[Theruleslawyer]

Just got back from the M Town Tour.

They had a XM, i4 M50, and M3. Unfortunately no M2. Pretty slim selection.

They had multiple of the XM and i4, but only one M3. The crew was nice enough, but clearly just marketing people without much product knowledge of the brand. Dude had no idea what a F82 was or what the new m3 brought to the table that was different. Not much going on other than the test drives. They had just setup 2 stands for check in and nothing else.

I was the first group of the day by all appearances. Nobody driving yet. I showed up early and by the time the line waiting for it to open went through registration the M3 already had a hour and a half wait time. What a waste of time if you're looking to drive the m3. That means with an hour time slot there is way that car won't be booked with an hour plus wait all day.

If you go, don't plan on getting to drive the M3. Your best bet might be going towards the end of your time slot and hope a lot of people gave up and left.

If you want to drive the XM and i4 you probably won't have an issue. I'm just annoyed I wasted over an hour of my time driving there and back for that. The UDE was much better handled.

[Needsdecaf]

Yes, it’s not remotely the same event as the UDE. It’s just a tour with some popular models you can get a quick test drive in.

Also, LOLZ at having an i4 in the M Town Tour. They sure are watering down the meaning these days.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Yes, it’s not remotely the same event as the UDE. It’s just a tour with some popular models you can get a quick test drive in.

Also, LOLZ at having an i4 in the M Town Tour. They sure are watering down the meaning these days.

I didn't really expect it to be the same, but whomever decided on the car mix is an idiot. The UDE at least everyone got to drive in the time allotted.

[a5m]

We went yesterday too, and had reserved the first time slot. I actually was the 2nd person to drive the M3 Comp with CCBs and M Performance Exhaust. No buckets but that kinda makes sense. Non xDrive too!

I had signed up myself, brother and dad. Made the mistake of only registering myself for the M3 and having them sign up for the other cars. Didn't realize how the setup worked, or we could've all signed up for the M3 and driven it back to back with all of us in the car.

Anyway, the XM was atrocious. Sounded awesome, and was pretty quick for what it is, but that's about it. The EVs were actually a lot of fun lol. We were all giggling like school girls with how hard they pin you in the seat. Both the iX M60 and i4 M50 were the fastest cars there, with the i4 being the one my brother came back wanting to almost buy. And he's a hardcore V8 guy and drives a Coyote Mustang.

All in all Knauz BMW had a nice setup. Agree the crew wasn't the most knowledgeable. The chick actually knew more than one guy there, who admitted he didn't even know the route when I asked and said it's his first day.

The M3 was a treat to drive, and I certainly see the appeal. Much more nimble and compact feeling than I expected. Was skating when I put the hammer down. Had the M buttons programmed for Comfort and Sport. The automatic downshifts in Sport were awesome. Sao Paulo Yellow with YMB interior. I believe it had the Carbon Exterior Pack with the canards? Finally glad to be able to experience what everyone else raves about with these cars. Guess it's a hit or miss with each dealership.

[tturedraider]

Wow! I decided at the last minute not to go and it sounds like it wasn’t a bad decision. The M3 was all that really interested me and I decided a drive on the roads around Knauz just wasn’t worth driving out there from the city. Thanks for posting. You relieved my FOMO.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Lmao @ the XM

[Germanauto]

I don't even go to UDE anymore. Bunch of lame SUVs for street drives, autocross lately have been like 440xi which is numb and understeery;i I can't imagine the i4 being any different.

Even getting a test drive of an M2/M3 here in LA...forget about it. Too many hoops to jump through.

Shocking how much the world has changed in 3 yrs. Ima just roll with a 5 yr old Boxster GTS and not partake in today's market.

[Clark_Kent]

This is a sign of the times with BMW these days. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[OriginalFake]

I had a great time at the M Town Tour at my local dealership. I had no issues driving all of the cars I wanted. I didn't really expect them to know things about the cars that I didn't know so I didn't ask any questions but yeah, it's a totally different thing than the UDE.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Yes, it’s not remotely the same event as the UDE. It’s just a tour with some popular models you can get a quick test drive in.

