Sarlacc

Last month a close friend of mine mentioned he had picked his new lease. He is a total BMW guy....has been leasing them for him and his family for the past 15 years. His last lease was a 550GT and his wife has a 335GT...not including the ones he leases for his MIL, etc.

This time around he decided to lease a X5M, and he was going to do the Performance Center delivery in SC. And would I like to be his guest for the event.

So, I flew out last Monday to meet up with him, and we flew down to Greenville together on Tuesday.

BMW has permanent rooms on reserve at Marriott. And they leave them 2 X5's specifically for shuttling guests from the airport. BMW has also had ALL the employees at the Marriott take the experience to be able to talk to guests about it.

BMW starts you off with a Prix Fixed Menu for dinner at the restaurant in the hotel, which was very good. The hotel is pretty upscale for a small town Marriott as well.

The next morning you have breakfast at the hotel (buffet) and then load up on to a shuttle to head over to the Performance Center. You have a quick run through with the pro drivers and then you taken right out to the cars you will be driving.

They drive and pair you up with a similar car as to what you are picking up. Some guys got the new X5 e-drive...one guy got a diesel. They all got regular X5s...but we were given a X5M...and we were broken up in to groups and taken right out on the track. We started with standing brake tests to show off the ABS. You slam on the brakes and steer at 40, 50, and 55mph 5-6 times.

Then, you're off to a small autoX portion of the track...which of course was the MOST fun. BMW WANTS you to thrash these cars around...in EVERYTHING. So, we all had a ton of fun. A couple great turns, a slalom, and a chicane...5-6 laps each and just a shit ton of fun in the M.

From there we headed over the skidpad. We got out of the SUVs and got into the instructors 335's to show off the DSC. The instructors had us go out and spin the cars with no DSC. Then, we turned the DSC on and attempted to spin the car again. I managed to get the car in to a nice drift around the circular track for two laps.

From there we were given the opportunity to ride with the instructors for a hot lap in a couple of M5s around a larger portion of the track. And that was a hoot and and a half.

Afterwards, we got back in the X5s...the M was taken away and we were given a regular X5 (V8 model) and we all drive across the street to tour the factory. Pretty amazing at the design, layout, flexibility, and how the future expandability is built in to the facilities. They are also building a new $1 bit facility for the upcoming X7.

Next, the offload course. We take the vehicles through standing water, into an area to show off the X-Drive. Then, up a 15 degree incline where they get us balancing on two wheels at the top. The rear passenger wheel is bobbing up and down 2-3 feet. Testing out the hill descent. And then getting the things nearly sideways through some moguls. I have to say its pretty amazing what these are capable of in a real off road situation. I would say they would compete with Grand Cherokees pretty well. They also told us they X5M would do all this as well, but they don't typically take them out on the course. Which was fine by me. I feel like that much torque would have been a bad thing.

Lunch is served in their cafeteria, and its quite good.

Finally, it was out to have the cars delivered and go over any questions/set up with a delivery specialist.

You have the option of stopping at their museum (very small) to check that out. They let you pull up and park on the sidewalk in front for all delivered cars. And then take photos out front.

From there we took off (about 3PM) and started our 2 day road trip back to his place.

Its a pretty amazing vehicle, and BMW does a pretty amazing job showing off why.

While they make the X3, 4, 5, 6 and soon 7 there, you can have any vehicle sent there for the delivery experience. And they also have the 1 and 2 day M performance school there.

All in all, a very cool experience.

Sarlacc

Oh the Buxton Hall Restaurant is co-owned by another close friend's brother. If you make up to Asheville...check it out..

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

That is just amazing!

ttribe

I soooooo want to do this...someday.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for sharing. I've always liked the X5M and X6M. We owned an X3 Sport for a bit, and loved it. I can't imagine how much better the X5M is. Also, I remember years ago, when I was thinking about getting rid of my CL Type S I visited the local BMW dealership and took a 325i Coupe for a drive. The sales guy had me punch it in a corner and told me not to let up or hit the brake until the end of the curve. I was very impressed with how the car handled. It did amazing.

BMW truly has two things nailed: driving experience and customer experience. I suppose that is part of the reason why your friend likes BMW so much. He picked one of my favorites (in the right color too). I do like the X6M better though, just because it's odd. Perhaps one day I'll think about owning another Bimmer. If I do it'll certainly have to wear an ///M badge. And maybe I'll pick it up from the delivery center.

oonowindoo

BMW definitely knows how to sell their delivery experience, especially the EU delivery. You are paying for it and somehow you will thank BMW to make you pay for it.

Did it make you wanna get a BMW?

oonowindoo

I WILL do an ED one of these days...

Let me know when you wanna go

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Are you kidding me!?

Sarlacc would jump on a Charger Hellcat over any BMW.

ttribe

Sarlacc

My first car was a used 1985 528...And it was a special car to me. I feel like these modern bimmers dont have that same driving feel.

Does it make me want to get one...because of the experience, sure, but only because my wife has always wanted one. I would love to be able to lease her one and do the delivery with her. I think it would be really fun.

