[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

What the cones thought as I approached the track:

yup, ? I need the Sept Class baddd!

this Car and Driver's Event seems to be more of a Cadillac Promo, for the 5 series didnt really get enuf time to be really compared and appreciated "RIGGED!"

[BK]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

yup, ? I need the Sept Class baddd!

this Car and Driver's Event seems to be more of a Cadillac Promo, for the 5 series didnt really get enuf time to be really compared and appreciated "RIGGED!"

Yes, definitely rigged. At least for our Saturday 10AM, they didn't even have a 5-series on the side to check out while you waited to drive, just the Caddy STS. They told us their extra 530xi away for repairs to the power steering, and this was a common fault for the 530. It made it sound like our Bimmers spend all their time in the shop. It appears they had it for your Sunday session, though.

Nice photos!

[KL2DC]

Ok just to add on feedback/reviews on today/yesterday's Car and Driver/Road & Track (Cadillac Event).

Met up with Al (ase2dais) and Jose (el-330i) this morning (10:00) for the DE.

Overall, it was an ok outing. I thought the presentation/concept was unique among DEs where they made you feel like you are there to 'report' on the cars, just like our favorite/admired auto journalists. Throughout the event, the staff at hand made repeated references to the 'editorial' mission.

The setup was basic, no lavish catering spread just your basic coffee, juice, water, soda, granola bars and fruits. There was also no elaborate staging area tents or lounge and no side activities.

The course itself was short and I wasn't too hot about the idea of being chaperoned but I see their point and in some cases, can be helpful. One of the chaperones that I had, was a cool cat who offered up tips on getting the most of the car/track. I though the sedan course ended too soon.

As others have eluded, the event was a thinly disguised Cadillac event. FYI Cadillac do have a proper DE called the Summit, last held in CA. Again, the cars at hand were the SRX V6, the RX350, STS-awd and the 530xi. You get 2 laps each on the SUV track and 1 lap each on the sedan course. The cars were driven back to back on the respective course.

My take on the cars: Although the SRX was a decent handler, I prefered the softer RX for its more communicative controls. I thought the SRX's controls were sort of wooden and was not confidence inspiring right off the bat. It was funny to hear the beep-beep'ing of the VSC of the RX350 going overtime at each corner . On the sedan front, pretty much a cakewalk for the e90 despite the Caddy STS' being overall, a highly competent car. But at the end of the day, can't beat the e60's tighter steering/feel and engine sounds.

I wasn't together with Al and Jose, but I heard they tore up the track/cars pretty hard as well AJ, I know where you might've taken out some cones...the hair pin turn on the sedan course right, that really took a lot of folks by surprise It was a blind and offcamber, almost-u-turn corner. I know my friends took out quite a few innoncent cones in that corner alone. Tires were also needlessly tortured in that turn.

Btw, awesome parting gifts...what a quality cadillac cap

Anyways, some pics....looking forward to the next DE.

note: the condition of the STS's tires after our runs

[bavarian19]

Donny,

Believe it or not, I didnt lose it on the hairpin... It was through the esses that I pushed a little too hard


Funny you say you preferred the RX. I could not stand the nosediving and snowplowing through the turns. I fully understand that its an SUV, but I preferred the driving characteristics of the SRX. The SRX also had much better tires than the RX (width wise). The RX had much better materials and finish than the SRX though...

As I was telling our group, I would love to take my E90 on that sedan course.

[bavarian19]

By the way, we asked the main instructor how often they change tires on the cars... He said it depends on the driving surface, but can be as often as every weekend


With people like me driving, I could completely understand...

[KL2DC]

AJ, I seem to be alone on the RX thing. What you say is true, the SRX is the better handler, but somehow the RX came across as being more communicative (steering, steering ratio and brake feel) despite the roll, nosediving, understeer and the incessant chiming in of the VSC system. The RX also had a better engine note and smoother power delivery.

So you had a problem with the esses that followed the hairpin?

Speaking of frequent tire changes... Much to the instructors chagrin, the attending groups were notably aggressive this morning

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

AJ, I seem to be alone on the RX thing. What you say is true, the SRX is the better handler, but somehow the RX came across as being more communicative (steering, steering ratio and brake feel) despite the roll, nosediving, understeer and the incessant chiming in of the VSC system. The RX also had a better engine note and smoother power delivery.

So you had a problem with the esses that followed the hairpin?

Well, I am going to politely disagree... but again, its just my opinion... I did most of the runs in the RX with one hand steering (second hand covering the wheel). I know its not the way to drive on those courses, but the steering felt very light and uncommunicative to me... Again, just my humble opinion... Its a great cruising SUV...

Well, I fully intended on pushing the cars just like I did with the SUV's... Not that it was a problem, but I found the point where all wheels on an awd car broke traction :rocks:

[ase2dais]

+1
I agree AJ

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

+1
I agree AJ

holy thread revival batman

[ase2dais]

we've come a long way

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

we've come a long way

peaks and valley...next mountain climb beckons us, chief

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

+1
I agree AJ

2 years to agree?
You thought hard about this one, didn't you Ase?

[ase2dais]

I'm currently suffering from dementia