Just returned to Boston after another day at the M5 Driving Experience in Spartanburg. Since our group already did the track on the first day, we spent the second day visiting the manufacturing plant, museum, and drove out to the Biltmore Estates. We started a day with a breakfast at the hotel, and then off to the BMW manufacturing plant. I was quite impressed with the way they made the Z3's and X5's, and basically how easy it looked. Sort of like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We then toured the museum a bit, which I thought was nicer than the one in Munich, even though it was smaller. Saw some very interesting cars there as you can see in the photos. We then headed up to the Biltmore Estate in the M roadsters and M coupes. The drive was very nice, but I didn't like the top down on my M roadster.... seems like it wasn't built for tall people and the wind got quite annoying after a while. We had lunch at the Biltmore estate and had a self guided tour by ourselves. The Estate was truely beautiful, and it reminded me very much of European estates and castles. At about 3 o'clock, we headed back to the performance center and were then shuttled to the airport.
In all, I think the Driving Experience was definitely one of the best programs I've been to. And it's free! Anyone who hasn't been yet should really go. It's a great way to get to learn your vehichle and meet other M5 owners. Now, the next thing I gotta do is to buy myself a Z8 so I can go on their Z8 driving experience..
breakfast at the hotel:
same limo bringing us to the performance center (great driver):
our M roadsters and coupes waiting for us (I got the white one):
at the BMW museum and manufacturing plant (no photos allowed inside plant):
exhibits in the museum:
a red X5 4.6hpi:
the car that earned the X5 the best crash performance test on a SUV:
I don't know what this is, but I think it's an old GT race car (looks awesome though!):
one of my favorite BMWs (awesome doors):
the legendary 507 Roadster:
the drive to the Biltmore Estate:
arriving at the Biltmore Estate:
lunch at the Stables cafe:
touring the Estate (no photos allowed inside the house though):
leaving the Estate:
pit stop on the way back:
no we didn't get pulled over, he was just there:
new Mini Cooper S spotted back at the performance center:
Driving Experience Day 2 (lots of pictures again)
Linear Mode
