Performance Center Delivery Option for 2011 M3?

mclarenmaniac · 03-09-2010, 10:29 PM

Guys,
My e92 2011 M3 just went into production today. My dealer says i still have 2-3 weeks before which i can opt for Performance Center Delivery Option.

I was wondering is it worth going all the way from Northern Virginia to Spartanburg, SC for pick up?

Any opinions or experiences?
thanks
MM

Zed · 03-09-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclarenmaniac

Guys,
My e92 2011 M3 just went into production today. My dealer says i still have 2-3 weeks before which i can opt for Performance Center Delivery Option.

I was wondering is it worth going all the way from Northern Virginia to Spartanburg, SC for pick up?

Any opinions or experiences?
thanks
MM

I flew in from Houston, spent the night, took the school, and then drove my new M3 home from SC. It was well worth it in my opinion. My friend (guest) and myself had a blast. I would do it again.

mclarenmaniac · 03-09-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

I flew in from Houston, spent the night, took the school, and then drove my new M3 home from SC. It was well worth it in my opinion. My friend (guest) and myself had a blast. I would do it again.

how many hours do you get to track the m3?
thanks!!

Zed · 03-09-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclarenmaniac

how many hours do you get to track the m3?
thanks!!

There are a few write ups around on these boards with lots of pictures, search around. Basically you get about 4 hours of track time. Both in the M3, hot lap by the instructor in an M5, and also some time in the X5 on the off-road course. In addition, you also get a guided tour of the factory & museum that is nearby (they were making X6's when we were there). The museum was 'meh', but the factory tour was actually pretty interesting, and the course was fun. For the course, it isn't the racing course like you can pay for (which lasts 2 days), it is more of a general BMW owner course (emergency braking, wet track, and some track time). You do it in their car, and they encourage you to push it.

All in all it is a full day.

It was great fun, and SC is a pretty area to visit.

J-9 · 03-10-2010, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclarenmaniac

Guys,
My e92 2011 M3 just went into production today. My dealer says i still have 2-3 weeks before which i can opt for Performance Center Delivery Option.

I was wondering is it worth going all the way from Northern Virginia to Spartanburg, SC for pick up?

Any opinions or experiences?
thanks
MM

My car went into production today, too.

I plan on doing this and I'll be flying from Norfolk, VA and driving back. Since I'm taking delivery in SC, I'll pay SC sales tax (capped at $300) and get a free night's stay at the Marriott which looks very nice.

Not a bad way to put some easy highway break-in miles on, IMO.

drivendriver · 03-10-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclarenmaniac

Guys,
My e92 2011 M3 just went into production today. My dealer says i still have 2-3 weeks before which i can opt for Performance Center Delivery Option.

I was wondering is it worth going all the way from Northern Virginia to Spartanburg, SC for pick up?

Any opinions or experiences?
thanks
MM

Yes, it's worth it. Do it.

This is what we did:

- Braking exercise;
- Lapping session on a short track; I had not been on any track in over 5 years, and that session made me get back into it;
- Skidpad;
- Other Roads course in an X5 (it really shows that soccer moms under-utilize their X5s);
- Ride in an M5 with an instructor (very impressive);
- Museum visit (personally I liked it a lot; they have some very cool cars, including some that I was a big fan of when I was a kid);
- And, of course, car delivery.

I skipped the factory tour, but you can do that too.

What struck me most was the enthusiasm of all the BMW staff, especially the driving instructors. People who work at the Performance Center really seem happy to work there, and proud of their products.

I drove there from Alexandria. I picked up a rental car at National and dropped it off at Spartanburg airport. It takes a whole day, and I have to say that there isn't a great deal to see between NoVA and Spartanburg, but it was still a nice little trip. The fact that BMW pays for the hotel and a very good meal is nice. And the drive back is a good way to break in your car.

You can bring a guest, and he/she will be able to participate in all the activities.

drivendriver · 03-10-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-9

Since I'm taking delivery in SC, I'll pay SC sales tax (capped at $300)

I didn't have to pay SC sales tax.

If I remember correctly, in theory you have to, but in practice it's not enforced. BMW will send you a letter telling you about the tax, but also mentioning that they've never heard of anyone actually paying it. Or something to that effect. So, unless you're stopped by a SC cop in a bad mood, I doubt that you will have to pay it.

auggiem3 · 03-10-2010, 07:46 AM

Congrats! I did the same thing in '08 - flew from DC to Spartanburg, free dinner/breakfast/nights stay and then had a blast.

Found out a few weeks later (thanks to M3post) that I was entitled to a free 1 day M school with my purchase (since I bought between Sept '08 and Jan 1 '09) so I was back for another day of fun.

Reznick · 03-10-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-9

My car went into production today, too.

I plan on doing this and I'll be flying from Norfolk, VA and driving back. Since I'm taking delivery in SC, I'll pay SC sales tax (capped at $300) and get a free night's stay at the Marriott which looks very nice.

Not a bad way to put some easy highway break-in miles on, IMO.

