This is my M5 delivery story.
My girlfriend and I arrived at the Greenville-Spartanburg airport at 11:30 AM on Monday, March 3, to drop off the rental car. We called Marriott as instructed and told them we are with the BMW delivery program. Ten minutes later there was a BMW wagon there to pick us up and take us to the hotel. The driver was very knowledgeable about the program and scheduled our dinner for that night and told us our departure time for the morning. We checked in and after he brought our luggage to the room he insisted that if there was anything we wanted to do he would try and accommodate us the best he could.
Our room was nice, big enough for the two of us to stay in for three nights. There was a welcoming letter from the Performance Center on the king sized bed. The view overlooked the outside pool and we could see the airport runways. The workout room consisted of some treadmills, bikes, and small dumbbells. The indoor pool was small but unused. The hot tub and sauna were good size and looked very inviting after our busy weekend. Their “business center” consisted of one computer, fax machine, printer, and a copier. I did find it was not very busy so I could check the board often! There were several restaurants nearby across a busy street and a subway, local restaurant and the NA Michelin Headquarters within safe walking distance.
It was a beautiful day so we decided to go to Cleveland Park, approx. 15 minutes away. The driver had to pick up a Z8 Driving Experience couple from the airport first and then he could take us. The park had six tennis courts, two basketball courts, a playground and trails to walk on. The Greenville Zoo was next door. After walking the trails that took us near some well-kept old homes, we decided to check out the zoo. Admission was $5/person. It was very small compared to our zoo here in Cincinnati but the animals were very active and you could see the children enjoyed it tremendously. It was mostly outdoors except for an indoor amphibian house. A giraffe exhibit was being constructed. Overall, it was well worth admission.
Three hours later the driver picked us up and we went to dinner at Austin’s, the hotel’s eatery. They gave us a menu recommended by BMW but told us we could order anything on their menu. The food was good and included an entree, drink (no alcohol), dessert, and gratuity. Sometimes they did not bother giving us the check, other times we had to sign BMW Delivery or M5DE.
After a visit to the hot tub and a very, very long night, we went to breakfast at 9:00. It was a buffet and had anything and everything. I grabbed my xenon flashlight, tire gauge, tape, CD case, and BMW binder and off we went to get my car. It was 9:40.
We arrived at the PC a little early but nonetheless they were ready and two delivery specialists greeted us at the door. They told us there were supposed to be three deliveries including us but the other two were no-shows so we were the only ones. I thought to myself, ‘don’t worry, I can keep you busy all day...’
I do not know how long you have waited and wanted something before, but this was my longest wait and second greatest want (besides finding a soul mate) of my life. It has been over 12 years since I have wanted a BMW. Reading about them, seeing them at car shows and races, having friends who own them, studying hard, working harder, saving up for one, ordering one, following the build and shipping process very closely, and finally traveling to the meeting point has brought me to the present time. I was about to see my BMW for the first time.
As we walked through the PC to the delivery bay my heart pounded faster and faster. We came to the second delivery bay and a specialist opened the door and invited me to walk in. I took a couple steps and immediately focused on the jet black/lemans blue BEAST. It was amazing!!! The delivery specialists stood back and let me take in the view. It was a fairly cloudy morning but the sun was beginning to come out so they had the automatic bay window blinds down. The car was shinning so brightly under the bay lights. The wheels, the tires, the Roundels, the ///M5 badge, the car. I just stood there. My girlfriend said I was shaking but I do not recall. A specialist opened the front door and I sat in the cockpit. I was home.
After snapping out of it I realized there was a table with everything laid out- leather M case, manuals, keys, etc. First thing first. The inspection. I went over the car inside and out looking for anything wrong. Trust me, I looked hard and I looked long but could not find anything. My dealer sent a car cover down and it was in the trunk along with a trunk mat that was the wrong size because he accidentally ordered the wrong one (the right one should be here shortly). We went through the engine compartment then headed over to the table where they explained every manual to me. We got through some of the inside of the car but did not get to the NAV. It was 2.25 hours later, 12:15.
