M3 driving experience

discostu · 08-23-2010, 12:38 PM

I'm off to Brands Hatch in late September as a birthday present on one of their experience sessions. It equates to 30 mins track time in an M3 with some tuition and feedback

I am really looking forward to this as it will be my first track experience, and a chance to get into an M3. Wondering if anyone else been on one of the Brands track packages, any tips on how to get the most out of the day?

A couple of things I was thinking about; I am used to a manual and typically hate driving an auto - the M3's are auto of course! Do they try to spend all the session teaching you how to hold a steering wheel the "correct" way???? Limits on how far you are allowed to push the cars, overtaking etc??

Cheers

Stu

Hoops · 08-23-2010, 01:33 PM

I know one of the instructors there, a young guy but awesome driver and can really handle a car - ive heard good things about the sessions for what they are and cost etc - and considering it will be your first ever track day and first ever drive of an E92 M3 then im positive you will really enjoy it!! Ive not done the M3 experience but ive done many many track days and taken both my cars and bikes around Brands numerous times, the GP circuit is one of my all time favourites - that said i think the M3 experience only uses the Indy circuit, that said its less for you to learn and you'll still have a lot of fun. Ive also owned two E92 M3's - first one manual and the second DCT - and i can say without any reservation that the DCT is fantastic and i would only ever recommend the DCT box in an E92 M3. So have fun, relax and enjoy it!!

themetz · 08-23-2010, 03:28 PM

Is it the MSV session? I did the one at Bedford a few months backand it was great fun - no nannying of how to drive, literally they get you flying round at full speed. They've got dual control on the brakes, which sounds a bit patronising but is in fact reassuring!

As Steve has mentioned the DCT box is unquestionably the right box for the car (even though it took him a while to come to terms with it!!

)

My advice is to go full pelt!!

There's only a couple of cars out at a time so overtaking and track ettiquette is generally redundant.

cdb · 08-23-2010, 06:42 PM

hold at quarter to three, and try to hold firm and let go as little as possible!!

i took the palmer M3 around Bedford, awesome experience and with tuition you really can push yourself

The only advice I could give is try not to worry about what your going to do or spinning or whatever, just do exactly as they say and you'll find yourself going faster through corners than feels right - a lot of times they'll tell you to brake later than you'd expect, just go with it.. in such a controlled envoironment you can really have fun

have a great day! Hope it stays dry

Hoops · 08-24-2010, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

As Steve has mentioned the DCT box is unquestionably the right box for the car (even though it took him a while to come to terms with it!!

)

??? Not entirely sure what you mean fella - i always hated the manual box and have hated every manual box in every M3 generation ive ever owned - DCT is magnificent and dont remember being negative about it (maybe i was but have forgotten!!!??) - it wasnt as good as the CSL box but was very good all the same.

Just make sure its got EDC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

creepy coupe · 08-24-2010, 04:56 AM

Brands is just up the road from me, I fancy a slice of this

discostu · 08-24-2010, 05:33 AM

It is the MSV track day http://www.msvdrivinggifts.com/m3-master.aspx and it looks like they do have the DCT box

Humour me... EDC???

zltm089 · 08-24-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb

- a lot of times they'll tell you to brake later than you'd expect, just go with it.. in such a controlled envoironment you can really have fun

have a great day! Hope it stays dry

I've never done a track day before...and always assumed that the instructor would ask you to slow down at every corner and be gentle.... when I did the Mazda RX8 open day, the instructor was lifting the handbrake for most of the time........

Anneka @ Sytner · 08-24-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb

The only advice I could give is try not to worry about what your going to do or spinning or whatever, just do exactly as they say and you'll find yourself going faster through corners than feels right - a lot of times they'll tell you to brake later than you'd expect, just go with it.. in such a controlled envoironment you can really have fun

Fantastic gift! This is great advice.
Personally I didn't make the most of my first track day, I didn't have my 'PlayStation' head on and didn't adjust quickly to track style driving (particularly using the full width of the track).
I hope you have a great day, looking forward to reading your review

!

themetz · 08-24-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

Just make sure its got EDC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(them were the days!)

