[crbalch]

I am signed up for the Ultimate Drive Event on October 24 in Chicago, was wondering if anyone had done one before, or if they are planning on doing one.

For me, its about getting the $1000 off my car, but now that I know its a 2hr autocross I am super excited. Just wanted to see how anyone's experience was, etc.

Link is here if you havent seen it: https://ude.bmwusa.com/

[BarryJI]

These events are great. The sponsors and the dealerships put a lot of money into them and BMW a lot of effort. You can test-drive virtually any BMW in production (not the M cars, though) and the autocross event is really enjoyable and well taught.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

These events are great. The sponsors and the dealerships put a lot of money into them and BMW a lot of effort. You can test-drive virtually any BMW in production (not the M cars, though) and the autocross event is really enjoyable and well taught.

Nice! Yeah I am looking forward to it for sure...already ordered my M235xi, so I will be happy to get the 1k off the price.

[Batman33]

I did the UDE at FedEx Field (close to DC) in June, two weeks after I bought my M235. It was either the best thing or worst thing I ever did, car wise. Best, in that you get to learn to drive somebody else's M cars like you stole 'em! Worst, because now I'm 'all ate up' with high performance driving!! Seriously, it was a great experience. It changed the way I drive my car every day...for the better, and safer, I might add. The instructors appear to be top shelf which is a key to event. Have fun.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by Batman33

I did the UDE at FedEx Field (close to DC) in June, two weeks after I bought my M235. It was either the best thing or worst thing I ever did, car wise. Best, in that you get to learn to drive somebody else's M cars like you stole 'em! Worst, because now I'm 'all ate up' with high performance driving!! Seriously, it was a great experience. It changed the way I drive my car every day...for the better, and safer, I might add. The instructors appear to be top shelf which is a key to event. Have fun.

Awesome to hear, I can't wait to do it!

I am doing it in a 328/428 apparently, so I'm happy about that at least. Might feel regret if I was to do it in an M4 haha

[uberspeed]

Love these events, always attend them. Lately it's what helped push my gaze from the 3 series onto the 2 series. Pay attention to the instruction (most if not all are rather accomplished drivers) and have fun!

[alz0rz]

I'll be at the Chicago UDE. Looking to get the rebate towards an M3/M4 (sold my M235i) early next year.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

I'll be at the Chicago UDE. Looking to get the rebate towards an M3/M4 (sold my M235i) early next year.

Nice I'm doing Oct 24th at 830am

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Awesome to hear, I can't wait to do it!

I am doing it in a 328/428 apparently, so I'm happy about that at least. Might feel regret if I was to do it in an M4 haha

The 328 and the 428 (the diesel, I seem to recall) are boat-like compared to an M-car or my tuned 228i with THP but here's a word to the wise (that did not occur to me until it was too late): if you do the autocross course and the instructors organize a competitive time-trial at the end, see if yours will allow you to put the car in Sport + and sport gearing, if available, so you can get off the line much faster.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

The 328 and the 428 (the diesel, I seem to recall) are boat-like compared to an M-car or my tuned 228i with THP but here's a word to the wise (that did not occur to me until it was too late): if you do the autocross course and the instructors organize a competitive time-trial at the end, see if yours will allow you to put the car in Sport + and sport gearing, if available, so you can get off the line much faster.

Definitely will keep that in mind

[delvec03]

my instructor told us to put it in sport. In that situation I feel like you'd might want all the stability control you can get!

[BarryJI]

The more aggressive throttle map, too. Those un-tuned cars heave themselves off the line very ponderously in Comfort mode with no launch control.

[Batman33]

Spend the $700 on the whole day car control clinic. They use the M cars. Then go to the free autocross session the following day to reinforce lessons learned and take the podium. You won't be disappointed.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by Batman33

Spend the $700 on the whole day car control clinic. They use the M cars. Then go to the free autocross session the following day to reinforce lessons learned and take the podium. You won't be disappointed.

Ah I wish it was slightly less expensive or I'd do it...would prefer to spend my money on parts for the new car!

[five3three]

Do the X4. The 3/4's that are there this year are heavy as hell and slow and take a long time to get up to speed. The X4's are the xdrive35i and are quite powerful and fun to drive. Comparing specs such as 0-60 and hp/tq between the available models and the X4 has them all beat.

[caycep]

I did the M car clinic. I think the instructors got annoyed because I was so slow. Also, I didn't realize you weren't supposed to use the turn signals on the corners...

