[DMD]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Twin G80 Xdrive PCD Delivery & driving trip

What better time to reflect and write this overdue blog about our latest double delivery…..than while waiting at BMW for an oil change and winter-to-summer tire swap.

At 5500 miles and still running completely stock, I’m loving this car more and more each day.
Leading up to this car, I’ve enjoyed owning many M3s and for the past several years, I’ve been driving the F chassis (F30, F82, F80). As rowdy and fun as the Ms were; its telling how good the new G8X chassis is, by how often I want to take the car for a spirited drive.

Every time I walk away, I have to turn around to do the “look-back”. We all know how important a sign that is.

I almost exclusively park the G80 backed in. I seldom backed in any of my previous cars. Why? Because you cannot ignore this car’s face and presence. I love it. (Thank you @unit_17 for the front lip).

I will not review the car or compare it to my previous Ms, as each generation has been different and evolved in its own way.

But that’s the story with each new M3 isn’t it? For as many as I’ve owned, there’ll always be a change with each new generation and the requisite time to really bond with the new cars.

I haven’t even mentioned the carbon buckets yet….. a little later on that in a special section.

This car has made it harder to justify driving anything else that can be a single car that is capable of being a year-round, all weather, daily driving, grocery getting, face ripping, corner carving, with a head bobbing launch…..kind of car.

Now onto our trip. It’s been almost 7 years since our last double Euro delivery. It’s hard to believe how time has flown. These G80s were supposed to be our next ED trip.

It feels like yesterday when we wrapped up our last ED trip and immediately started talking about our next one (for a fun read, check out my write up on our last double ED).

Imagine 2 G80s ripping through the alps….. how nice does that sound.

Unfortunately, with the state of the world these last couple of years and BMW deciding to stop the NA euro delivery program; the next best thing is a double delivery at the Performance Center.

(I wish there’s a petition or updated info that anyone out there knows about BMW bringing ED back).

I almost always order my cars to be ready for pickup before winter. This time around, it seems the car whisperers knew we’re getting 2 Xdrive M3s, and our July production cars didn’t arrive for us to pick up till Dec 20, right around the time for Michigan’s snowy winter; which I made the best of (see pics below).

The recipe for what makes these trips special hasn’t changed…… its evolving though.

Though there were only 2 cars on this trip, these trips aren’t really complete without the 3 of us. Since 3 is better than 2, then 4 must be even better.

For the first time, I got to bring my now 15 year old son on one of our driving trips.

Over the years of stories and photos of our car trips, my kids had become more and more interested in cars. They’re officially car crazy now. My oldest was finally old enough to join me and his uncles on a car trip. Not long ago he was being held on their shoulders while they visited and now he’s joining us on our trips and learning to drive. Wow.

I taught him to drive on the rowdy MPE’d F80 and he was obsessed. He now pleads to get his driving hour requirements on the G80.

I must admit that it’s secretly comforting that my kids love cars. I would imagine all car-loving dads would likely share in this feeling.

Though this would be my umpteenth time visiting the Performance Center; getting a new car never gets old.

Regardless of 10+ visits to the Performance Center, the experience and the people and their genuine excitement always makes it special.

Donnie, Andy, Clint, Mike, ….. so many names to mention, always awesome. Thank you.

Though tire shortages meant a little less tire smoke on hot laps this time, they’ll surely make up for it on our next visit.

The delivery team at the Performance center made sure our double BSM G80s sat in the lobby for us to take delivery of simultaneously.

These cars look great on their own and even better together. As always, its was very exciting seeing our new cars for the first time.

Both of the cars in the same room made for a dramatic effect, so much so that several people just randomly started showing up during our delivery to look at them.

The highlight of every trip is always what happens after we take delivery of our cars and start driving. This trip was no different.

Lifelong friends + great cars + twisty roads + photos + food + coffee = a lot of memories.

We spent a couple of days revisiting some of our favorite twisty roads in the Carolinas. It was a short but memorable trip.

With late December’s shorter days and early sunsets, the limited time we had to plan this trip during the holidays, plus the possibility of poor wether looming for my drive back to Michigan, we wrapped up and got ready to drive home.

The time and experience of these trips I consider very precious. Not only am I spending it with lifelong friends, but I also got to see my son’s enjoyment as he sat beside me with a huge grin on his face while we chased each other up twisty mountain roads.

I had shipped my winter tires to a SC dealer to avoid potential dangerous snow driving on summer tires.

With winter tires on, we set off in opposite directions back home. Me back to Michigan, and them back to Florida.

It just didn’t feel like it was enough. Then again, it never feels like its enough as we wrap up any driving trip.

As I write this, i am filled with joy and anticipation for our next adventure.

Now that we’ve bonded with our cars for the last 4+ months, it’s time for another trip.
In a couple of days, we’ll be spending a time ripping through as many bends as possible in 3 cars. I hope to share that too in a new thread.

As I look ahead to our upcoming trip, I am forever thankful to have made memories with those whom I hold near to my heart, all because of our shared love for cars and driving.
I hope I was able to instill in you the joy I feel when I reminisce about our driving trips.

Now imagine taking a driving trip with your friends, kids, spouses, brothers, sisters…….go ahead and fill those blanks however they apply to you, and surely it’ll bring a smile to your face.

So go ahead and plan your next driving trip and make some memories.

I’ll post some pics of our trip below and a few of the car back at home.

I hope this gets featured on Bimmerpost’s front page as our last one did.




Special section for the Carbon Buckets:

I didn’t want to review the car in any specific way, but I remember how difficult it was for me to decide on the carbon buckets.
So this is just a section on the seats. Hope they help those deciding.

Let’s just say, I was obsessed when I saw photos of those seats.
But scarcity of cars in general and never finding one available with buckets meant lots of Bimmerpost reading.
It’s almost worse to read about how a seat fits than reading about how an exhaust sounds.

Unlike a race car driver, I’ve worked hard on achieving the “chubular” shape I’m currently in.
So what bigger embarrassment did I want to put myself in; than opening the door to my new M3 at the performance center and not being able to fit in the seat while everyone watched. LOL.
So I thought to myself, if anything, those seats would be all the reason for me to hit the gym.

Well….the gym thing didn’t happen…. but, boy am I happy that I kept that option ticked. (Thank you Sam for slapping some sense into me).

At 5’8” & a stocky 200 lbs, they fit me like a glove.
Simply put, I couldn’t get this car without these seats.

Dropping into them is an occasion every time, and that makes it feel special.
Getting out of them is worth every ounce of indignation, and I stand by that.

Remember I drive my cars year round, whether its sun, snow, and everything in between and I still wouldn’t order this car without them.

If you don’t take my word for it, just take it from my friend who owns a GT3 with carbon buckets who just says “I’m obsessed with those seats” after he got to drive the car.

Having driven the 11 hour trip from SC to MI countless times, in Ms, X5s and other cars, I hadn’t experienced seat discomfort; only the feeling of newness of the sitting position of any new car. So naturally, I worried they’d be uncomfortable on such a long trip.

My son and I spent 11 hours in the buckets with only a 20 min stop for gas, and I never once felt any pain or discomfort in those seats.

How will I own another car after this without those seats!!!!!


(For more double delivery/euro delivery write-ups, see my other threads. Our last ED euro delivery is a fun long read)

@Devotion2drive
@egyptianmade

[MKParris]

Carbon pack> no carbon pack

[Limegrntaln]

5'8" 200 I wouldn't be worried about the seats. I'm 6'3 and they are a nogo for me. I sat in them, months after my car was delivered, and combined with the tight doorway getting into the car, for my height, and the side bolsters, I knew it was a no-go, and I was right. Sitting in them was like sitting in a laundry basket.

I tell people, all the time, if you live in the US, there really isn't much of an excuse to order a car without sittin in the seats. I've replied to at least 10 or more people, asking about the seats, and Ive always been able to help them locate a used car, at a dealer, close enough for them to go check the car out. It's all about if you want to do the legwork.

Since you can get the M8 and the M5CS with the same buckets, there is even more of a chance of finding a car, before you order, with the seats. I'm not just strictly replying to your post, I'm also saying this, for the other people reading these threads. There are plenty of ways to sit in the seats before you order one, or at least, before your car goes into 150 status, where the order can't be changed.

[DMD]

Originally Posted by MKParris

Carbon pack> no carbon pack

lool.
I already received a screenshot of your comment from my Non-carbon pack friend telling me that I'm probably going to frame this comment and hang it on the wall for him to look at.