Also, LOLZ at having an i4 in the M Town Tour. They sure are watering down the meaning these days.

Its ok, I'm sure the i4 has a bunch of M's on it like all the other non-M cars these days, so it qualified.

[mPlasticDesign]

I registered and went to the M Town event here in Northern California. Showed up, there were some flags and decorations on the outside and a few cars parked in a row. The registration booth was unmanned, no body to greet you as you arrive. It was weird. Then I walked into the dealership, where I have purchased many cars, including several M3's and a 1M coupe. There was a desk to the right where like 4-5 corporate reps huddled around each other staring at their phones. Nobody said hello or anything. No, "hello are you here for M-Town, can I help you register?" There was an XM parked inside a few feet away from where they were standing so I walked over to check it out. ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. Nobody asked if they could unlock it for me. It was like, If we ignore him long enough, maybe he will go away. lol There was another registered person there at the same time and same exact experience.

Yeah the M Town experience was the worst. Usually I have been treated like a valued customer at most every BMW M, Porsche or Lexus events. This was embarrassing for BMW. The only redeeming aspect was a dealership salesperson came over and apologized for the strange lackluster event. I can't believe I took time out of my busy day to check it out. No car experience, no food, swag(t-shirt/hat/cheap keychain) stuff I usually give to my kids but shows they care about you as a customer, not even a cold bottle of water on that 98deg day. ///M-Town? More like Ghost Town!!!

[enjanir]

My 2cents

I arrived maybe 20min before 10am and was able to jump into all 4 vehicles, M3, XM, i4, and finally the iX.

Overall, since I got there early setup wasn't finished yet, nor was it extremely well planned out. There wasn't a clear area for those coming to park, the main registration desk was inside even though there was another setup outside, and just overall lack of clarity on getting individuals signed up for each test drive.

Test Drive Loop: First miss was the fact that the printed maps for the route were incorrect but other than that, once it was figured out it was fine. Typical circular street route, enough to get a feel for a car without being a child.

Town Tour Representatives: There was maybe 5 or 6 total individuals all who work for a third party marketing company, one of which was a product specialist. All were nice enough, but from an information standpoint, they really could not provide any more info than you could read from a spec sheet on the bmw homepage.

Dealership Employees (Barrington Motor Werks): There were certainly a ton of them walking around, mainly going back and forth to the free food that was catered (I assume for the M Town Tour). Overall kinda meh feeling, I much prefer international in Milwaukee.

Food: Freshly grilled burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings as well as a variety of drinks. Food was very good....but there was literally nowhere to sit. No tables, no chairs, nothing.

M3 Comp RWD (std seats) with from what I could tell most of the M Performance Parts: The car was everything you would expect it to be, this was no surprise. But you really do feel the size increase over an F80 comp and certainly over the F87.

XM: Two were available to drive, built on the x7 chassis once you are inside (if you have ever been in an x7) it is instantly familiar. Was it fast, yes for it's size. Did it sound good, absolutely. Was the ride complete crap, you betcha. Overall I was unimpressed and would choose a well spec'd x7 over the XM any day of the week.

iX M60: I have previously driven a lower spec vehicle and was left completely impressed. Overall, if you can get over the exterior looks, it really is a fabulous car. However, I don't know if the M60 is worth the premium over the lower trims. I think you would really need to drive the varying trims back to back to even have a chance to feel the subtle differences.

i4 M50: Absolutely the star of the grouping in my opinion. First time driving an i4 and got out of the car basically speechless. Blistering amount of torque that simply throws you back in the seat when you want/need, otherwise relaxing in pure comfort.

...Also, LOLZ at having an i4 in the M Town Tour. They sure are watering down the meaning these days.

Have you driving an i4? Blistering fast, certainly faster than an F80 and F87.

[GinTonic]

Originally Posted by enjanir

M3 Comp RWD (std seats) with from what I could tell most of the M Performance Parts: The car was everything you would expect it to be, this was no surprise. But you really do feel the size increase over an F80 comp and certainly over the F87.

