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gulfstream69xr7 · 15 March 2015, 04:15 AM

Had the privilege of attending the BMW Performance Driving School last Thursday. Got to get behind the wheel of the Z4-35, M235, M3, M4, and the 575 HP Competition Package M5. Also got to ride shotgun with Donnie Isley, SCCA Champion and BMW driving instructor for a lap around the course in the M5. They literally let you flog the daylights out of the cars, in few different environments. The track is pretty tight, but you get a real feel for how well these cars accelerate, corner, and brake.

The z4 and M235 were great fun on the short twisty course. The M5 is an all out monster, although it handles a bit "heavy". The best ride of the day was the M4. It pulled like a 428 Cobra Jet, and handled like a go cart.

I know the purists don't love the new turbo M cars. I have driven a ton of cars in my life. Everything from 10 second street big blocks to a Ferrari California. The way they design the turbos in these new M cars makes them feel like you are driving a big block V-8. The M5 literally felt like a hopped up 454 Chevy. There is no lag at all. The torque comes in low. 502 FTLBS of torque at 1500 RPM, and does not drop a pound until 5700. 575 HP at 6000 and I spun it up just past 7000. These cars are amazing

Pretty awesome experience overall.

Riding shotgun in the Competition M5 with retired SCCA champ, and BMW driving instructor, Donnie Isley.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...8838786&type=3

Johnb1 · 15 March 2015, 04:23 AM

Awesome, if it wasn't for the exorbitant tax BMW Australia places on their cars (i.e. blatant rip off), I'd be driving a M4.

HL65 · 15 March 2015, 04:28 AM

Wow amazing and I know had to be time of your life! Hopefully I get there some day soon! Cheers and thanks for sharing,

Presa canary · 15 March 2015, 04:35 AM

Man that must have been awesome! That's good to know they really let you get on them. Something I'll need to check out for sure! Thanks

Roost5o · 15 March 2015, 04:36 AM

Definitely on my list of things I want/need to do.

gulfstream69xr7 · 15 March 2015, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presa canary

That's good to know they really let you get on them.

They encourage it strongly. The harder you push the car, the more they push you. They said the driving school uses 3000 tires a year. We absolutely flogged the daylights out of the cars. They are impressive.

OmegaJJH · 15 March 2015, 08:49 AM

Wow. You must have had a wonderful day.

Very jealous !

997.2 · 15 March 2015, 12:50 PM

WOW! On my bucket list.

SrFADE · 15 March 2015, 01:28 PM

Did they still have the big sign over the car staging area saying "Don't Forget to Breathe" ? *edit* Looks like the sign has changed since I was there for the Adventure Bike course. They sure run some first class courses. Thanks for sharing.

Chewbacca · 15 March 2015, 01:37 PM

looks like a good time!

Buschy · 15 March 2015, 02:33 PM

That's because the purist haven't driven them. :-)

superdog · 15 March 2015, 04:15 PM

That's amazing.

Thanks for sharing. I hope to do this someday!!!

returntorolex · 15 March 2015, 08:23 PM

Thanks for sharing.

Curious...don't see helmets in any of the pics. Do they require them?

Andad · 15 March 2015, 08:38 PM

Looks like a lot of fun.

tkerrmd · 16 March 2015, 09:02 AM

Very cool

subtona · 16 March 2015, 09:14 AM

fantastic!!!!

i went to carolina for the off road motorcycle course a few years ago, i believe it was the same place they run the cars.

i dropped their brand new GS adventure so many times, it was terrible but part of the package.

Trouble15 · 16 March 2015, 10:40 AM

That's awesome! I'm hoping I can get to one of these one day as well. However, I'm a little nervous it will make me trade in my 5 series for an M4 lol

skprd13 · 16 March 2015, 11:47 AM

Wow very cool! If you don't mind me asking what does something like that cost to do?

G8RDPM · 16 March 2015, 12:37 PM

Looks like a great time?
Were you in SC?

