Is the ring taxi worth it?

Brn2Drive · 09-06-2011, 02:54 PM

I was just looking into the BMW ring taxi as part of my ED trip and wanted to hear from those who have experienced it before.

My hesitation comes from the lack of flexibility with the reservation process.
(1) They make you pay for the ticket before you reserve a day with no guarantee that your day will be available.
(2) Only method of payment is wire transfer - my bank charges a $45 fee for wires and I have to go into the branch...lame excuse but I would much rather put it on a credit card and forget about it.
(3) Total cost for a "ride" is $280 + $45 fee = $325
(4) Back to #1 above - there is no real guarantee that I will get a spot so I could spend $325 for nothing (am I missing something or is this actually true??)

If it's worth the effort i'm all for it but i'm not convinced, what do you all think?

Mr. ///M3 RD · 09-06-2011, 03:15 PM

Did you do a

here or on Google? it has been discussed before

-----> Click here

Another good source for information Click here also

and here too ----> CLICK

Bubbles · 09-06-2011, 04:05 PM

YES and YES!!

Brn2Drive · 09-06-2011, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the help and yes I have searched and read that exact thread. FYI - that thread does not answer any of my questions. I found a way to get tickets but still wonder if it's worth the hassle and lack of guarantee. Also, the email on that link is incorrect. The new email for the ring taxi is bmw-ringtaxi@nuerburgring.de

So...back to my question: it is worth it?? Also, has anyone been able to walk up and get tickets without a reservation?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Did you do a

here or on Google? it has been discussed before

-----> Click here

Another good source for information Click here also

and here too ----> CLICK

MDyDinanM · 09-06-2011, 05:01 PM

yes - but probably more worth it to get a car and drive around the ring yourself

Brn2Drive · 09-06-2011, 05:37 PM

A good point. I'm picking up a new M3 sedan and will have it with me at the ring. However, I probably will not be able to push it as hard as the ring taxi drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdyaman

yes - but probably more worth it to get a car and drive around the ring yourself

lukester · 09-06-2011, 06:04 PM

here's what you gonna get.
have some more Nordschleife Videos in my youtube channel....just search around.
But this one has the best camera angle (no ... it's not a M, it's my 570HP Challenger Detroit steel thing beating around the track)

To be honest. I think the pricing for the Ring Taxi is way to high. For 7-8min of fun it's a lot of money.

If you haven't ever driven on the Nordschleife...don't push it. There are many blind corners. Stay to the right
and cruise around. Don't disable the ESP system.

I don't see any issues to drive around with you own car.
A 4 lap ticket is 89euro, a 15 lap ticket is 310euro.

So you'll get nearly 15 laps with your own car or one lap as a passanger in the ring taxi.

Hmm....... I think you get the idea.

hova00 · 09-06-2011, 06:57 PM

Nice Challenger! Never thought i would see one going around the ring.

4sevens.com · 09-06-2011, 06:59 PM

Is Sabine still driving for the ring taxi?

persian54 · 09-06-2011, 08:31 PM

Dude your bank sucks. $45 for a wire transfer?

CitiGold I think only charge me $18 when I do it online. Quick and easy.
$25 if I go into the branch.

I emailed them and complained that the banker was rude (which he was) and they refunded my $25 and said my next one is free too. lol

Brn2Drive · 09-06-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

Dude your bank sucks. $45 for a wire transfer?

CitiGold I think only charge me $18 when I do it online. Quick and easy.
$25 if I go into the branch.

I emailed them and complained that the banker was rude (which he was) and they refunded my $25 and said my next one is free too. lol

ha! yeah I know. I get domestic wires for free but international wires cost $45 and can only be done at the branch. New international banking regulations have become a pain in the last 2 years. Have you tried to use an ATM in europe lately? 9 out of 10 won't take american cards.

donovan · 09-06-2011, 10:12 PM

Call over there and ask exactly what you want to know. Spend the international call time/money to find the truth.

I lived in Germany for two years and trained for 2 years there and I never got a ring taxi ride because I had my own fun

I would say rent a vehicle and do it yourself boss.

BostonRocket · 09-07-2011, 11:23 AM

I did the Ring Taxi a few years ago, and it is worth it. It's not cheap, but it's an experience that you can have for the rest of your life.

Nothing was more jaw dropping than exiting the Karussel on the right and a red Ducati passes us on the left, knee dragging.

karussell · 09-07-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brn2Drive

A good point. I'm picking up a new M3 sedan and will have it with me at the ring. However, I probably will not be able to push it as hard as the ring taxi drivers.

you "probably" will not be able to push it as hard? oh i want to see this. let me know when you go out there champ.

wisesoul · 09-07-2011, 05:04 PM

Wait until the F10 M5 comes in. And have Sabine or Caludia Hurtgen drive like maniacs!

luis_m3 · 09-08-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karussell

you "probably" will not be able to push it as hard? oh i want to see this. let me know when you go out there champ.

+1... this is their backyard bro. I even think Sabine lives there... sleeps in the trunk of an M5 and covers herself with floormats.

disapr · 09-08-2011, 12:05 PM

lukester - Why isn't anyone else on the track moving? It must suck to always have slow cars in the way.

lukester · 09-08-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disapr

lukester - Why isn't anyone else on the track moving? It must suck to always have slow cars in the way.

At the Nordschleife it's all about how good you know the track.
This thing is over 13 miles long and has 73 corners.
Many or most of them are blind.

Already did a 2 day driver training on this track and have driven there far over 250 laps. That gives some confidence.

I'm not a professional driver....just somebody loving to race cars.

And my Challenger isn't a slow thing. Most e92 M3s won't be able to keep up.
Yes...it's heavy. But with over 570HP and tons of torque and 4 285/35-20 Toyo R888 tires, big brake, suspension, .... it's pretty fast.

Some others just don't know the track and drive slowly (which is 100% the right thing to do) or just have slow cars.

And yes....my "new" track tool is faster than my Challenger.
It's not Supercharged ... but after some mods it weights only 3329lbs.

OSAB1 · 09-09-2011, 09:55 PM

Do the taxi ride. It is a great way to experience the track at speed. It will take you many many many laps to get up to speed on the ring. So experience it at speed in an awesome machine and with a fantastic driver. You won't be unhappy.

Nandrega · 09-09-2011, 11:23 PM

lukester - great lap! that looks like so much fun

09-06-2011, 02:54 PM	#1
Brn2Drive New Member Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: VA Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	Is the ring taxi worth it? I was just looking into the BMW ring taxi as part of my ED trip and wanted to hear from those who have experienced it before. My hesitation comes from the lack of flexibility with the reservation process. (1) They make you pay for the ticket before you reserve a day with no guarantee that your day will be available. (2) Only method of payment is wire transfer - my bank charges a $45 fee for wires and I have to go into the branch...lame excuse but I would much rather put it on a credit card and forget about it. (3) Total cost for a "ride" is $280 + $45 fee = $325 (4) Back to #1 above - there is no real guarantee that I will get a spot so I could spend $325 for nothing (am I missing something or is this actually true??) If it's worth the effort i'm all for it but i'm not convinced, what do you all think? Last edited by Brn2Drive; 09-06-2011 at 03:02 PM.
	Tweet

09-06-2011, 03:15 PM	#2
Mr. ///M3 RD Major General Drives: M3 Summer & C350 4MATIC Winter Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada Posts: 7,539 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 M3 Coupe e92 [3.00] 2011 Benz 350 4MATIC [1.00] 1967 Restored Merce ... [0.00] 1987 BMW 535is [0.50] Cars from the Past [1.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [3.50]	Did you do a here or on Google? it has been discussed before -----> Click here Another good source for information Click here also and here too ----> CLICK __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well ---> Click here for some good stuff I found Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 09-06-2011 at 03:26 PM. Reason: Added two more resource links about ED and the Ring

09-06-2011, 04:05 PM	#3
Bubbles Green Bastard Drives: ZCP-Powered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend Posts: 3,523 iTrader: (3)	YES and YES!! __________________

09-06-2011, 05:01 PM	#5
MDyDinanM OIF Veteran Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,926 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M5 [3.44]	yes - but probably more worth it to get a car and drive around the ring yourself __________________ Retired: '06 BMW E46 ///M3 Current: '08 BMW E60 DINAN ///M5, Interlagos Blue, SMG DINAN Stage 2 Suspension, Exhaust, Stage III Software, Front strut braces, Intakes, 13% Underdrive pulley, 3.91 Differential, RPI Scoops.

