BMW Driving Clinic - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

jdh · 2nd September 2003, 19:39

Just got a promo in the mail for a BMW Driving Clinic in Alameda, CA on Oct 4-12. In addition to some free drives, you can do "M5 Car Control" for $895 and 3-series or Z4 for $495.
Includes classroom instuction, driving, 2-way radio contact.

has anyone done this before? how does it compare to the M5DE (which I'm doing next week)? would you recommend doing this if you've done the DE?

Also, some friends are considering it. Is it good value at the $895 (or $495) price if you haven't done the DE?

Josh

MAH · 2nd September 2003, 23:36

Quote:

Originally posted by jdh
Just got a promo in the mail for a BMW Driving Clinic in Alameda, CA on Oct 4-12. In addition to some free drives, you can do "M5 Car Control" for $895 and 3-series or Z4 for $495.
Includes classroom instuction, driving, 2-way radio contact.

has anyone done this before? how does it compare to the M5DE (which I'm doing next week)? would you recommend doing this if you've done the DE?

Also, some friends are considering it. Is it good value at the $895 (or $495) price if you haven't done the DE?

Josh

Josh,

How did you get contacted?

I am interested because I undedrstand BMW is coming to Irvine, CA at the old El Toro Marine Base. They will be using the 10,000 foot runways for the track.

Mark

jdh · 2nd September 2003, 23:40

actually, funny, I didn't. a friend got an invitation in the mail, and a bunch of us were thinking of going together. I haven't actually seen the invitation myself, only an email sent by my friend. It's hosted on the former alameda naval air station here -- the same deal as you mention for irvine, and as a bonus, I think the place the chase scenes from Matrix 2 were filmed.

Just checked on the Owner's Circle and there's info on the dates and times of the event, prices and a phone number.

El Toro is 10/25 -- 11/02

Would still like any insight of how it compares to M5DE if anyone has done both!

JFB · 3rd September 2003, 00:18

Based on the Owners Circle, it seems that they have 15 spots for the M5 Handling Clinic each day. $895 for the day.

Atlanta
Turner Field
755 Hank Aaron Dr
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 522-7630
Event Dates: 11.15.03 - 11.23.03

Boston
South Weymouth Naval Air Station
South Shore Tritown
Development Corp.
223 Shea Memorial Dr
South Weymouth, MA 02190
Event Dates: 07.26.03 - 08.03.03

Detroit
Pontiac Silverdome
1200 Featherstone
Pontiac, MI 48342
(248) 858-7358
Event Dates: 08.23.03 - 08.31.03

Houston
Reliant Stadium
Two Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054
(832) 667-2000
Event Dates: 12.06.03 - 12.14.03

Los Angeles
El Toro Marine Air Station
7000 Trabuco Rd.
Irvine, CA 92619
Event Dates: 10.25.03 - 11.02.03

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Park Racetrack
3001 Street Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020
Event Dates: 06.21.03 - 06.29.03

San Francisco
Philadelphia Park Racetrack
3001 Street Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020
Event Dates: 06.21.03 - 06.29.03

What -- nothing in Dallas?

RSouthern · 3rd September 2003, 02:21

I got the mailer last Friday. I called them this morning for the Alameda event (they kept saying the San Francisco one). In any case, I was told that all the spots for all the events are full.

Guess I'll have to wait for next time around?

mottati · 3rd September 2003, 02:42

Quote:

Originally posted by RSouthern
I got the mailer last Friday. I called them this morning for the Alameda event (they kept saying the San Francisco one). In any case, I was told that all the spots for all the events are full. Guess I'll have to wait for next time around?

Hmmmm, I JUST got off the phone with them, and scheduled monday 10/6. The lady told me the weekend was full, but there were some weekday slots open.... Maybe you should call back.
Additionally, she said I could cancel within 14 days of the event, you may try calling back around 2 weeks before, to catch a canceled spot...
Mike

ps: oh, and when they asked how i heard of the event, i said bmwm5.com, no wait, i think it's m5board.com, because bmw got threatening about the messageboard's name....

jdh · 3rd September 2003, 04:49

I succeeded as well, though I am doing the three series clinic with a friend who couldn't afford to pay up for the M5. Hope it's not too disappointing!

Also, I figured I'd ask the guys at the M5DE about it, with the option to cancel if there's too much repetition (and I don't feel I need the repitition.

Mine is a weekday slot, too.

Josh

MAH · 3rd September 2003, 17:49

Does anyone have a phone number for the Los Angeles track meet?

Thanks,

Mark

jdh · 3rd September 2003, 18:16

same number (above) to book all the events.

doug · 3rd September 2003, 18:54

Mark, Josh-

I did the M5 Owner's Program at Weymouth Air Station w/ SouthShoreM5. Like the DE, it was a 2-day event. No Z4 drive however, all track time in the M5. It was a blast!!!

I felt that the owner program here was more advanced than the DE in Spartanburg. Much more seat time, and DSC off all except for a few short times to allow comparison from one to the other. Having DSC off allows you to do some pretty cool stuff-- like taking advantage of an induced hook-slide to make a tight turn. Other topics were high speed slalom, skid pad, trail and threshold braking, throttle steering, and more...

I suggest that you find out which days are least enrolled, and get yourself into those classes-- you won't regret it!

greer · 3rd September 2003, 20:18

I signed up today for the Orange County Cali. M5 School, anyone else in?

MAH · 3rd September 2003, 21:35

Quote:

Originally posted by greer
I signed up today for the Orange County Cali. M5 School, anyone else in?

greer,

How did you get in and what day(s) are you signed up for?

Mark