thank you so much guys. i have been busy and did it at like 1am when i was pretty dizzy, haha... i am still waiting on the dvd, if it doesn't show too much of my lousy driving, i can try to see if i can rip part of it off and post them up so people can enjoy! (need to figure out how to rip part of a video from dvd...)

seriously mike, believe me, you will love this, go!

great question about me sticking to the brand. me personally, i won't go as far as saying the m school makes me want to stick with the brand more, but i think the school gives me the opportunity to learn more about how to drive fast and safe. and also, it really shows me what m cars are about, and that bmw cares about 1) performance, and 2) how to make their customers (or potential customers) satisfied and wanting for more

as for my cousin who went with me, they have a 325i. what i can say is the school blew him away, way more than what he expected. and i know the school does make him want an M car that much more

yeah, i guess economy might have something to do with it. it actually pissed off quite a few m3 owners who bought their cars last year. but i can just say that even at 1300 bucks, the trip is worth it (only thing i paid for was my plane ticket)

hahaha, good question, we couldn't get a good answer. i actually looked at the mileage on a few cars, they were like 1800 and 2800 miles, these were all 2009 cars! it would be funny if they are sold as used car, must be well broken in, lol

go get the m5 or m6, i believe they still give out m school tickets with those purchase or lease better yet, bmw is very flexible, and they allow you to pay the difference and move up to 2 day school

 

yeah, when i was first in the m6 shifting from 1st to 2nd at redline, i actually thought i did something stupid and the car died... the whole tranny jerked and threw into 2nd so hard, and soooo slow....

heheh i doubt they'd give out 2 day school with m5, but just pay the difference! if i really get the m5, i will definitely pay to upgrade. the long track on the 2nd day is amazing!

haha yeah, that's just a great spot

yup i got one too. i have been thinking about what to do with it and now you gave me a great idea!!!!! time to put it up in the garage

hehe well i will say greenville is a small down and won't have much to see, but if you have time to visit some other cities afterward, that's a great idea

no we didn't get to see the wall of water, i only saw it on video. i believe they are only for the normal driving program

about the ISF driving event, yes. after the ISF school, i always felt something was "missing". now after the m school, i know exactly what it was. it was way too many people, people couldn't get a good feeling of what to do and how to do, and not enough personal training time

some stuff, you just can't teach and show people only on a drawing board. you have to go through with them in person rather than just let them run around with no teaching

but i do hope lexus will continue to improve and create some better programs!

on another note, it's the amg driving academy by mb. i wonder what it's like. mb doesn't have their dedicated track, they use the atlanta track and the laguna track up in monterey. price is pretty insane at 1800 bucks a head for 1 day, and it does NOT include any hotel and transportation.

 

My cousin's father-in-law bought an E39 M5 years back and I am almost positive they said they were given the 2 day school package... Could be different now though. Sounds like they are giving nothing with the M3 so maybe you'd be lucky to even get 1 day with a M5/6 purchase?

Very nice write up and pics!

 

WOW, all I have to say is WOW!!! I loved reading your post, edge of the seat material for real. I appreciate the detailed write up.

I also did the F performance and had a good time, but I can certainly see how it is lacking compared to the BMW school.

I just recently bought an M3 (e46) and I love it. I thought about going e92, but not the time. Had I known they throw in the school, I might have changed my mind.

I will put this on my to do list.

 

could be they are scaling back. i think i read that a few e60 m5 owners getting 1 day. still good i guess

well, the m5 can always be on the horizon right?

 

Great post, thanks for providing a glimpse of how the 'dark side' operates its well-regarded driving school.

 

Awesome post Henry. Got to love the perks of being a M owner

 

Amazing write up, I gotta buy a M3 in the future and do this

 

I so want to go to M School. It wont be this year but I'm definitely planning to go in the next couple years.

 

thanks again guys, i am more than happy to bring these info to you. for driving enthusiasts, this is definitely something to look out for.

too bad when we drive, we were really driving so i don't have pics to share. but hopefully when video is here there can be some good footage

fay, go!!!!!! specially you are driving a M already, you know more on the characteristics. you will be able to get so much more out of the school!

 

Excellent experience and write-up! That sounds like something you will remember for years.

Really does sound like BMW does this program right with all the legwork they had "taken care of" for you by the time you got there.

 

great read and awesome pics (though those seemed kinda familiar - i wonder where i saw those? ).

the last two times i went to shelly bmw (and once up to assael/monrovia bmw), there's always an M3 sedan that's calling my name. i wonder if i should answer?

 

hahahhaa come on, just give in already. drive one, and you know what i mean

 

awesome writeup... thanks for sharing the experience...

 

great write-up! nice photos as well.