As as amazing of a vehicle as the X5M is...and sure, if I could afford a $120k SUV I might go for it, I honestly think I would go for the Cherokee SRT first. Its a little more unique. Its american muscle which is more up my alley, and it has a lot of luxury and computer/driving settings, etc.

I will say that driving up through the mountains for 6 hours keeping our RPMs under 5k and avging around 85mph (we did hit 110 a couple times) we were averaging 19.5mpg which is really good. I'm sure once he back to city driving he'll hit 11mpg.

Driving the X5M and then the X5...the M feels MUCH lighter. It has NOOOO turbo lag. And even if you keep all the settings in comfort, its still a very tight/sporty feeling drive. In fact, setting the steering to sport or sport plus was actually TOO stiff. Even the pro drivers say they keep the M cars in comfort mode for steering.

I've used it before on other bimmers...but my favorite feature is the HUD and I wish more car makers would start using it and make it standard.

Sarlacc

I forgot to mention...When I lived in Germany my dad bought himself a 1990 525 5 spd with factory delivery. This was in 1989, and we knew we were moving back to the states, so that was something he had always wanted to do...so I have "experienced" the Euro delivery. We took the train from Nuremberg to Munchen, and did the factory tour (where they were just starting to build the Z1) and took delivery of the car. They didn't do the driving experience stuff back then. But Its an experience I've always remembered and cherished.

Joneill44

Would love to do that one day

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. I've driven past that place a few times and it's colossal. A few friends of mine work at the assembly plant in Greer and they absolutely love it.

SamDoe1

Awesome story! That Z8 is t1ts... One of my overall dream cars.

I'd love to do the Euro delivery one day...maybe when the wife will let me have another BMW.

thoiboi

thanks for pictures



especially of food

oonowindoo

Most of us here obviously like the "old" style of driving feel and that is why we have a huge following on NSX and S2000s here.

But you know, the world is changing. It is what it is. Based on the # of cars and profit that BMW is making, they will not change back.

But take a 435i, M235i or even a 228 or 428i out for a spin with M sport of course, it will remind you of 80% of what a BMW should be like.

Don't bother with the 3 series honestly...

oonowindoo

which is why you should get your wife an X5 and take your whole family to Germany and take a spin through the ring with your wife...


makes me wanna go just by talking about it.

Sarlacc

Except the x5 is made in SC. I'd rather do euro delivery of a car that made over there. Its counter intuitive to have a car built here shipped over there, then shipped back over here.

Sarlacc

I want to get my wife a 3GT if possible, but I doubt it the way I would want it configured.

The X5M is an amazing car, and getting to peg it and drive it hard as we could through a course was fantastic. But aside from little things such as the HUD or other little electronic doo dads. Its "feel" wasn't all that different any other sporty SUV for normal every day driving.

Lets be honest, how many people are going to track their X5M? Or even their other M cars? not many compared to how many are sold.

And my Durango RT with sportier/tighter suspension and steering is just as fun and sporty feeling...obviously lacking the 557hp twin turbo hp under the hood. And a Jeep SRT...I think makes for some pretty compelling competition. When the trackhawk model comes out, game over.

Basically, I like BMW "for all the right reasons" but where their driving dynamics have headed (in the vehicles I have driven) I think there is a case for saying they have competition and for less coin.

I would definitely lease one, especially for my wife. But they aren't where my instincts go first. Just too damn many of them in LA and 95% of them fall under the "BMW drivers are pricks" sub-genre.

te3point5

The Z8 looks so dated now, but I remember thinking how awesome it looked in the bond movie. Did the BMW water give you "the ultimate peeing experience"?

Sarlacc

I still think the Z8 looks great. I see them from time to time on the streets. The one in the museum looked exceptionally good.

I did have to pee a few times...

Yumcha

Thanks for sharing!

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

Steak looks dry. Thanks for sharing!

Sarlacc

Interesting cause there was no steak photos.

BONER!

Crazy Bimmer

Dude looks good.

te3point5

did you mean to include a comma somewhere in there? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Sarlacc

Oh no, he was referring to me :-O

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

So it is true...

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Very cool! Can't believe you were like 1.5 hours away and didn't give me a buzz! J/K as it looks like a packed trip. I'll actually be in Asheville this weekend, so depending on the schedule may have to check our your friends place.

Great pics too!

SamDoe1

GTFO.

That looks dated to you?

te3point5

Not so much the rear, which actually reminds me of a new Jag F-type.

But the front, the way the side marks curve around the bumper, the whole front end really, and definitely the interior look dated to me. but just my opinion.

Sarlacc

Yep, tight timeline. We were going to head over to Winston to visit out our old college but decided to forgo that in favor of a prettier drive up the 81 back to MD.

TacoBello

Super cool!!! Glad you could take a bunch of pics to share on here also. Nicely done.

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

Steak shaped brownie thing? Whatever. Boner.

Sarlacc

There is a chicken breast and a meatball.

And a brownie...

And a boner...

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

Ah, boner.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Omigod. I so want that truck. I don't even want to know how much that thing cost. Probably a quarter of my house.

oonowindoo

how much is your house worth?

Sarlacc

yeah. this one is loaded.

ttribe

Well, if you want a ballpark idea, go to the link below and build one online:

Build Your Own