[calbears]

Originally Posted by xxyion

I think thats also a limiting factor that they are essentially borrowing another track to do their stuff on. Porsche has their own facility.

Seems everyone is talking about the M Driver's Package experience, which isn't run very often and it's something you should NOT do. The better experience is with the 2-Day M School at a minimum. You get the vehicle to your self and get more seat time. You can use your package as a credit towards anything the school offers.

There is no borrowing of anything at the Performance Center. East (the OG) has their own facility and run programs every day (be it corporate, regular car control, M Schools, private instruction, etc.).

The facility at Thermal is the same, they have their own side of the Thermal complex that includes everything but the track. BMW gets use of at least one track on any day. I believe Sundays/Mondays are closed for Thermal "residents" and BMW has much more use of the Thermal tracks.

That said, if you want to drive an actual race track, then you go to PC West as the East doesn't have a real race track.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by turbojg

I have to wonder if there are any other changes to the car/engine/drivetrain for the speed increase. Gearing maybe??? Anyone ever notice their RPM at 155MPH. If so was it close to the engine redline?

I think the fastest I've seen a modified 6MT go is about 203-204 mph, pretty sure that was at redline. In the recent AutotopNL video with his 700hp M3, he gets his to 197 and still has just a little bit of revs left. Both of those were stock gearing, which doesn't change with M Drivers Pack

[wavyyyy]

Originally Posted by turbojg

I can understand that. However the cost of the package minus the cost of the driver's school is about $1000.00. That seems a lot for just a change in the code to change the top end speed.

I have to wonder if there are any other changes to the car/engine/drivetrain for the speed increase. Gearing maybe??? Anyone ever notice their RPM at 155MPH. If so was it close to the engine redline?

Nah even my base at 158 which it wouldn’t pass, was still trying to go faster and I could tell I was limited.

[BackOnBlack]

Originally Posted by xxyion

I think thats also a limiting factor that they are essentially borrowing another track to do their stuff on. Porsche has their own facility.

I do know Porsche runs driving experiences every day though. When i was there for my delivery (even though mine took all day) i saw multiple groups of people in and out for their driving experience. I think any difficulty in trying to book with them is just more they are so popular rather than them just not offering it that often.

Most of the events at the Performance Center are booked 8 to 12 months in advance; such as the BMW CCA's M Day. I was a bit lucky and was able to book my M Day for March back in early October. I just cannot wait for it.

There are so many events happening at the SC Perf. Center, it is amazing. Every single day there are multiple different activities, including Motorrad events. The place is generally packed, but they still do a superb job making attendees feel like they are the most important any given day.

[Diesel power]

I'm shocked that this really adds any value to the cars at all. Once the class is used the only hard asset is the increased speed limiter. 180 mph is obviously insanely dangerous if not on a track, and the vast majority of these cars never see a track.

[CDunster]

I skipped the package. I track my car and in the north east, most of the tracks don't have straights long enough to reach let alone exceed the 155mph base limit. Certainly not going to go over that on a public road. One sneaky pothole and you could be toast.

[CJ421]

Sorry to hear about the trouble with this, OP.

I skipped the package because I've already done the M Drivers School and I don't plan to take the car anywhere near 155mph ...if I want to do that, I'll just sign up for another M school and put the wear on someone else's car.

Charles

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by calbears

Seems everyone is talking about the M Driver's Package experience, which isn't run very often and it's something you should NOT do. The better experience is with the 2-Day M School at a minimum. You get the vehicle to your self and get more seat time. You can use your package as a credit towards anything the school offers.

Glad that I signed up for the 2 day class. Cost me $2445.00 with my M Drivers package applied. $4000.00 full price. It just seemed that the one day M Drivers (option) package was a watered down class.

[m4ml]

Also, don't forget, if you're a BMW CCA member you get 15% off of the courses.

It's a significant discount for the $4k 2-day, and the $4.6k Advanced.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Sorry to hear about the trouble with this, OP.

I skipped the package because I've already done the M Drivers School and I don't plan to take the car anywhere near 155mph ...if I want to do that, I'll just sign up for another M school and put the wear on someone else's car.

Charles

For me it wasn't so much about the top speed increase as it was for learning the limits of the car under controlled conditions. However if you've already done it there is always the Advanced M Drivers course. I'm sure you have the prerequisites.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by m4ml

Also, don't forget, if you're a BMW CCA member you get 15% off of the courses.

