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BMW Ultimate Drive 2008

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    BMW Ultimate Drive 2008

    No pics this year, I actually didn't even know about it until today. Those of you that know about it know what it is, but for those that don't, it's BMW's "Driven to find a cure" program, aimed at raising money for breast cancer research. They bring a slew of cars to different dealerships, and you can come and basically flog them all day for free, and BMW donates one dollar for every mile driven. Today I drove some pretty fun cars, they were as follows:

    Z4 3.0 coupe: Super fun to drive, it felt strange being so far back in the car, though. Awesome power delivery, handled like a dream, I got it up to about 110 mph on the return trip back to the dealership. It was almost impossible to see out of though, backing it into it's space at the dealer was a nightmare.

    650i: Probably about as close to an M6 as I'll ever get, this thing was a BRUTE. The power delievery of the V8 wasn't very quick, but once it did get wound up, that thing became a fucking land missle. Lots of fun with the paddle-shifters, too. Probably would have been more fun with a manual. HUGE car, though. I managed to get this one up to 117 mph coming back down the hill before I chickened out.

    335i cabrio: It might not have looked all that menacing, but the power this car had was insane. Even with the paddle-shifters, I still managed to pitch it sideways leaving the turnaround for the return trip to the dealer. In second. Once the twin-turbos spooled up, the car would just instantly scream toward the horizon, no lurching, no whiplash, just instant speed.

    And the car I waited 3 hours to drive...

    135i: Holy. Shit. I'm in love. This car was an absolute riot. It literally almost feels as small as an E30, just obviously bulkier and WAY heavier. But weight was no issue, let me tell you. The twin-turbo made no mention of anything getting in it's way, just instant power all the damn time. Even in 6th, I could mash the gas and after a little bog, it would wind right back up again and whip the needle toward triple digits. I didn't even bother slowing down at the turnaround, I just kicked it back down into 2nd, stomped the loud pedal and flung it around and back the other direction, with harldly even any screeching from the tires, fighting to regain traction as they might have been. Got the 135i up to 129 mph coming down straightaway back toward the dealer, and passed some guy in a CR-V like he was standing still.

    There were 2 cars there I couldn't drive though, one was an Alpina B7, and the other was an E93 M3. You had to be 30 to drive either one of them, and you also had to have registered and made a reservation to drive them the night before. I probably would have stolen the M3 anyway, or died in it. :up:

    #2
    That sounds like a blast!

    Explain to me how this works...you just go in and say you want to drive their car for the day?
    www.ryanwhopkins.com

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      #3
      Thanks for reminding me about this event. There are two dealers having it here locally in August - I may try to go to both if need be in order to ensure I get a spin in both the M and the 135.
      Current Cars
      2014 M235i
      2009 R56 Cooper S
      1998 M3
      1997 M3

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        #4
        Dave, even if you miss the M3, do not miss the 135i. I was blown away. I would probably buy one of these over any other new BMW.

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          #5
          is there a age limit or can anybody with a license do it??

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            #6
            Last year I drove almost every car their, with the exception of the 7 series and X5.

            The 650i did move, but it felt sooo heavy. It was a convertible too.

            The z4 with 3.0 was fun to drive, just enough power for it to be quick but not a handful.

            The 550i I drove this year was my fave, last year it was the 540i e39. All 5/6spd cars were serviced and I had a chance to drive the Alpine 7 series but was out of time :(

            the 135i I drove was a vert, it had no sport package and was an auto...it was good but not amazing.

            Originally posted by Hairos E30 View Post
            is there a age limit or can anybody with a license do it??
            My dealership had a "21+" on th 135/335i IIRC.
            Mtech1 v8 build thread - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=413205



            OEM v8 manual chip or dme - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho....php?p=4938827

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              #7
              If you have to ask, your too young.

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                #8
                man that sucks so like in 2 years ill probably be able to do it..

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                  #9
                  Laaame, all that is left at BMW Bellevue is the damn X6 3.5L... Yeah not even worth taking a long lunch for that.

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                    #10
                    135i's are fun as shit to drive indeed, I'd love to get behind the wheel of one again.
                    Who doesn't love a little BBQ?
                    Griot's Garage at a Deep Discount

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                      #11
                      I had the pleasure of driving the 135i this year. They were at Century West BMW a couple weeks ago. It was by far the BEST modern BMW I have ever driven. It even took the cake from the s54 M coupe which I thought was the best! The best thing was the color combo white/red with a giant 33 (lucky #) on the hood. Sooooo fuckin sick.
                      harry/harout

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                        #12
                        I've always wanted to do this! Too bad BMW/Kormen are douchebags this year and skipped Portland completely. How can you stop in Methford but not in Portland?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I wanna drive a 135i!!!!!!

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by bmw325csi View Post
                          I had the pleasure of driving the 135i this year. They were at Century West BMW a couple weeks ago. It was by far the BEST modern BMW I have ever driven. It even took the cake from the s54 M coupe which I thought was the best! The best thing was the color combo white/red with a giant 33 (lucky #) on the hood. Sooooo fuckin sick.
                          Weird...although I haven't driven an s54m coupe yet, to me that looks more of a drivers car than any 135i (maybe short of Tii?). NA engine that loves to rev, lovely brakes and not overboosted steering rack :)
                          Mtech1 v8 build thread - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=413205



                          OEM v8 manual chip or dme - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho....php?p=4938827

                          Comment


                            #14
                            ^Dont get me wrong the m coupe is still one of my favorite cars and its much more a drivers car, but the raw power of the 135i is incredible, like mr.anderson mentioned, you can floor it it any gear and it flies. Looks wise the m coupe FTW!!
                            harry/harout

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by James Crivellone View Post
                              Laaame, all that is left at BMW Bellevue is the damn X6 3.5L... Yeah not even worth taking a long lunch for that.
                              James, they're taking all of the cars from here to Bellevue tomorrow, a bunch of people are driving them up there.

                              All of the cars were 21+ to drive, the 650i was 25+, and the M3 and Alpina B7 are 30+.

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