Just did the Team USA event in Seattle

bobbydigital · 05-19-2015, 03:59 PM

I attended the Team USA event that was in Seattle today. My first event of his kind and my expectations were low. I was just going to get the $1000 credit towards my 435 GC lease car arriving this week.

Overall event was well done and well executed. They had a series of BMW models: 335, X1, X4, 428 GC and a 650 convertible.

They also surprised me by having competitor cars there too like the Mercedes SL550, Lexus RX and NX, Mercedes C300 and E class (can't recall the model).

They have a predefined route you're instructed to take for a 10-15 mins drive through the city. Surprisingly you are given the keys and you drove it unaccompanied.

It was neat to be able told drive the SL500 back to back with the 650 vert. While the interior build quality was much better in the SL550, I preferred the overall driving experience of the 650.

I was given opportunity to drive as many or as few as I wanted to. After my drives were done, I filled out a survey and they gave me a BMW baseball hat and a shopping/grocery bag branded with "///M".

I'm supposed to be able to get my $1000 coupon in email within 48 hours. Perfect timing for my car arriving for Friday pickup!

justinnum1 · 05-19-2015, 04:39 PM

nice, not sure if you saw my other post, i was not able to combing the corp fleet program with the drive for usa event. dealer gave me access to their internal bulletin about it and it does exclude corp fleet cars.

good luck

chrisny · 05-19-2015, 04:50 PM

Anyone have a link to the Olympic drive event? When I search on bmwusa, I only get one for California... I'm assuming there should be a page that lets you put in your location to search the schedule for your nearest dealers…?

EDIT: disregard, found it on bimmerfest:

https://www.bmwusa.com/secured/conte...testdrive.aspx

then choose "No ID code" if you don't have an invitation code

mcleod52 · 05-19-2015, 06:13 PM

I'm doing the Team USA event in Bellevue the 21st. Looking forward to it even more now.

drexplode · 05-19-2015, 07:06 PM

Steve Thomas BMW not participating?

sr5959 · 05-19-2015, 07:14 PM

Damn, I was supposed to go to this and I forgot! I really would've enjoyed trying some of these cars but I don't need the voucher so I guess not a disaster. Good weather for driving a convertible today in Seattle!

TheFleetingFox · 05-19-2015, 08:49 PM

Thanks for posting about this!

Did a little research and am not set up to drive a 650i convertible next thursday

.

Anyone know about how much the incentives usually are for, and for how long they are good?

Plan on doing pull ahead next February.

bobbydigital · 05-19-2015, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFleetingFox

Thanks for posting about this!

Did a little research and am not set up to drive a 650i convertible next thursday

.

Anyone know about how much the incentives usually are for, and for how long they are good?

Plan on doing pull ahead next February.

$1k valid for 60 days

bobbydigital · 05-19-2015, 09:34 PM

I just looked up the SL550 to show my wife the car I drove today and was shocked at the MSRP: $100k?!?!

It did not drive like it was a $100k car. That thing is absurdly overpriced.

TheFleetingFox · 05-19-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

$1k valid for 60 days

Raw, hopefully they have something in december then.

$1000 is a lot!

Dcarter15 · 05-20-2015, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I'm supposed to be able to get my $1000 coupon in email within 48 hours. Perfect timing for my car arriving for Friday pickup!

A lot of times on these $1000 off events there's fine print that says it excludes already ordered vehicles. Regardless of that, your CA can put it through if he really wants to.

bobbydigital · 05-20-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcarter15

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I'm supposed to be able to get my $1000 coupon in email within 48 hours. Perfect timing for my car arriving for Friday pickup!

A lot of times on these $1000 off events there's fine print that says it excludes already ordered vehicles. Regardless of that, your CA can put it through if he really wants to.

My vehicle is a p2 so eligible.

tturedraider · 05-20-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I attended the Team USA event that was in Seattle today. My first event of his kind and my expectations were low. I was just going to get the $1000 credit towards my 435 GC lease car arriving this week.

Overall event was well done and well executed. They had a series of BMW models: 335, X1, X4, 428 GC and a 650 convertible.

