Help me buy a new car.

[Indian Chief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Holy shit, now I'm digging in to this and it looks like it's going to be a no Brainer.

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

Sweet, sounds like a great alternative to European Delivery... and when you're done, you can drive through the mountains (and in my experience, speed limits are only light suggestions in the Carolinas and Tennessee).

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

I know I repped you for this post but's that's an awesome story.

You should post more here. Stop lurking!

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I know I repped you for this post but's that's an awesome story.

You should post more here. Stop lurking!

What this guy said.

Just think of all of the BMW accessories you could buy with the King of the N00bs prize money.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

you seem nice to me.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

is this something they do now? That's pretty sweet. I imagine new car sales have suffered somewhat - maybe compared to the early to mid nineties, purely speculation.

But yeah - that's nice of them to do that - so they actually gave you a loaner, am I following that right? also paid for supper, huh? Wow!

I will drive an M4 in 2015 or bust my ass trying.

[Simply Red]

I will say this much more about the BMW - and I'll let it rest.

The 335i Coupe I owned, was the best car I've ever owned and frankly, I miss the hell out of it - M5 is close, but not as fun.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

I will say this much more about the BMW - and I'll let it rest.

The 335i Coupe I owned, was the best car I've ever owned and frankly, I miss the hell out of it - M5 is close, but not as fun.

Just bought an 08 335i sedan. Can't wait to start playing with it.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

I never post, but had to chime in here as I was just at BMW's facility in SC.

(I actually was perusing this thread because I am in a similar boat as BRC, price range, also considering the Challenger among others, and so I wanted to see where this went.)

A friend of mine ordered a 435i GC and elected to do the SC pickup. (And you can bring a friend -- hello marketing/sales tool!) We flew down, they picked us up at the airport in a brand new 740, and took us to the hotel. Hotel stay, dinner, breakfast, and transportation were all included. They shuttled us to the track first thing the next morning and put us in a 435 so that we could beat the hell out of a car similar to what he bought. (Whatever you are picking up, they try to get you in something as close as possible.)

We were on the track for a couple of hours, switching off driving duties. They also put us in X5s and had us tool around on an off-road course. Toured the factory and the museum. They gave us lunch and spent 2 hours going over his car and answering all questions.

I had honestly never considered buying a BMW before, but the experience was absolutely incredible. I would highly recommend it if you settle on a new BMW.

My $.02.

I thank you for taking the time to respond. BMW will too!

[Indian Chief]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

is this something they do now? That's pretty sweet. I imagine new car sales have suffered somewhat - maybe compared to the early to mid nineties, purely speculation.

But yeah - that's nice of them to do that - so they actually gave you a loaner, am I following that right? also paid for supper, huh? Wow!

I will drive an M4 in 2015 or bust my ass trying.

Mostly right. They paid for dinner (which turned out to be great), hotel stay, and breakfast. We didn't get a loaner, but the guy that picked us up in the 740i was there to take us wherever we wanted. After dinner, we went to a jazz bar downtown, and when we were done he picked us up. It was really top notch the whole way.

The M4 is probably the BMW I would get at this point, especially since they stopped making the M3 coupe. (I grew up drooling over the E36 M3, so it will always have a special place in my heart.) I will say that the 435i that my buddy got is exceptional in every way. He got the xDrive Gran Coupe w/ the M Sport Package; so basically a step down from the M4. Eleven hour drive home felt like nothing.

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

I thank you for taking the time to respond. BMW will too!

Haha, I know, right? I should demand a cut. This conversation right here is a major reason why they do it though. A great experience like that, and you will no doubt tell your family and friends. Maybe it makes the difference between that Mercedes or Lexus and BMW you couldn't decide between.

@BigRedChief

Since I am actually responding to this thread (and breaking my one post every 6 months pace) I should probably share where my own automotive search has taken me. I have similar criteria to you -- same price range, I'd prefer 2 doors but would look at an exceptional 4 door, I'm 6'1" and 220lb so size matters, however I'd like to row my own gears (mostly anything that comes in stick can be had in auto though). Mostly I want driving it to be fun and exciting.

Here is the list so far:
Dodge Challenger R/T -- new
Dodge Challenger Scat Pack -- new (have yet to drive this)
VW Golf R -- new
Nissan 370Z -- new
Audi S4 -- used (2012-ish)
2nd gen Porsche Boxter S -- used (2009-ish)