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      04-09-2016, 02:17 PM   #1
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Trip Journal: M Track Days Barcelona featuring M2

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So my wife (meg180 from the forums) and I recently got back from a wonderful experience at the BMW M track days event in Barcelona , Spain, which was set up mainly as a driving experience for the new M2 but also featured other M vehicles, specifically the competition pack M3/M4 and competition pack M5/M6. The event allowed an opportunity to experience a beautiful city, Barcelona, and the driving experience was specifically at the Circuit de Barcelona -- Catalunya --F1 circuit, a track that I had also been eager to try out. Here is the write up of our trip, which hopefully many will enjoy.

Upon arriving at Barcelona El-Prat airport, we were picked up by BMW and transferred to the W hotel Barcelona, a beautiful hotel right by the beach. Upon our check into the hotel, we were greeted by M staff and an M6 competition package with M performance parts outside the hotel. We were each given a tin box, with all info needed inside and some meal vouchers and a BMW M pin.

We had came into the city a little bit earlier which allowed us a chance to explore the city by ourselves and as part of a tour group set up by BMW. Some of the few sights we saw that are in the pictures included the Sagrada Familia (a stunning architectural church that is a must see inside and out if one ever gets the chance to visit this city) , Casa Battlo, Palau de la Musica Orfeo Catalana, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, La Pedrera, La Boqueria food market (an interesting experience!) and some tapas tastings.

On the evening before the track event, we were taken to a nearby waterfront restaurant called One Ocean Club where we were able to mingle with other guests and also with some of the BMW and M staff. After a nice steak dinner, we were asked to step outside for a video presentation which then revealed two M2’s coming down the road in the night and they were parked in front of us to look at up close.



After only a brief night’s rest and a nice breakfast, the group was transferred by bus to the F1 circuit which was about 40 min away. As we approached everyone was excited and there was a whole fleet of Long Beach Blue M2’s waiting right outside our bus drop off point. Soon we met our instructors, who were all a part of BMW’s driving experience/school programs. We were already split into color coded groups and the group rotated between different activities – an M2 handling course, which was essentially a timed autocross, then three lead follow track experiences – one with four LBB M2’s led by the instructor, one with a mix of M3/M4 with competition pack, and one with a mix of M5/M6 with competition pack. Instructors definitely allowed the group to open up the cars at speed and it was a great comparison to feel the cars on track. Got to try using the M laptimer with the cars and it noted we hit speeds up to 140 mph. The M2 as well as the M3/M4 all shined very well on the track. I think that people will be very happy with the M2 but I also have to say I was pretty impressed with the comp pack M3/M4 (I would definitely order it that way if possible).

After driving through these track sessions (along with a nice Spanish lunch at track), we were given the opportunity to ride in BMW performance part modded M2s with our instructors giving the hot laps. They went out 2 cars at a time, drifting and sliding through corners, lots of fun! We were given USB videos of our experience.There was also a brief overview of BMW performance parts and a live comparison of M2 perf exhaust/M3 perf exhaust/M5 perf exhaust.



After some down time and some goodbyes the buses took us back to the hotel or to the airport for some, as our time in Barcelona came to a close. A great experience, overall!
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Last edited by triplefive; 06-05-2016 at 09:54 PM.. Reason: added video
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      04-09-2016, 02:36 PM   #2
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Thanks for the review! Great pictures as well!

Would love to hear more of your opinion about how the M2 drives compared to the other M's that you got to experience.
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      04-09-2016, 02:54 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexCirc View Post
Thanks for the review! Great pictures as well!

Would love to hear more of your opinion about how the M2 drives compared to the other M's that you got to experience.
Again, somewhat limited time with the cars but the M5/M6 had gobs of power but not really ideal for this track because they did feel big. M2 felt great on the track, sounded great -- I thought the M3/M4 competition pack was amazing as well, I honestly think you couldn't go wrong with either. M2 shines on tighter courses and it was so much fun on the autocross handling circuit. I think on this course the comp pack M3/M4 shined a little bit better in terms of overall power and handling. I talked with a few of the BMW instructors, they seemed to also prefer M3/M4 first then the M2 on the track circuit. I think it depends on a lot of variables. I think if buying the car, M2 seems like the way to go given the MSRP diff but on a lease, its more subjective and prob the M3/M4 may have more of an advantage there, at least for now in terms of monthly payment. Also some people may prefer the practicality of larger space, etc. It really depends on your particular scenario. Talking with the BMW people at the event, they didnt really have concerns of M2 "stealing" M3/M4 sales but rather felt the M2 enhanced the "M portfolio"
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      04-09-2016, 03:30 PM   #4
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Nice.