We decided to break and get some lunch at the PC cafeteria. Great food. After lunch, we drove over to the Zentrum and toured that as well as the Z4 and X5 manufacturing facility. The plant is responsible for over 4000 employees and 600 BMWs/day. A specialist drove a 3-series and we followed in a Z4. We parked right in front of the Zentrum. The tour included my girlfriend and I and two tour guides, pretty good ratio. Two hours later we headed back to the PC and went over the NAV. The bay doors were opened and the BEAST was fired up. It sounded so good! A specialist carefully pulled it out of the bay. We got in and I slowly drove it off the bay driveway and away from the PC.
My girlfriend programmed Clemson University into the NAV, avoiding highways, and we headed off. Round trip was 110 miles. It was one of the best drives of my life. We took our time and I could feel some of the power and handling the BEAST had to offer. I can only imagine what will be after the break in period! The campus was nice. The football stadium, ***** Valley, was opened so we went in and took some pics.
We got back to the hotel (parking within view from the room) and on our bed was a folder with M5DE itinerary, two M5DE black long sleeved shirts (one collared and one mock turtle neck), and a letter from the PC thanking us for choosing PC Delivery. We ate dinner at Austin’s and headed to bed. The next two days were going to be very busy.
We woke up for the group breakfast. The group was pretty small, 24 people including guests. They usually have around 40. The head of the M5DE welcomed us and told us multiple times the bus was leaving at exactly 8:10 AM. We arrived at the performance center and the instructors introduced themselves. We watched ‘the commercial’ of the M5 and then split up into two groups. One was going to the Biltmore Estate and one was staying at the PC track. We were scheduled to stay but I had them change this during my delivery the day before because I didn’t want to drive 3 hours to and from Biltmore and then have to drive 440 miles back to Cincinnati in the same day.
Our caravan to Biltmore included five 3.0 automatic Z4s with sport package between two blue X5s (instructors). Each car had a radio and a snack pack. The drive there was great, windy roads and little traffic. The instructors really pushed the caravan the whole drive. We stopped once a little over halfway there. We decided I would drive there and my girlfriend would drive back. The Estate was very nice and huge. No pictures were allowed inside the main house. We took the self-guided tour and then broke for lunch. Lunch was very good and everyone said the desert was fantastic, peanut butter pie I believe (I do not eat many sweets). My girlfriend and I walked through the gardens and to the bass pond. When we got back it was time to go. The drive back was even better. My girlfriend kept up with no problem (she has a 3.0 manual Z3 roadster). After the trip we were very tired and even though it was not recommended, we took a power nap before dinner.
Dinner was held in one of the hotel’s big ballrooms. It was a good buffet with many choices. There was also an open bar. We learned a lot about everyone’s automobile background and met some wonderful people. It lasted a little over two hours. When we got back up to our room there was the Anniversary Edition of 30 Years of BMW M Power book on our bed! Breakfast the next day was at Austin’s and again the bus left at 8:10. However, we drove the car so we could leave directly from the PC. The second day was fun! It was our first time at a driving school. We both learned a great deal. Before lunch we did a braking exercise, drove a slalom with a turnaround, skid pad (good before lunch), and practice mini track run. After lunch we saw the new 760, did an accident avoidance exercise, track/skid pad run, individual timed mini track run, and team event on the track/skid pad course. We had so much fun and again, learned so much considering this was our first school. We received a certificate of completion and a M5 pin. The professionalism of the PC and M5DE was excellent.
Our drive home was good. We made the 440-mile trip in about 6.5 hours with two short stops. There was no traffic and very little construction. The BEAST was safely home by 11:00 PM. The next day I went to my dealer and showed everyone the car and they washed/waxed it for me. I am over halfway through the break in period and about to be closer when I take it out today!
My first impression is that it is everything I thought it would be. I am not disappointed one bit. My wait is over. Please go to
http://kelleyja.yi.org/m5.asp for pics!
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