They also surprised me by having competitor cars there too like the Mercedes SL550, Lexus RX and NX, Mercedes C300 and E class (can't recall the model).

They have a predefined route you're instructed to take for a 10-15 mins drive through the city. Surprisingly you are given the keys and you drove it unaccompanied.

It was neat to be able told drive the SL500 back to back with the 650 vert. While the interior build quality was much better in the SL550, I preferred the overall driving experience of the 650.

I was given opportunity to drive as many or as few as I wanted to. After my drives were done, I filled out a survey and they gave me a BMW baseball hat and a shopping/grocery bag branded with "///M".

I'm supposed to be able to get my $1000 coupon in email within 48 hours. Perfect timing for my car arriving for Friday pickup!

You just experienced a typical BMW driving event. They have a lot of experience with them and they do them very well. They're also not afraid of their competition. I'm not aware of any other manufacturer that does these at a level anywhere close to what BMW does.

I've been to many of them. Getting to drive unaccompanied is standard. For the first time last year I went to one where the dealership hosting the event had set a stipulation that one of their sales people had to accompany you. I let her know very clearly that was totally uncool and because of it I would never do business with that dealership. Like I said, I've been to many of these and this was a first.

ft1330 · 05-20-2015, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

For the first time last year I went to one where the dealership hosting the event had set a stipulation that one of their sales people had to accompany you. I let her know very clearly that was totally uncool and because of it I would never do business with that dealership. Like I said, I've been to many of these and this was a first.

This is very weird. I know that sometimes BMW doesn't provide a certain vehicle and the dealership takes one from their fleet, and as a result they want one of their sales jerk riding along. I would walk off unless I really, really wanted to drive that car.

ft1330 · 05-20-2015, 10:22 AM

Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonish me for driving a 750 in his hood (a very high income area of town). He told me he was tired of the BMW test drives, lol. I guess I don't look like I should be driving a 750. I hope this time they have some highway driving.

bobbydigital · 05-20-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1330

Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonishing me for driving in his hood (a very high income area of town). I hope this time they have some highway driving.

The route around the Seattle dealership was pretty good despite lower speed limits for a portion of it. I didn't mind it.

nicknaz · 05-20-2015, 10:40 AM

Last time i went there was an s5 with sport diff and 255 wide square summer tires and it drove better than a 435 xdrive with 20s.

I told the organizers they should have brought a 435 rwd with 18s next time since it might have better wheel control from lower weight and the sportier suspension instead of detuned xdrive suspension. They were shocked i knew those nuances between cars. I think they are used to "oh cool... Its riding on 20s y0"

tturedraider · 05-20-2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1330

Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonish me for driving a 750 in his hood (a very high income area of town). He told me he was tired of the BMW test drives, lol. I guess I don't look like I should be driving a 750. I hope this time they have some highway driving.

If they have a lame route I find my own close by that is more interesting.

sr5959 · 05-20-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1330

Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonish me for driving a 750 in his hood (a very high income area of town). He told me he was tired of the BMW test drives, lol. I guess I don't look like I should be driving a 750. I hope this time they have some highway driving.

If they have a lame route I find my own close by that is more interesting.

Me too.

bobbydigital · 05-20-2015, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sr5959

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1330

Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonish me for driving a 750 in his hood (a very high income area of town). He told me he was tired of the BMW test drives, lol. I guess I don't look like I should be driving a 750. I hope this time they have some highway driving.

If they have a lame route I find my own close by that is more interesting.

Me too.

You should know that the waiver you are signing makes you agree to follow their route because that's what their insurance covers. If you deviate off the route, you are liable if something happens.

chrisny · 05-20-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFleetingFox

Raw, hopefully they have something in december then.

$1000 is a lot!

I think the UDE events are coming back around in the fall. I saw one scheduled for NY/NJ around mid-November I believe. Think they start around October again in other areas.

chrisny · 05-20-2015, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcarter15

A lot of times on these $1000 off events there's fine print that says it excludes already ordered vehicles. Regardless of that, your CA can put it through if he really wants to.

I've done the latter. Didn't even know about my first event until my CA told me, after the car was ordered..

