BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW M2 Forum > Pricing / Ordering / European Delivery / PCD > "New Owners Track Drive"... CA or SC?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-15-2021, 05:14 PM   #1
imOFP
Private First Class
imOFP's Avatar
United_States
206
Rep
118
Posts

Drives: '21 M2c, '23 Bronco Raptor
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Tampa to Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Talking "New Owners Track Drive"... CA or SC?

Just got an email for a free+guest new owners track drive for the purchase of my M2c in August. Has anyone recently done this? I watched this video
and read this post https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1748836 and it seems like a crazy great opportunity.

Given the fact it's free and I have enough free night hotel certs to cover lodging - given the choice of Thermal or Spartanburg where should I go? We vacation every year in LA+SoCal and we got married in Greenville so we are somewhat familiar with both areas. I am thinking Thermal (Joshua Tree, Stumps, prox. to SD) - but open to other opinions. Given the opportunity I might opt for some more seat time with a 1-day M School too.

Where would you go and why? Thoughts, inputs, and opinions?
__________________
'21 F87 M2c.
Sunset Orange, Orange Stitch, Carbon Int, DCT, Exec., MPE.
Appreciate 0
      09-16-2021, 05:56 AM   #2
carchrism5
Lieutenant Colonel
carchrism5's Avatar
United_States
332
Rep
1,581
Posts

Drives: M2, X3 M40i, 911
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NC

iTrader: (3)

While the New Owner's Track Drive is fun, I did it last year, I feel that it isn't worth flying to for that alone. It is only about 2 hours in total with some of that on track. Again not saying it is bad by any means, just managing expectations. If you're going to CA or SC for a vacation and add this as part of it, then it is great. I haven't been to Thermal but been to Spartanburg a number of times. The cool part about Spartanburg is you can add the factory tour which is extremely interesting. Adding that you go married in that area I'd personally try and make it an anniversary trip and maybe head to the mountains too.
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2021, 07:22 AM   #3
M13RSD
New Member
United Kingdom
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 CS
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

would love to give this a go.
__________________
M2CS
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2021, 11:01 AM   #4
Capt Canuck
Lieutenant
Capt Canuck's Avatar
Canada
704
Rep
415
Posts

Drives: EX. '21 BMW M2C
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Bay Area, California

iTrader: (0)

I initially thought it was the 1/2 day school and was super keen on it. When I realised it was a 'sampler pack' less so, but as you say imOFP if you can combine it with a one day school, say the day after it, and make a weekend of it that'd be fun! Or can combine it with something else, but as a standalone reason, not so much.

Personally since I'm West Coast-based I'd go to Thermal and then head out to Joshua Tree for a hike after it.

I actually just signed up for the 1 day M school at Laguna Seca in November. Sure it costs money, but really looking forward to it, especially as a warmup for taking my own M2C out there.
__________________
therealm3: "You could preventatively swap in a B58 from a Supra? Then it would at least have a Toyota badge on it and you would sleep easier."
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2021, 11:47 AM   #5
Krombopulous
Enlisted Member
Krombopulous's Avatar
38
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2021 M2 Competition
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Charlottesville, VA

iTrader: (0)

I did the PCD pickup in South Carolina and would highly recommend that to anyone. One party there had already purchased their 4 series and was doing what I believe you are being offered. The only difference is that they aren't unveiling / showing you your new car that day (which was quite an experience too).

The 1/2 day on the track was a blast as was offroading the X5's. The track time isn't super intense, but I still had a ton of fun. I am interested in doing the M school, which is much more involved.
__________________
2021 M2 Competition - HS 6MT
2012 Ducati Monster 1100evo
2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave, the daily
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2021, 01:56 PM   #6
blkonblk
Private First Class
192
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2021 M2C LBB
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: DubsTown

iTrader: (0)

I did this last month and although I had fun driving the snot out of cars that are not mine, it wasn't special enough to post something about here immediately. My wife and I regularly visit her family in Orange County and I decided to make a side trip to Thermal and use this freebie before it expires.

During our uphill/terrain/mud session, I drove a X5 and managed to get stuck in the mud, had to be pulled out. On the track, we drove a Z4M, X6M, M4 and 340M. The Z4M was the best for me, it was tossable, lighter and felt much quicker than the others. In the end, the instructor drove us around a short track with lots of turns on a M5 slipping, sliding and drifting with such abandon I felt like it was such a violent experience.

We ended our week with another side trip to Santa Barbara for two days before heading back to the Bay Area. Overall, it was a fun vacation but I wouldn't go to Thermal just for this experience alone, I'd rather spend a whole day in M driving school closer to home. At least I got to drive the M2C and stretch her hips for a while on a 1200 mile round trip.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2021, 08:58 AM   #7
richard in NC
Colonel
United_States
1225
Rep
2,602
Posts

Drives: 2009 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC

iTrader: (0)

I concur that while a fun experience, it's only a 1/2 day and I'd combine it with something else if needing to fly somewhere. I'm not familiar with the Thermal area but in SC, besides adding an actual M school or factory tour if available, you're real close to the mountains, Asheville, Tail of the Dragon, Gatlinburg even, and other area attractions.
__________________
2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s
2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims
Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2021, 01:36 AM   #8
sharpmoney
Private First Class
60
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: NA
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (0)

drove down to thermal from LA, i would not do it again for just this new owner's track drive, the ultimate driving experiences (also free) that come much closer to you are pretty much the exact same thing.
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2021, 11:32 PM   #9
MarlboroM2C
Second Lieutenant
MarlboroM2C's Avatar
United_States
237
Rep
219
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [10.00]
2021 BMW  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpmoney View Post
drove down to thermal from LA, i would not do it again for just this new owner's track drive, the ultimate driving experiences (also free) that come much closer to you are pretty much the exact same thing.
why would you NOT do it? Its a sampler. But do the school with it
__________________
BMWCCA M Chapter & NJ chapter
'21 BMW M2C BSM 6MT MDrivers Pkg
Appreciate 1
      10-02-2021, 02:45 AM   #10
sharpmoney
Private First Class
60
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: NA
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarlboroM2C View Post
why would you NOT do it? Its a sampler. But do the school with it
yes, would not drive 6hrs round trip again just for the sampler (bought two cars in 2020 and they gave me 2 vouchers), but definitely if i paired the school with it.
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2021, 03:52 PM   #11
Yak
Private
58
Rep
81
Posts

Drives: 2021 M2C
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: NH

iTrader: (0)

imOFP I called the performance driving center and they will allow you to
take a credit, pretty sure I was told $850, towards a M school day/two or one on one instructor training.
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2021, 04:34 PM   #12
fanofbmwe46
Major
2065
Rep
1,159
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: united states

iTrader: (0)

I did it a month ago in SC. Made a trip out of it with my wife. It was fun, but honestly not enough time on the track. They have you drive on a super short track and take turns doing 2-3 laps in 5 different cars. The hot lap in the M3comp on the full track with an instructor was awesome but would have liked to do that a few more times and be given the chance to be the driver on that larger track as well. Overall still a fun experience.

Cars I drove were M2C, M4C, X5M, M240i, M550i and also drove an X5 on the off road course. That was kinda fun.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2021, 07:23 AM   #13
Krombopulous
Enlisted Member
Krombopulous's Avatar
38
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2021 M2 Competition
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Charlottesville, VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by fanofbmwe46 View Post
I did it a month ago in SC. Made a trip out of it with my wife. It was fun, but honestly not enough time on the track. They have you drive on a super short track and take turns doing 2-3 laps in 5 different cars. The hot lap in the M3comp on the full track with an instructor was awesome but would have liked to do that a few more times and be given the chance to be the driver on that larger track as well. Overall still a fun experience.

Cars I drove were M2C, M4C, X5M, M240i, M550i and also drove an X5 on the off road course. That was kinda fun.
Driving that X5 on the off-road course might have been the biggest surprise & delight on that trip for me, other than randomly being in the same group as a friend of mine from town.

I took my best friend (girlfriend opted out lol) and there's a very high chance he and his wife will buy an X5 now - I see why BMW does that X5 sample!

And tbh, got me thinking pretty hard about a BMW suv for the winter...
__________________
2021 M2 Competition - HS 6MT
2012 Ducati Monster 1100evo
2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave, the daily
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:33 PM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST