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Originally Posted by Germanauto

These cars sell themselves, especially as competition dwindles. Audi's RS models are old, Merc's new AMGs are underwhelming, Alfa Giulia QV was always niche and on its way out, Caddy BWs also very niche, Porsches have gotten super expensive and don't have 4 doors.

BMW M is the de facto choice. No need to hold events to convince people loll.

You should attend a local track day and see the very healthy competition BMW has.

It’s got to be a chicken-and-egg situation, but only brands with strong aftermarket support show up, and vice versa. BMW is definitely represented, but in much smaller numbers than the previous decades.

[M3EATERS]

Still waiting for mine, car purchased Sept 2022. Victoria, Australia Not good enough…. Followed them up 3 times in 18 months with little or no reply. Heard back last week, Im on a waiting list 2024. WTF!

[trunxzNG]

Originally Posted by Vmaxx

Which M track day locations don’t require helmets while driving? I know COTA does but I remember seeing some locations that didn’t require helmets.

I went to the one in Sonoma a few years ago, no helmets required there

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

Did autocross last year with 2 vehicles. The i4 M50 was so much better than the 330e. My son felt the same. The course was small and tight and the 330e didn’t have enough initial oomph. Not sure I will do it this year, though.

I felt the 330e was far easier to actually utilize on that small tight course where the i4 you couldn’t even get enough time to really put the throttle down and perfect your line. The year before the i4 I felt was much better on the particular track we used in that parking lot. I actually enjoyed the 330e way more even though the body roll was insane lol.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by trunxzNG

I went to the one in Sonoma a few years ago, no helmets required there

Monticello, NY does not require helmets.

It's pretty ridiculous to require helmets to do guided parade laps in trains of 4-5 cars, with traction control full on, no passing, etc.

I was in the so called "pro" group and the pace was quite ridiculous. It is good for those who have never driven M cars - I took it as an extended test drive where you could have more fun and get a better feel than what is possible/advisable on public roads.

If you go in with that "extended test drive" attitude you will have fun, as I did. If you go in thinking you will actually be able to do what the the name implies "Track Day" you will be very disappointed.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by baron95

Monticello, NY does not require helmets.

It's pretty ridiculous to require helmets to do guided parade laps in trains of 4-5 cars, with traction control full on, no passing, etc.

I was in the so called "pro" group and the pace was quite ridiculous. It is good for those who have never driven M cars - I took it as an extended test drive where you could have more fun and get a better feel than what is possible/advisable on public roads.

If you go in with that "extended test drive" attitude you will have fun, as I did. If you go in thinking you will actually be able to do what the the name implies "Track Day" you will be very disappointed.

That wasn't my experience at Monticello the year I went pre-covid. With the lead follow format, we pushed the instructor to really get our monies worth. I've done many track days and it was by far, one of the hardest I've pushed a car at one of these type of events. Make sure when it's your time to drive, that the other drivers are also capable (bringing friends help), and as long as no one is lagging behind, the instructor will punch it too.

[JMBM8]

do you take your own car to these days or are cars provided for training?

[smokinjoe64]

Gents

Have a look at the coolest BMW M experience offered, IMO

A fitting, previous post:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...66&postcount=1

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by JMBM8

do you take your own car to these days or are cars provided for training?

For these events BMW provides the cars.

[anthemavm]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Seems the LA market is being skipped.

Nbd though, not like many of us are interested in autocrossing the i5.

You can go to Thermal and race on a real race track with BMW.

[jennifernordine]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the heads up on the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience and M Tracks Days! It's always exciting to see the dates rolling out. I'm particularly intrigued by the shift in timing for M Track Days and the change in location to Road America. Going to mark my calendar for May!

For those interested in driving to independence, here's the link to check out the dates: BMW Ultimate Driving Experience and M Tracks Days

Looking forward to hearing more updates as they come!

[hooked]

Does anyone know what models they have on hand this year for the Ultimate Driving Experience road tours? You know the test drive thing they have as part of these...not to be confused with the M Track Days. I was kinda hoping a Z4 manual might be in the cards, but maybe wishful thinking on my part.

[SpeedyATL]

Originally Posted by hooked

Does anyone know what models they have on hand this year for the Ultimate Driving Experience road tours? You know the test drive thing they have as part of these...not to be confused with the M Track Days. I was kinda hoping a Z4 manual might be in the cards, but maybe wishful thinking on my part.

So for the autocross portion, in ATL anyway, it was 540x and I5e40. Only 2 laps in each and then a third go either driving or with the instructor driving.

I'll post pics of the cars available to test drive from my phone in a minute. There is a SFR Z4M40, but its auto only.

Very well attended here. This was my 4th or 5th, not sure I'll go again though.

[SpeedyATL]

Pics of the cars available for local test drives...

[hooked]

Many thanks for the photos! I figured if there was a Z4 there it would probably be a ZF8 transmission. Going to skip this year. Nothing I haven't already driven more or less...

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by hooked

Many thanks for the photos! I figured if there was a Z4 there it would probably be a ZF8 transmission. Going to skip this year. Nothing I haven't already driven more or less...

Oh, man!! Don’t do that! It is so cool how BMW brings all these cars out for us to drive all on our own. No other manufacturer does it and I so appreciate that BMW does!!

[hooked]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Oh, man!! Don’t do that! It is so cool how BMW brings all these cars out for us to drive all on our own. No other manufacturer does it and I so appreciate that BMW does!!

I do appreciate it and I’ve attended several times and brought my older son with me to a few of them. I have to skip a day of work and drive 90 minutes each way so it needs to be a little more compelling for me. I really want to drive the Z4 stick and the M2 auto as odd as that may sound. The rest of these cars I can drive at my dealer which is only 15 minutes away.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by hooked

I do appreciate it and I’ve attended several times and brought my older son with me to a few of them. I have to skip a day of work and drive 90 minutes each way so it needs to be a little more compelling for me. I really want to drive the Z4 stick and the M2 auto as odd as that may sound. The rest of these cars I can drive at my dealer which is only 15 minutes away.

I can understand that. I wouldn’t drive 90 minutes!! I have to drive close to an hour and that’s pushing it for me.

[chris_1001]

I'll be at the one at Gillette tomorrow.

ETA, was at Xfinity, yes, I convinced myself it was Gillette and even drove there (but was early thankfully).

Do'h!!!!

[hooked]

Originally Posted by chris_1001

I'll be at the one at Gillette tomorrow

That's the one we've been going to as well. Hope it was fun!

[chris_1001]

Originally Posted by hooked

That's the one we've been going to as well. Hope it was fun!

Yup, the two instructors I drove with were happy with my skills!

Wish I did not miss last years.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by chris_1001

Yup, the two instructors I drove with were happy with my skills!

Wish I did not miss last years.

I had a female instructor one year who absolutely insisted I do their method of turning where you never take your hands off of the wheel and just slide the wheel through your hands. It completely screwed up my drive and she really pissed me off and ruined my experience. If I ever encounter her again I will refuse to be paired with her.