TAKUYA · 16 March 2015, 12:43 PM

Thanks for sharing

. i went one time and learnt a lot of experiences.

1mlc · 16 March 2015, 12:44 PM

Very cool. I plan on taking my son to the teen driving school when the time comes.

I have done the Ariel Atom experience at VIR and had a blast.

GB-man · 16 March 2015, 01:48 PM

Looks like a good time! Have an m3 on order now...tick toc tick toc

Why doesn't davidsw sell BMWs

omitohud · 16 March 2015, 03:16 PM

Where is this located if i may?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rogdogg · 16 March 2015, 03:30 PM

Wow, that sounds like such an amazing day. I absolutely love that M4. It looks like a beast. I love the styling of the M cars.

gulfstream69xr7 · 17 March 2015, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Thanks for sharing.

Curious...don't see helmets in any of the pics. Do they require them?

No, no helmets required.

gulfstream69xr7 · 17 March 2015, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skprd13

Wow very cool! If you don't mind me asking what does something like that cost to do?

It was a corporate event, so I did not pay. The website shows the one day M school as $1550.

gulfstream69xr7 · 17 March 2015, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omitohud

Where is this located if i may?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Greenville South Carolina

c41006 · 17 March 2015, 12:17 AM

I've been wanting to go so bad! Thanks for sharing

gulfstream69xr7 · 17 March 2015, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB-man

Looks like a good time! Have an m3 on order now..

If you have a car on order, you can choose to have it delivered at the Performance Driving School. It doesn't matter what BMW you buy, it is an option for anyone who orders a car.

All you have to do is get to the school. Once you get to Greenville, BMW pays for everything else. They put you up for the night, buy you dinner, and then you get the M school for free using THIER cars.

One school is finished, they deliver your car to you and you drive it home.

If you are interested, contact your dealer. I would highly recommend it if you can manage to get the SC and drive home.

East Bay Rider · 17 March 2015, 12:57 AM

Looks / sounds like Great time

15 March 2015, 04:15 AM	#1
gulfstream69xr7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Medford NJ Watch: TAG Rolex Posts: 948	BMW Performance Driving School Had the privilege of attending the BMW Performance Driving School last Thursday. Got to get behind the wheel of the Z4-35, M235, M3, M4, and the 575 HP Competition Package M5. Also got to ride shotgun with Donnie Isley, SCCA Champion and BMW driving instructor for a lap around the course in the M5. They literally let you flog the daylights out of the cars, in few different environments. The track is pretty tight, but you get a real feel for how well these cars accelerate, corner, and brake. The z4 and M235 were great fun on the short twisty course. The M5 is an all out monster, although it handles a bit "heavy". The best ride of the day was the M4. It pulled like a 428 Cobra Jet, and handled like a go cart. I know the purists don't love the new turbo M cars. I have driven a ton of cars in my life. Everything from 10 second street big blocks to a Ferrari California. The way they design the turbos in these new M cars makes them feel like you are driving a big block V-8. The M5 literally felt like a hopped up 454 Chevy. There is no lag at all. The torque comes in low. 502 FTLBS of torque at 1500 RPM, and does not drop a pound until 5700. 575 HP at 6000 and I spun it up just past 7000. These cars are amazing Pretty awesome experience overall. Riding shotgun in the Competition M5 with retired SCCA champ, and BMW driving instructor, Donnie Isley. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...8838786&type=3

15 March 2015, 04:28 AM	#3
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,488	Wow amazing and I know had to be time of your life! Hopefully I get there some day soon! Cheers and thanks for sharing, __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

15 March 2015, 04:36 AM	#5
Roost5o "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: Gregg Location: Savannah Watch: Da Hulk Posts: 652	Definitely on my list of things I want/need to do. __________________ Hulk PAM01033

15 March 2015, 04:15 PM	#12
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,711	That's amazing. Thanks for sharing. I hope to do this someday!!! __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

15 March 2015, 08:23 PM	#13
returntorolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Real Name: Steve Location: Atlanta Watch: Jackie Stewart DD Posts: 5,649	Thanks for sharing. Curious...don't see helmets in any of the pics. Do they require them? __________________ Rolex - Tudor - Omega - Breitling - Oris - Grand Seiko - Timex - Casio - Ocean Crawler - Ganymede - American Waltham - Seiko - Gruen - Arethusa - Citizen - Sinn - Nodus - Formex

15 March 2015, 04:23 AM	#2
Johnb1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Melb Australia Posts: 81	Awesome, if it wasn't for the exorbitant tax BMW Australia places on their cars (i.e. blatant rip off), I'd be driving a M4.

