Now that I have your attention, I am certainly kidding!
However, yesterday I had one of the most enjoyable "automobile driving experiences" I have ever had. :wroom:
"BMW Sponsored Ultimate Driving Experience"
<o =""></o>I had just gotten back yesterday late in the afternoon when I wrote this:
<o =""></o>A good friend of mine received one of the “by invitation only” sign up cards a few weeks ago to test drive a variety of BMWs, but more importantly to put an E90 Sport Package 330I thru it's paces on an autocross circuit. My good friend was kind enough to invite me (many many thanks Robb!!!!!!). Well, we just got back and let me just say “What an absolute blast!” I had no idea what an awesome time I was in for!
I have had a few BMW’s including my current Imola 02 M5 and my recently sold E36 M3, and a little while back I sold my beloved 89 325IS. But, I never took any of these cars on an Autocross circuit or for a driving day or anything – well, shame on me!!!!
In <st1:city w:st="on"><st1 ="">Denver this event </st1></st1:city>was held in the north parking lot at Invesco field (the Bronco’s stadium). The day started out pretty mildly with Robb and I both test driving a couple cars, Robb a 545I and me a 4.4 X5 – both nice cars. But then we were up for the event of the day – Robb and I were on for a 1:30pm slot and we were ushered into a tent and sat down with about 25 other very excited potential BMW 330I auto crossers.
After everyone sat down a gentleman came forward to give us a very nice preview of what we were going to experience, and naturally gave us the expected pitch of how awesome the new 3 series, and went over some of the unique features the car has (I was a little surprised as I learned quite a few things). Next, we were told a little bit more about what our day was going to be like. He said that each team of three were going to be accompanied by an experienced BMW race car driver - I don’t know of any of these gentlemen (oh yes and one lady) but they were all very good instructors (and excellent drivers as we were going to find out too) who gave each of us basic instruction on how to best negotiate the autocross track we were on and tips on how to improve our track times. The instructor that Robb and I had was very very good. We were told that we were to above all else have a great time and to, by all means, drive the 330I as fast as we possibly could! He did state that the idea was to keep within the cones as much as possible. Then we were told that in addition to auto crossing the 330I, we were all going to get to compare the BMW to similar models offered by the competition, the newest Infiniti G35 and the latest Audi A4 3.2 Quattro! Wow, nobody knew this was going to be part of the event at all because they had hidden the Audis and the Infinitis up to the point where we went down to the autocross track.
Well, now to the driving! I confess, I am 100% new to auto crossing, but after this event, I am completely hooked! We had an absolute blast. OK, I am getting excited. We had 8 teams of three (2 teams per professional driver). Each BMW team leader was assigned 1 BMW, 1 Audi and 1 Infiniti. BTW, all three vehicles were automatics, which in retrospect, was the only way they could have accomplished an event like this with drivers of widely varying experience levels. We started out in the BMW. The 330I was setup in the middle traction control position. In our car Robb was 1<sup>st</sup> then I and then a gentleman named Paul (who was an original owner of an 88 325IS). Did I mention that Robb drives an 02 M3 Vert with SMG? Well, we all thoroughly enjoyed the dickens out of the 330I – tires squealing, cones flying and brakes screeching, what a time. I couldn’t believe how hot those poor tires were when we had finished our 9 or so laps (they had already told us that a set of tires last about 50 miles. By the time each of us finished our 3<sup>rd</sup> lap (with very helpful tips interjected along the way by our BMW coach) all three of us were becoming pretty comfortable with the 330I and each of us had improved considerably.
