BMW: The ultimate driving machine AND experience?

When the media are invited to preview a new car at a press ride and drive, the pressure is not only on companies like BMW for the cars to deliver the positive experience, but also for the event experience to be just as good.

So the Spies take our hats off to the event planners at BMW (Laura Leiponis) for not only a great new vehicle but also for a great time in San Francisco.

The headquarters hotel was the gorgeous St. Regis Hotel. Just check out the photos of the room and the cool touch screen controller...It controls everything, lights, blinds, etc...Very Bond-like!!! Of course, they had me in room 1007!

A lot of money, time and planning goes into these events to make them ever so special.

Take a look at our photo gallery below to get a taste of the event and a great look at some of the cool landmarks in the city by the bay.

We have been encouraging the different companies to run a contest at AutoSpies.com that would allow one of our lucky readers to attend a future press event like this courtesy of AutoSpies.com and the manufacturer.

Do you all like that idea?

If so, let the manufacturers see your comments below in our blogs.

Who will be the first manufacturer to contact the Spies to make the offer for an innovative program like this?

crackityjones - 8/11/2006 6:09:10 PM

+1 Boost

Bringing an Autospies reader on a press trip sounds like a great opportunity for a car maker. Autospies readers hold a lot of sway, especially now that we can start our own articles.

crackityjones - 8/11/2006 6:20:43 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, Will. I've brought that up.

On the other hand, there are a lot of knowledgeable people writing here.

crackityjones - 8/11/2006 6:39:40 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, this site has become a mini-internet for car fans. It's gotten a lot more spontaneous.

If you're a car maker, you know you have to reach opinion leaders and this site give the biggest voice.

SixxFive - 8/11/2006 6:57:56 PM

+1 Boost

Great idea!! Thank you.

webguy - 8/11/2006 7:17:02 PM

+2 Boost

001, You could use such a contest to your advantage. Don't make it a "lucky reader," make it a deserving contributor. Someone who consistently delivers good (read: enjoyed by the community)articles and/or blogs to the site. This way, you encourage better quality in the user submissions AND BMW or whoever is throwing the event knows they're getting someone who may have some clout among the community.

Mark - 8/14/2006 9:48:21 AM

+1 Boost

I will half agree with webguy but on the other half will say that it would benefit someone to go with 001 and learn the ropes to automotive reporting. There would be pros and cons with making specific rules about who could go, but in the end opening up something like this to mainstream 'readers' not only helps that reader who is selected it also gives the automotive companies and better face by not keeping it to the professionals.

Car and driver did something like this with I think the new Ford Five Hundred (maybe) and they selected five normal C&D readers to come on a drive and then were able to write their own opinion that was printed in the next magazine.

001, I like many others would love to have your job....and would really like the chance to 'win' an opportunity to see the "other side".