Hi All,
Sorry it has taken me so long to get this together – it’s been busy at work and that is a good thing considering the cost of my toys (wink wink). After hearing about the Ascari experience via Mark on the e63 forum I was pumped to see what it was all about. Having just recently sold my e60 M5 I was really excited to see what ///M had in store for the new one. I am a huge fan of the F10 and feel that it is one of the best looking sedans on the road – this was definitely an experience I was not going pass up.
We arrived one day early taking the train from Madrid – a highly recommended 1<sup>st</sup> class experience. To add to that we got a nice treat when a very charming and cute BMW representative :haha2: picked us up in a 7 series, hustling us to the hotel in a crazy rain storm. We met a local business man on the train ride he recommended one of the best seafood restaurants I have been to in my life, El-Espigon – eat there :tonquesmilie:!. We ate and drank till we popped. After the restaurant we got back to the hotel and hung out in the court yard where they had an individual 6er parked. I took some pictures – nice car but needs the ///M treatment! The next day (official arrival) ///M took us on a city tour of Seville. The cathedral and other sites were very nice but frankly my mind was so pumped to see the F10 M5 :3:.
Everywhere you went in the hotel there was something that reminded you where you were, engines, cars, posters, logos. The whole experience was very ///M and really did a good job of immersing and exciting your senses. After the city tour there was a dinner and a very cool presentation video of the M5. That evening was another late night talking cars with everyone under the sun – a highlight for me was Axel. He chilled with us for a bit and I really started to appreciate the challenges ///M goes through. The thought process of building these cars and key decisions that are made 2+ years ago that must be argued and defended time and time again – especially us hounding enthusiasts
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wxF-72pgpWk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe>
The next morning was off to the track (7am to be exact), early! 150kms to the track following the famous Claudio in his X6M. The ride there was comfy and exciting. I could have driven for days. I was giddy and just so excited to be actually driving an M5 on the streets of Seville. At the track we did some hot laps following the ///M performance school instructor who kept yelling at us to “step on it this car can do more”. From hot laps you went to the M5 taxi and I will just let you watch my video to see how that went – Lol! Then after the M5 taxi experience you got to pick between an M3 or 1M to drive around. Yes the 1M felt lighter and quicker but I just longed to drive the M5 again and got my wish on our return to the hotel :thumbsup:
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6s-Waj3Pyk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe>
It was raining so much in Spain – I think the weather in Canada was warmer and nicer. For that reason they prepared us that the helicopter ride was not going to happen. On our return to the hotel we got a nice surprise and ended up doing a quick ride (my first time in one). It was pretty nice but would have rather been behind the wheel of the F10 for that time
Now I could talk for days about the driving experience but let me sum it up nicely for you. Believe the hype, the new F10 M5 is a home run for ///M. They have taken a great car and made it spectacular. On the drive to and from the track (150 km) you got to feel it’s great road presence and I could drive for days. The power is intoxicating, the sound is fantastic even if enhanced (can I turn it up ). I am traditionally not a huge fan of V8s but this one just a beast in every way.
On the track the car was agile and I could not believe I was driving a full sized sedan I could put a full complement of people in. The driving assistants were perfect and let us novices really push it while also keeping most of us on the pavement – yes some people ended up in the grass...*sigh*. The torque is just awesome, seriously I have never feel that kind of pull. Its goes in ever gear at any time begging for more. The DCT is so fast and so precise it makes you wonder why I still long for a MT. The blips and pops were giving me gooses bumps and smiles from ear to ear.
The fit and finish of the car are a massive improvement from the e60. I loved all the details the stitching etc. The different combinations were very nice to see in person – my choice would be a shade of grey or silver. The interior would be the orange or something graphite like. I miss the M5 wolf in sheep’s clothing appeal.
Now back to work to save the $$$ to buy one next fall lovelove enjoy my pictures and videos. I uploaded a few here and the rest to flicker – if you want all of them just pm me. I will try and do a few more tonight when I get home.
