3 Series only at the Driving School, Really??

[avidude]

Since PCD's are filled up into Jan now, I signed up for the 2 day driving school in December (will be getting delivery on my new 550 in early Dec).

I called the Performance Center to confirm my online registration. At that time I requested that I do the training in a 5 series, preferably a 550. I was told that is not possible. The training was done in only 3 series and Z4's. They may be some other cars available for a few runs around the track at the end of the second day.

This seems like a poor policy and different from other stories I have heard about the training center. For me it almost defeats the purpose of going, the training would most beneficial in a car similar to the one I'm buying.

Is this really true?

[mapezzul]

Since PCD's are filled up into Jan now, I signed up for the 2 day driving school in December (will be getting delivery on my new 550 in early Dec).

I called the Performance Center to confirm my online registration. At that time I requested that I do the training in a 5 series, preferably a 550. I was told that is not possible. The training was done in only 3 series and Z4's. They may be some other cars available for a few runs around the track at the end of the second day.

This seems like a poor policy and different from other stories I have heard about the training center. For me it almost defeats the purpose of going, the training would most beneficial in a car similar to the one I'm buying.

Is this really true?

I will let you know. I was hoping for a 5 at least part of the time. The 3 is more of a drivers car but at the same time I drive my 5er and would like to experience that. I arrive tonight there.

Best of luck!:thumbup:

[I-Won-Today]

Since PCD's are filled up into Jan now, I signed up for the 2 day driving school in December (will be getting delivery on my new 550 in early Dec).

I called the Performance Center to confirm my online registration. At that time I requested that I do the training in a 5 series, preferably a 550. I was told that is not possible. The training was done in only 3 series and Z4's. They may be some other cars available for a few runs around the track at the end of the second day.

This seems like a poor policy and different from other stories I have heard about the training center. For me it almost defeats the purpose of going, the training would most beneficial in a car similar to the one I'm buying.

Is this really true?



I work in the delivery department at the BMW PC and have no control of the driving schools. However I have been through almost every school. Stating that this is "poor policy" does not make since from my viewpoint (I don't think it is marketed as being your choice of BMW either).

They are selling a Driving School, not an orientation to the charecteristics of the car you are purchasing or may already own. That is were the Performance Center Delivery would better suit your wishes.

The driving school's goal is to teach you car control. Car control is the same if you are driving a BMW 550, X5, 7 series, 3 series, or for that matter a Ford Fusion. It just so happens that the driving schools here teach you these skills in the Ultimate Driving Machine and not a Dodge Neon.

Unfortunately demand for PCD is to the point now that we have to turn people away or push their delivery out a week or so. In your case the delivery is likely being pushed further out because we will not be doing any deliveries the week of Christmas. It boils down to beeing worth the wait or deciding to pass on the opportunity and getting the vehicle delivered at your dealer.

BMW NA does not give the driving school unlimited allocation of vehicles so they must plan accordingly to meet each schools need (keep in mind they can sometimes run 2 or 3 schools at the same time). Below are the vehicles used for most of the exercises in each school:

Teen School - 335i
One Day School - 335i
Two Day School - 335i
M Schools (all) - M5, M6, M Coupe, & soon the new M3 :thumbup:

[guppyflyer]

M Schools (all) - M5, M6, M Coupe, & soon the new M3 :thumbup:

Ooohhhhh really......looks like I'll wait a little then. :thumbup:

avidude- I PM'd you before I saw this thread. I totally understand why you want to take the course in "your" car. As Jonathan said, the course really teaches skills that are applicable to any car. As I've said before, I was really impressed by the 550i on the track. But........... and you'll have to trust me on this, you'll have more fun w/ the 335i. After driving all the models, everyone in our group agreed the 335i was the most fun around the track (M5 excepted) and the 550i the most surprising. For as big as it is, the 5er does really well. The 3er is quite a bit more nimble (sheer physics + design) and less........"luxurious."

