BMW Driving School for Birthday; Need Help

Year's_End · 08-27-2007, 07:15 PM

Okay, my father and I plan on doing a BMW driving school experience for my birthday. He and I have a concern though: we don't know which one is the best choice.

We would love to go straight to the M School, but the problem is that I myself have never had any track experience. Is it necessary? Do they teach you all of the techniques at the M School or should we start with the Driver's Program (standard BMW lineup; No M cars)?

Any and all help would be appreciated

.

325 Baller · 08-27-2007, 08:07 PM

Ive never done any nor have track experience but my father and I are doing the M school in december. I think it should be fine.

doc1911 · 08-27-2007, 08:08 PM

I have not been to any of the BMW school but I have been to different schools to include Skip Barber, Time O'Neil Ralley, ITI (2x), and a 4x4 course. You need to ask yourself a couple questions. Is this a one-shot deal? If this might be the only time you will get to go than I'd vote for the M-school just to get the most out of the time. If you think you might get to do this again go for the 2-day school. You will get a better understanding of the basics. The other questions is how well you have a grip on driving already. The vast majority of people really don't a good idea of vehicle dymanics. If terms like' understeer' 'oversteer' thresh-hold braking' 'trail braking' 'steer into the turn' 'heal-toe-braking' are all a mystery, go with the 2-day.

Year's_End · 08-27-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc1911

I have not been to any of the BMW school but I have been to different schools to include Skip Barber, Time O'Neil Ralley, ITI (2x), and a 4x4 course. You need to ask yourself a couple questions. Is this a one-shot deal? If this might be the only time you will get to go than I'd vote for the M-school just to get the most out of the time. If you think you might get to do this again go for the 2-day school. You will get a better understanding of the basics. The other questions is how well you have a grip on driving already. The vast majority of people really don't a good idea of vehicle dymanics. If terms like' understeer' 'oversteer' thresh-hold braking' 'trail braking' 'steer into the turn' 'heal-toe-braking' are all a mystery, go with the 2-day.

I consider myself to be a very good driver (if that's possible to say in a non-conceited way...), and I consider myself knowledgable of all of the above stuff. My only concern is that I've never been tracking. I've done all sorts of karting, so I'm not completely ignorant of how things work on a track. I dunno, I guess it just seems a little overwhelming to go to a track for the first time.

325 Baller · 08-27-2007, 08:41 PM

The m school isnt on a track. they have ones that are, but you have to have done an M school before to do them.

Greeney · 08-27-2007, 10:38 PM

My father and I were planning to do the M school a few weeks ago, but our flights got canceled and we weren't able to attend. My suggestion, go to the M school, and enjoy it!!!

bartman32 · 08-28-2007, 12:53 PM

My suggestion is look up the BMW Car Club in your local area. They will have High Performance Driving Schools. You should be able to get into one of those. It is on a track with your car and a TON of fun! They also provide instuctors with every car and will show you "the line" and how to drive optimally on the track. They also give classroom instruction on where to be looking, how to shift, etc, etc. Its a controlled environment and fairly safe! I've been doing them for about 8 years now. This is my second car going to the track and have never had a problem. The only accidents I've seen are with new people who would not listen and insist on driving faster than they are able to. If you take it slow and listen you end up going MUCH faster than you ever thought you would.
TONS OF FUN!!!!
Good Luck!!!

E90330iS · 08-28-2007, 03:17 PM

M school! Drive the M6!

achien · 08-28-2007, 04:14 PM

Go for the M School, you can always downgrade yourself next time around...

Year's_End · 08-28-2007, 04:29 PM

Looks like it's gonna be M school after all haha. Thanks for the replies. This coming October should be fun!

voltron1011 · 08-28-2007, 04:35 PM

Can you post a link to where you signed up at?

335destroyer · 04-15-2008, 05:29 PM

just go and you'll be fine and you'll get some good experience at the school

Year's_End · 04-15-2008, 05:36 PM

lol dude I already went to the 2 Day M School about three weeks ago.^^^

Nice bump though.

Year's_End · 04-15-2008, 05:36 PM

And yes, it was on an enclosed track in Spartanburg, SC in BMW's Performance Center.

08-27-2007, 07:15 PM	#1
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1245 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	BMW Driving School for Birthday; Need Help Okay, my father and I plan on doing a BMW driving school experience for my birthday. He and I have a concern though: we don't know which one is the best choice. We would love to go straight to the M School, but the problem is that I myself have never had any track experience. Is it necessary? Do they teach you all of the techniques at the M School or should we start with the Driver's Program (standard BMW lineup; No M cars)? Any and all help would be appreciated . __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-27-2007, 08:07 PM	#2
325 Baller Colonel 283 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Ive never done any nor have track experience but my father and I are doing the M school in december. I think it should be fine. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2007, 08:08 PM	#3
doc1911 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Sold my 335i and looking Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC iTrader: (0)	I have not been to any of the BMW school but I have been to different schools to include Skip Barber, Time O'Neil Ralley, ITI (2x), and a 4x4 course. You need to ask yourself a couple questions. Is this a one-shot deal? If this might be the only time you will get to go than I'd vote for the M-school just to get the most out of the time. If you think you might get to do this again go for the 2-day school. You will get a better understanding of the basics. The other questions is how well you have a grip on driving already. The vast majority of people really don't a good idea of vehicle dymanics. If terms like' understeer' 'oversteer' thresh-hold braking' 'trail braking' 'steer into the turn' 'heal-toe-braking' are all a mystery, go with the 2-day.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2007, 08:41 PM	#5
325 Baller Colonel 283 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	The m school isnt on a track. they have ones that are, but you have to have done an M school before to do them. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2007, 10:38 PM	#6
Greeney Brigadier General 223 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	My father and I were planning to do the M school a few weeks ago, but our flights got canceled and we weren't able to attend. My suggestion, go to the M school, and enjoy it!!! __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 12:53 PM	#7
bartman32 Colonel 108 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	My suggestion is look up the BMW Car Club in your local area. They will have High Performance Driving Schools. You should be able to get into one of those. It is on a track with your car and a TON of fun! They also provide instuctors with every car and will show you "the line" and how to drive optimally on the track. They also give classroom instruction on where to be looking, how to shift, etc, etc. Its a controlled environment and fairly safe! I've been doing them for about 8 years now. This is my second car going to the track and have never had a problem. The only accidents I've seen are with new people who would not listen and insist on driving faster than they are able to. If you take it slow and listen you end up going MUCH faster than you ever thought you would. TONS OF FUN!!!! Good Luck!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 03:17 PM	#8
E90330iS Major General 148 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	M school! Drive the M6! __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 04:14 PM	#9
achien AC 95 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: E90 Post Members Crazy Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Go for the M School, you can always downgrade yourself next time around... __________________ Your Supreme Leader
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 04:29 PM	#10
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1245 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Looks like it's gonna be M school after all haha. Thanks for the replies. This coming October should be fun! __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 04:35 PM	#11
voltron1011 Colonel 124 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	Can you post a link to where you signed up at?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2008, 05:29 PM	#12
335destroyer Private First Class 12 Rep 122 Posts Drives: black 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	just go and you'll be fine and you'll get some good experience at the school
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2008, 05:36 PM	#13
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1245 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	lol dude I already went to the 2 Day M School about three weeks ago.^^^ Nice bump though. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote