2 Day BMW M School FULL REPORT w/ Video & Pics

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

yeah, me 2. All of us should do it at the same time. Maybe we can all drive one. Road trip plus M school. :-)

lol

you should ask BMW for a group discount

I know BMW CCA NCC does M Club day for a 1 day M School-like session twice a year.

The next one is 21 April where the DC Metro CCA members will caravan down. It costs like $660 for CCA members

here is the details for that event:

http://forum.nccbmwcca.org/showthrea...ormance-Center

[Raja Ventureshield]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

lol

you should ask BMW for a group discount

I know BMW CCA NCC does M Club day for a 1 day M School-like session twice a year.

The next one is 21 April where the DC Metro CCA members will caravan down. It costs like $660 for CCA members

here is the details for that event:

http://forum.nccbmwcca.org/showthrea...ormance-Center

this looks too much fun. 1 day wont be enough. looks like u had a blast!!!!!
thanks for the pix.

[Templar]

Awesome pics, awesome review.

Definitely something I have been saving for. Want to pull the trigger this year, just need to find time.

[BMWNTHZST]

Great write up! Sounds like a blast.

[///M Rakete]

Previously they've used a Race Keeper in car digital recording system that was then transferred to DVD and shipped out to you weeks later. Not only was that an awfully long wait but in both my 2-Day M Schools I got no M3 video. It was simply lost/not collected in the process. I'm glad they've improved the system.

At the Nürburgring they use a similar system that records to a USB stick so you can watch it that night, using the hotel's public UNIX kiosks if necessary.

One difference: In Germany you get an ///M USB stick!

Originally Posted by mdyaman

Certainly.

I think this USB thing is something new that the School is doing. They basically have two cameras mounted in the car, both are tied into the car computer.

The first camera is pointed out in front of the car, while the second is pointed at you, the driver. The USB port is velcro'd on the center console, by the gear lever.

Basically, all you have to do is plug it in - and the camera is started once the car is traveling. For a prolonged stop, the camera stops recording to save space. Pretty ingenious.

That camera basically records you for the entire session you are driving, and is tied into the car computer to time how fast you are traveling, what lap you are on, and when to shut the camera on/off. It is pretty basic.

Once you are done with your session, you need to wait 45 seconds before unplugging the USB in order to allow the footage to properly download, etc.

The USB stick comes with software pre-loaded. That way once you plug it into you computer, a menu will pop up and you can view your track sessions. Then, you can export the video by selecting how much of the film you want exported and make it into a windows media file.

**Apple/Mac users they are still working on compatibility

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by ///M Rakete

One difference: In Germany you get an ///M USB stick!

The USB stick they gave me is ///M enough for me

lol

[0verkill]

I would echo all the great things said in this review, I was one of the other lucky participants in this last weekend M school!! I haven't gone 2 minutes since without thinking about how great an experience it was!! Advanced M is not an option now, it's a must.

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by 0verkill

I would echo all the great things said in this review, I was one of the other lucky participants in this last weekend M school!! I haven't gone 2 minutes since without thinking about how great an experience it was!! Advanced M is not an option now, it's a must.

yup! time for me to start saving as the Advanced School is a lot more expensive. Too bad there isn't any on the schedule for this year....yet?

0verkill, if you have fellow participant contacts from this weekend, please send the link to this write up, video, and pics to them!

[antzcrashing]

amazing, thanks for sharing

[rye m3]

Very nice photo diary and great write up. Just thought I'd mention to fellow forum members that there is also the Porsche Sport Driving School. I really debated it and the BMW school for a long time. The prices are very close, although the P school does not include the expensive Alabama hotel or a helmet.

I kind of view the addition of the 1M as dumbing down the school a bit. I'd rather see the M6 instead. I believe they had it before.

The Porsche school really lets you hammer expensive metal. You're not driving Caymans and Boxsters on the track. There are some Caymans, but mostly 911's. Driving a Boxster Spyder on the autocross course and a Cayenne Turbo. Hot laps in a Porsche TT and Panamera Turbo. The class is ALL driving, except for an hour each morning and lunch. Obviously not for non-Porsche fans, but it is an alternative people should also consider.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by boostedM

While I haven't done the M school, I've been on their track many times, being my hometown is only about an hour and a half away. While I'm sure the school is a blast, the track on it's own leaves much to be desired. I would rather drop my coin on Skip Barber and be able to drive one of the world's most famous racetracks, and my personal favorite.

I don't think the track at this stage is the attraction. Its the instruction, instructors and the cars. IMO, the skid pad is THE most attractive aspect about this. I did PCD and I learned a lot from the one time that I did the skid pad. I could only imagine the improvement from spending a part of 2 days on it.

I think the Advanced M School is where the track becomes an attraction... VIR anyone?

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I don't think the track at this stage is the attraction. Its the instruction, instructors and the cars. IMO, the skid pad is THE most attractive aspect about this. I did PCD and I learned a lot from the one time that I did the skid pad. I could only imagine the improvement from spending a part of 2 days on it.

I think the Advanced M School is where the track becomes an attraction... VIR anyone?

If you've been to the 'Ring, and it looks like you have, I'm not sure VIR will satisfy. At least I'm on the fence. I cancelled going to VIR last year in order to do another BMW 2-day Nürburgring event. Going in July.

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

The USB stick they gave me is ///M enough for me

lol

Not that, this...

[lorinzo]

Amazing!

[birdflu]

Thanks for the amazing write up! I would love to do this some day...

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I don't think the track at this stage is the attraction. Its the instruction, instructors and the cars. IMO, the skid pad is THE most attractive aspect about this. I did PCD and I learned a lot from the one time that I did the skid pad. I could only imagine the improvement from spending a part of 2 days on it.

I think the Advanced M School is where the track becomes an attraction... VIR anyone?

This

Yes the course is smaller but the point is to learn how to drive these cars and get professional instruction. Plus while the course is small, it isn't all that bad. It is big enough. They have straight-aways, chicances, compromised corners, elevation changes, hard turns, etc. They really do a good job of making it an interesting course making you apply what they taught you.

I enjoyed it, thoroughly.

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by ///M Rakete

Not that, this...

lol!

You win!

[ruff1017]

Awesome pictures! Truly feel like I was there experiencing the ride
Good job !
I always wanted to find out what that is all about.
Thank you so much for sharing

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ///M Rakete

If you've been to the 'Ring, and it looks like you have, I'm not sure VIR will satisfy. At least I'm on the fence. I cancelled going to VIR last year in order to do another BMW 2-day Nürburgring event. Going in July.

I remember a thread about this...not sure if it was you. That's a tough decision. Personally, the 'ring was fun and a great experience but its a more significant PIA to travel to Germany. Doing the advanced school at VIR is a 4 day trip for me. To do the ring, it would take up a week with more travel time and jet lag.

[JeremyR]

Originally Posted by porshah

Nice! Signed up for July. Can't wait.

Me too. I scheduled later in the year with the hope that the F10 M5 will be there by then.

[zaf///m3]

awesome!

[Liberation]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

Me too. I scheduled later in the year with the hope that the F10 M5 will be there by then.

That was my plan too but after talking to one of the instructors that I met last year for a Performance Center delivery....he told me to stay away during the July/August months.

Luckily, a spot opened up in April and I jumped on it.

However, I'm sure the F10 M5 will make the muggy and humid weather worth it!