M driving school questions

cassidysdad · 01-04-2015, 12:31 PM

Gentlemen
I have two questions:

How is the new course in Thermal California?
I guess those who purchased the 30 jahre edition got to see the facility first.

The second question how do you get the 15% discount for being a member of the BMW CCA. Did not see a spot to enter online. Do I need to call the toll free number?

Thanks in advance.

M6-Coupe · 01-04-2015, 04:41 PM

I have no clue about your questions, but I read over BMWUSA website that if you have BMW VISA CARD and pay cost of driving school with this card, you will get 20% off!
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...reditCard.aspx

patb23 · 01-04-2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidysdad

Gentlemen
I have two questions:

How is the new course in Thermal California?
I guess those who purchased the 30 jahre edition got to see the facility first.

The second question how do you get the 15% discount for being a member of the BMW CCA. Did not see a spot to enter online. Do I need to call the toll free number?

Thanks in advance.

You just need to call Performance Center to get the discount.

M54ccibo · 01-04-2015, 08:56 PM

Thermal is fun. Had the opportunity to run both the combined north and south circuits a week or so ago. First section (south) is like a paperclip with some very slow corners, along with a couple double apexes and a compromised corner. The north section is more flowing, with a fast sweeper, blind rise, and esses.

If your are trying to compare the performance center to Thermal, don't. The performance center is specifically designed for learning - it has various sections that can be stitched together into an"track" but it isn't a track in the truest sense.

cassidysdad · 01-04-2015, 10:28 PM

thanks for all of your responses

cassidysdad · 02-09-2015, 06:35 PM

thanks

Jay-K · 02-09-2015, 08:03 PM

is it possible for non-M owners in the US to attend the M Driving School?

patb23 · 02-09-2015, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay-K

is it possible for non-M owners in the US to attend the M Driving School?

You don't need to own an M to go to the M school.

bronch · 02-09-2015, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay-K

is it possible for non-M owners in the US to attend the M Driving School?

What Pat said, you also don't have to own a BMW. It is expensive, so as long as you open your wallet they'll take you. But, I went a couple years ago to SC and even though it was just a 2-day school I was a better driver afterwards. The instructors were top notch. You really are allowed, if not encouraged to drive these cars at the limits of traction and thrash them. I had so much fun. I'm looking forward to advanced M school at COTA, but VIR will do.

FTS · 02-09-2015, 09:43 PM

If you do not mind me asking, what are few of your top reasons to attend the BMW school vs. the much cheaper BMWCCA (or similar) HPDE schools? This just curiosity on my part, I am not affiliated with BMWCCA aside from being a member. Thank you.

cassidysdad · 02-09-2015, 10:08 PM

hmm good question
i guess i want to go with my buddies
i will never track my own car
they have x5s
so i think they will have more fun driving m cars
what do you think?

bronch · 02-09-2015, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTS

If you do not mind me asking, what are few of your top reasons to attend the BMW school vs. the much cheaper BMWCCA (or similar) HPDE schools? This just curiosity on my part, I am not affiliated with BMWCCA aside from being a member. Thank you.

I've been a member of BMW CCA for years and it's great, but two totally different experiences. The BMW M school you use BMW's cars, they replace brakes, fill the tank and service each car after every session. CCA you bring your own unless a sponsor or dealer is providing a car. You essentially pay a fee to your local CCA to rent the track. There's no frills, which is fine unless you live out of state. The cost of the 2-day school included a room, transport from the airport and 2 meals a day. I think it's expensive, but you get very good instructors who are paid to do this and it is set up as a driver's training course with resources from BMW. It is a totally different experience. If you have a car you just want to track, BMWCCA is your ticket, but teaching will be hit or miss depending on who's running it.

soooma · 02-09-2015, 11:48 PM

Last time I was at discount tire to mount my Michelin Super Ports
The guy in there who was installing them told me that he did attend 2 days as Intercontinental Courtesy !!
And I was so amazed !! This is like 3k

FTS · 02-11-2015, 09:39 AM

Thank you all for the explanations. I personally prefer to track the car I drive regularly, on the roads we don't get to access our cars' potential at all, and learning how the car behaves under extreme conditions with me in it gives me thrills

By the way, if you like the type of driving manufacturers offer, I'd also highly recommend the Porsche schools, it is a great way to sample their models on a real race track: https://www.porschedriving.com/exper...driving-school

01-04-2015, 12:31 PM	#1
cassidysdad Lieutenant 96 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 gone, 2016 pms m5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: south pasadena, california iTrader: (0)	M driving school questions Gentlemen I have two questions: How is the new course in Thermal California? I guess those who purchased the 30 jahre edition got to see the facility first. The second question how do you get the 15% discount for being a member of the BMW CCA. Did not see a spot to enter online. Do I need to call the toll free number? Thanks in advance.
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01-04-2015, 04:41 PM	#2
M6-Coupe Major General 1125 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: F92 M8 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bay area iTrader: (0)	I have no clue about your questions, but I read over BMWUSA website that if you have BMW VISA CARD and pay cost of driving school with this card, you will get 20% off! http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...reditCard.aspx __________________ Current : 2020 F92 Black Sapphire M8 - ZF8 Gone : 2018 F80 Mineral Gray M3 - 6MT Gone : 2016 F82 Austin Yellow M4 - 6MT Gone : 2013 F13 Sakhir Orange M6 -7DCT Gone: 2013 F13 Alpine White 650i -ZF8
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01-04-2015, 08:56 PM	#4
M54ccibo Major 85 Rep 1,489 Posts Drives: '16 GT4 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Thermal is fun. Had the opportunity to run both the combined north and south circuits a week or so ago. First section (south) is like a paperclip with some very slow corners, along with a couple double apexes and a compromised corner. The north section is more flowing, with a fast sweeper, blind rise, and esses. If your are trying to compare the performance center to Thermal, don't. The performance center is specifically designed for learning - it has various sections that can be stitched together into an"track" but it isn't a track in the truest sense. __________________ Current: '16 GT4 Past ///Ms: '13 F10 M5, Alpine Weiss III/Sakhir Orange Full '10 E60 M5, Space Gray/Black
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01-04-2015, 10:28 PM	#5
cassidysdad Lieutenant 96 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 gone, 2016 pms m5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: south pasadena, california iTrader: (0)	thanks for all of your responses
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02-09-2015, 06:35 PM	#6
cassidysdad Lieutenant 96 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 gone, 2016 pms m5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: south pasadena, california iTrader: (0)	thanks
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02-09-2015, 08:03 PM	#7
Jay-K Brigadier General 384 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	is it possible for non-M owners in the US to attend the M Driving School? __________________ "Well, there's a straight-six engine at the front, a manual gearbox in the middle and drive goes to the back. That's Page 1, Chapter 1 from the petrosexual handbook" - JC
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02-09-2015, 09:43 PM	#10
FTS Enjoying driving 388 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 645 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	If you do not mind me asking, what are few of your top reasons to attend the BMW school vs. the much cheaper BMWCCA (or similar) HPDE schools? This just curiosity on my part, I am not affiliated with BMWCCA aside from being a member. Thank you.
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02-09-2015, 10:08 PM	#11
cassidysdad Lieutenant 96 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 gone, 2016 pms m5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: south pasadena, california iTrader: (0)	hmm good question i guess i want to go with my buddies i will never track my own car they have x5s so i think they will have more fun driving m cars what do you think?
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02-09-2015, 11:48 PM	#13
soooma ///MD 1378 Rep 3,998 Posts Drives: M5 F90 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (1)	Last time I was at discount tire to mount my Michelin Super Ports The guy in there who was installing them told me that he did attend 2 days as Intercontinental Courtesy !! And I was so amazed !! This is like 3k
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 09:39 AM	#14
FTS Enjoying driving 388 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 645 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for the explanations. I personally prefer to track the car I drive regularly, on the roads we don't get to access our cars' potential at all, and learning how the car behaves under extreme conditions with me in it gives me thrills By the way, if you like the type of driving manufacturers offer, I'd also highly recommend the Porsche schools, it is a great way to sample their models on a real race track: https://www.porschedriving.com/exper...driving-school
	Appreciate 0 Quote