I see you have attended other M events in the past - are those available only for people selected by BMW or you can just sign up and hope you get picked?
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      04-09-2016, 04:03 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
Nice.

I see you have attended other M events in the past - are those available only for people selected by BMW or you can just sign up and hope you get picked?
they are open to anyone
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      04-09-2016, 04:20 PM   #6
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Wow, the M2 Performance exhaust sounds amazing. The chuckling crowd at the end of revving the M3 Performance exhaust says it all.
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      04-09-2016, 05:12 PM   #7
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Great post!
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      04-09-2016, 05:36 PM   #8
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Thanks for sharing, what a an incredible opportunity!
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      04-09-2016, 08:23 PM   #9
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Wow, what a great experience, thanks for posting.
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      04-09-2016, 08:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tag View Post
Wow, the M2 Performance exhaust sounds amazing. The chuckling crowd at the end of revving the M3 Performance exhaust says it all.
+1

M2 perf exhaust
M3 perf exhaust
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      04-09-2016, 10:32 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by triplefive
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexCirc View Post
Thanks for the review! Great pictures as well!

Would love to hear more of your opinion about how the M2 drives compared to the other M's that you got to experience.
Again, somewhat limited time with the cars but the M5/M6 had gobs of power but not really ideal for this track because they did feel big. M2 felt great on the track, sounded great -- I thought the M3/M4 competition pack was amazing as well, I honestly think you couldn't go wrong with either. M2 shines on tighter courses and it was so much fun on the autocross handling circuit. I think on this course the comp pack M3/M4 shined a little bit better in terms of overall power and handling. I talked with a few of the BMW instructors, they seemed to also prefer M3/M4 first then the M2 on the track circuit. I think it depends on a lot of variables. I think if buying the car, M2 seems like the way to go given the MSRP diff but on a lease, its more subjective and prob the M3/M4 may have more of an advantage there, at least for now in terms of monthly payment. Also some people may prefer the practicality of larger space, etc. It really depends on your particular scenario. Talking with the BMW people at the event, they didnt really have concerns of M2 "stealing" M3/M4 sales but rather felt the M2 enhanced the "M portfolio"
lol. It definitely enhances the portfolio.

By keeping production low, most prospective buyers are " enhanced" right into an M235i, an M3 or an M4. Brilliant !
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      04-10-2016, 05:44 AM   #12
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Thanks for all these wonderfull pics. :thumbs:
And "muy bueno" BMW Barcelona!
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      04-14-2016, 09:46 AM   #13
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M2 with Performance Exhaust Rev and Drive Off vs. M3 with Performance Exhaust Rev and Drive off:





And the M5 as well:

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      04-14-2016, 10:15 AM   #14
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I think all 3 cars sounded amazing.

Thanks for these videos.
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      04-14-2016, 10:17 AM   #15
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These cars look great when lowered with the performance suspension.

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      04-14-2016, 10:23 AM   #16
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<3 Barcelona. My favorite city. And a track day event on top of that! Incredible! W Hotel there is also fantastic.
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      04-14-2016, 10:42 AM   #17
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I was there on Friday, and I agree M3/4 probably the best in term of overall performance, down the main straight, the corners, and those slight hilly corners. (I had the British racing green M4) But M2 aren't out done by much, the handling and with DSC on, the car correct itself just right at the Apex, also those timed drift laps show how good M2 in the tight corners and pick up speed. The power of M5/6 are strong, but I feel like driving a boat in the corner with them.
Barcelona is a great city, lots to do & see, the weather was good, except we had morning shower on the day, which made us a bit hesitate to go all out on the track (fun began after lunch when the track dried up). The room in W Hotel is top class with those big floor to ceiling window out to Mediterranean Sea.
That was really a memorable experience with BMW.
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      04-14-2016, 10:47 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Strongbark View Post
These cars look great when lowered with the performance suspension.

I came in here to post this,

WOW THIS LOOKS GOOD
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      04-14-2016, 11:47 AM   #19
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nice been at that hotel a few times. Love Barcelona. I hope you found all the beach you needed...lol
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      04-14-2016, 11:51 AM   #20
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hi everybody!
I've been right there on 5-6 April,
It was simply an amazing day...and I also won the "time attack race" with the M2!
thanx to Bmw and all the BMW ///M staff

I got ///M bag as prize!!
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      04-14-2016, 11:58 AM   #21
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I literally could not be more jealous of a human being right now.
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      04-14-2016, 12:01 PM   #22
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Phenomenal photos and thank you for sharing! Say hello to David for us!
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