[DMD]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

5'8" 200 I wouldn't be worried about the seats. I'm 6'3 and they are a nogo for me. I sat in them, months after my car was delivered, and combined with the tight doorway getting into the car, for my height, and the side bolsters, I knew it was a no-go, and I was right. Sitting in them was like sitting in a laundry basket.

I tell people, all the time, if you live in the US, there really isn't much of an excuse to order a car without sittin in the seats. I've replied to at least 10 or more people, asking about the seats, and Ive always been able to help them locate a used car, at a dealer, close enough for them to go check the car out. It's all about if you want to do the legwork.

Since you can get the M8 and the M5CS with the same buckets, there is even more of a chance of finding a car, before you order, with the seats. I'm not just strictly replying to your post, I'm also saying this, for the other people reading these threads. There are plenty of ways to sit in the seats before you order one, or at least, before your car goes into 150 status, where the order can't be changed.

You're absolutely right, with them becoming more available on more models, its a must to try them out even for minutes before committing.

I had to write about my experience with them as they were unicorns a year ago as I was placing my order. Even now, I've only seen 2 G8X in my area.

A couple weeks ago, someone walking my neighborhood actually stopped by while I was washing the car and asked if he could sit in them as he had just placed an order without any cars at the dealer to see or sit in to try.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by DMD

You're absolutely right, with them becoming more available on more models, its a must to try them out even for minutes before committing.

I had to write about my experience with them as they were unicorns a year ago as I was placing my order. Even now, I've only seen 2 G8X in my area.

A couple weeks ago, someone walking my neighborhood actually stopped by while I was washing the car and asked if he could sit in them as he had just placed an order without any cars at the dealer to see or sit in to try.

They're definitely still somewhat of a unicorn. I totally agree. Not easy to find a G8X and especially one with carbon seats. I invite as many G8X owners out to be a part of our get together. And even at this event, out of 18 G8X, there were only about 2-3 cars with buckets.

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by DMD

lool.
I already received a screenshot of your comment from my Non-carbon pack friend telling me that I'm probably going to frame this comment and hang it on the wall for him to look at.

You made the right choice. Lol.

[DMD]

I had to have those carbon inlets and carbon on black has that subtle aggression

[gofast182]

Very cool. The cars look great and PCD is an incredible consumer experience. After picking up my M340i in Spartanburg in 2019 we also went to the Biltmore which was a cool experience in its own right.

[jmack123]

Originally Posted by gofast182

Very cool. The cars look great and PCD is an incredible consumer experience. After picking up my M340i in Spartanburg in 2019 we also went to the Biltmore which was a cool experience in its own right.

We have some Vanderbilt mansions here in RI which are also pretty cool so I liked that picture as well.

[Because]

What's with all the cuddling?

[DMD]

Thank you Bimmerpost. Made the front page.

[psuibmw]

Originally Posted by Because

What's with all the cuddling?

Friends don't let friends cuddle outside

[Bimmerbabe20]

Originally Posted by Because

What's with all the cuddling?

Toxic masculinity check

[Bimmerbabe20]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

Friends don't let friends cuddle outside

Toxic masculinity check

[Bimmerbabe20]

Great post and loved the pics! The carbon buckets are 10/10 and PCD is the way to do it!

[DMD]

Originally Posted by Bimmerbabe20

Great post and loved the pics! The carbon buckets are 10/10 and PCD is the way to do it!

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[F32_6spd]

A great write up! Also carbon seats in G8X are no question, the way to go. I'm 6'3" 215 and the buckets fit perfect and cradle you in a C design vs an L bucket like GT3s. Only downside is when you rip it in a corner and stuff goes flying under the seat, you're parking to find it. Be a man…go carbon.

[hittheapex]

Maybe I missed this part, but are they both yours? You and a spouse? You and a friend?

[adc]

Congrats OP!

My last Euro Delivery was in 2018, and my friend who accompanied me then was supposed to do his in 2020. Alas, the world intruded…

I will start a petition to reintroduce Euro Delivery a bit later in the year. Time to convince BMW to bring it back, create another generation of die hard clients…

[cfm56d7b]

Read this post twice. Still not enough to appreciate all the finer elements. Thanks for sharing!

[JustGeorge]

Great story, enjoy the car and your family. I too have 2 sons who love cars and we spend time together, best feeling ever.
I also have a G80 Brooklyn Grey with the buckets seats and I LOVE them. They are so comfortable and make you feel part of the car.