[x5mannn]

Anyone get an invite for an extended test drive? I signed up with a dealer that showed up on the BMW page , but it turned out that no dealerships in my area have an i8 for this program or declined to participate. I live near Boston

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by x5mannn

Anyone get an invite for an extended test drive? I signed up with a dealer that showed up on the BMW page , but it turned out that no dealerships in my area have an i8 for this program or declined to participate. I live near Boston

I had the same experience here in Southern California. Checked with a number of dealers and the response was always the same: "we're not participating in the i8 extended drive. Wanna take an i3 home for the weekend?"

I finally found a dealer that will at least give me a test drive, which I'm going to do tomorrow. Very excited

[stressdoc]

Same here in Missouri.

[x5mannn]

Let us know how the test drive went!

[x5mannn]

I did get an offer of an extended test drive of a seven series

[drlonline]

I wrote to BMWNA to ask if they knew of any dealerships in SoCal who were actually honoring the extended test drive offer, and their reply was typical corporate speak: "Please reach out to the service team at a participating BMW center to determine availability". In other words, we don't have a clue if any of our dealers are willing to back up the offer we extended to BMW owners around the country.

[ian_i3S_iX]

My dealer lent me an i8 3 times before I finally ordered one with just 40 miles on the clock it went back with 300.

In the UK demo cars are supplied by BMW so dealer (mine at least) are keen to get them on the road and seen. At a certain mileage BMW take them back and supply another.

[gbelton]

Originally Posted by drlonline

In other words, we don't have a clue if any of our dealers are willing to back up the offer we extended to BMW owners around the country.

Where are the facts upon which you've based this statement?

[Three Pedal Steve]

Yep, this happen to me.

BMWUSA sent an email with the offer of extended test drive- "Take an i8 home for the weekend" they said.

I forwarded the email to my dealership where I bought my e92 M3 new back in '13. The salesman replied that they are not sure if they will participating in the program.

I completed the on-line questionnaire and sent it back to BMWUSA.

Next the dealer's internet sales guy sends me an email saying they have many nice BMW's on the lot for my consideration. That was yesterday.

This morning I have another email from yet another internet sales guy at the same dealership stating that they have an i8 on the water due to arrive in February. It is a Giga in Sophisto Grey. But nothing about the extended test drive.

Our plan would be to take European delivery if we decide to buy. I would prefer to test drive one that is already broken-in so I can rev-it-up a bit.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by gbelton

Where are the facts upon which you've based this statement?

All the posts on this thread, GMAN. This latest marketing plan by BMW USA is a farking disaster.

[drlonline]

Well, I didn't get the extended test drive, but I did get to take one for a spin yesterday. Pacific BMW was kind enough to bring the car (2016 Crystal White Metallic) to my office. I took my assistant with me and we went out for a 20 minute drive: some freeway, some twisty stuff, some all-electric city streets. What an amazing car I can certainly appreciate now what all of the owners on this blog have been so excited about. With 2 more years on my 550i lease, I'll be counting the days until I can order my 2018 i8. Can't wait to see all the new features that will hopefully come with that car.

[gbelton]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

All the posts on this thread, GMAN. This latest marketing plan by BMW USA is a farking disaster.

Hi Malibubimmer. I am referring to this statement / post, which is devoid of fact and is pure conjecture. "Originally Posted by drlonline
In other words, we don't have a clue if any of our dealers are willing to back up the offer we extended to BMW owners around the country."

In conclusion, it is clear to me based on all these fact & opinion posts that customers received the invite for an extended drive before the dealers themselves saw, understood, and signed up for the program. Let's hope that the people in charge recognize this faux pas and will do better for everyone's sake.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by drlonline

... I took my assistant with me and we went out for a 20 minute drive: some freeway, some twisty stuff, ...

Hope your wife isn't trolling this forum.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Good one, Aye-eight. I was thinking the same thing. But back on topic here:

Originally Posted by gbelton

Hi Malibubimmer. I am referring to this statement / post, which is devoid of fact and is pure conjecture. "Originally Posted by drlonline
In other words, we don't have a clue if any of our dealers are willing to back up the offer we extended to BMW owners around the country."

In conclusion, it is clear to me based on all these fact & opinion posts that customers received the invite for an extended drive before the dealers themselves saw, understood, and signed up for the program. Let's hope that the people in charge recognize this faux pas and will do better for everyone's sake.

My plan is to raise hell with both HQ and the dealer until they loan me one of these things to bring home and let my wife fall for it too. It's the crock pot verses microwave thing.

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Good one, Aye-eight. I was thinking the same thing. But back on topic here:



My plan is to raise hell with both HQ and the dealer until they loan me one of these things to bring home and let my wife fall for it too. It's the crock pot verses microwave thing.

You should impress upon the dealer that ride quality and comfort will be a joint decision involving your significant other. Therefore, an adequate amount of time for a test drive is more than reasonable.

By way of example, I was able to obtain a test drive early into the i8's production based on the the following issue I shared with the dealer. While I enjoyed driving several track oriented low slung performance sports cars, I recognized that it was less than enjoyable for my co-passengers once the novelty of the car wore off. My friends and especially my wife were quick to pass on sitting in some of my cars once the stiff and unforgiving ride became less tolerable. It was then that I realized that unless I would remain driving solo, my next sports car needed to incorporate ride quality into the equation. That's why I had insisted my wife ride shotgun and test drive the i8 (albeit under 30 mph around a seemingly miniature block) before deciding which sports car to purchase.

In my case, I got a quick thumbs up from my wife after testing the car out. On a side note, our i8 has become her vehicle of choice when it comes to our everyday drive. In retrospect, driving a performance car can be fun, but it's not as rewarding than being able to share that with a fellow passenger.

Good luck on your test drive endeavor!

[Three Pedal Steve]

Today two things happened relative to this thread.

First the internet sales guy from my local dealership sent an email saying that the grey i8 has arrived and I was invited to view it on their i-display in the showroom. He included a picture.

Then FedEx delivered a package with a cool i8 mouse and the letter shown below.

[MalibuBimmer]

BMW USA got caught lying and has now lied again. BMW failed to clear the test drive with its dealers and NONE of them signed on. So BMW blames it on not having enough i8s. Give me a break. BMW screwed up going in and is now screwing up even more.

[YWGT3]

Sorry excuse for not delivering on their offer. As for the mouse, despite its cool factor, is a lame consolation for their extended test drive faux pas. Despite this, your dealer should, at minimum, offer an i8 test drive to those who are contemplating its purchase.

[drlonline]

I received the same letter as noted above, but instead of an i8 mouse (I already have one) I got a solar battery charger for charging my iPhone. I'd obviously prefer the extended test drive, but since I got a normal test drive and the charger, I guess it's better than nothing.

BTW, my wife has nothing to fear about my assistant. Wife is way prettier . Guess now I need to worry if my assistant trolls this forum.

[EdR]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Today two things happened relative to this thread.

First the internet sales guy from my local dealership sent an email saying that the grey i8 has arrived and I was invited to view it on their i-display in the showroom. He included a picture.

Then FedEx delivered a package with a cool i8 mouse and the letter shown below.

I received the same extended test drive invite, but both dealers (Weatherford and Concord) were not participating in the extended drive. I later received a mouse and a book on the new 7 series.