[scotthilly]

Hi everyone,

Wanted to upload a quick review and notes from the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience I recently attended in Atlanta. For the uninitiated, this is a completely free event (signup required) that includes autocross sessions and street drives of a few different new BMW's. It also includes a $1,000 voucher towards a new BMW and 20% any BMW factory track event (M School etc).

It starts with a super brief saftety class, we were in a group of about 15 and there were 2 rwd i5 40's and 2 540i xDrive. All were M Sport.

The autocross course is about a 20-30 second course with some extremely tight curves. My top speed was probably 60, but it's frustrating because you only get 2 laps at a time, 4 different times. I feel that 4 laps at once, twice, would be better. You get a good feel the first lap and then the second lap, you're done - plus, there's only one straightaway and you only do it once. So you better maximize it!

The i5 felt slightly heavier than the 540 but handled very similar. Both have excellent body control and absolutely zero steering feedback. It's impressive, I can't think of a car with less - it's even less than my families Ford Flex. However, it's very accurate and doesn't have the on center or turn in vagueness I've experienced in the X5 or G20. I still believe the X3 and 2nd gen X1 has the best steering of any bmw, but, alas.

The xDrive was a fun awd system, they make you leave TC on but I could actually get more rotation/slides out of the 540. B58 sounds excellent as usual, too, and transmission did a good job of being in the right gear.

I was impressed by how well the car handled and rode, and the engine and electric motor, but disappointed with the steering. I did enjoy the 540 more than the i5 for the visceral experience and the more fun nature, at least with tc on.

After that, they give you street drives in a variety of cars. You can choose from the following sets:
M Performance - z4 m40i, m240i xdrive, m850i xdrive gran coupe
SUV - x5 m60i, x7m60i, x2 m35i
i - i5 m60, i7 (unsure), IX

They used to let you just take the car, but of course people ruined that. They said they had multiple insurance writeoffs a day, people taking instagram photos, going shopping, etc - now, you're just in a convoy with the instructor in front and 3 cars trailing. You get to do a number of accelerations but they tell you to go slow in corners. It's an excellent test drive for the SUV's, 8 series, etc, that are GT's, but not ideal for the Z4.

I chose M performance - absolutely loved the Z4. So playful, b58 sounded excellent, steering had a bit of feedback, and it rode well. M240i.... better not said. Iconic sounds sucks, the ride was worse than the z4, it doesn't feel as fast, and is way more isolated. Not sure why anyone would buy it over a regular 340i as there's not really any savings. I guess it's better than a M440i on account of being smaller? Idk, I enjoyed the previous gen m240i a lot more either way. M850i is a rocket ship but again dead steering, though more acceptable in a GT. I'd take that over the M240i, but the Z4 over both.

Hope this gives some insight into the day and some notes for anyone potentially interested in these cars! Highly recommend the event as it's a cool experience.

[Scrapula]

I did it last year with the i4 M50 and 330i. The i4 was much better for getting up to speed and hitting the turns. I test drove the eDrive40 which was much better is the corners than the M50. That would be a better auto cross car. I won’t go this year, because the 5 series is too big for the parking lot track.

[scotthilly]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I did it last year with the i4 M50 and 330i. The i4 was much better for getting up to speed and hitting the turns. I test drove the eDrive40 which was much better is the corners than the M50. That would be a better auto cross car. I won’t go this year, because the 5 series is too big for the parking lot track.

To be totally honest, I have lots of time in a g20 330i and I don't really think it's noticeable more fun than the i5/540 on a tiny track like that. Both are too big and ESPECIALLY too heavy. In this case, the 540 being 11' longer I think is made up in being nearly 900 pounds less..

i4 m50 = 188 inches long, 112' wheelbase, 5063 lb
540i xdrive = 199 inches, 118' wheelbase, 4200 lb

I would still recommend going because it's still fun, and the street tours are fun! Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by scotthilly

Hi everyone,

Wanted to upload a quick review and notes from the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience I recently attended in Atlanta. For the uninitiated, this is a completely free event (signup required) that includes autocross sessions and street drives of a few different new BMW's. It also includes a $1,000 voucher towards a new BMW and 20% any BMW factory track event (M School etc).

......

Hope this gives some insight into the day and some notes for anyone potentially interested in these cars! Highly recommend the event as it's a cool experience.

Thanks, that was very helpful! I have an invite to a new owners track day in Southern California. I have yet to schedule the visit, but I'm looking forward to it!

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by scotthilly

To be totally honest, I have lots of time in a g20 330i and I don't really think it's noticeable more fun than the i5/540 on a tiny track like that. Both are too big and ESPECIALLY too heavy. In this case, the 540 being 11' longer I think is made up in being nearly 900 pounds less..

i4 m50 = 188 inches long, 112' wheelbase, 5063 lb
540i xdrive = 199 inches, 118' wheelbase, 4200 lb

I would still recommend going because it's still fun, and the street tours are fun! Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The G60 540i xDrive weighs almost 4,400 lbs not 4,200 lbs.