2011 Winter Issue

The All-New BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle®

The second generation of a vehicle that launched an entire segment

In 2004 BMW introduced a new concept to the market: A small, premium Sports Activity Vehicle with all-road capability and unparalleled driving dynamics. This first generation BMW X3 became a best seller in the BMW line...both in the United States and in Europe. Through its life cycle, over 600,000 original X3s have been sold worldwide with 150,000 sold in the USA. Subsequently, several competitors have entered the now hotly contested segment.

The new second generation BMW X3 builds on the success of the original by developing its core competencies, while adding new technology to establish new benchmarks for agility, efficiency and comfort. The new BMW X3 will be produced in an expansion of the BMW Spartanburg, South Carolina plant and is expected to arrive in U.S. BMW Centers by the end of 2010.

Design: Exterior

The design of the new BMW X3 conveys elegance, agility and ruggedness. Up front, the forward-slanting BMW kidney grille and large headlight assembly combine with a powerful-looking front apron and hood, boasting six contour lines sweeping down to meet at the kidney grill, giving the X3 a bold presence. The twin round headlights, combined with the round fog lamps, form the triangular light pattern that is characteristic of the BMW SAV design. The upper edge of the headlight assembly sports an accentuating chrome trim, creating the focused design typical of BMW vehicles. BMW's signature ''Corona Rings'' are again illuminated to function as the daytime running lights. When equipped with the optional Xenon headlights, the Corona Rings and daytime running lights are illuminated by bright white LEDs.

Posted by BMW of North America

1st Annual Blue Ridge Parkway CruZ for the Cure of Parkinson's Disease

CruZers,
Turnout was lite but cruZ was success. Lee Davis, Sales Executive, and Special Events Coordinator, Flow BMW & (me) Rich & Claire Broughton( BMW CCA & ZS CCA) join together to sponsor the 1st Annual Blue Ridge Parkway CruZ for the Cure of PD. A Friday night wine tasting went especially well, putting Charles Shaw wine, AKA “Three Buck Chuck” to the taste test. All agreed it was a wonderful wine. Flow provided a cheese & cracker tray that all enjoyed.

After a wonderful light brunch served at Flow BMW we congregated in the showroom for a Rally Review of our Sunday afternoon tour where the CruZers were reminded that this was a "scenic tour" and not a race, obey all traffic laws, keep together, ect. Then it was off to Hanging Rock State Park on some fabulous backroads that few even knew existed. In just a few short miles of highway driving, we were off on some backroads most thought could only be found in our Appalachian mountains. All happy CruZers reached the Hospitality Center around 11:00. Then it was off to the BRP portion of our CruZ while enjoying spectacular views of Pilot and Saurertown Mountains. The famous 'Squirrel Spur" is like traveling on a paved path through the picture perfect valley, then through the twisties up the Blue Ridge slicing through Christmas tree farms and pumpkin patches. We arrived at Chateau Morrisette, our final destination, around 1:30 for a lunch, wine tasting and tour. The return trip took us South on the BRP to Deep Gap for another twisty sprint down the mountain to Mt. Airy and the Autumn Leaves Festival. Main Street is lined with over 170 craftsmen showing off their unique atrs and crafts, plus bluegrass music and lots of "Food for the Soul".

We got to see many old friends like, Bill & Bonnie Lassiter (Statesville); Danny & Barbara Jones; (Rocky Mount) Ron & Shirley Coulter ( Lake Norman). Ted & Sylvia Hill from Pasadina, Md and Peter & Janice Riamondi from Hertford,NC all CRUzers from the OBX CruZ. Then there were the new friends to join us. Through our silent auction and donations we raised about $600.00 to be matched by Mr Flow bring our total to $1200.00 for the Michael J Fox Foundation. We are going to find a cure! We are members of TEAM FOX.

Planning is afoot for next years CruZ with Lee & Laurie (his wife) putting their heads with ours (Me & Claire) to come up with that perfect weekend. It will probably be in the Boone-Blowing Rock-Banner Elk area. Progress will be reported on the Flow BMW web site and mine WWW.OBXCRUZ.COM

Don’t forget the 8th ANNUAL OBX CRUZ for the CURE. Ap 1, 2, & 3, 2011 in Kitty Hawk. Rooms now available at the Hilton Garden Inn. PLEASE make your reservations early , NOW!!!

