This is why a lot of people want to take delivery at Spartanburg. Whatever BMW you purchase, you will be outfitted in a car as similar to the one you're picking up as possible. The car they gave us had fewer than 300 miles on it and we beat it like a stepchild. "Drive it like you stole it!" a lot of people like to say. In a way, we had, and in every way, we did.
We were taken inside to sign waivers and get to know the other couples. Our instructor, Matt Mullins, asked us how many BMWs we had owned. One of the guys in our group had owned ten. I was second with seven — six of which are still in the family. The ten bimmer guy hadn't joined the BMWCCA. I may have looked at him like he was crazy.
"I giggled like a schoolgirl."— Track time, Spartanburg PDC
BMW Nirvana
What I did NOT know was that we would be sharing the track with Z8s and M5s. Upon exiting the building I was surrounded by what can only be described as BMW Nirvana. Z8s, M5s, 3s, X5 4.6is's, even 745i's were everywhere. I truly was on hallowed ground.
Here is probably a good place to let you know that while I talk a big game, I do not actually worship BMWs. I just really really really like the cars. I always have. I suppose I would be as passionate about '74 Novas if that were my first car. But it wasn't.
The Skip Pad
The skip pad is where you learn to feel the limits of the car in a controlled environment. The instructors know exactly what the car can do — and they push you to find out. By the end, you have a completely different relationship with the machine.
