BMW Ultimate Drive® experience 10.31.08
 

So unlike other years, this year my Halloween experience was a little different. I signed up for the BMW Ultimate Drive® event (thanks to alefcole) and it was an amazing experience.

My vanue was BMW of Turnersville. Upon arriving I saw all the cars lined up to be driven. Even though on the confirmation email they'll give you a specific time and just a single car , but it's completely different. You can basically show up early and drive almost all cars as many times as you want. I loved the whole friendly atmosphere created by the BMW associates.

The first thing that caught my attention was the BMW X6 with signed name of all the previous "Ultimate drive" participants. It's quite an amazing piece of art.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...solid_x/x6.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...id_x/x62-1.jpg

My first victim was the BMW Z4 coupe. It was a very solid car with just the right amount of horsepower. It handled quite well because of it's lighter weight. Car felt pretty solid and peppy enough to drive to and from work everyday.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...solid_x/z4.jpg

Then me and my friend(onethreefive) took out the BMW 550i sedan. I have always liked the look of the BMW 5 series. IMO, it's one of the BEST looking bmw in their line up. As a passenger point of view (I wasn't driving), car was very spacious and comfortable. As per my friend, car was a little on the heavy side but this is a family sedan. It was more than enough to haul a family of 4. Also, changing the drive mode from regular drive to Sport drive makes quite a noticeable difference.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...lid_x/550i.jpg

After being a passenger for more than 10 mins :p I wanted to drive another bimmer. This time I took out the 328i convertible. The convertible hard top mechanism was very impressive. Oh did I mention, it was sunny 70 degree weather? haha, so top down took the 328i for a spin. Car handled well and with the Drive-S mode it was not a bad car. I wasn't too impressed with the HP. It's a great car to commute or cruise on sunday evenings but nothing you would brag to yours friends about. I was impressed with it's handling for being a convertible.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...lid_x/328i.jpg

I was going to try the Z4 Convertible next with the 6 speed manual gearbox (one of the few cars with 6spd gearbox)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...d_x/z4conv.jpg

but I saw this another bmw that caught my eye. The BMW 1 series coupe.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...lid_x/135i.jpg

So, as I am getting the keys from the previous participant, he says to me,"This is it, man! I haven't driven anything like this". That was a great remark since I've heard nothing but good thing about the new 1 series.

Within 10 seconds of me driving the car, there was a very happy smile on my face. This car was a freakin' monster. It handled like a charm. DTC was trying it's best to keep the tires glued to the road but I couldn't resist myself from stomping the gas pedal. It was a thrill. This car put ALL the other cars that I drove that day in a "blah" folder. Every gear pulled very hard and I don't think I have ever enjoyed driving another car this much till date. I was surprised with the amount of power BMW packed under the hood. With the paddle shifters, shifting faster than a 6 speed manual, I wanted to drive the car ALL day. This WAS the highlight of my day and I was extremely impressed with this car HP, handling and the whole package.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...lid_x/1352.jpg

I was soo much in love with the 1 series, I took this 135i convertible for a spin along with alefcole (who also had the 135i convertible) as our next car. Let's just say, we both tested the car very well and were impressed beyond our minds what a freakin' monster BMW created. Even as a convertible, car felt amazingly crisp. Only thing our convertible model lacked was the optional paddle shifters by the steering wheel. But we were able to use the sportronic on the shifter. So, if you're looking into buying a automatic 135i, don't forget to get the paddle shifters.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...x/135iconv.jpg

Again, I'd like to thank BMW for letting us be a part of this true charity event. I think all car manufacture should offer similar events because it's a GREAT way to let people drive their cars and show what their cars are made of.

so jeal!:p:driving:

You mean your venue was Turnersville BMW. And plus we would've beaten the z4 but that 550i was just too heavy. :pedobear:

I did a :ninja3:

"testing?"
 

Taking a car for a spin/testing it is not exactly what we did........ Its true that we were almost "spining" in the entrance ramp to the Atlantic City Expressway, but then we were fr...ing destroying (far from "testing") the cars.

I have to admit that cruising at 130 mph side by side in 4th gear, listening to the roar of the engine and the magnificent note coming from the exhaust was an ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

I can't wait for halloween 2009..........Trick or treat!!!!!!!!!!!! :rofl2:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...x/135iconv.jpg

Definitely fun times, big thanks to alefcole for the invites. I just realized the cars all had ezpass tags on them lol.

True. Oh the possibilities ;)

I missed it. The event happened late May here in LA :(
Maybe next year?

You should def go. You'll have fun all day driving BMWs. I would do it again in a heartbeat. They even had 6 series coupes where I went. Can you imagine, you just walk up someone and they hand you a key to $80,000 car and say "enjoy it". I seriously give BMW props for doing this. I think all manufacturer should do this as well.