M Car School

[E90potentialbuyer]

Got the email, as I'm sure a lot you did, about the M car school in Palm Springs, CA. Anyone done it? I have done a few auto crosses back in the day but nothing recent. Questions:

- Should I go for 1 day or 2 day? What are the differences between the two?
- do I get to pick a M car? Would prefer to do it in M5 given that's what I drive but do also like the idea of M3.
- do they give helmets or should I get my own?
- need a race suit?
- it said lodging, food and transportation is included. Any idea on what hotel they book you in? Also, with transpo does it mean flights to Palm Springs or just a taxi from hotel to the track?
- people who have done this - would you do it again?

I am a CCA member so hopefully I can get the 15% off.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

Got the email, as I'm sure a lot you did, about the M car school in Palm Springs, CA. Anyone done it? I have done a few auto crosses back in the day but nothing recent. Questions:

- Should I go for 1 day or 2 day? What are the differences between the two?
- do I get to pick a M car? Would prefer to do it in M5 given that's what I drive but do also like the idea of M3.
- do they give helmets or should I get my own?
- need a race suit?
- it said lodging, food and transportation is included. Any idea on what hotel they book you in? Also, with transpo does it mean flights to Palm Springs or just a taxi from hotel to the track?
- people who have done this - would you do it again?

I am a CCA member so hopefully I can get the 15% off.

Do the 2-day. The first day is mostly car control, and different types of exercises. The second day you get to do full track driving piecing together all the things you learned. The 2 day is worth the increased cost. Plus they give you a lot of extras like a free helmet you can take home.

You don't get to pick the car, they use M4, M5 and M6. They pick the right cars for the exercise so you won't be disappointed with this.

No need for race suit unless you want one for increased safety. I have one but didn't wear it for the M School.

Transport just covers taxi from airport as far as I am aware. Not sure which airport - just PSP, or if they include LAX, SAN or SNA...

Having attended this on the east coast, I would say it is a must have experience, and I'm sure it's even better on the west coast.

Yes CCA 15% discount does apply. I used it too.

[ManhattanBMW]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Do the 2-day. The first day is mostly car control, and different types of exercises. The second day you get to do full track driving piecing together all the things you learned. The 2 day is worth the increased cost. Plus they give you a lot of extras like a free helmet you can take home.

You don't get to pick the car, they use M4, M5 and M6. They pick the right cars for the exercise so you won't be disappointed with this.

No need for race suit unless you want one for increased safety. I have one but didn't wear it for the M School.

Transport just covers taxi from airport as far as I am aware. Not sure which airport - just PSP, or if they include LAX, SAN or SNA...

Having attended this on the east coast, I would say it is a must have experience, and I'm sure it's even better on the west coast.

Yes CCA 15% discount does apply. I used it too.

Do not believe they offer free helmets anymore, but M School is fantastic, and do the 2-day.

[patb23]

I agree with Stealth. do the 2 day. You will not regret it. I've only done the Greenville one as I'm about 1 1/2 hrs away. its 1st class operation.

[cassidysdad]

i did the one day in thermal
only issue is the cars are m3 and m4s only
they said they had overheating issues
the course is awesome, but hot as hell
choose your date carefully, may be well over 105 degrees
the instructors are awesome

the la quinta resort about 2 minutes
if you are married
a nice spot to put your wife for the day
the outlets are about 40 minutes away, more towards los angeles

fun
fun
fun

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Do the 2-day. The first day is mostly car control, and different types of exercises. The second day you get to do full track driving piecing together all the things you learned. The 2 day is worth the increased cost. Plus they give you a lot of extras like a free helmet you can take home.

You don't get to pick the car, they use M4, M5 and M6. They pick the right cars for the exercise so you won't be disappointed with this.

No need for race suit unless you want one for increased safety. I have one but didn't wear it for the M School.

Transport just covers taxi from airport as far as I am aware. Not sure which airport - just PSP, or if they include LAX, SAN or SNA...

Having attended this on the east coast, I would say it is a must have experience, and I'm sure it's even better on the west coast.

Yes CCA 15% discount does apply. I used it too.

Thank you. I will do the 2 day.

[Jay-K]

Is this only allowed for M owners? In the us?

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by Jay-K

Is this only allowed for M owners? In the us?

No idea. Booking tomorrow so I'll ask.

[cassidysdad]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

No idea. Booking tomorrow so I'll ask.

it is for anyone

ontario may be the closest big airport
palm springs is tiny

[greentrbo95gst]

Did you guys know that BMW credit card also offers 20% discount on M school?

[patb23]

Originally Posted by Jay-K

Is this only allowed for M owners? In the us?

It's for anybody. You don't even have to own a BMW.

[E90potentialbuyer]

No BMW helmet anymore :-( they give you a goodie bag at the end. She said they may also give a jacket but wasn't sure. I booked July 29-31st slot. It's wide open (15 max and so far 2 including me booked). Hotel is Laquinta.

Need to give CCA membership number when you book to reserve. Pretty chill cancellation policies.

Anyone can sign up - no need to own a BMW.

Super excited about it! Didn't do a Ed this year on AMG GTS but this is still something great to look forward to!

[Vitacura]

They no longer give a helmet after the first day? When did this change, what a major bummer.

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

They no longer give a helmet after the first day? When did this change, what a major bummer.

I don't know when it changes but I asked her if they give a helmet and her response was that not anymore. If I still wanted one they will have one available. She said we are not allowed to take it back anymore. Bummer. But not really doing this for a helmet!

[ManhattanBMW]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

I don't know when it changes but I asked her if they give a helmet and her response was that not anymore. If I still wanted one they will have one available. She said we are not allowed to take it back anymore. Bummer. But not really doing this for a helmet!

They stopped providing helmets as swag a few years ago. Luckily, I attended M School when they did give out helmets, and I still have it to this day and use it. They were open-faced and beautifully hand-painted in BMW colors, and with the roundel insignia.

[patb23]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

I don't know when it changes but I asked her if they give a helmet and her response was that not anymore. If I still wanted one they will have one available. She said we are not allowed to take it back anymore. Bummer. But not really doing this for a helmet!

Man that sucks. Those were nice helmets. So glad I did it when I did. They must've stopped giving those sometime after I did mine.