As cars show up at my door, the challenge becomes... "Where do I test these vehicles?" Now, there's tons of canyons out here in Malibu, tons of cool roads and tons of places to shoot cool shots. But, with this 2013 BMW X1, I had to think different.
It was a Holiday week and everybody and there mother was out doin' their thing and getting ready for the weekend. So, I had to take this 240hp mid-sized SUV somewhere where there weren't people. And out of that persistent desire, an idea was born.
What not the Universal Backlot? Empty streets, as long as they aren't shooting. Quiet. BOOM.
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You see, the key to working on any backlot is to appear like you belong. And... not walk around and stare at things for too long. (How I got on the lot is another story) Once I was there with this 34mpg German rock, I slowly and quietly, found some good places for shooting. New York Street was the easiest as the cameras were shooting a little ways off.
At one point, a security guard approached me and I thought, "This is it. I'm busted." But... he came right up and asked ME, what this was and if he could take a picture of this cool car. Of course, I said "TAKE A HIKE, BUDDY! I'M WORKIN!!" No, not really. I calmly said "Sure, go for it."
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He did, resulting in smiles and conversation all around. Another example of GIVE COOLNESS, GET COOLNESS, IT'S THE LAW. He asked all about the car and I'm pretty sure I made a sale. And at about $30K, this solid diamond is totally affordable. Probably with a payment of about $300 bucks.
This X1 is seriously solid. Not just put together. But BMWs are known for this. They are built with rigidity in mind. Not as in the ride, but as in the quality. They don't skimp on anything which is why it seems you could take a mallet to anything and it wouldn't even budge. (I wouldn't recommend that, as your hand would suffice.)
Now, being on the lot, I didn't risk bringing my phat SONY equipment and opted for my camera phone. Stealthy and does the job in a pinch without sending you to the Universal Pokie.