We all got out of the BMW and we had a little break while our BMW team captain took out his 2<sup>nd</sup> group of three students. Robb and Paul and I had a little break, which was a nice time to compare notes. When these three students were done he came back to get us and told us it was now time for the Infiniti. We went in the same order. I couldn’t believe it as Robb tried to get the Infiniti into any semblance of performance through the corners – he soon learned that it just wasn’t going to go thru the corners very fast. I was next so I knew by observing Robb that I was going to have to take it easy thru the corners, but I just couldn’t believe the difference, the Infiniti felt like a big old 70’s Buick Electra in comparison. I will add that we all thought it had a nicely finished interior which we all had plenty of time to look at as we galumphed around the track.
Now for the Audi – we were all pretty excited to try out the A4 Quattro. Robb was first again but I was surprised as he was having similar problems as in the Infiniti. It also was noticeably slower than both the BMW and the Infiniti (the Infiniti was rated at 280HP and the BMW and Audi were both rated the same at 255HP). BTW, if the Infiniti was faster in a straight line I didn’t notice it, and it certainly didn’t make up for the extremely poor (in comparison to the BMW) handling. Anyway, back to the A4 – I would say we all enjoyed the handling of the Audi more than the Infiniti, but I was shocked at how far the Audi was from the 330I. The Audi was definitely closer to the Infiniti than it was to the 330I!
<o =""></o>
If I had to rate the overall enjoyment and sheer ability to get around the track in a manner that felt natural and controlled, I would rate the three cars as follows:
BMW 330I – Let’s just say it was a 10 :M5launch:
Audio A4 3.2 Quattro – 6 or 7 :crying2:
Infiniti G35 – 5 :crying:
At the end of the program they gave two little prizes (a little BMW autocross pylon), one for the “most improved” driver and one for the driver exhibiting the “best performance” (which was of course was simply a subjective rating). I was amazed beyond belief when I was given the “best performance” award.
After this awesome day, I am now considering how and when to get my M5 onto an autocross course. I have to admit, unless I had been given the opportunity to push someone else’s car this hard, I probably would never have considered this – I know this may sound ridiculous to some of you, but I am accustomed to babying the dickens out of my BMWs.
Since I haven’t tried it yet, I would love to hear other M5 board members experiences their first time out onto a track with their beloved M5!
Steve
However, yesterday I had one of the most enjoyable "automobile driving experiences" I have ever had. :wroom:
"BMW Sponsored Ultimate Driving Experience"
<o =""></o>I had just gotten back yesterday late in the afternoon when I wrote this:
<o =""></o>A good friend of mine received one of the “by invitation only” sign up cards a few weeks ago to test drive a variety of BMWs, but more importantly to put an E90 Sport Package 330I thru it's paces on an autocross circuit. My good friend was kind enough to invite me (many many thanks Robb!!!!!!). Well, we just got back and let me just say “What an absolute blast!” I had no idea what an awesome time I was in for!
I have had a few BMW’s including my current Imola 02 M5 and my recently sold E36 M3, and a little while back I sold my beloved 89 325IS. But, I never took any of these cars on an Autocross circuit or for a driving day or anything – well, shame on me!!!!
In <st1:city w:st="on"><st1 ="">Denver this event </st1></st1:city>was held in the north parking lot at Invesco field (the Bronco’s stadium). The day started out pretty mildly with Robb and I both test driving a couple cars, Robb a 545I and me a 4.4 X5 – both nice cars. But then we were up for the event of the day – Robb and I were on for a 1:30pm slot and we were ushered into a tent and sat down with about 25 other very excited potential BMW 330I auto crossers.
After everyone sat down a gentleman came forward to give us a very nice preview of what we were going to experience, and naturally gave us the expected pitch of how awesome the new 3 series, and went over some of the unique features the car has (I was a little surprised as I learned quite a few things). Next, we were told a little bit more about what our day was going to be like. He said that each team of three were going to be accompanied by an experienced BMW race car driver - I don’t know of any of these gentlemen (oh yes and one lady) but they were all very good instructors (and excellent drivers as we were going to find out too) who gave each of us basic instruction on how to best negotiate the autocross track we were on and tips on how to improve our track times. The instructor that Robb and I had was very very good. We were told that we were to above all else have a great time and to, by all means, drive the 330I as fast as we possibly could! He did state that the idea was to keep within the cones as much as possible. Then we were told that in addition to auto crossing the 330I, we were all going to get to compare the BMW to similar models offered by the competition, the newest Infiniti G35 and the latest Audi A4 3.2 Quattro! Wow, nobody knew this was going to be part of the event at all because they had hidden the Audis and the Infinitis up to the point where we went down to the autocross track.