09-06-2011, 06:04 PM	#7
lukester Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 205 iTrader: (0)	here's what you gonna get. have some more Nordschleife Videos in my youtube channel....just search around. But this one has the best camera angle (no ... it's not a M, it's my 570HP Challenger Detroit steel thing beating around the track) To be honest. I think the pricing for the Ring Taxi is way to high. For 7-8min of fun it's a lot of money. If you haven't ever driven on the Nordschleife...don't push it. There are many blind corners. Stay to the right and cruise around. Don't disable the ESP system. I don't see any issues to drive around with you own car. A 4 lap ticket is 89euro, a 15 lap ticket is 310euro. So you'll get nearly 15 laps with your own car or one lap as a passanger in the ring taxi. Hmm....... I think you get the idea. __________________ Objects in Mirror are Doing it Sideways If you love it fast&hard-check out my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/lukecustoms

09-06-2011, 06:57 PM	#8
hova00 Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: EAST COAST Posts: 535 iTrader: (4)	Nice Challenger! Never thought i would see one going around the ring.

09-06-2011, 06:59 PM	#9
4sevens.com Major Drives: '11 LMB e90 M3; '99 LS6 Miata Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,474 iTrader: (3)	Is Sabine still driving for the ring taxi?

09-06-2011, 08:31 PM	#10
persian54 Lieutenant General Drives: MW E93 M3/E89 Z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal Posts: 15,350 iTrader: (258)	Dude your bank sucks. $45 for a wire transfer? CitiGold I think only charge me $18 when I do it online. Quick and easy. $25 if I go into the branch. I emailed them and complained that the banker was rude (which he was) and they refunded my $25 and said my next one is free too. lol __________________ Next track day: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651089 Sorry I'm just someone who comes on here to fill a void..I dont have the $ to own a BMW. This is a nice E93:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434032

09-06-2011, 10:12 PM	#12
donovan Brigadier General Drives: E92 m3 AW, light package Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: le' Murica Posts: 3,035 iTrader: (8)	Call over there and ask exactly what you want to know. Spend the international call time/money to find the truth. I lived in Germany for two years and trained for 2 years there and I never got a ring taxi ride because I had my own fun I would say rent a vehicle and do it yourself boss. __________________ e46 m3 Black To many mods

09-07-2011, 11:23 AM	#13
BostonRocket Private Drives: 2006 BMW M5 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 92 iTrader: (0)	I did the Ring Taxi a few years ago, and it is worth it. It's not cheap, but it's an experience that you can have for the rest of your life. Nothing was more jaw dropping than exiting the Karussel on the right and a red Ducati passes us on the left, knee dragging.

09-07-2011, 05:04 PM	#15
wisesoul Savoir Faire Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,118 iTrader: (0)	Wait until the F10 M5 comes in. And have Sabine or Caludia Hurtgen drive like maniacs! __________________ Current: AW/SO F10 M5 Sold:Imola Yellow RS4-KW V3, MTM 10mm spacers, Hotchkis rear sway bar, APR Stage 1, Milltek Catless, RNS-E, Euro RS4 Flat bottom Steering Wheel Sold:E46 323i

09-08-2011, 12:05 PM	#17
disapr drop a gear and... Drives: 2010 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 937 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 SVT Raptor [0.00] 2012 BMW X5 [0.00]	lukester - Why isn't anyone else on the track moving? It must suck to always have slow cars in the way. __________________ '12 SVT Raptor '04 E46 M3 6MT AW --Build Thread-- www.adaptiveeng.com<-Cool stuff here

09-09-2011, 09:55 PM	#19
OSAB1 Private Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY Posts: 79 iTrader: (0)	Do the taxi ride. It is a great way to experience the track at speed. It will take you many many many laps to get up to speed on the ring. So experience it at speed in an awesome machine and with a fantastic driver. You won't be unhappy.

09-09-2011, 11:23 PM	#20
Nandrega Private Drives: In Progress Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 93 iTrader: (0)	lukester - great lap! that looks like so much fun

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search