Mappezul- Have a great time! The Blue Ridge Brewery and BBQ place in downtown Greenville are really good. And don't buy a hat at the gift store, you get one at the end of the course that's better than any you can buy. :thumbup:

Erik

[avidude]

Thanks guys for your PM's. I was assuming that the driving school use the same pool of cars that the deliver center used for their abridged course. You are right the training is mostly about technique. And I'm sure that a 335 is a better track car anyway. I just wanted to do the training in a car closest to the one I'm getting. Still looking forward to a great time. I know I could have waited the extra 4 or so weeks for a PCD, but the 2day class is more comprehensive so that is the way to go.

[mosport70]

... Unfortunately demand for PCD is to the point now that we have to turn people away or push their delivery out a week or so....


Sounds like BMW may need to set up a West Coast PDC! center!

Success is the best reward... keep it up!

[mapezzul]

I went through the class today....
We had 650i's (SMG) and 335 sport auto. The 335 rules... in all honesty what they teach you here you can translate to any car BUT the 3 really makes it more enjoyable and is a good deal more tossable and precise. I was NOT overly impressed with the 6er and I definitely could not justify the price point based solely on exclusiveness.....

There were some 5ers and a full boat load of //Ms and Zs but we did not use them. They are in the process of switching out some of the cars now as they are getting upwards in miles 2-3K. They also use dedicated cars for specific activities, ie wet slides and car corrections used cars with greater tire wear to get them really letting loose.

It is a blast and you will love it!

Best of luck!:thumbup:

[mewosery]

We took the one day class on 10/31 and took delivery of our car on 11/1.

If you signed up for driving school, this is well worth the trip alone. You get to learn about car control (as it is named). Going into the class I was more excited about the prospect of driving different cars but it was the car control training that is the take away I will use in any car forever. It was fun driving the 335s and 650s and we were also more impressed with the 335s than the 650s as the handling was sooooo much better in the 335s, the weight difference seems to hinder the 650s driving performance. We plan to do this again, only this time we're taking the 2 day class.

On the day of delivery give you a 'similar' car to familiarize yourself with***8212;the X5 buyers got to drive an X5, 535 buyers got 535s, etc. A brief (when compared to driving school) driving lesson of the cars***8217; control is provided. We were able to use our ***8216;similar***8217; cars in most of the driving lessons with the exception of the skid pad which required the 335s. We also drove 650 (SMG) to the museum, had the off road experience in the X5 and was also taken out onto the track by the instructor on a M5.

PCD was one of the best experiences we had on the delivery of our car. The non-rushed one-on-one attention given to you the day of your delivery is far better than any new car delivery experience I have had in the past.

Jonathan***8230;Thanks for showing us our car (328xiT):thumbup:

[I-Won-Today]

Jonathan….Thanks for showing us our car (328xiT):thumbup:

You are more than welcome! I glad you had a great time!

Enjoy your new BMW :thumbup:

[jvr826]

To avidude, when you get your car join the BMW CCA and hit a HPDE with your local chapter. I see you're in SoCal and the LA and Central California chapters have a few driving events each year. You use your own car to explore it's capabilities on a road course, the safest environment for doing so. Quite rewarding and perhaps you'll go more than once.

[I-Won-Today]

To avidude, when you get your car join the BMW CCA and hit a HPDE with your local chapter. I see you're in SoCal and the LA and Central California chapters have a few driving events each year. You use your own car to explore it's capabilities on a road course, the safest environment for doing so. Quite rewarding and perhaps you'll go more than once.

+1

You also will be elligible for the BMW CCA rebates on future purchases which will more than pay for your membership.

[avidude]

Thanks Guys. I have joined the CCA and the LA chapter as there is no Orange County chapter. Jonathan, I'll see you when I'm at the driving school in Dec. Can't wait!


Ted

[I-Won-Today]

Thanks Guys. I have joined the CCA and the LA chapter as there is no Orange County chapter. Jonathan, I'll see you when I'm at the driving school in Dec. Can't wait!

:thumbup:

Look forward to seeing you soon.