Thats because its a 5 series with 3 series badges. lipstick on a pig.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by enjanir

Have you driving an i4? Blistering fast, certainly faster than an F80 and F87.

Yes. At the UDE. Its heavy and wallows. It'll beat it 0-60 and near even at the quarter mile. Most of that is the AWD. Like any EV they tend to fall off at higher speeds. In any case the handling feels nothing like a F8x. It really is much more like the Mlites in driving character. Its a EV version of a M440 and it shows.

[enjanir]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

Yes. At the UDE. Its heavy and wallows. It'll beat it 0-60 and near even at the quarter mile. Most of that is the AWD. Like any EV they tend to fall off at higher speeds. In any case the handling feels nothing like a F8x. It really is much more like the Mlites in driving character. Its a EV version of a M440 and it shows.

I see that. For me I had zero expectations and certainly didn’t expect it to handle like an F8x vehicle. For what it is, I was still very impressed and think it would be a great daily. When the M2/3/4 finally go EV it certainly will be eye opening and brutal.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by enjanir

I see that. For me I had zero expectations and certainly didn’t expect it to handle like an F8x vehicle. For what it is, I was still very impressed and think it would be a great daily. When the M2/3/4 finally go EV it certainly will be eye opening and brutal.

Oh it would be a great daily. Just people get caught up in 0-60 numbers and forget that's only a small part of what makes a M a M. Heck I tell most people they want a Mlite as a DD.

[Z K]

I went to the M town Tour at San Rafael BMW near San Francisco.

Showed up in the morning. There's a cardboard container of take out coffee and a few donuts.

Drove the XM. Wasn't interested in the i4 as I drove it before.

Someone took the only M3 out and was gone for over 30 min. The staff called him and apparently the M3 broke down. He was able to restart it and got back to the dealer but after that the M3 got towed away... so no M3 for all the rest of the people waiting.

Probably the same yellow M3 everyone was beating on for weeks - it finally gave out after all the M town events.

[br438]

hahaha.. wow. yeah when I went a few weeks ago, folks were camping out in the cars - particularly the M3, and the young marketing pros... were disinterested in doing anything but... hanging out with each other. hahahaha...

so to drive the XM and the M3, I waited a total of 1.5hrs.... past my appointed time. The XM met my expectations... in that it was absolutely "meh"... a couple of guys were swearing they wanted to buy one when they got out, and all I could think was,... "Why!?... have you driven literally any other large luxury SUV?"

noted.

[a5m]

Bill Jacobs in Naperville today. Got the 2nd earliest time slot 11am. We hardly waited. Dad, brother and I all took turns driving the M3, than I drove the XM, and lastly my brother and I the iX.

While waiting for the M3 we see the XM pulling up to the dealership entrance, followed by the iX, followed by an unmarked Explorer police cruiser. The way he was tailing the iX I knew it was for one of the tour cars. Pulls in and behind the XM with lights on. The driver gets out with the most embarrassed look on his face. Waits a while for the cop to write him what I think might've been a warning? It was blue, not the usual orange. The guy took it and quickly left in his C63s lol. The girl from the crew said in the 3-4 months she's been doing this that was the first time she saw that. Which was a surprise to me.

Felt a bit sketchy taking the M3 out after this as I figured the cop probably alerted others to what was going on. But thankfully nothing happened. She was slipping a lot more tire this time than when at Knauz. Probably worn tires lol.

All in all a good time. A guy pulled up next to me saying "nice car". We all awkwardly stared back thinking how to tell him it's not ours

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by a5m

All in all a good time. A guy pulled up next to me saying "nice car". We all awkwardly stared back thinking how to tell him it's not ours

It's funny... for all the hate the G80 gets online, in person it gets a ton of positive attention.

[NoMods]

I heard the same thing about the one in Dayton and Cincinasty, disappointing.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

I heard the same thing about the one in Dayton and Cincinasty, disappointing.

Not a fan of Skyline Chili?