It's a significant discount for the $4k 2-day, and the $4.6k Advanced.

Wish I knew sooner but BMW had 20% off a gift card good for the classes that ended 12/31/23.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by m4ml

Also, don't forget, if you're a BMW CCA member you get 15% off of the courses.

It's a significant discount for the $4k 2-day, and the $4.6k Advanced.

I'll have to check into the BMW CCA. Curious what other benefits there are.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by CDunster

I skipped the package. I track my car and in the north east, most of the tracks don't have straights long enough to reach let alone exceed the 155mph base limit. Certainly not going to go over that on a public road. One sneaky pothole and you could be toast.

What tracks do you go to? I live in PA

[dimab0]

Originally Posted by calbears

was able to arrange this with about 2 weeks notice for private instruction in South Carolina, depends on what you want to do as well

I also did this. They allowed applying the credit towards private instruction instead, in SC. I highly recommend it.

[m4ml]

Originally Posted by turbojg

I'll have to check into the BMW CCA. Curious what other benefits there are.

The general benefits include discounts on service, Corporate Rebate Program ($250-$1000 off of a car), 15% discount on Michelin tires, 20% discount on Xpel.com, monthly magazine, and a bunch of other product discounts.

The bigger benefit, IMO, is the local chapters. I live in SD, so I'm a member of the SD chapter. The SD chapter has a lot of cruises and meets to attend, they schedule autocross events, plus they have some local shop discounts.

I did 5 years for $270, and it's already paid for itself several times over.

http://bmwcca.org

[TJR_///M3]

Originally Posted by calbears

was able to arrange this with about 2 weeks notice for private instruction in South Carolina, depends on what you want to do as well

You did well - trust you had fun!
I think it also depends on whether you request a particular instructor.

[BackOnBlack]

Originally Posted by turbojg

Glad that I signed up for the 2 day class. Cost me $2445.00 with my M Drivers package applied. $4000.00 full price. It just seemed that the one day M Drivers (option) package was a watered down class.

The one-day class is the same as the first day activities of the 2-day class, it is not watered down

Originally Posted by m4ml

The general benefits include discounts on service, Corporate Rebate Program ($250-$1000 off of a car), 15% discount on Michelin tires, 20% discount on Xpel.com, monthly magazine, and a bunch of other product discounts.

The bigger benefit, IMO, is the local chapters. I live in SD, so I'm a member of the SD chapter. The SD chapter has a lot of cruises and meets to attend, they schedule autocross events, plus they have some local shop discounts.

I did 5 years for $270, and it's already paid for itself several times over.

http://bmwcca.org

I have been a member of the BMW CCA since 2001 or there abouts. I still have friends I made from those days, it has been amazing. The local NCC also holds many events. I tend to join the track, autox and few social events. Everyone I have met are superb, level-headed people. I also enjoy the print and online magazines I receive from the CCA and NCC; the stories included are always interesting.

[CDunster]

Originally Posted by turbojg

What tracks do you go to? I live in PA

My stomping ground is Limerock (CT), Thompson (CT), Palmer (MA), Loudon (NH) and my favorite is Club Motorsports (NH).

Would love to try Watkins Glen (NY) and Pocono

[road rage richie]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

I got the package specifically because of the top speed increase but also it was a box to check. I don't really value the day at the PCD a whole lot.

Plus apparently it does add quite a bit of market value to the car compared to other packages (though I did learn this after the fact lol)

Just curious - if you can get the M Drivers package after the fact how does it add value? Is it net the cost minus the value the PCD day? Is PCD about $1500 on its own? I suspect there are people who add it if it were a lot less w/o PCD.

[Mike02z]

I got one of these about a year after I purchased my X3MC. Pretty cool. When you open it you hear an engine rev’ing

[Juanero]

Got the package. Only done 150-something. Probably would never do 180. Haven't signed up for the course yet.
In retrospect, probably something that would be better replaced with another option if you never plan on doing the speed.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by BackOnBlack

The one-day class is the same as the first day activities of the 2-day class, it is not watered down

*** M Drivers Package - Drifting, Buddy Up, Learn the Line, Lead & Follow ($1550)
*** 1 Day M School - Drifting, Learn the Line, High Speed Track, Rat Race Time Attack ($1750)
*** 2 Day M School - Drifting, Figure 8, Autocross, High Speed Track, Rat Race, Time Attack (3995)