Just returned from BMW M Schoolin S. Carolina

Sounds like fun, hope to do it some day; any pics?

Ironically earlier this week I was in SC and a local cousin-in-law mentioned that he did the school, though I don't recall when. He had a blast and mentioned that the instructors gave him a few wild rides.

This trip, I only got as far as the Zentrum; my pics: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139069598&postcount=8

Edit...

Noticed in your profile you like motorcycle racing, have you been to Barber? I went there just before SC, full thread (including above Zentrum post): http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=139069471#post139069471

 

I gotta agree, the M3 is the best of the bunch. I went in May of this year and was very impressed with the program.
Have you recieved your DVD yet?

 

They're pretty cool, I thought I was fastest in the M3. When I finally got the DVD with all of the lap times, speed , gear selection, etc, etc. I found I was fastest in the M5..go figure?

 

cool. i'm going in december.

 

The instructor pool is terrific there. The E92 M3 is a great car, so tossable!

 

Highly recommend the Advanced M Course as a follow up to the Greenville course... when you get the chance. I'd probably drive the M3 for a year, and then go.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252310

 

Sounds like a lot of fun.

 

Glad to hear you had a great time and that the program is still going strong.

My friend and I did the program back in 2001-ish when they were using the 400 hp M5 and 333hp M coupe. Who wouldn't have fun hustling their M5 around their track on a rainy day. Each exercise was incremental and controlled but the instructors were great and very helpful.

Fortunately, we'd get a break here and there with the rain but I think that actually added to the experience in fully appreciating the traction and stability control features. The skidpad, emergency maneuvers and autocross were perfect opportunities to really exploit some of the limits of the car. Every so often, we'd turn off the nanny systems and have a little fun with the car. Quite impressive the difference it made.

I did get a chance to drive the next gen M5 with the paddleshifter a few years ago and really didn't like the transmission response. Even in the fastest settings, it just seemed too diluted and delayed whereas the older gen manual gearbox made it so fun and rewarding. Granted, my experience was very limited and wasn't the same in the newer gen M5, I'm pretty sure it would be a different experience altogether.

The second day was just as fun as we visited the museum and caravanned in the M coupes to the Biltmore Estate and back. Overall, we had a great time and I think these retention programs are worthwhile.

 

The latest V10 SMG is good in it's most aggressive mode, but still gives you that brief delay before you get back on the power. The M3's M-DCT is phenomenal, however - it almost PULLS the car forward. Much like the latest gen F430 F1, but smoother.

 

Successful completion of any performance driving course, including the Greenville M course, will get you into Advanced M. They just want to make sure you can drive, and are very careful to maintain only the pace you're comfortable with.

And they'll let you go as fast as you can control the car.

 

Good to hear about the new M3s. Going to have to find a tester for some road time.

xsrdx - great review BTW on the advanced course!

 

Funny story, I drove my 2003 E39 M5 to the course, and it got more attention than the PDS cars.

The V8 M5 was in use at PDS for many years because of the 2yr gap to the V10 car, so they were flogging some well used examples by late 2005. Every instructor gushed about how much fun the car was to drive, how much punishment it took without complaint, and how they wished they still had them.

The V10 M5/M6 are blindingly fast, but I did miss my 6sp.

 

I'm not at all surprised. I remember the E39's docile nature one minute and then pulling like a freight train the next. Point and shoot. Such a treat to drive. When I first drove the newer M5, I was actually caught off guard by the active side and seat bolsters. Certainly wasn't expecting that as I hadn't followed the details of the car. I really do like the M6's look and wouldn't mind having one though despite my gripes with the SMG.

During that M experience trip, I ended up winning the fastest time that day at the autocross event and recall how fun the car was in that environment given it's size/weight. Seemed bulletproof!

 

Yes, indeed a great time! I went in '05 and had a blast! There was writer for the Wall Street Journal in attendance, he was doing a write up on the whole program. In the end, he used my story to do a write up in the WSJ!! I will have to post the article when I get home.
Also in attendance was this really great driver, wearing red shoes. He was out pacing the best of us by 3 and 4 seconds on every event. Last day standing at the Marriot hotel he spills the beans. He was a kart driver and worked for Ferrari NA. He was down at the BMW facility to see and take notes on the whole program to help them with starting there own. Well, we all know the story on that!
I also went twice with the wife for the M5 new owners program. Lots of fun! My wife is a great little driver, she did great on the skid pad and courses.

Was Jim Mallard still working there?? He could drift a car with the best of them! Or Donnie??

 

Here is the article, kind of cool! Starts of talking about my dream to own the M5 and so on, very cool.
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I did a similar course with BMW-M cars in Italy and it was a lot of fun indeed (and also very instructive). I will definitely be back for more.

People often tell me that driving courses are too expensive etc. etc. etc.

It's all true, but IMO it's a much better investment to get as much driving education as can rather than spending your money in useless options for your cars...