-Rich Broughton

This “Best Drive” begins on Hwy 18, just North of Wilkesboro off Hwy 421. Once you’ve completed the trek up the Blue Ridge, turn left at Laurel Springs Post Office onto Hwy. 88. After approximately 4 miles, you will see a historical marker for Ore Knob Mine. Turn right onto Little Peak Creak Road and you can still see the rusted remains of the old mine equipment on the left. The shafts of the old copper mine are overgrown and fenced off since closing, but you can still grab a glimpse of the huge mound of copper laden earth that still remains.

Continue for about 3 miles to a bridge, then turn right onto Fulton Reeves Road, where you’ll parallel the New River. At times you might feel as if you should be in a small boat as the road often blends with the riverbank. When the road dead-ends, you’ll make a hard turn on to what resembles a pontoon bridge (pictured above). Don’t worry, the bridge is safe as long as you keep your speed down and you don’t try to share it with any oncoming traffic. Once you’ve crossed, you will continue to drive directly beside the New River.

The next turn is a right onto East Shatley Springs Road for about 2 miles, then a right onto N.C. 16 heading North to Shatley Springs Inn. The resort opened at the turn of the century when people from near and far showed up seeking relief from various ailments. For a while, the water was bottled and sold by the truckload as the area developed around bath houses, cabins, and in 1920 a family-style restaurant. Today, it's "healing waters" are still bubbling and being carried away by countless believers. The Shatley Springs Restaurant still turns out fine food and in fact was named "Best Breakfast in North Carolina" by readers of OUR STATE magazine.

Returning to N.C. 16, head South for about 4 miles to N.C. 88. You'll soon see a huge mountain arising on the left. Take bypass 221 around Jefferson's business area and signs will point to Mount Jefferson State Park. The sprint to the summit is a blast with many 2nd gear switchbacks and hairpin turns. The overlooks are spectacular.

Returning to U.S. 221 , turn right toward N.C. 16/18 and you'll soon cross the New River again. A right turn past the bridge puts you back on N.C. 16 where you'll see the sign for Wagoner Road Access Area. It's a short 3-4 mile scenic detour along the New River and well worth the drive if time allows. Continue on N.C.16 for another 6 miles to the historic Glendale Springs where you'll pick up "Old Hwy 16" for a sprint back down the Blue Ridge to Wilkesboro.

Allow 5-6 hours, depending on stops, for this tour. This is one of those drives where the going is more important than the destination. It's a perfect "Sunday afternoon drive" for enjoying some breath taking landscapes, uncrowded back roads, and your ultimate driving machine!

Wanna Race? Go to VIR!

Ever had the urge to fully exercise the performance potential of your BMW or MINI? What about the risk to the public, yourself and your driver’s license? Did you ever think you could enjoy the race proven technology built into every BMW/MINI without these concerns?

Here’s the answer. As a member guest at Virginia International Raceway, you can enjoy your BMW/MINI in a reasonably safe, controlled environment at arguably the finest road course anywhere. It’s a way to introduce Flow BMW/MINI customers to the VIR lifestyle. These events are scheduled throughout the year (see calendar) and provide you with the opportunity to drive in the touring lights class, previously reserved for VIR Club Members only. It offers the perfect opportunity to drive this historic track with a friend or family member without any pressure or expensive modifications or equipment. Most “touring lights” drivers progress up to the “touring” group and many even further to the “high speed” group.

Guests reservations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, as space permits. The fee is $150 per event.

Contact Lee Davis for more information at 336.784.3196 or click here.

Experience The Flow BMW Difference

BMW QMS (Quality Management Systems) Certified

An 8-time BMW “Center of Excellence” National Award Winner

A tenured sales and service staff, many with over 10 years experience

A dealership doing business in our community since 1955

Supports BMW Car Club

Awarded the first MINI franchise in North Carolina

BMW Roadster & MINI Cooper Rallies with unique destinations

Quarterly Owners Clinics for BMW and MINI

Free Saturday car wash*

Free loaner vehicles provided with service*

A quarterly online newsletter with great getaways and interesting material

Sponsor of special events at Virginia International Raceway (VIR)

A dealership that supports the community through the United Way, Susan G. Komen Foundation, N.C. Shakespeare Festival, The Little Theatre, and various other worthy causes

*Certain restrictions apply. See store for details.