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03-25-2026LAST POST
First the skid pad can make you feel woozy (if you are taking the turn as a rider). The emergency braking is fine.
But the road course as a rider is quite the experience. I was fine when I was doing the road course but when it came time to ride while she ran the laps I had to get out and watch from the instructors position.
I was not the only one - when they ended with the "hot laps" which is when the instructor takes you out of the oval with HIM driving about half of our group opted out due to having quite enough of it.
It was super fun - but if you are not a good car "rider" just think things through - you can opt out of anything without effecting your spouses participation.
Consider spending an extra day and get the car PPF'd and tinted before you come home. Great place there that does the work for the PDC.
FrederickMD wroteThanks! Already have my appt at Extreme after we are through. Its going to be great weather to stroll around Greenville!You will have blast - I think we had about 7-8 couples when we did it in December. If you are at all prone to car sickness ask to be with the instructor and not in the car when your partner does the road course.
First the skid pad can make you feel woozy (if you are taking the turn as a rider). The emergency braking is fine.
But the road course as a rider is quite the experience. I was fine when I was doing the road course but when it came time to ride while she ran the laps I had to get out and watch from the instructors position.
I was not the only one - when they ended with the "hot laps" which is when the instructor takes you out of the oval with HIM driving about half of our group opted out due to having quite enough of it.
It was super fun - but if you are not a good car "rider" just think things through - you can opt out of anything without effecting your spouses participation.
Consider spending an extra day and get the car PPF'd and tinted before you come home. Great place there that does the work for the PDC.
My dad & I did the PCD last Thursday and it provided memories (with my aging dad) that I will hang on to for life.
We had only one other pairing with us that morning (father & son as well). The weather was really crappy - raining & 40's, and as we entered the breakfast area and then greeted by the team, I mentioned I was happy they didn't cancel the experience (as we traveled from Miami, FL). One of the instructors smiled and replied "NOPE! We run it rain, sleet or snow. We just turn the wipers on..."
Fortunately we learned the only hindrance the weather caused us was poor quality photos as my dad & I were persistently reminded to push the vehicles to their limits (smiling ear-to-ear throughout the day).
As
FrederickMD mentioned similar experiences, there were a couple points where my dad voluntarily sat sidelined due to intensity. Admittedly, I made it about half way through the "Hot Lap" with the professional until I had to metaphorically pull the rip cord...In summary, we departed mid-afternoon (in my new car) feeling very special. This is my first BMW, and I'm a raving fan for life (I now notice each BMW on the road, their options and features, and admire...).
I hope your experience is as enjoyable. Congrats on the new car
X5Jim wroteMax per day is eight deliveries. When we were last there in late January 2025 for our fifth PCD and there were only two deliveries that day, ourselves included. It was miserable cold as well! 🥶I wasn't sure how many they do in a day so just wanted to ask. Weather looks great in Spartanburg for Monday at 82 and sunny! We will make the short trip from Columbia, SC.
X5Jim wroteTons of great places to eat in and around downtown Greenville. Lots of local breweries as well, if that is your thing. Greenville is a great city and as a former resident I can state that it has certainly come a long way since BMW Plant Spartanburg came to Greer.Thanks! Already have my appt at Extreme after we are through. Its going to be great weather to stroll around Greenville!
CL305 wroteThanks for the reply! It is our first time and the X5 is for the wife who will probably sit out on the hot laps. She is looking forward to the detailed introduction to the X5 though. Im probably the same as your aging dad! Gonna be 70 in July. That being said I have owned many cars, motorcycles and boats that would run well over 100 and all of them did quite frequently. I am looking forward to the experience. We will see how my old body takes it! LOLIf this is your first time experiencing this, BUCKLE UP!
My dad & I did the PCD last Thursday and it provided memories (with my aging dad) that I will hang on to for life.
We had only one other pairing with us that morning (father & son as well). The weather was really crappy - raining & 40's, and as we entered the breakfast area and then greeted by the team, I mentioned I was happy they didn't cancel the experience (as we traveled from Miami, FL). One of the instructors smiled and replied "NOPE! We run it rain, sleet or snow. We just turn the wipers on..."
Fortunately we learned the only hindrance the weather caused us was poor quality photos as my dad & I were persistently reminded to push the vehicles to their limits (smiling ear-to-ear throughout the day).
As
In summary, we departed mid-afternoon (in my new car) feeling very special. This is my first BMW, and I'm a raving fan for life (I now notice each BMW on the road, their options and features, and admire...).
I hope your experience is as enjoyable. Congrats on the new car
X5Jim Let 'er RIP!
Timmer-Bimmer How was the New Owners Track Drive?My cousin was a bit jealous I brought my dad for my PCD, so now I'm considering this next experience with him. Is it worth it (to make the trip from Miami)? How many hours did it include? Lunch? Any details you can provide are much appreciated.
CL305 wroteAs I recall, it was about 2 to 2 ½ hours. It did not include lunch. In the PCD, you drive a car like the one that is being delivered. In the NOTD, you drive 4 cars from a selection that includes M2, M340i, X4M, M760i, i3, and several others. You do some of the same exercises, including braking, autocross, skid pad, off-road course, hot laps, etc. It is a lot of fun, but that is a long way to come for 2 ½ hours.
My cousin was a bit jealous I brought my dad for my PCD, so now I'm considering this next experience with him. Is it worth it (to make the trip from Miami)? How many hours did it include? Lunch? Any details you can provide are much appreciated.
The one day and two day courses are similar in content, but you get more seat-time and more instruction. For example, much more time on the skid pad, and you run the skid pad both clockwise and counterclockwise, learn both understeer and oversteer, and then have a race against the other students on an oval skid pad. They also spend a lot of time with slalom, and we did a high speed emergency lane change exercise. Also some timed events and competitive events. We reached speeds of over 90 miles an hour on the track on the second day. (To get speeds in the triple digits, take the M School).
Timmer-Bimmer Thank you again for the detail. I appreciate the consideration of the trip being a bit far for a 2+ hour experience. Separately but relating, I wasn't able to do the factory tour during my PCD as they were "gearing up for the next model". I reached back out to the Performance Center with a few questions, but they didn't provide an answer to when the factory tours will open this year.Btw, there are some (if not many) of the Performance Center staff perusing through the Bimmerpost forums. I doubt they ever post/contribute (as I'm sure they've all signed NDAs), but I thought it was pretty cool to learn that fact.
X5Jim So... how was the experience??
CL305 wroteJust posted.
Btw, there are some (if not many) of the Performance Center staff perusing through the Bimmerpost forums. I doubt they ever post/contribute (as I'm sure they've all signed NDAs), but I thought it was pretty cool to learn that fact.
