BMW's Drive for the Cure++

[GTaudiophile]

Last week, I participated in BMW's annual "Driven to Find a Cure" program. For the uninitiated, you go and drive any number of BMWs and for every mile you drive, BMW donates $1.00 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It's really a win-win situation for all: drivers get to spend 20-30 minutes (per drive) alone in the BMW of their choice and BMW gets to market their cars for charity.

Day 1 (Hank Aaron BMW): I ended up spending close to three hours at the dealer. I started out driving a Z4 3.0i automatic then progressed to a 325ci 5-speed, 745Li, and a 330ci automatic. I ended up walking away a big believer in the Z4. It's a fantastic car to drive, and it looks SO MEAN in the rear-view mirror. I understand why some call it the "land shark." After driving the cars, I ended up hanging out with the "Driven to Find a Cure" crew. I helped them out some, and they ended up asking me if I wanted to shuttle a BMW from United BMW (Roswell, GA) to Columbus, GA the following Wednesday. I of course accepted their offer...

Day 2 (Roswell, GA to Columbus, GA): The "Driven to Find a Cure" crew ended up giving me the keys to a 330ci automatic. I drove it, along with 17 other BMWs, the 130 miles south. I of course brought my own tunes for the drive. It was awesome being in a special convoy of 18 BMWs. We ruled the road. Three members of the group got pulled for going 87 in a 70 (after they slammed on the breaks from 125mph). It was an awesome drive, and I can't wait to help out next year!

Of course, HERE ARE THE PICS!

 

[Zim Hosein]

Was bimmerchick there?

Sounds like fun and a worthy cause, I wish I could participate

 

[amishhonda]

bimmerchick was with me...

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Was bimmerchick there?

Sounds like fun and a worthy cause, I wish I could participate

Yeah, her head was in my lap the entire drive...

 

[m2kewl]

ARGH!!! i promised myself i do it this year. damn and i wanted to drive the Z4 too.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Was bimmerchick there?

Sounds like fun and a worthy cause, I wish I could participate

Yeah, her head was in my lap the entire drive...

Naming your hands doesn't count.

Are they still taking signups? My roommate & I drove in Portland last year, & planned on doing it again... I've yet to see any sign up info though...

Viper GTS

 

[WhiteKnight]

I did the Ultimate Drive last week too and drove a Z4 manual and a 330ci manual. Great time for a great cause!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Was bimmerchick there?

Sounds like fun and a worthy cause, I wish I could participate

Yeah, her head was in my lap the entire drive...

Naming your hands doesn't count.

Are they still taking signups? My roommate & I drove in Portland last year, & planned on doing it again... I've yet to see any sign up info though...

Viper GTS

You just have to watch bmwusa.com. Within a month or so of them doing it in your area, the online sign-up process will become available. I actually didn't register online this time, though. They accept walk-ins, so that's what I did. Since the weather was only so-so, I had the cars pretty much to myself towards the end of the afternoon.

The Z4 3.0i is an awsome car! It's amazing what the extra 0.5L does to that engine!

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight
I did the Ultimate Drive last week too and drove a Z4 manual and a 330ci manual. Great time for a great cause!

They actually brought back manual transmissions?

Sweet!

They had nothing but autos last year.

:disgust:

Viper GTS

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Was bimmerchick there?

Sounds like fun and a worthy cause, I wish I could participate

Yeah, her head was in my lap the entire drive...

Naming your hands doesn't count.

Are they still taking signups? My roommate & I drove in Portland last year, & planned on doing it again... I've yet to see any sign up info though...

Viper GTS

You just have to watch bmwusa.com. Within a month or so of them doing it in your area, the online sign-up process will become available. I actually didn't register online this time, though. They accept walk-ins, so that's what I did. Since the weather was only so-so, I had the cars pretty much to myself towards the end of the afternoon.

The Z4 3.0i is an awsome car! It's amazing what the extra 0.5L does to that engine!

If I even knew the date for Portland I'd be happy...

n/m, bmwusa made all the difference. Found it in seconds.

5 months left, I'll be safely over 21 & eligible to drive by myself.

Z4 3.0 MT here I come!

Viper GTS

 

[Zim Hosein]

Thanks for the signup info GTaudiophile

 

[GTaudiophile]

They don't offer many manuals, and if they do they've always been mated to a 2.5L I6. Last week, they had a Z4 2.5i 5-speed and a 325ci 5-speed. While I was there, someone blew out the clutch on the Z4. Pretty amazing considering the car was less than two weeks old with less than 2K miles on it.