05-19-2015, 03:59 PM	#1
bobbydigital Lieutenant 136 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2015 BWM 435GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Just did the Team USA event in Seattle I attended the Team USA event that was in Seattle today. My first event of his kind and my expectations were low. I was just going to get the $1000 credit towards my 435 GC lease car arriving this week. Overall event was well done and well executed. They had a series of BMW models: 335, X1, X4, 428 GC and a 650 convertible. They also surprised me by having competitor cars there too like the Mercedes SL550, Lexus RX and NX, Mercedes C300 and E class (can't recall the model). They have a predefined route you're instructed to take for a 10-15 mins drive through the city. Surprisingly you are given the keys and you drove it unaccompanied. It was neat to be able told drive the SL500 back to back with the 650 vert. While the interior build quality was much better in the SL550, I preferred the overall driving experience of the 650. I was given opportunity to drive as many or as few as I wanted to. After my drives were done, I filled out a survey and they gave me a BMW baseball hat and a shopping/grocery bag branded with "///M". I'm supposed to be able to get my $1000 coupon in email within 48 hours. Perfect timing for my car arriving for Friday pickup! Attached Images
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05-19-2015, 04:39 PM	#2
justinnum1 Major General 651 Rep 5,803 Posts Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	nice, not sure if you saw my other post, i was not able to combing the corp fleet program with the drive for usa event. dealer gave me access to their internal bulletin about it and it does exclude corp fleet cars. good luck __________________ F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
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05-19-2015, 04:50 PM	#3
chrisny Brigadier General 547 Rep 3,307 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Anyone have a link to the Olympic drive event? When I search on bmwusa, I only get one for California... I'm assuming there should be a page that lets you put in your location to search the schedule for your nearest dealers…? EDIT: disregard, found it on bimmerfest: https://www.bmwusa.com/secured/conte...testdrive.aspx then choose "No ID code" if you don't have an invitation code Last edited by chrisny; 05-19-2015 at 06:24 PM..
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05-19-2015, 06:13 PM	#4
mcleod52 Private 12 Rep 75 Posts Drives: X3 30i-G01 2021 - Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Issaquah iTrader: (0)	I'm doing the Team USA event in Bellevue the 21st. Looking forward to it even more now.
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05-19-2015, 07:06 PM	#5
drexplode Brigadier General 1779 Rep 3,061 Posts Drives: G26 i4x Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Walled Lake Michigan iTrader: (17)	Steve Thomas BMW not participating?
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05-19-2015, 07:14 PM	#6
sr5959 Captain 138 Rep 690 Posts Drives: 428GC M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Damn, I was supposed to go to this and I forgot! I really would've enjoyed trying some of these cars but I don't need the voucher so I guess not a disaster. Good weather for driving a convertible today in Seattle!
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05-19-2015, 08:49 PM	#7
TheFleetingFox New Member 3 Rep 16 Posts Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Thanks for posting about this! Did a little research and am not set up to drive a 650i convertible next thursday . Anyone know about how much the incentives usually are for, and for how long they are good? Plan on doing pull ahead next February.
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05-19-2015, 09:34 PM	#9
bobbydigital Lieutenant 136 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2015 BWM 435GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I just looked up the SL550 to show my wife the car I drove today and was shocked at the MSRP: $100k?!?! It did not drive like it was a $100k car. That thing is absurdly overpriced.
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05-20-2015, 10:22 AM	#15
ft1330 Major 231 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Last time I did an event like this, their route was ridiculous and nonsensical. Was basically a bunch of back roads with a 35 mph limit the whole time. I had a resident walking his dog admonish me for driving a 750 in his hood (a very high income area of town). He told me he was tired of the BMW test drives, lol. I guess I don't look like I should be driving a 750. I hope this time they have some highway driving.
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05-20-2015, 10:40 AM	#17
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Last time i went there was an s5 with sport diff and 255 wide square summer tires and it drove better than a 435 xdrive with 20s. I told the organizers they should have brought a 435 rwd with 18s next time since it might have better wheel control from lower weight and the sportier suspension instead of detuned xdrive suspension. They were shocked i knew those nuances between cars. I think they are used to "oh cool... Its riding on 20s y0"
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