[F30lolz]

Anyone have plans going to any of the events this year? I’ve signed up for UDE event in Jackson, NJ this month on the 30th and will most likely attend the UDE in Tampa early December. Leaning towards the $495 1/2 day sprint package at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway around early June. Also, not sure why this is the 3rd year in a row Miami isn’t on the list. I guess all it takes is a few bad apples to dismiss a city.

[c0bra]

Registration just opened today for MetLife in NJ. I'm signed up for May 7. Will be interesting to drive an electric around an autocross course.

If the list of street drive cars is good this year, I'll probably go back when they visit Lime Rock Park or Danbury Fair in CT.

[happyjack]

will be at UDE washington, DC this sunday!

[TAZ007]

Can someone post a link please. I having a hard time finding where all the venues are.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

Can someone post a link please. I having a hard time finding where all the venues are.

https://driving.bmwusa.com/cities

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

https://driving.bmwusa.com/cities

Thank you very much.

[RigaTony1982]

Just an FYI, I think they still may be adding cities. When the list of events originally came out Chicago was not on the list (after having two UDE events last year). I got an email this week saying it was added and now it shows on the website.

[SW111]

Dang. No Laguna Seca. I did the half day M track day there last year and it was a blast. Monterey is a good place to hang out by the ocean too.

[SteveinArizona]

Just signed up to be notified when they open registration in Phoenix. Did it last year and it is a blast.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Just an FYI, I think they still may be adding cities. When the list of events originally came out Chicago was not on the list (after having two UDE events last year). I got an email this week saying it was added and now it shows on the website.

Just registered for Chicago to be notified as well. I wonder if there’s a limit on the number of events per year? I was gonna go to Atlanta next weekend for the UDE there but plans changed

[dpod25]

Did the Washington DC UDE this morning. Overall, definitely a lot of fun especially with the i4 and iX.

Autocross with the i4 is a bit different than in the past, in that they didn't time any of the laps (it was just "go out and have fun"). So no competition so to speak. Also, the instructors don't ride in the vehicles and instead coach you via walkie-talkie as you drive. I think it's part of their Covid protocol; they also were disinfecting the cars after each person drove. You get to do at least one set of laps in the eDrive40 (the cars are configured with M-Sport package), one set in the xDrive M50, and a third set in whichever car is available when it's your turn. This was my first time driving the i4; the M50 really packs a lot of power. Unfortunately, the course is so small that you barely get to open it up. The eDrive40 also felt quite fast, and perhaps more appropriate for the small course. If you're like me and have barely driven EVs before, then the street drive in the iX is perhaps the better experience, in that it really gives you the chance to experience the power and torque of the EV powertrains.

To those doing the street drives during the DC UDE, be warned that the street drive route is littered with speed cameras, plus there were a couple PG County cops that likely knew what was going on and were waiting to pounce. It's the only complaint I could make about the whole event.

Again overall, a great experience. Definitely recommend signing up in your city if you haven't already, though the sign-ups are only for autocross. Anyone can show up for the street drives and iX clinic without pre-registering.

[c0bra]

Originally Posted by dpod25

Autocross with the i4 is a bit different than in the past, in that they didn't time any of the laps (it was just "go out and have fun"). So no competition so to speak. Also, the instructors don't ride in the vehicles and instead coach you via walkie-talkie as you drive. I think it's part of their Covid protocol; they also were disinfecting the cars after each person drove. You get to do at least one set of laps in the eDrive40 (the cars are configured with M-Sport package), one set in the xDrive M50, and a third set in whichever car is available when it's your turn. This was my first time driving the i4; the M50 really packs a lot of power. Unfortunately, the course is so small that you barely get to open it up. The eDrive40 also felt quite fast, and perhaps more appropriate for the small course. If you're like me and have barely driven EVs before, then the street drive in the iX is perhaps the better experience, in that it really gives you the chance to experience the power and torque of the EV powertrains.

Confirming no timed laps and walkie-talkies are Covid protocols since 2020 UDE.

No doubt the i4 is quick, but I'm curious to see if it feels heavy. I know there's a lot of programming and telemetric wizardry built-in to hide the weight, but it seems so counter-intuitive placing a 5000 lb car on an autocross course!

[dpod25]

Originally Posted by c0bra

No doubt the i4 is quick, but I'm curious to see if it feels heavy. I know there's a lot of programming and telemetric wizardry built-in to hide the weight, but it seems so counter-intuitive placing a 5000 lb car on an autocross course!

Yes, that is also something to take notice of. In my short time with the M50, it did seem to feel a bit nose-heavy compared to the eDrive40. The M50 was still great to toss through the curves, but I could sense the -40 being a bit more nimble. I mentioned this to one of the instructors, and he agreed that the weight of the front motor of the M50 certainly affects its handling. Not by much, but still noticeable to me, at least.

That said, I wouldn't detract much from the M50 overall. I just wish there was more room in the track to maneuver that beast

[TAZ007]

I did the 1/2 M Track Day in mid-2021 at the Circuit of Americas in Austin. It was well worth the $500. It was such a blast I signed up for the 2-day M School which is my July vacation. I hope the M Track Days comes back to Texas.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

I did the 1/2 M Track Day in mid-2021 at the Circuit of Americas in Austin. It was well worth the $500. It was such a blast I signed up for the 2-day M School which is my July vacation. I hope the M Track Days comes back to Texas.

The BMW Store in Cincinnati sponsored numerous spots for 1/2 day M track Days back in Sept 2020 at the Kentucky Speedway. For no charge I went out of my way to get there and loved it. Jealous that you’re doing the 2-day, that’s my bucket list.

July 7-11 the M Track Days will be in Austin so you would be able to have a fun summer. Just saw that Monticello will host it in October and upstate NY is beautiful that time of the year but I’ll be in Chicago and Atlanta for that week. Bummer but I plan to attend Indy June 11th.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

The BMW Store in Cincinnati sponsored numerous spots for 1/2 day M track Days back in Sept 2020 at the Kentucky Speedway. For no charge I went out of my way to get there and loved it. Jealous that you’re doing the 2-day, that’s my bucket list.

July 7-11 the M Track Days will be in Austin so you would be able to have a fun summer. Just saw that Monticello will host it in October and upstate NY is beautiful that time of the year but I’ll be in Chicago and Atlanta for that week. Bummer but I plan to attend Indy June 11th.

Thanks for the info. It would be awesome to have the time to come back on the 4th of July from the 2-day M school and roll right into the M track day. Unfortunately, gotta work for a living so I'll miss it this year. Have fun at the June event.

[happyjack]

went to the DC area UDE on sunday to autocross the i4M50. i had a lot more fun driving it than i expected. it has some GRUNT...but so deceptive because it doesnt make any noise! i've been in few EVs as a passenger but had not driven one. in sport mode, the acceleration in this thing is responsive. that said, you can definitely feel the weight of the car and i nearly blew through some cones on the tighter turns the first time through the course because i was too fast and not braking aggressively enough to slow down all that mass.

will take me a while to get use to regenerative braking...

i really liked the interior...and i also kinda dug the hans zimmer sound effects. the instructors had the sound off in 2 cars and turned on in the other two to allow for some comparison. i actually liked the audible feedback.

the kidney grill is smaller than the M3/4 grill, but still pretty huge. i'm getting used to it at this point...overall, i think it's a pretty sharp looking car.

the wait was too long for the iX, but watching the straight-line acceleration left me impressed.