[Lexor1704]

I have been lurking for a while since I ordered my 335xi and now that I just got back from the performance center I just wanted to give some information for those who may be unsure if they want to do this.

First off the answer is YES! Do it! You will not be sorry that you took the time to do this. When you arrive at the center and see your car waiting for you and you are surrounded by many other BMW fanatics you know you are in the right place. Donny met us as a group at 8am and gave us a quick speech about the center and what we were going to do and also had us sign the obligatory lawyer forms for driving the cars on the track. Once this was done we were escorted to cars like ours and herded in groups to different sections of the track for our first real driving. My group started on the skidpad and I must say there is something truly cathartic about spinning a car on a wet track and knowing that you were told to do it and no one got hurt. This portion gives you a great appreciation for DSC and how it will do everything within the laws of physics to keep you on track.

Next stop was a tutorial on how to really use ABS, which I think all drivers need to take. Basically you do increasingly fast panic brakes into a wet cone marked corner and learn how to really brake and steer. This was particularly fun because you also get to do some hard acceleration in the cars

After that it is time to hit the track and start learning how to really attack corners and use the vehicle you just bought. You do a combo of slalom, hairpin and 90 degree turns. It is a blast and you can really begin to appreciate the 50/50 balance of the car.

That part lasted 2 hours for the 3 areas and was worth every minute. Next for me was 2 hours of quality time in my car with a BMW tech learning all about my car. That was great because you really have the time to get to know the car and features. It was so nice plugging in my 16gig flash drive and seeing all my music pop up.

We then had lunch and after lunch came the best part of the day. Donny, who has been driving formula one for 25 years, takes you for a spin around the course in a M5 finishing with a DSC off power slide, that is every bit as in control as you were with DSC on, around the wet skidpad and for a few lucky folks a high speed reverse snap turn to a full throttle forward launch. This leaves you with the definite understanding that the folks that built and designed your car have a major passion for driving.

The day finished with a drive on the off road course in some X5's that while not fast was just as impressive.

During the whole day you are pampered and your every question professionally answered. It was the best day I have had in a long time.

We just finished the 1300 mile trip back with no problems out of the car and some incredible driving in those 1300 miles. So if you can spare the time and handle the wait the performance center is the way to do it. Attached is my baby sitting in the entry room at the performance center and no I am not the guy at the desk, not sure who that was.

[baggerben]

man sounds great. congrats on the car. let the mods begin.

[AZ-BMW]

I've heard from some you can also bring a guest on the mini-track stuff, others say it is just for the buyer. What happened on your trip?

[Lexor1704]

You can definitely bring a guest and if they are over 16 with a valid drivers license they can drive the course as well. One guy brought his daughter so she could improve her skills in a safe environment.