in some places.
Then, after lunch, they took us on a "hot lap" in an M5... where the driving instructor (aka race car driver) took us around the track pushing the car to its limits... including oversteering, drifting, and a nice 360 spin...
Finally, it was time to get the car. They had 2 hours set aside for a BMW technician to go through and explain all of the bells and whistles of the car (and there are a lot of them).
The last thing to do before we left was take a tour of the assembly plant, where they assemble the X5, X6, and Z4 for a world-wide market (we saw plenty of right-sided driver cars coming off the assembly line. Unfortunately, they didn't allow cameras inside the plant... but here's the facade, which also houses the BMW museum and some cool stuff from inside the museum.
And just for a bonus, here's me looking like I have a big ass and really need to pee. Which I do (but in a good way) and didn't, respectively.
So what we did today was pick up our new BMW from the BMW Performance Center in Greenville, SC.
So we got to the performance center bright and early in the morning for a performance driving class. There were about 10 or so of us taking the class (7 new car owners and their guests)... and each owner got a car to take out on the test track. The teacher is a race car driver who has taught for Richard Petty in the past (that means nothing to me, but it might to some).
First, we did a breaking exercise to demonstrate the car's ABS... on wet pavement. We did some hard breaks going 35, 45, and 55 mph respectively. You wouldn't expect it, but that really got the adrenaline pumping. Next was a short circuit road course that included a slalom and some hard turns... and they encouraged us to go as fast as we felt comfortable going. It was a lot of fun, though I ran over a cone and almost spun out into the grass once.
Finally, he took us out on the "skid pad" which is slick concrete that they've wet down with water. The point was to demonstrate their traction control system by comparing driving on a circular wet, slick course with and without the traction control enabled. Basically, if the system was not enabled, if you accelerated through the turn you spun out pretty violently and ended up facing the wrong way, and that didn't happen with the traction control enabled. The spinning was clearly the fun part though.
After the track driving, they took us on an off-road course in the X5. They took us through deep water, steep inclines, and uneven road that had only 2 wheels on the ground at a time in some places.
Then, after lunch, they took us on a "hot lap" in an M5... where the driving instructor (aka race car driver) took us around the track pushing the car to its limits... including oversteering, drifting, and a nice 360 spin...
Finally, it was time to get the car. They had 2 hours set aside for a BMW technician to go through and explain all of the bells and whistles of the car (and there are a lot of them).
The last thing to do before we left was take a tour of the assembly plant, where they assemble the X5, X6, and Z4 for a world-wide market (we saw plenty of right-sided driver cars coming off the assembly line. Unfortunately, they didn't allow cameras inside the plant... but here's the facade, which also houses the BMW museum and some cool stuff from inside the museum.
And just for a bonus, here's me looking like I have a big ass and really need to pee. Which I do (but in a good way) and didn't, respectively.
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
There you were, just minutes and miles away from me at some point - ah well, at least you got to experience some of the good aspects of life in the Carolinas (hopefully that included filling up with gas - the other week I was in Spartanburg, S.C. and while regular gas was anywhere from $3.25 to $3.50 everywhere else it was $2.96 there). North and South Carolina are certainly pretty - hope you got to see a little of them before you went back home. Your new car looks great - once upon a time I had a few BMW's myself, but none for a little while so it's good to see how really beautiful they are these days (nice color, too). Congrats and use it well.
Also congrats on your grades, which must seem like a year ago by now (I DID say I was sorry for being so late). Looks, brains AND a hot car - you are so much a guy's dream!