Not sure about other states taxes, but if I purchased a car in any other state , I still have to pay NY sales tax. They get you as soon as the car is registered. Cool for you if you can sidestep it tough!

Thrumcap · 03-10-2010, 07:58 AM

I'm also considering it. The scheduling seems like you have to have a pretty open window of time to make it work. I think they recommend not making any airline reservations until 3 weeks from estimated delivery date due to possible schedule changes. Hopefully it works out.

paul.r · 03-10-2010, 08:53 AM

Zed,

How was the drive home? That's the only reservation I have. I'm doing ED, so am thinking that rather than PCD, I'll just find a weekend while I'm waiting on my vehicle to be redelivered and fly out for the two day M school.

mclarenmaniac · 03-10-2010, 09:51 AM

Thanks for all your input guys!
so i was wondering:
1. Is it One day or Two days experience?
2. Is Free Hotel only for 1 night?
3. Tiltle registration, BMW financing and payment/processing all done at Spartanburg or at my local dealer before i leave?
4. Can i skip the 3.17 percent VA tax and just pay 300 bucks SC tax?

thanks again!!!!!

King Tut · 03-10-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclarenmaniac

Thanks for all your input guys!
so i was wondering:
1. Is it One day or Two days experience?
2. Is Free Hotel only for 1 night?
3. Tiltle registration, BMW financing and payment/processing all done at Spartanburg or at my local dealer before i leave?
4. Can i skip the 3.17 percent VA tax and just pay 300 bucks SC tax?

thanks again!!!!!

I did the PCD for my 2009 M3 purchase. Here are my best answers:

1. It is One Day. You will be in your new car and ready to leave by 5pm.
2. Free hotel is only for the one night before your PCD.
3. All those things are taken care of by your dealership, not the PC. Your dealership should give you a temp tag to drive the car home with.
4. You are still purchasing the car in the state of the dealer you are dealing with. You are just taking delivery in South Carolina.

kcdude24 · 03-10-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul.r

Zed,

How was the drive home? That's the only reservation I have. I'm doing ED, so am thinking that rather than PCD, I'll just find a weekend while I'm waiting on my vehicle to be redelivered and fly out for the two day M school.

I'm doing an ED also with PCD re-delivery ....not much choice since I did the ED through BMW S. Atlanta unless I wanted to pay another $500 to have it shipped to me. I still qualify for a 1-day M school from my M5 purchase which I will try to coordinate with my re-delivery...if not I'll do the one-day routine and drive home to Kansas City. For me it is all about the drive: southern Germany, M school, and across the US. I just need to get the dates right and then work out the miles in Europe so I hit 1200 when I am back home in Kansas

paul.r · 03-10-2010, 11:21 AM

Eh, I guess I'm looking forward to driving 800 miles through the German Alpenstrasse, but 1000 miles/15 hours from Spartanburg to Houston, especially the 400+ miles of boring I-10 drive don't get me too excited. Even in an M3.

King Tut · 03-10-2010, 11:24 AM

So don't take I-10. Take the back roads. Turn it into a couple day trip and visit some cities along the way. You should enjoy driving your car back home. Anyone buying a new BMW that can afford the travel costs and time off work should definitely do PCD.

paul.r · 03-10-2010, 11:28 AM

The time away is kind of hard. We're already leaving our three young kids with our respective parents for the 10 days we'll be in Europe. Combine that with a long weekend in New York earlier this year and I think we've cashed in all of our parental favors for the year. So if I did the trip, it would be alone, and that would mean the most direct route.

darwin316 · 03-10-2010, 11:30 AM

Yes, definitely worth it!

I also drove the car back to northern va!

kcdude24 · 03-10-2010, 01:08 PM

We are leaving the kids also...kind of once in a decade opportunity for us while the grandparents are still capable. For the re-delivery my wife just said no thanks. So I'm going solo back home from the PC...it still beats having it shipped to Kansas. I plan on taking some mountain routes and back through Nashville or Memphis. I'm an avid photographer and plan on frequent stops....guess the 15 hr stretch is a matter of perspective and I'm looking forward to it....kind of my own Bullrun!

JOHNVIP · 03-13-2010, 12:39 AM

my 2011 m3 coupe has a production date of march 16. i called my s/a today and had him put me on the schedule to pick my car up at the perfomance center in south carolina. not sure yet how im getting there but i will be driving it home to new york!

platinumpapi · 03-13-2010, 03:56 AM

Is the driving school or lessons, included in the pcd different then the regular one day M school? My dealer told me , that "the first day is free" i a m not exactly sure which school or lessons are free or included. Should i go ahead with whatever is free, or bust out the cash and pay for the 1 grand 1 day M school?