The first year BMW did the "Drive for the Cure," they also had M cars. But since they were pretty much destroyed, BMW took them out of the program. I was told that they will allow people 25 years and older to drive a 760Li which they will include at a later date.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
They don't offer many manuals, and if they do they've always been mated to a 2.5L I6. Last week, they had a Z4 2.5i 5-speed and a 325ci 5-speed. While I was there, someone blew out the clutch on the Z4. Pretty amazing considering the car was less tha two weeks old with less than 2K miles on it.

The first year BMW did the "Drive for the Cure," they also had M cars. But since they were pretty much destroyed, BMW took them out of the program. I was told that they will allow people 25 years and older to drive a 760Li which they will include at a later date.

We talked to someone last year, apparently one of the M vehicles went through something like 13 clutches during it's tour.

Absolutely insane, some people have NO business touching a MT.

Viper GTS

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Thanks for the signup info GTaudiophile

Here is the exact web page.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Thanks for the signup info GTaudiophile

Here is the exact web page.

Thanks GTaudiophile :beer:

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
They don't offer many manuals, and if they do they've always been mated to a 2.5L I6. Last week, they had a Z4 2.5i 5-speed and a 325ci 5-speed. While I was there, someone blew out the clutch on the Z4. Pretty amazing considering the car was less tha two weeks old with less than 2K miles on it.

The first year BMW did the "Drive for the Cure," they also had M cars. But since they were pretty much destroyed, BMW took them out of the program. I was told that they will allow people 25 years and older to drive a 760Li which they will include at a later date.

We talked to someone last year, apparently one of the M vehicles went through something like 13 clutches during it's tour.

Absolutely insane, some people have NO business touching a MT.

Viper GTS

You wouldn't believe how many people take advantage of "Drive for the Cure" to drive their first MT!

Just think about how many miles have to be driven to make up for the money lost on replacing such a clutch!

 

[m2kewl]

thanks GT! i'm signing up!

/me hopes they got a manual Z4

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: m2kewl
thanks GT! i'm signing up!

/me hopes they got a manual Z4

If it's the same crew as I had, there will be one. It just won't be mated to the 3.0i engine. Too bad because the 3.0 is where the fun really is.

Don't forget to push the Sport button

 

[Imported]

ARG! Damn their "You need to be 21" blah blah crap..

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

You can register in three simple steps. To begin, enter and submit your Zip Code below for a list of events in your area. All participants must be 21 years of age or older. A valid driver's license is required.

Dammit. There's a BMW dealer a few miles from my house that has the event scheduled for August. I'll be 21 in December.:|

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
They don't offer many manuals, and if they do they've always been mated to a 2.5L I6. Last week, they had a Z4 2.5i 5-speed and a 325ci 5-speed. While I was there, someone blew out the clutch on the Z4. Pretty amazing considering the car was less tha two weeks old with less than 2K miles on it.

The first year BMW did the "Drive for the Cure," they also had M cars. But since they were pretty much destroyed, BMW took them out of the program. I was told that they will allow people 25 years and older to drive a 760Li which they will include at a later date.

We talked to someone last year, apparently one of the M vehicles went through something like 13 clutches during it's tour.

Absolutely insane, some people have NO business touching a MT.

Viper GTS

Well jeez you have to learn sometime right? Even you once upon a time had to learn.

And if I could drive a car that wasn't mine, I'd burn up the clutch after a few 6k rpm launches

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Z4 3.0 MT here I come!

Viper GTS

Assuming they have one. I looked at some upcoming events and they seemed to only have a 2.5 MT.
If they do have a 3.0 MT, I'll have to make sure to get an appointment before you just in case you burn up the clutch, young'n.
Plus, I'll be 25 so I can drive a 760 if they have it at our location. Nyah!

GT, how'd you get to drive four cars? The signup form seems to only have spots for two. Do they let you drive more if you hang around and no one is signed up for them?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Signing up just secures a certain car at a certain time. If cars are available and people aren't driving them, you can drive whatever you want as often as you want (before 5:00pm).

 

[NokiaDude]

Can you drive if your parent (over 21) drvies with you?!?!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Can you drive if your parent (over 21) drvies with you?!?!

Nope, sorry.