New X7 Owner Road Trips from PCD Delivery to Alaska

For these simply leaping into this story, the abstract is I am a long-time member right here, and after years and years of analysis and saving, I am lastly making a really particular buy for me. As a consequence of a degenerative neuromuscular illness, and getting fairly sick final 12 months throughout COVID, I am needing a brand new automobile that is simpler for me to drive and get out and in of. And for a similar causes, this would be the final automobile I ever purchase. So I wished to do it proper, and make this very particular.

Particulars of my background, the automobile ordering, and modifications will be discovered on this submit HERE

I had initially ordered an X7 Darkish Shadow mannequin, however had a really unhealthy expertise with gross sales at BMW of Anchorage. (particulars on this submit HERE if you wish to learn). Wasn’t in a position to supply an X7 with a dealer, however ended up getting an excellent sale from “BMW David” Aviles. He was in a position to get me 10% off, earlier than one other $5k incentives I qualify for. He generally is a little difficult to get ahold of, however as soon as we arrange the deal, the method was nice, good communication and follow-up.

A part of making this particular, I selected to do a Efficiency Middle Supply (my first one) straight from the manufacturing facility in Greenville, SC, after which drive actually cross-continent again to Alaska. I might have paid additional for the automobile to be shipped all the way in which dwelling, however deliberately determined to go this route. Along with simply getting out of the silly home from COVID, I will lastly be experiencing the favored PCD, after which getting a giant street journey to reconnect with America, and see some sights—some new, some I’ve seen earlier than.

I figured if I’ll be remoted throughout this COVID interval, I would fairly isolate seeing the world on my own from the within a brand new kick-ass BMW, as a substitute of sitting on my sofa trapped in my home. I acquired arguably one of the best BMW ever made for such a street journey, and it appears becoming, taking the most important BMW mannequin again dwelling to the most important state within the union.

(granted, it is nonetheless not a Wagon Household Truckster in Metallic P)

Will likely be posting updates each couple of days, together with footage of the automobile, landscapes, and meals eateries of curiosity. This may turn out to be a HUGE thread, with me repeatedly throwing stuff in, the subsequent 3-4 weeks. Anticipate having some significantly great things to share in Texas, and delightful nationwide parks within the Southwest states. Shout when you have any explicit suggestions of meals and sights alongside the route I posted above.

As I’m going alongside, I will give my ideas on the automobile, choices, equipment and mods, and merchandise I am utilizing, for many who have an interest.

There will likely be an excessive amount of to maintain packing all into this preliminary submit, so the updates must be all through this thread as I’m going alongside. Sorry that it’ll make for rather less concise and arranged studying.

Being such a protracted journey, I’ll maintain the journey enjoyable and manageable. It will not be a mad sprint, driving 12 hours a day within the shortest line. I will be maintaining the times round or beneath 500 miles every, with some detours and further stops to benefit from the sights. No actual occasions deliberate, to maintain COVID secure, and can keep versatile for the potential of journey disruptions from climate, COVID, and perhaps even the Canadian border.

After putting the order, the toughest half was ready for the automobile. I ultimately acquired a stable supply date, and have been making tons of journey plans. BMW David made it nearly as simple because it could possibly be, and all I needed to do was purchase an airline ticket.

For people who do not know, the PCD program is likely one of the greatest offers going. FREE for any BMW purchaser, any mannequin you order, you’ll be able to take supply on the SC BMW manufacturing facility and Efficiency Middle. Lodge, meals, transportation shuttles, superior observe and off-road driving time, skilled driving instruction, concierge introduction of your new automobile and all it may well do—it is all offered for 2 individuals, and paid for by BMW. All you need to do is get your self to Greenville, SC, and get your new BMW dwelling. Spoiler—it was so superior, I do not know why anybody WOULDN’T do a PCD, that has the practicality of getting their new Bimmer dwelling from SC.

So my journey began, leaving my beloved Imola Crimson 2004 BMW 330i w/ZHP within the February Alaska snow, and driving to the airport. Shortly, I used to be seeing my home once more from the air as I used to be off to the decrease 48.

(and sure, my home actually is in that image)

(Denali, at 20,308′, the most important mountain on the N. American continent, seen throughout departure)

After a pair connections, my flight arrived within the small however very good Greenville/Spartanburg airport (GSP). Lower than quarter-hour after the jet wheels kissed the pavement, I had my luggage and acquired picked up by the Greenville Marriott in a brand new X5. BMW supplies three X5’s to the Marriott, particularly for selecting up new homeowners doing a PCD supply. Brian the driving force was nice, figuring out who I used to be, caring for the luggage, and strolling me by means of check-in, straight to the room. He even refused a tip.

The Marriott is good, a stable 3+ star resort. Nothing overly fancy, however clear and reworked over time. Good restaurant within the foyer the place the meals are served, and really pleasant employees. I acquired the vibe that each BMW and Marriott push pleasant, high quality customer support collectively for this expertise, and actively work to stick with it. The one nitpicky criticism I had, the resort soaps offered (I do not suppose it is mushy water) are the type that go away a greasy cleaning soap movie in your physique that you need to scrub off. That is it. All the pieces else nice.

COVID was addressed all through the entire PCD expertise, staying secure with masks, social distancing, and artistic employees presence. It put just a little completely different and modified taste on the PCD from what I perceive others have skilled, however did not stop any portion.

Marriott serves dinner from 6-9 PM, all lined by BMW. From the menu, you’ll be able to select a soup or salad, one entre, and a dessert. A drink can be included.

The home salad was nice. I selected the strip steak which wasn’t unhealthy, however I wasn’t overwhelmed. Throughout dinner, different individuals additionally arrived to the restaurant, who sort of had that “BMW proprietor look”. It was sort of enjoyable guessing who was there for the PCD. My waitress did say most of them had been there for the PCD, and it was a much bigger group than they’ve hosted recently.