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by five3three

Do the X4. The 3/4's that are there this year are heavy as hell and slow and take a long time to get up to speed. The X4's are the xdrive35i and are quite powerful and fun to drive. Comparing specs such as 0-60 and hp/tq between the available models and the X4 has them all beat.

Ah looks like that one is all waitlisted now, should have thought about that before!

[OG///M]

Just finished the UDE in Dallas last weekend. It was amazing.

Between the class, the car (Ms, 3.0CSL, i8) displays, the autocross, the alone-no-time-limit test drives, I can't say enough how much I enjoyed it. BMW really does put a lot of effort into this program. And it's completely free.

For the autocross event my instructor was great. All their instructors seem to be serious professionals (current or retired race car driver/instructors) And you'll really learn a lot. It's translating what you learned in that 1 hr into actions on that last timed lap, that's the hard part.

One huge take away, always look as far as possible at where you want to go on the track.

[kaputt]

I'm heading down for the Dallas one tomorrow. Doing the autocross and hoping to get a lot of test drives in. Awesome to hear that the drives are alone and as long as you want! Do they have pretty much the whole fleet available? Possibly both a 228i M Sport and M235i?

[five3three]

Originally Posted by kaputt

I'm heading down for the Dallas one tomorrow. Doing the autocross and hoping to get a lot of test drives in. Awesome to hear that the drives are alone and as long as you want! Do they have pretty much the whole fleet available? Possibly both a 228i M Sport and M235i?

They won't have everything. They'll mostly have one of each vehicle series and sometimes more than one. No M235i's and from what I remember the 228i was not M Sport. Most cars are baseline with a few exceptions such as the 335i and the 650i's. No M vehicles and no i8 for the test drives.

[adema24]

I did the one in Dallas this week also. The alone-in-the-car test drives are really fun. They will set up a route on the nav for you. For those test drives, it was non m cars, but of every series. I drove several different cars and was impressed for different reasons with each car.

For the autocross, I chose the 328d/428i. The instructors were all professional drivers with a laundry list of accomplishments. They do a few hot laps with you in the car, then it's your turn. You'll do a few laps in each car with the instructor next to you. After that is the time trial. I ended up placing second by 2/10ths of a second..

They put the cars in sport mode for you. Since they won't let you disable traction control, you must be very aware to not spin too much because TC will zap your speed like crazy.

There was also a wet pad where they douse the area in water and show you the benefits of TC.

I actually got invited to the VIP event last night (probably since I financed my old 335 through BMW FS) which consisted of the same by-yourself test drives, except this time was with the M cars and also an i8! We did the autocross course in a M3. You just hopped in the car with an instructor, you do a few laps, and then the next person drives. Up next was a 3 course tasting dinner with chef Jet Tila. He was hilarious and super nice. It was about an 90 minutes long with free drinks. I brought the gf along for that and she really enjoyed it.

All in all, it's a super wonderful event. #drivingisbelieving

[Untdrums]

Originally Posted by adema24

I did the one in Dallas this week also. The alone-in-the-car test drives are really fun. They will set up a route on the nav for you. For those test drives, it was non m cars, but of every series. I drove several different cars and was impressed for different reasons with each car.

For the autocross, I chose the 328d/428i. The instructors were all professional drivers with a laundry list of accomplishments. They do a few hot laps with you in the car, then it's your turn. You'll do a few laps in each car with the instructor next to you. After that is the time trial. I ended up placing second by 2/10ths of a second..

They put the cars in sport mode for you. Since they won't let you disable traction control, you must be very aware to not spin too much because TC will zap your speed like crazy.

There was also a wet pad where they douse the area in water and show you the benefits of TC.

I actually got invited to the VIP event last night (probably since I financed my old 335 through BMW FS) which consisted of the same by-yourself test drives, except this time was with the M cars and also an i8! We did the autocross course in a M3. You just hopped in the car with an instructor, you do a few laps, and then the next person drives. Up next was a 3 course tasting dinner with chef Jet Tila. He was hilarious and super nice. It was about an 90 minutes long with free drinks. I brought the gf along for that and she really enjoyed it.

All in all, it's a super wonderful event. #drivingisbelieving

Super Jealous Man! I wish I could've had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of those M's without paying for the $700 Course. I went last Sunday and attended all the available events (Autocross 328d & 428i GC, street drives, X5 Hill Climb/Descent and the Skidpad.) It was my first time to an event like this and I'm not disappointed. As stated above, the instructors are fantastic and I've walked away being a safer/smarter/faster driver! Thank you BMW!

Are any of you DFW guys on the BIMMERPOST Southwest Regional page subject "Dallas Rollcall!"? There should be a 2er meet.