Just got back from the BMW Ultimate Drive. Great way to spend your lunch break. For those not familiar with it, it’s a breast cancer research fundraiser where BMW donates 1 dollar for every mile you drive. I’ve done this the past 3 years in a row and this is the first time they’ve had an M3 available to drive. So I had to drive that first. Sweet car, but I did not like the shifter: long throws and a tad sloppy. But the engine is really nice of course: less power down low than I was lead to believe from the articles I read, but about 5k rpm, it is really strong. There’s a sudden rush at about 6k that is very addictive.

Next I drove a 135i coupe with the automatic. Lots of power right from idle. Now I know why everyone raves about that engine. It felt easier to drive and toss about than the M3. I wish I could have driven a manual though. I found the pinched footwells quite annoying as I have long legs. Not a comfortable position to be in for any length of time.

Finally, I drove the 760Li. Wow, what a limo! I think I would have preferred to ride in the back seat, but I didn’t get the chance. The V12 in this car is very smooth and quiet. This would be the ultimate highway cruiser if you could afford it. I would love to take one to Vegas for a long weekend.

It’s nice to be able to drive these cars without actually having to be shopping for them. I would have driven a few more, but I had to get back to work. Definitely sign up for this event in your area as it is for a good cause, is a lot of fun, and you get a free lunch.

 

Awesome, I didnt know about this program. Anyways, I looked it up on BMWs website and found an event taking place at the dealership down the road from where I work on Sept 23. Unfortunately I can't register until aug 19th. Is there a charge involved or is it free to anyone who signs up? Will I have to regisiter for a timeslot during the day and how do we pick what cars we want to drive? Does someone ride with you? Surprised you got the m3 up to 5-6k rpms on a charity run, lol.

 

It's all free. There are some age requirements for some of the cars. And yes, you can drive them alone or bring a friend. I registered in advance for the cars I wanted, but I think only the M3 and the Alpina are by appointment only. They were pretty much begging for drivers for all the other cars. We had about a 12 mile route on the interstate. Couldn't drive too hard, but the on and off-ramps were a blast.

 

sick, yea i looked into more details

have to be 30! to drive the m3
at least 25 to drive the 6 and 7 series

all the rest like the 335 and 135 are free game for anyone over 21

anyways, how do you know which ones are manual when you sign up? I could care less about the automatics, i wanna try out the stick versions and see how they feel.

is it possible to schedule during lunch break and after work or would that be double dipping, lol

 

I think the hours are going to depend on your dealer, but here they were 10-5. The only cars I saw with manual trans. were the Z4 coupe and the M3. I don't think there's any way to tell until you get there. You could stay there all day and drive the cars if you wanted to. I was gonna drive the 650i coupe next, but I ran out of time. One old dude drove every car there and then they asked him if he would drive one to Kansas City for the next event. They take you out to dinner and give you a ride back. Not a bad deal if you have time to kill; lol.

 

^^ Haha thats awesome! I dont have time for that otherwise I would certainly volunteer. Anyways, I'm going to definitely sign up for the 335i, 135i, and maybe that Z4 coupe. Too bad Im not old enough to get in the 6 or 7 series

 

I agree, the 760Li is one beautiful car. I feel like a made man in that car.

 

Sounds awesome, I'm doing this too in my town. Mine is 9/6.

 

sounds like something I would definitely be in to. Test driving different cars is one of my favorite things to do.

 

WOW!! I wish more car manufacturers had that program... I wasn't surprised about the 135i+steptronic, I have been saying it since day one,it pick ups speeds with a small touch in the gas. I would like to test drive the M-5 or M-6 though..

Carlos