So I was ///M-Schooled... (2 Day BMW M School Journal)

[MSteve5036]

This really isnt the highest on my list of things I want to spend money on. But I would really like to get to this while the e92 is still in use. Looks awesome

[ramuman]

I did the two day course a couple of weeks ago and met some other bimmerpost folks. It was an absolute blast - and like OP mentioned, after my M3 ED and visiting the Ring, this was right up there.

The instructors (our class was led by Andy - his effortless 21.4 autocross time blew my mind, especially when he said - "meh I could beat that with better tires") were top notch, the cars are fully optioned and you get a lot of track time.

The highlight was the last two laps you get to be driven around on the long course in 5 M3s with the traction control off chasing each other - well either that or us driving the F10 M5 on their wet oval with traction control off.

Edit: This is Johan (the person trying for the drift record) playing around and showing off before we hit the same oval - first in the M3s and then the M5s.

[Bamaben]

Sweet! I paid to ride around around Barbers track at Ocktoberfest 2011 with Mike Renner (very nice guy) in one of their 2 ///M performance center M3s they brought. That was crazy fun! Since then I've been hooked doing 2 ReZoom DEs since then. He told me to come do their class as you did and one day I plan to. Thanks for sharing this great write up.

[mofbb]

Awesome !!!!

[Rolitto]

DCT rocks while manual is so outdated.

[JJunkins]

Awesome! So ready to head out to SC and pick up my helmet. What's up with the pink white balance setting on that camera?

[d_dot]

Awesome!

[nenadbogar]

how much does it cost?

[e92dave]

Does anyone know what they do with these vehicles after they've been retired from m school?

I can't imagine anyone would want to buy one after it's been through so much abuse... but maybe i'm wrong

[EastCoast335i]

Originally Posted by nenadbogar

how much does it cost?

+1 ?

I heard $5000. Does that include airfare and lodging?

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by EastCoast335i

+1 ?

I heard $5000. Does that include airfare and lodging?

The cost is $3,595 for the two day school. That includes hotel, meals and transportation in Greenville etc but NOT airfare. Southwest does fly into Greenville so flights can be had relatively cheaply.

If you are a BMWCCA member you get a 15% discount, bringing the cost down to $3,055.

[Dackelone]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing with all of us.

[rking117]

Man Jealous!!!

[///Mposter]

That's a nice present , expensive one.

[marcva]

So have you done any of the BMWCCA schools in your area? the NCC chapter in VA offers classroom time, track time at Summit Point and Skidpad time in two day schools that offer a lot of education for a very reasonable price all of the instructors are former racers or students who have been specifically checked out in car control (on the skidpad) and instructing/problem solving real time in high speed sessions on the track. you get 4- 25 minute sessions per day on the track, plus a chunk of skidpad time. You also get a chance to go out with instructors during their lapping sessions which can be fairly entertaining and educational. There are corresponding schools offered by different BMWCCA chapters at tracks around the country. Join the BMWCCA and ask about drivers schools in your area, or you can road trip to your favorite track to sign up for local schools there. They typically cost $200 +- a day, which is a bit less than the M schools. You get to drive your own car, for what it's worth...

Marc
NCCBMWCCA Instructor

[mikefromMA]

absolutely superb pics and video, thanks !

[FLOSS M]

Awesome review- I'll be heading there this weekend for the 2-day School

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by BLACK OPS

I think the course is free when your ///M is delivered there for pick up only, not sure.

Kind of. The free course you get with PCD isn't the same as the M School. The PCD course is what they used to call BMW 101. It's a basic course with a short class, on-road, off-road, and a plant tour. On-road exercises for PCD are

• A short non-timed autox style course
• An ABS braking exercise
• A wet skidpad demonstration of DTC on/off
• An instructor driven hot-lap in an M3

The off-road course is short, but fun. It has several obstacles that you drive over/through.

I've never been to M School, but I can tell by this review that it's a lot different. The focus is more on driving and actual car control under "performance driving" situations. They barely touch on this stuff in BMW 101.

You can see all the courses available and the pricing on the BMW Performance Driving School website.

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by e92dave

Does anyone know what they do with these vehicles after they've been retired from m school?

I can't imagine anyone would want to buy one after it's been through so much abuse... but maybe i'm wrong

I was told they sell em and people actually pay more for it because it was at the school. Seemed strange to me

[T1T2GRE]

So, if I am reading correctly, no more 1Ms? They were all sold, no?

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by T1T2GRE

So, if I am reading correctly, no more 1Ms? They were all sold, no?

No more 1Ms where? I didn't know they used them at the driving school. That'd be awesome.

[Accelerometer]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

No more 1Ms where? I didn't know they used them at the driving school. That'd be awesome.

No more 1Ms or manual transmission cars