15 March 2015, 04:35 AM	#4
Presa canary "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Justin Location: Pa Watch: Explorer ii Posts: 3,151	Man that must have been awesome! That's good to know they really let you get on them. Something I'll need to check out for sure! Thanks

15 March 2015, 08:49 AM	#7
OmegaJJH "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: James Location: UK Watch: Rolex & Omega Posts: 6,667	Wow. You must have had a wonderful day. Very jealous !

15 March 2015, 12:50 PM	#8
997.2 Banned Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Chaz Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 2,721	WOW! On my bucket list.

15 March 2015, 01:37 PM	#10
Chewbacca Banned Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: CJ Location: Kashyyyk Watch: Kessel Run Chrono Posts: 21,113	looks like a good time!

15 March 2015, 08:38 PM	#14
Andad 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 36,951	Looks like a lot of fun. __________________ E

16 March 2015, 09:02 AM	#15
tkerrmd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tom Location: In a race car! Watch: ME RACE PORSCHES Posts: 24,123	Very cool

16 March 2015, 09:14 AM	#16
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 26,051	fantastic!!!! i went to carolina for the off road motorcycle course a few years ago, i believe it was the same place they run the cars. i dropped their brand new GS adventure so many times, it was terrible but part of the package. __________________

16 March 2015, 10:40 AM	#17
Trouble15 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: USA Watch: A few Posts: 8,854	That's awesome! I'm hoping I can get to one of these one day as well. However, I'm a little nervous it will make me trade in my 5 series for an M4 lol

16 March 2015, 11:47 AM	#18
skprd13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Kauai Watch: 1675-1680-16750 Posts: 3,346	Wow very cool! If you don't mind me asking what does something like that cost to do?

16 March 2015, 12:37 PM	#19
G8RDPM 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,248	Looks like a great time? Were you in SC?

16 March 2015, 12:43 PM	#20
TAKUYA ⭐⭐⭐⭐2024 DATE-JUST41 sponsor & Boutique Seller Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Thanh Takuya Location: Dont mess w Texas Watch: AP/Rolex/PP Posts: 50,175	Thanks for sharing . i went one time and learnt a lot of experiences. __________________ 2 Factor Authentication Security Active Instagram @takuyawatches

16 March 2015, 12:44 PM	#21
1mlc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NC Posts: 179	Very cool. I plan on taking my son to the teen driving school when the time comes. I have done the Ariel Atom experience at VIR and had a blast.

16 March 2015, 01:48 PM	#22
GB-man 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: USA Watch: addiction issues Posts: 36,945	Looks like a good time! Have an m3 on order now...tick toc tick toc Why doesn't davidsw sell BMWs

16 March 2015, 03:16 PM	#23
omitohud "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Sam Location: los Angeles Posts: 2,051	Where is this located if i may? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

16 March 2015, 03:30 PM	#24
Rogdogg 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bangkok Posts: 6,122	Wow, that sounds like such an amazing day. I absolutely love that M4. It looks like a beast. I love the styling of the M cars. __________________ Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

17 March 2015, 12:17 AM	#28
c41006 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Joshua Location: Atlanta Watch: Pelagos Posts: 7,925	I've been wanting to go so bad! Thanks for sharing

17 March 2015, 12:57 AM	#30
East Bay Rider "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: East Bay RI Watch: GMT-II 16710LN Posts: 11,909	Looks / sounds like Great time __________________ I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46

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