Well, now to the driving! I confess, I am 100% new to auto crossing, but after this event, I am completely hooked! We had an absolute blast. OK, I am getting excited. We had 8 teams of three (2 teams per professional driver). Each BMW team leader was assigned 1 BMW, 1 Audi and 1 Infiniti. BTW, all three vehicles were automatics, which in retrospect, was the only way they could have accomplished an event like this with drivers of widely varying experience levels. We started out in the BMW. The 330I was setup in the middle traction control position. In our car Robb was 1<sup>st</sup> then I and then a gentleman named Paul (who was an original owner of an 88 325IS). Did I mention that Robb drives an 02 M3 Vert with SMG? Well, we all thoroughly enjoyed the dickens out of the 330I – tires squealing, cones flying and brakes screeching, what a time. I couldn’t believe how hot those poor tires were when we had finished our 9 or so laps (they had already told us that a set of tires last about 50 miles. By the time each of us finished our 3<sup>rd</sup> lap (with very helpful tips interjected along the way by our BMW coach) all three of us were becoming pretty comfortable with the 330I and each of us had improved considerably.
We all got out of the BMW and we had a little break while our BMW team captain took out his 2<sup>nd</sup> group of three students. Robb and Paul and I had a little break, which was a nice time to compare notes. When these three students were done he came back to get us and told us it was now time for the Infiniti. We went in the same order. I couldn’t believe it as Robb tried to get the Infiniti into any semblance of performance through the corners – he soon learned that it just wasn’t going to go thru the corners very fast. I was next so I knew by observing Robb that I was going to have to take it easy thru the corners, but I just couldn’t believe the difference, the Infiniti felt like a big old 70’s Buick Electra in comparison. I will add that we all thought it had a nicely finished interior which we all had plenty of time to look at as we galumphed around the track.
Now for the Audi – we were all pretty excited to try out the A4 Quattro. Robb was first again but I was surprised as he was having similar problems as in the Infiniti. It also was noticeably slower than both the BMW and the Infiniti (the Infiniti was rated at 280HP and the BMW and Audi were both rated the same at 255HP). BTW, if the Infiniti was faster in a straight line I didn’t notice it, and it certainly didn’t make up for the extremely poor (in comparison to the BMW) handling. Anyway, back to the A4 – I would say we all enjoyed the handling of the Audi more than the Infiniti, but I was shocked at how far the Audi was from the 330I. The Audi was definitely closer to the Infiniti than it was to the 330I!
<o =""></o>
If I had to rate the overall enjoyment and sheer ability to get around the track in a manner that felt natural and controlled, I would rate the three cars as follows:
BMW 330I – Let’s just say it was a 10 :M5launch:
Audio A4 3.2 Quattro – 6 or 7 :crying2:
Infiniti G35 – 5 :crying:
At the end of the program they gave two little prizes (a little BMW autocross pylon), one for the “most improved” driver and one for the driver exhibiting the “best performance” (which was of course was simply a subjective rating). I was amazed beyond belief when I was given the “best performance” award.
After this awesome day, I am now considering how and when to get my M5 onto an autocross course. I have to admit, unless I had been given the opportunity to push someone else’s car this hard, I probably would never have considered this – I know this may sound ridiculous to some of you, but I am accustomed to babying the dickens out of my BMWs.
Since I haven’t tried it yet, I would love to hear other M5 board members experiences their first time out onto a track with their beloved M5!
Steve