03-09-2010, 10:29 PM	#1
mclarenmaniac Private First Class Drives: 2011 E92 M3,DCT, Jerez/Ext.Fox Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NOVA Posts: 143 iTrader: (0)	Performance Center Delivery Option for 2011 M3? Guys, My e92 2011 M3 just went into production today. My dealer says i still have 2-3 weeks before which i can opt for Performance Center Delivery Option. I was wondering is it worth going all the way from Northern Virginia to Spartanburg, SC for pick up? Any opinions or experiences? thanks MM
	Tweet

03-10-2010, 11:24 AM	#16
King Tut Former M3 Owner Drives: Porsche Cayman R Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,280 iTrader: (1)	So don't take I-10. Take the back roads. Turn it into a couple day trip and visit some cities along the way. You should enjoy driving your car back home. Anyone buying a new BMW that can afford the travel costs and time off work should definitely do PCD. __________________ King Tut 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30: spece30.ridedomain.com 2012 Porsche Cayman R: cayman.ridedomain.com 2009 BMW M3 Coupe: Sold e92.ridedomain.com

03-10-2010, 11:30 AM	#18
darwin316 Master Chief Drives: 09 e90 M3 JzB Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NOVA Posts: 638 iTrader: (0)	Yes, definitely worth it! I also drove the car back to northern va! __________________ \| 2009 E90 M3 \| JZB \| Black Leather, Carbon Leather \| M-DCT \| 19" OEM Wheels \| Tech, Premium & Cold Packages \| PDC \| Alarm \| Premium Sound \| iPod Adapter \| \| 2011 X5 35i Sports Activity\| Sapphire Black, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo \| Convenience, Tech & Cold Packages \| HUD \| Comfort Access \| Premium Sound \|

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-10-2010, 07:46 AM	#8
auggiem3 Lieutenant Drives: e92 M3 / former e46 M3 owner Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 437 iTrader: (0)	Congrats! I did the same thing in '08 - flew from DC to Spartanburg, free dinner/breakfast/nights stay and then had a blast. Found out a few weeks later (thanks to M3post) that I was entitled to a free 1 day M school with my purchase (since I bought between Sept '08 and Jan 1 '09) so I was back for another day of fun.

03-10-2010, 07:58 AM	#10
Thrumcap Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MA Posts: 201 iTrader: (0)	I'm also considering it. The scheduling seems like you have to have a pretty open window of time to make it work. I think they recommend not making any airline reservations until 3 weeks from estimated delivery date due to possible schedule changes. Hopefully it works out.

03-10-2010, 08:53 AM	#11
paul.r Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 38 iTrader: (0)	Zed, How was the drive home? That's the only reservation I have. I'm doing ED, so am thinking that rather than PCD, I'll just find a weekend while I'm waiting on my vehicle to be redelivered and fly out for the two day M school.

03-10-2010, 09:51 AM	#12
mclarenmaniac Private First Class Drives: 2011 E92 M3,DCT, Jerez/Ext.Fox Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NOVA Posts: 143 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all your input guys! so i was wondering: 1. Is it One day or Two days experience? 2. Is Free Hotel only for 1 night? 3. Tiltle registration, BMW financing and payment/processing all done at Spartanburg or at my local dealer before i leave? 4. Can i skip the 3.17 percent VA tax and just pay 300 bucks SC tax? thanks again!!!!!

03-10-2010, 11:21 AM	#15
paul.r Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 38 iTrader: (0)	Eh, I guess I'm looking forward to driving 800 miles through the German Alpenstrasse, but 1000 miles/15 hours from Spartanburg to Houston, especially the 400+ miles of boring I-10 drive don't get me too excited. Even in an M3.

03-10-2010, 11:28 AM	#17
paul.r Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 38 iTrader: (0)	The time away is kind of hard. We're already leaving our three young kids with our respective parents for the 10 days we'll be in Europe. Combine that with a long weekend in New York earlier this year and I think we've cashed in all of our parental favors for the year. So if I did the trip, it would be alone, and that would mean the most direct route.

03-10-2010, 01:08 PM	#19
kcdude24 First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: KC Posts: 319 iTrader: (1)	We are leaving the kids also...kind of once in a decade opportunity for us while the grandparents are still capable. For the re-delivery my wife just said no thanks. So I'm going solo back home from the PC...it still beats having it shipped to Kansas. I plan on taking some mountain routes and back through Nashville or Memphis. I'm an avid photographer and plan on frequent stops....guess the 15 hr stretch is a matter of perspective and I'm looking forward to it....kind of my own Bullrun!

03-13-2010, 12:39 AM	#20
JOHNVIP Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NEW YORK CITY Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	my 2011 m3 coupe has a production date of march 16. i called my s/a today and had him put me on the schedule to pick my car up at the perfomance center in south carolina. not sure yet how im getting there but i will be driving it home to new york!

03-13-2010, 03:56 AM	#21
platinumpapi Sylish Driver Drives: bmw 335i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alabama Posts: 89 iTrader: (0)	Is the driving school or lessons, included in the pcd different then the regular one day M school? My dealer told me , that "the first day is free" i a m not exactly sure which school or lessons are free or included. Should i go ahead with whatever is free, or bust out the cash and pay for the 1 grand 1 day M school?