>>My Flicker Set<<
A few thanks are in order: Mark for the connection and M5board name tags, Barry for his hookup :7:, Tyler and Axel from BMW ///M made it smooth and enjoyable as ever. The entire ///M team in Seville was just top notch and very accommodating. Also can't forget the hotel - second to none with a very nice layout and comfortable accommodations. A huge win! :cheers:
Sorry it has taken me so long to get this together – it’s been busy at work and that is a good thing considering the cost of my toys (wink wink). After hearing about the Ascari experience via Mark on the e63 forum I was pumped to see what it was all about. Having just recently sold my e60 M5 I was really excited to see what ///M had in store for the new one. I am a huge fan of the F10 and feel that it is one of the best looking sedans on the road – this was definitely an experience I was not going pass up.
We arrived one day early taking the train from Madrid – a highly recommended 1<sup>st</sup> class experience. To add to that we got a nice treat when a very charming and cute BMW representative :haha2: picked us up in a 7 series, hustling us to the hotel in a crazy rain storm. We met a local business man on the train ride he recommended one of the best seafood restaurants I have been to in my life, El-Espigon – eat there :tonquesmilie:!. We ate and drank till we popped. After the restaurant we got back to the hotel and hung out in the court yard where they had an individual 6er parked. I took some pictures – nice car but needs the ///M treatment! The next day (official arrival) ///M took us on a city tour of Seville. The cathedral and other sites were very nice but frankly my mind was so pumped to see the F10 M5 :3:.
Everywhere you went in the hotel there was something that reminded you where you were, engines, cars, posters, logos. The whole experience was very ///M and really did a good job of immersing and exciting your senses. After the city tour there was a dinner and a very cool presentation video of the M5. That evening was another late night talking cars with everyone under the sun – a highlight for me was Axel. He chilled with us for a bit and I really started to appreciate the challenges ///M goes through. The thought process of building these cars and key decisions that are made 2+ years ago that must be argued and defended time and time again – especially us hounding enthusiasts
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wxF-72pgpWk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe>
The next morning was off to the track (7am to be exact), early! 150kms to the track following the famous Claudio in his X6M. The ride there was comfy and exciting. I could have driven for days. I was giddy and just so excited to be actually driving an M5 on the streets of Seville. At the track we did some hot laps following the ///M performance school instructor who kept yelling at us to “step on it this car can do more”. From hot laps you went to the M5 taxi and I will just let you watch my video to see how that went – Lol! Then after the M5 taxi experience you got to pick between an M3 or 1M to drive around. Yes the 1M felt lighter and quicker but I just longed to drive the M5 again and got my wish on our return to the hotel :thumbsup:
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6s-Waj3Pyk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe>
It was raining so much in Spain – I think the weather in Canada was warmer and nicer. For that reason they prepared us that the helicopter ride was not going to happen. On our return to the hotel we got a nice surprise and ended up doing a quick ride (my first time in one). It was pretty nice but would have rather been behind the wheel of the F10 for that time
Now I could talk for days about the driving experience but let me sum it up nicely for you. Believe the hype, the new F10 M5 is a home run for ///M. They have taken a great car and made it spectacular. On the drive to and from the track (150 km) you got to feel it’s great road presence and I could drive for days. The power is intoxicating, the sound is fantastic even if enhanced (can I turn it up ). I am traditionally not a huge fan of V8s but this one just a beast in every way.
On the track the car was agile and I could not believe I was driving a full sized sedan I could put a full complement of people in. The driving assistants were perfect and let us novices really push it while also keeping most of us on the pavement – yes some people ended up in the grass...*sigh*. The torque is just awesome, seriously I have never feel that kind of pull. Its goes in ever gear at any time begging for more. The DCT is so fast and so precise it makes you wonder why I still long for a MT. The blips and pops were giving me gooses bumps and smiles from ear to ear.
The fit and finish of the car are a massive improvement from the e60. I loved all the details the stitching etc. The different combinations were very nice to see in person – my choice would be a shade of grey or silver. The interior would be the orange or something graphite like. I miss the M5 wolf in sheep’s clothing appeal.
Now back to work to save the $$$ to buy one next fall lovelove enjoy my pictures and videos. I uploaded a few here and the rest to flicker – if you want all of them just pm me. I will try and do a few more tonight when I get home.
>>My Flicker Set<<
A few thanks are in order: Mark for the connection and M5board name tags, Barry for his hookup :7:, Tyler and Axel from BMW ///M made it smooth and enjoyable as ever. The entire ///M team in Seville was just top notch and very accommodating. Also can't forget the hotel - second to none with a very nice layout and comfortable accommodations. A huge win! :cheers: