BMW Ultimate Driving Event

On Thursday July 22nd I had the opportunity to attend the BMW Ultimate Driving Event in Lynchburg, VA at Crossroads of Lynchburg. I preregistered for the event the week before and requested to drive the X6 Active Hybrid. There was an array of new models available for test drive. When I arrived, I checked in and was escorted to a beautiful black X6 Active Hybrid. To my surprise I was able to drive 9 models that day.


BMW X6 ActiveHybrid
The X6 ActiveHybrid was a joy to drive. The car has a lot of power and therefore had really great pick up with 0-60 in a little over 5 seconds. I did hear the engine shut off and restart at stops, but it did not take long for the engine to start from stops. I really like the exterior styling, but many would not agree with me. The sloping coupe-like roof does compromise storage space behind the rear seats compared to other SUVs, but you would not be buying this car for practicality. This X6 was over $90,000.00 as tested. At that price why not get an X6 M? You get more power for around the same price. If you are paying this much for a car then you are probably not really concerned with the cost of gas. Great vehicle, but skip the Hybrid model unless you just really want to look “green”.


BMW 650i Convertible
This car was fun to drive, but I expected it to have more power. The car was just too heavy. Sure there is the M6 option with more power, but you would have to pay about $23,000 more for that. I would also like to see some other luxury features at this price point like air vents in the headrests to warm passengers on a cold day or an air cap to push wind over the cabin of the car. Those features can be found on a lower priced Mercedes Benz E350 convertible. Speakers in the headrests would also be nice to hear the music more clearly while the top is down as well as a folding hardtop roof option. The 6 series is going to take a break in production for a year and then a redesigned 6 series will emerge. I hope that BMW can add some of these features as well as increase the power. That would move this car from good to great.


BMW X5 xDrive35d
BMW names sure are getting long these days. No longer just an X5 with the engine size, but also “d” for diesel (the gas powered engines have an “i” instead for direct injection) and “xDrive” to show that this is a 4-wheel drive vehicle. A BMW diesel is a great alternative to a Hybrid. This BMW had a lot of torque, which made it feel more powerful than an X5 xDrive35i. With the option of three rows of seats, more storage room than an X6 and cheaper than an X6, this X5 BMW is the best choice within BMW to haul lots of people and their stuff. But be advised, the storage space with the third row in place is small so you may have to choose between two more passengers or luggage. The third seat is not recommended for adults because it is so small. The design is definitely more conservative than the X6, which will appeal to more buyers. Also, there was a tax credit for this particular BMW diesel SUV, but check with your local dealer because this promotion may have expired. This is a great family vehicle.


BMW 740Li
For about 11 grand less than a BMW 750Li, you can have a V6 powered 7 series sedan. It still has most of the comforts and conveniences that BMW 7 series customers have come to expect. It is available in the short wheelbase model or the longer wheelbase model for around 4 grand more. This newly redesigned 7-series has much more conservative styling than the previous 7series sedan. There was a lot of negative feedback about the previous generation and BMW responded with a much more traditional BMW styled sedan this time around. This car is a joy to drive, but feels less engaging than other BMWs, especially when compared with the BMW 3 series.


BMW 335d
The BMW 3series diesel was so much fun to drive. The car I drove had an M sports package, which included larger wheels and a thicker steering wheel. The thicker steering wheel was great. Driving the BMW 3 series you feel in control unlike the larger 5 and 7 series sedans. It is a much more engaging driving experience and a lot of fun. It just goes to show why the BMW 3 series sets the bench for all other entry-level luxury automobiles. The diesel adds more torque as well as improved fuel economy. If you do not want to pay more for the diesel, the 335i and the 328i are also great cars and a cheaper way to get into one of the best cars available today.


BMW 535i
BMW has been reverted back to the more conservative styling route and the new BMW 5 series sedan is no exception. While the previous generation 5 series sedans styling was very controversial, it ended up being the best selling 5 series generation to date. The new 5 series is larger than the previous generation and feels almost like a 7 series sedan. As with most BMW’s, if you check all of the option boxes the price will soar up quick, but even less equipped models are still a joy to drive. This new generation has been criticized as having a less engaging driving experience than the previous 5 series, but changes to the suspension and more computer-controlled functions tend to frustrate BMW enthusiasts.


The Mercedes Benz E350 was also present to compare the new 5 series sedan. While I did not drive that Mercedes at the event, I had driven the new E350 sedan the month before. Both are great cars, but the BMW was a much more fun to drive over the Mercedes E350. That says a lot coming from me, the current owner of a Mercedes Benz E320 sedan. The new 5 series is sharp and is a great less expensive option than a 7 series sedan. Some of your friends may even think that you are driving a 7 series until they see the numbers on the back.



BMW 550i GT
When I first saw this car I thought the back looked weird but I liked it. That car was black, but when I saw it in gold it did not look as good, so be careful of the color you choose. This styling will not appeal to everyone, probably only a few. BMW has already had to offer huge rebates to push this new car into drivers’ hands. So if you like this car you might be able to find a great deal. Styling aside, this is a BMW and it drives like one. The driving experience is exceptional and there are options galore. If you need more trunk space than a 5 series sedan then this car should be on your list. The unique hatchback design allows for great versatility. Do not write this car off of your list based on the styling. It may grow on you and it is still a great BMW.


BMW 128i Convertible
BMW has done a great job trying to attract another segment of people with the 1 series line up. For the younger, and those less able to afford an expensive BMW, the 1 series is a great option. There is a not a whole lot of space in this car, but it is a fun little convertible. The 1 series also comes as a coupe and both are available as a 128i or a 135i. This 128i will not blow you away with power but is the more economical way into a BMW. If you still need more power the 135i is offered. If you are in the markets for a convertible check out this car. If you want a folding hardtop you will have to fork over more cash for a 3 series folding hardtop convertible.


BMW Z4 sDrive35is
Hands down, this was the most fun BMW that I drove all day. To explain BMW’s long model designation, this is a Z4 folding hardtop convertible. The “sDrive” designates real wheel drive, the “i” direct injection gas engine and the “s” as faster than a Z4 sDrive35i. This could be labeled a Z4 M as it has more power than the previous generation Z4 M, but it is not. This new “s” designation means that BMW has tweaked the engine for more output as well as removed weight from the standard body. The “s” is also available in 3 series coupes and convertibles this year. Look at it as a better performer than the base model, but not quite an M performer.

This BMW Z4 had a really fast folding hardtop as well as various driving modes to adjust for various driver preferences and road conditions. I opted to turn off the traction control system and put the car in Sport + mode which made for a fun and engaging driving experience. Push the gas and you really felt the car take off. The downside to this car is that with the top down, you are going to have a hard time fitting much of anything in the trunk, but that does not change the driving experience. If you are looking to spend around 65 grand for a great convertible, then this car must be on your list.


BMW did a great job with this event. It was a smart way to get customers to experience BMW models that they may not have had the opportunity to drive before. There was also an incentive to attend the event- if you drove a car, you were given $1,000 towards the purchase or lease of select new BMW models. That way you could check another option box you may not have without an extra grand. Great event BMW and thank you for letting me drive all of your new models. I look forward to the new X3 due out this fall. It looks like a huge improvement over the first generation. Keep up the good work of building fun, quality automobiles!