[Wharf Rat]

I am so sorry that I checked that box.

All that it's been is a runaround from BMW.

Ordered a 2018 last Sep. Took delivery in Dec.

Started by asking dealer when I would get to schedule my package. They said they play no part in it. Just be patient & eventually BMW will contact me. Sounds like bullshit to me.

So, I wait. February... nothing. March... nothing. So, I call BMW & they tell me that I have to wait until they mail me a voucher. Mail? What century is this?

So, this month I get said voucher in the mail. I call in to schedule. Oh, wait. We need to validate your voucher. OK, ask away. No, we need a couple of business days to validate. WTF? Again, what century is BMW operating in?
OK, I guess...

It's been a week... no call.

At this point I just want my $2500 back. So sorry I checked that box.

[E36toF87]

In my experience and to the best of my knowledge it takes 6 months or so after delivery before you get the voucher, so have patience young grasshopper. I'm upgrading mine to a two day M school in October.

[ShelJW]

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

\
It's been a week... no call.

At this point I just want my $2500 back. So sorry I checked that box.

I feel your pain... however, I took my two teenage kids to the BMW driving school in Thermal a couple of months ago, and we had the time of our life! My kids learned a lot about safe driving, they even had them slam the brakes on a wet track, to put the car into a skid, and taught them how to respond if/when your car goes into a skid... it was both educational and an amazing experience!

My wife and I took a two hour course (that was all that was available for adults that particular day), but we plan to take the M Performance class very soon! Instructors were knowledgeable and very friendly!

I'd guess that while the wait is irritating, when you finally end up going, it'll be a memorable experience!

[MPOWERE9]

My local dealer orders most all their M cars in with this option. I told them I will give them $500 or so for the certificate and they can give it to someone that doesn't want or have time for the package, but buy the car anyway. I would love to do the class.

[ZPrime]

It's been known for quite a while that the package is a rip-off. You can get an actual M School day (not the same as the thing you get from the Driver's Package) for less if you're a BMW CCA member.

[d3rtyF87]

It's probably already validated. Happened to me. Just call them back and schedule a day.

[Wharf Rat]

Never got that call back. Called them & got scheduled for a Friday in June.

Disappointed that lodging wasn't included. So, those that have gone to Thermal, where did you stay? Right now looking at Embassy Suites in old town La Quinta. Looks to be dining choices & a taproom conveniently located.

[lax01]

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

Never got that call back. Called them & got scheduled for a Friday in June.

Disappointed that lodging wasn't included. So, those that have gone to Thermal, where did you stay? Right now looking at Embassy Suites in old town La Quinta. Looks to be dining choices & a taproom conveniently located.

We stayed at the Westin Desert Willow Villas Hotel in Palm Desert...

Did you upgrade to 1-Day M School? It should be a better class than the M Driver's Program that comes with the M Driver's Package...its confusing AF for a reason - because its a money maker for BMW

[pruettfan]

Suggestion, I would upgrade to the 2 day M School, includes hotel and food and is a much better value for the dollar, substantially more track time and you spend day 2 on the South Palm driving a high speed.

[boostaddict305]

I had to wait forever took about 6 months I used the voucher towards the 2 day m school and it was a blast

[lax01]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

Suggestion, I would upgrade to the 2 day M School, includes hotel and food and is a much better value for the dollar, substantially more track time and you spend day 2 on the South Palm driving a high speed.

Heard you have to do ADVANCED M School to get to drive on the South Palms circuit...2 Day school is just around the "auto-x" track and skid pad

[pseto]

Originally Posted by ZPrime

It's been known for quite a while that the package is a rip-off. You can get an actual M School day (not the same as the thing you get from the Driver's Package) for less if you're a BMW CCA member.

True and that's definitely what I would do.

But I guess it would also allow someone to amortize that cost over the life of the car

[TProfit]

OMG this is so confusing lol

I just purchased a 1 day M driving course at Thermal in August as a birthday present to myself. But now I don't know what that means really, was that a good buy or should I have gone with one of the other options I've now heard about. Also what is the M track day where half a day is $250???

Also how do I get the BMW CCA discount? There was no where on the registration form to add the membership number.

Sorry for all the noob questions. I'm new to the BMW world.

[Wharf Rat]

Originally Posted by lax01

Heard you have to do ADVANCED M School to get to drive on the South Palms circuit...2 Day school is just around the "auto-x" track and skid pad

I was just at Thermal over the weekend for M Driver's package.

M2 was slalom, timed short track (on BMW's lot) and a lane change exercise.

The skid pad was in M3.

Did laps on South Palm in M3 and M4.

[lax01]

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

I was just at Thermal over the weekend for M Driver's package.

M2 was slalom, timed short track (on BMW's lot) and a lane change exercise.

The skid pad was in M3.

Did laps on South Palm in M3 and M4.

You positive you did laps on the South Palm road track? That is OUTSIDE of the BMW Performance area...where the skid pad and BMW mini-track are..

I upgraded to the 1-Day M School and we did NOT get to do laps on the South Palms track last year. They told me only the Advanced M School got to do actual hot laps on the real Thermal racetracks as well

[lax01]

Originally Posted by TProfit

OMG this is so confusing lol

I just purchased a 1 day M driving course at Thermal in August as a birthday present to myself. But now I don't know what that means really, was that a good buy or should I have gone with one of the other options I've now heard about. Also what is the M track day where half a day is $250???

Also how do I get the BMW CCA discount? There was no where on the registration form to add the membership number.

Sorry for all the noob questions. I'm new to the BMW world.

Call the Performance Center and see if they can apply the BMWCCA discount (or refund or cancel and rebook).

If you purchased the 1 Day M School, that is different than the M Drivers Package that comes with M cars

[TProfit]

Called the school and gave them my number and the credit is being applied to my account. Awesome.

[Wharf Rat]

Originally Posted by lax01

You positive you did laps on the South Palm road track? That is OUTSIDE of the BMW Performance area...where the skid pad and BMW mini-track are..

I upgraded to the 1-Day M School and we did NOT get to do laps on the South Palms track last year. They told me only the Advanced M School got to do actual hot laps on the real Thermal racetracks as well

Absolutely positive.

We did lane changing, skid pad & short track (in M2s) on the BMW grounds, but laps were done on South Palm in both M3 and M4.

Yes, it is outside of the BMW compound. Just a few hundred yards down a side street & onto the track.

Racing down South Palm back stretch in an M4:

[lax01]

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

Absolutely positive.

We did lane changing, skid pad & short track (in M2s) on the BMW grounds, but laps were done on South Palm in both M3 and M4.

Yes, it is outside of the BMW compound. Just a few hundred yards down a side street & onto the track.

Racing down South Palm back stretch in an M4:

WOW...now I'm really pissed because they told us that wasn't possible unless you took the EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE Advanced M School. Don't think I'd do another Performance Center event unless it was ULTRA-discounted

[Spaceman_Spliff]

I know this thread's old now, but my M2 is entering production and this is a box I checked. I live in Denver, but I don't want to have to travel for this. Leaning towards removing it from by build before its too late, thoughts?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Spaceman_Spliff

I know this thread's old now, but my M2 is entering production and this is a box I checked. I live in Denver, but I don't want to have to travel for this. Leaning towards removing it from by build before its too late, thoughts?

REMOVE IT

[element241]

Originally Posted by Spaceman_Spliff

I know this thread's old now, but my M2 is entering production and this is a box I checked. I live in Denver, but I don't want to have to travel for this. Leaning towards removing it from by build before its too late, thoughts?

100% remove it