[swreefkeeper]

Hello everyone! I just picked up my new 2021 X3 M40i Carbon Black with Cognac Interior today from the Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC on 5/13. Her name is Gretchen. For anyone that has never done this I cannot recommend it enough.

Here are the specs

Carbon Black exterior
Cognac Interior
Executive Package
Driving Assistance Pro Package
Shadowline Package
20" M Double-spoke bi-color wheels, style 699M with performance run-flat tires
Adaptive M Suspension
Red M Sport Brakes
Carbon Fiber trim
Harman Kardon surround sound system
M Sport Differential
Rear manual side window shades
Shadowline Package
Wireless Charging

[Razel]

That's where mine was when I first showed up. And, yes, despite that sign that says "Don't touch", I did anyway.

[swreefkeeper]

The Performance Center Delivery Experience started by going over some basics about BMW and the technology in the vehicles. Very informative and relatively short session, maybe 15-20 minutes.

After that we were broken up into groups and selected out vehicles. They put you in ones similar to what you are picking up. I had a X3 M40i as well did others. You have radios in the vehicle with you and the instructors are talking to you the whole time helping you along the way.

We started with a ABS exercise to perform quick stops fully activivating the ABS. When you are doing all of this you have your guest in the car with you and you switch off so both can get behind the wheel. After the ABS test you have a small course set up working on breaking, coming out of corners, and slalom. This was a lot of fun and you can really push the cars to their limits. Lastly thy take you out of the skid pad. For this exercise we used a M340i. The sprinklers were going on and off and it was a lot of fun. They show you how DSC helps and take it off as well.

Once you wrap up your own driving they have the option to take a "Hot Lap" with an instructor driving the whole coarse in a M5 Competition. Both me and the wife went and it was a blast. The drivers really pushed the cars far better than my abilities would have allowed.

[swreefkeeper]

Once you are done driving in the morning we went inside and were shown our vehicles. I posted the photos in the beginning of the thread but mine was right in the front door when we arrived so I already did see it a little. You have a tech go over the car and get everything set up with you. This was really helpful as my last BMW was a 13 335i and things have changed a bit for the better. After you get everything set up you take a break for lunch.

Lunch was great. Chicken, Shrimp and Grits, salad. It was a nice set up and you get to talk to others also doing a PCD.

[swreefkeeper]

After Lunch you get to go on BMW's off road coarse in either an X3 or X5. This was a lot of fun and the BMWs really surprised me. They treaded water better than I thought and could handle some steep angles. I would never do this in mine but it is good to know it is possible if you really needed to.

[swreefkeeper]

Once you wrap up the off road course you take your new BMW across the street to the Factory and Museum. Photos are not allowed in the factory but they are in the Museum. Here are some of the iconic cars they had from over the years.

[swreefkeeper]

As much as I wanted to drive my brand new M40i around I dropped it off at Extreme Colors Auto Spa to have Xpel PPF installed on the whole front end. I also has the windows tinted with Xpel XR film. I had them do 15% on the front, 35% on the rears, and 80% on the windshield. Extreme colors also installed painted reflectors front and rear I brought with me. They were very nice and professional to deal with. I would highly recommend them if doing a PCD and want to have PPF installed before your ride home.

My trip home was to Tampa, FL and around 600 miles. I am halfway to break in just from the ride home and cant wait to open in up. At least I know what it is capable of from the track experience.

If anyone has a question let me know! This is an experience everyone should do if ordering a vehicle if they have time. My wife wants to order a new car now and we will be returning for a second time.

[zibbit]

Geez what type of extra premium do you have to pay to get that experience?

[lambmw]

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

As much as I wanted to drive my brand new M40i around I dropped it off at Extreme Colors Auto Spa to have Xpel PPF installed on the whole front end. I also has the windows tinted with Xpel XR film. I had them do 15% on the front, 35% on the rears, and 80% on the windshield. Extreme colors also installed painted reflectors front and rear I brought with me. They were very nice and professional to deal with. I would highly recommend them if doing a PCD and want to have PPF installed before your ride home.

My trip home was to Tampa, FL and around 600 miles. I am halfway to break in just from the ride home and cant wait to open in up. At least I know what it is capable of from the track experience.

If anyone has a question let me know! This is an experience everyone should do if ordering a vehicle if they have time. My wife wants to order a new car now and we will be returning for a second time.

Congratulations on the build! Almost the same as mine except I opted for sapphire black with 21" rims. Thanks for sharing your experience! I just placed my order and my salesman is trying to schedule me for last week of June for the PCD. Very excited to have this experience. My road trip will be cross country so I can ship it out to Hawaii. Will be tough not to open it up during the first 1,000 or so miles. What did you odemter read when you go behind the wheel for the first time?

Sounds like I should schedule an appointment to get the PPF treatment. Might wait to tint in Hawaii so I can use a local installer that will supply me with a warranty on the tint job.

[Vitacura]

Originally Posted by zibbit

Geez what type of extra premium do you have to pay to get that experience?

There is no extra charge for Performance Center Delivery. You just have to get yourself there and everything else is included!

Fantastic write-up, appreciate the time you took OP. Love the pictures and Congrats neighbor!

[swreefkeeper]

Originally Posted by lambmw

Congratulations on the build! Almost the same as mine except I opted for sapphire black with 21" rims. Thanks for sharing your experience! I just placed my order and my salesman is trying to schedule me for last week of June for the PCD. Very excited to have this experience. My road trip will be cross country so I can ship it out to Hawaii. Will be tough not to open it up during the first 1,000 or so miles. What did you odemter read when you go behind the wheel for the first time?

Sounds like I should schedule an appointment to get the PPF treatment. Might wait to tint in Hawaii so I can use a local installer that will supply me with a warranty on the tint job.

I actually had it ordered as Sapphire Black and changed it last minute. I am very happy with the Carbon Black. I wanted to 20's to get the increased speed limiter. I know me and will change the wheels out, maybe some HRE's!

It had 8 miles when I first sat in it. I know they test it etc before releasing it for delivery.

They book out a few weeks so I would call soon for the PPF. As long as you have an Xpel dealer/ installer back home you will be all set warranty wise. If you are going cross country you would definitely be more comfortable to have some film on there to help with the heat of summer. Post pictures when you pick it up!

[swreefkeeper]

Originally Posted by zibbit

Geez what type of extra premium do you have to pay to get that experience?

As Vitacura said, no charge at all. Only requirement is you order a custom build, you cant buy one off the lot and go there for the experience. They even pay for your hotel for one night and food. Its a great service and I don't think any manufacture does something similar. At least here in the US.

[swreefkeeper]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

There is no extra charge for Performance Center Delivery. You just have to get yourself there and everything else is included!

Fantastic write-up, appreciate the time you took OP. Love the pictures and Congrats neighbor!

Thanks! Looking forward to attending some meets and events from Tampa Bimmer. Hopefully I can find some time with a one year old.

[Grand Moff Alpina]

Sounds like an amazing experience! Congrats!

Also: I need to know where you got those color matched corner lights. They look perfect!

[zukmeister]

bad ass, thanks for sharing

[lambmw]

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I actually had it ordered as Sapphire Black and changed it last minute. I am very happy with the Carbon Black. I wanted to 20's to get the increased speed limiter. I know me and will change the wheels out, maybe some HRE's!

It had 8 miles when I first sat in it. I know they test it etc before releasing it for delivery.

They book out a few weeks so I would call soon for the PPF. As long as you have an Xpel dealer/ installer back home you will be all set warranty wise. If you are going cross country you would definitely be more comfortable to have some film on there to help with the heat of summer. Post pictures when you pick it up!

Ahh okay. Yea I am a big fan of both colors. I always had black cars so was tempted to switch it up a bit, but decided to stick with it.

Nice yea was curious what to expect in terms of mileage.. never bought brand new so I bet that is pretty cool to miles at almost 0.

Thanks for the info and sharing your experience. Will definitely be posting some pics and a thread on my road trip experience across county.

[lambmw]

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

As much as I wanted to drive my brand new M40i around I dropped it off at Extreme Colors Auto Spa to have Xpel PPF installed on the whole front end. I also has the windows tinted with Xpel XR film. I had them do 15% on the front, 35% on the rears, and 80% on the windshield. Extreme colors also installed painted reflectors front and rear I brought with me. They were very nice and professional to deal with. I would highly recommend them if doing a PCD and want to have PPF installed before your ride home.

My trip home was to Tampa, FL and around 600 miles. I am halfway to break in just from the ride home and cant wait to open in up. At least I know what it is capable of from the track experience.

If anyone has a question let me know! This is an experience everyone should do if ordering a vehicle if they have time. My wife wants to order a new car now and we will be returning for a second time.

Seen some folks talk about paint cure time of 2 weeks after assembly. Not sure exactly when in the process the body panels are painted and baked but have you had any issues with your PPF and the paint job after having it done right away?

[swreefkeeper]

Originally Posted by lambmw

Seen some folks talk about paint cure time of 2 weeks after assembly. Not sure exactly when in the process the body panels are painted and baked but have you had any issues with your PPF and the paint job after having it done right away?

No problems. Mine was complete for a few weeks before pick up anyways. I would be more worried about a panel painted after the fact due to a repair than a factory painted vehicle.