The pecan pie was to die for. Finest a part of dinner.

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The next morning, eggs are to-order, accompanied by a very small buffet of fruit, yogurt, etc. Everyone is loaded on a hotel shuttle about 7:40, and you’re off to the Performance Center.

A short 15 min drive, and we arrived at the Performance Center. As we pulled up, you could see two windowed delivery bays with vehicles to be delivered. No hesitation, I instantly recognized mine as the first one we pulled by. (far one in that pic, looking back after we pulled up) So exciting!

Turns out, we had a group of 8 deliveries, all X cars, which I thought was cool. We had two X7’s, five X5’s, and one X3. Nice people from all around, but mostly the Carolinas/Georgia.

Being that it’s the latter part of winter, I’ve been steadily watching the weather recently with some angst, as a big storm just swept the lower 48. But timing was great, and weather for the PCD was a sunny 72 degrees Fahrenheit, not a cloud in the blue sky. Absolutely beautiful.

After a roll call, we gathered in a classroom for short introductions, rules, and goals. Great people all around at the Performance Center, instructors and not, that all made the day great. We broke up into groups and headed straight to the track for the driving exercises. All activities of the day were “challenge by choice” meaning the instructors wouldn’t make you do anything you wouldn’t want to do. But if you’re driving, they really pushed you to grow your skills in the short time, and explore the limits of the vehicle performance. Several people either chose not to do a certain exercise, or got motion sick and just opted out of something, which was fine. Generally, that meant more track time for the rest of us!

First exercise for my group was the circular skid pad with our instructor Laura. It’s wetted down as you can see, and one at a time, you drive an M340i that’s suited for the exercise, with the instructor in the passenger seat. The point is to show you how DSC really does save your butt.

First, you drive the skid pad circle at a controlled 25 MPH. Then, with DSC off, the instructor has you punch the accelerator to the floor, causing the rear end to break free, and you spin out. (tip: when you break the rear end free, have some fun and push the spin, and you can do a 360). Already having fun, from this exercise on through the rest of the day, I had a perma-grin on my face.

You do this a couple times, then turn DSC on. Now, from the same 25 MPH condition, when you floor it, DSC kicks in, and you only get a wobble. Direct proof.

For the subsequent two workout routines, you get right into a BMW-provided automobile that is the identical mannequin you simply purchased. Widespread query—NO, you do not drive your personal automobile you personal. You get to push the bounds of another person’s automobile, on another person’s tires, saving the damage and tear in your new child. Hell, I would not wish to take my model new Bimmer straight on a observe even when they provided, particularly earlier than she’s damaged in.

So I acquired right into a BMWUSA-owned X7 M50i, and we did a braking train to point out ABS. Beginning at 40 MPH and dealing upwards in 5 MPH increments, we would drive onerous in a cone lane, slam max brakes at a cone-designated level, then steer by means of a curve whereas coming to a full cease. One gentleman at 60 MPH misplaced just a little management and went into the grime, however hey… wasn’t any foul. (I haven’t got any pics of this train)

Final train of this module, we did a mini-autocross course utilizing solely a small portion of the middle’s observe. The trainer led us single-file in our vehicles across the observe a pair occasions, at a sluggish tempo, then average, giving suggestions of braking factors and instructed traces, emphasizing the cone meanings and significance of trying forward on the observe. Then you definitely’re let out by yourself. I steadily acquired the texture for the X7 and the observe, constructing pace. And I tore. It. Up.

No person would argue the X7 is a observe automobile. The purpose is not actually to be taught observe expertise utilizing the beast. It is to see what the X7’s able to, utilizing any individual else’s automobile. For such a giant, cumbersome automobile with 5,600 lbs of heft, it carried out amazingly. Granted, I am no observe skilled, with fairly restricted expertise, however as a pilot, I do have some coordination expertise that assist. It was wonderful to throw that beast round a observe, and even weaving the slalom or squealing tires round a curve, I by no means felt like “holy crap, this large boy goes to interrupt free”, or “this physique roll is simply an excessive amount of”. The automobile actually hid its weight and bulk, maintaining it tight, the M50i offering greater than sufficient energy.

The PCD takes everyone, from the soccer mother that has by no means pushed a BMW or sports activities automobile, to the observe skilled that’s choosing up his twenty fifth BMW. It was gratifying afterwards, that Laura advised me, “you actually pushed that X7 to its limits!”

We capped off the observe time with a scorching lap. The instructors love this simply as a lot, or greater than the scholars, as they get to let free their interior pace demons. You journey passenger as an teacher takes you in an M5 Competitors across the prolonged street course, driving like a bat out of hell. Plenty of drifting, onerous braking, perhaps a spin. Displaying you what the automobile can actually do when pushed by an expert that is aware of what they’re doing.

Subsequent, we cut up the category in half. My half did the off-road course and automobile supply first. All people acquired in an X5 for the off-road course. Sadly, they solely use X5’s for this portion, and I could not attempt an X7, because the instructors stated they solely have 4 of them and they should maintain them for the observe. However they assured me the X7 would drive the course similar to an X5.

Noteworthy to level out that the X5’s all had inventory street tires. No mods for off-road. The trainer led us single-file on an elephant stroll by means of the course. A degree of balancing on 2-wheels with the proper entrance and left rear wheels off the bottom. Driving in water that goes simply above the exhaust pipes. Steep hills, tilting the automobile sideways. Utilizing Hill Descent Management down slick river rocks. The X5’s dealt with them like champs.

All day, the instructors talked to us in our vehicles through walkie-talkies. The one occasions they had been in the identical automobile as us was for the skid pad train, and the recent lap.

After which… it was time.