One day M driving school

[GBMW6612]

Can anyone tell me about their experience on the one day class if it was worth doing. Just got a 2013 M3 and would love to take the class. Is it something that is worth while???

[lcrain]

I haven't done it, but I am willing to bet that most who have taken the class will say it is certainly worth your while. Whether it is worth your money is a completely different story. ~$1500 is a lot of coin to drop for a driving school. You can do 10 open track days for that much, with an instructor.

Granted the situations you are able to experience at the BMW M school will likely be a great experience, don't think I am discrediting the M school. As someone who considers track time as a hobby, I consider $1500 on one track day to be too much haha. But if you have no previous experience, want to see different scenarios, have some money burning a hole in your pocket and don't want to use your own car then go for it! Report back.

[MDyDinanM]

[konaforever]

Originally Posted by lcrain

I haven't done it, but I am willing to bet that most who have taken the class will say it is certainly worth your while. Whether it is worth your money is a completely different story. ~$1500 is a lot of coin to drop for a driving school. You can do 10 open track days for that much, with an instructor.

Granted the situations you are able to experience at the BMW M school will likely be a great experience, don't think I am discrediting the M school. As someone who considers track time as a hobby, I consider $1500 on one track day to be too much haha. But if you have no previous experience, want to see different scenarios, have some money burning a hole in your pocket and don't want to use your own car then go for it! Report back.

Not quite apples to apples though. The M school provides a car, so you don't need to get track insurance for you car or worry about crashing it.

[lcrain]

Originally Posted by konaforever

Not quite apples to apples though. The M school provides a car, so you don't need to get track insurance for you car or worry about crashing it.

Which is why I mentioned "don't want to use your own car." Obviously it is tough to compare a good driving school to HPDE's. I am beginning to think I need to do a good driving course...they are all so expensive though.

[konaforever]

Originally Posted by lcrain

Which is why I mentioned "don't want to use your own car." Obviously it is tough to compare a good driving school to HPDE's. I am beginning to think I need to do a good driving course...they are all so expensive though.

Oops. Didn't see that.

I haven't done either yet, but might try an HPDE next year!

[FogCityM3]

Did the 2 day..totally worth it, and you get A LOT of wheel/track time with some really cool exercises (heel/toeing in the 1M). BMW CCA membership gets you 15% off (used to be 20% in past).

Admin Edit:
Here is a great 2 Day M School journal by another member: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=654085

[Grayblack]

I did the one day m school. It was totally worth it. You can drive the hell out of the m3, m5 and m6. The instructors actually encourage you to drive the cars hard. The best part about the whole thing is it's not your car!

[nmehta211]

One day is great, but if you can do the 2 day, it's even better.
Hell, I even sold the helmet they give away for $300 bucks if you need to defray some of the cost differential (I already had a helmet), and they include hotel and all meals.

[ChiTownM]

Agree that the 2 day school is the way to go, and make sure to get your BMWCCA membership for the discount. Great suggestion on selling the helmet, I got one in my garage from my Labor Day MSchool.

[B757236]

I know mike and some of the other guys at the PC. They are great and the run a top notch operation here. Greenville, especially downtown, is a neat place to visit as well. I think any of the M schools are worth it. But I am spoiled that our BMW cca chapter does 2 autox events a year at the PC for 50 bucks!

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by lcrain

I haven't done it, but I am willing to bet that most who have taken the class will say it is certainly worth your while. Whether it is worth your money is a completely different story. ~$1500 is a lot of coin to drop for a driving school. You can do 10 open track days for that much, with an instructor.

.

good perspective. You'll be driving a M3 either way. The school uses M5s and provide food and drink service. At the end of the day, is dropping that much coin for the same instructions worth driving an M5 ( but not your car) and getting some food?

Track days are a lot cheaper and will receive the same instructions. It's highly focused, but there are a lot of down time. Track days are like "camping out". There's no members lounge, or leather sofa, or drink service, or even AC buildings. You're basically hanging out with your car and other drivers for the whole day (literally like 12 hours), with lots of down time.

Personally, I would choose the track days, it's the ultimate hardcore experience for a car guy. I"m price conscience and can get a lot of other value out of $1200, like go on vacation for even do 5 track day events. With 5 events, you'll come out a better driver than 1 session at the M school.

[donovan]

Way to expensive

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by mdosu

Personally, I would choose the track days, it's the ultimate hardcore experience for a car guy. I"m price conscience and can get a lot of other value out of $1200, like go on vacation for even do 5 track day events. With 5 events, you'll come out a better driver than 1 session at the M school.

Agree 100%

[james33]

One thing to think about is that you are driving their cars:

- No track insurance needed
- You wreck, it's not on your insurance at all
- It's their tires and brakes and wear and tear
- You get A LOT of seat time. I did the 2 day school and besides about an hour each morning to go over the day, the rest was driving.
- All of the Instructors are EXCELLENT and VERY qualified. The ones I've had at track days have run the gamut from poor to excellent.

I loved it but it was expensive, even with the discount.

[bvanderbilt]

It is expensive. However, for a first time track-er it is a great experience. The first time I went to the track I was nervous beyond belief. Everyone seemed to know where to go and what to do already -- the confidence you get after your first time. The M school allows you to learn the basics while not having to worry about some major items .. your car & insurance!

Make sure to sign up with BMW CCA and use the discount if applicable.

[james33]

Originally Posted by james33

One thing to think about is that you are driving their cars:

- No track insurance needed
- You wreck, it's not on your insurance at all
- It's their tires and brakes and wear and tear
- You get A LOT of seat time. I did the 2 day school and besides about an hour each morning to go over the day, the rest was driving.
- All of the Instructors are EXCELLENT and VERY qualified. The ones I've had at track days have run the gamut from poor to excellent.

I loved it but it was expensive, even with the discount.

Oh - And it included great lodging, a custom painted Snell approved helmet, M school jacket, shirts, caps, all food including alcohol at dinner, and transportation to and from the school from the hotel.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by james33

Oh - And it included great lodging, a custom painted Snell approved helmet, M school jacket, shirts, caps, all food including alcohol at dinner, and transportation to and from the school from the hotel.

These are for the two day school. The one day school does not include the helmet etc...

[FLOSS M]

just booked the 2 day M-school in April - well worth it - simply - ITS NOT YOUR CAR!!!

[Fizik]

Go for the two day, one day is just not enough time to drive these cars.