@ disco - the EDC = Electronic Damper Control and allows settings of the suspension to suit driving requirements. the track cars will have it!

it's a bit of a touchy subject with current (and ex!) M3 drivers as to the day-to-day usefulness.... but let's not open that (great big) can of worms again!!!

misterS3 · 08-24-2010, 08:41 AM

You'll have to be far more aggressive with the car than you have ever done before. (i'm assuming you're not Carl!)

When the guy says brake...stamp on them really hard. Do everything aggressively/positively. Not like you would on the road.

Slow in / Constant throttle/speed through the corner / fast out.

Listen to the guy - do what he says. And you'll be driving faster than you can imagine with far less drama than you'd imagine.

Most of all. Enjoy

08-23-2010, 12:38 PM	#1
discostu Private 14 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 330i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 330i M Sport [0.00]	M3 driving experience - Brands hatch I'm off to Brands Hatch in late September as a birthday present on one of their experience sessions. It equates to 30 mins track time in an M3 with some tuition and feedback I am really looking forward to this as it will be my first track experience, and a chance to get into an M3. Wondering if anyone else been on one of the Brands track packages, any tips on how to get the most out of the day? A couple of things I was thinking about; I am used to a manual and typically hate driving an auto - the M3's are auto of course! Do they try to spend all the session teaching you how to hold a steering wheel the "correct" way???? Limits on how far you are allowed to push the cars, overtaking etc?? Cheers Stu
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08-23-2010, 01:33 PM	#2
Hoops Brigadier General 284 Rep 3,658 Posts Drives: E70 X5 xDrive35d M Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chigwell, Essex iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW S1000RR Sport [10.00] 2009 E92 M3 DCT [0.00] 2010 Range Rover Sport [0.00] 54 Plate E46 M3 CSL [0.00]	I know one of the instructors there, a young guy but awesome driver and can really handle a car - ive heard good things about the sessions for what they are and cost etc - and considering it will be your first ever track day and first ever drive of an E92 M3 then im positive you will really enjoy it!! Ive not done the M3 experience but ive done many many track days and taken both my cars and bikes around Brands numerous times, the GP circuit is one of my all time favourites - that said i think the M3 experience only uses the Indy circuit, that said its less for you to learn and you'll still have a lot of fun. Ive also owned two E92 M3's - first one manual and the second DCT - and i can say without any reservation that the DCT is fantastic and i would only ever recommend the DCT box in an E92 M3. So have fun, relax and enjoy it!! __________________ E70 X5 xDrive35d M Sport - Carbon Black - Panoramic Roof - 21" BMW Alloys - BMW Performance Gloss Black Grilles - LCi Rear Light Upgrade - BMW 4.8i Exhaust Trims
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08-23-2010, 03:28 PM	#3
themetz smokin' kipper 39 Rep 1,468 Posts Drives: G60 i5 M60 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Is it the MSV session? I did the one at Bedford a few months backand it was great fun - no nannying of how to drive, literally they get you flying round at full speed. They've got dual control on the brakes, which sounds a bit patronising but is in fact reassuring! As Steve has mentioned the DCT box is unquestionably the right box for the car (even though it took him a while to come to terms with it!! ) My advice is to go full pelt!! There's only a couple of cars out at a time so overtaking and track ettiquette is generally redundant. __________________ Current BMW i5 M60. Previously enjoyed Tesla Model S P100DL; Tesla Model S 85D; Audi RS5; E92 335i M Sport; E92 M3; E92 335i M Sport; E46 330ci M Sport
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08-23-2010, 06:42 PM	#4
cdb Private First Class 4 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK iTrader: (1)	hold at quarter to three, and try to hold firm and let go as little as possible!! i took the palmer M3 around Bedford, awesome experience and with tuition you really can push yourself The only advice I could give is try not to worry about what your going to do or spinning or whatever, just do exactly as they say and you'll find yourself going faster through corners than feels right - a lot of times they'll tell you to brake later than you'd expect, just go with it.. in such a controlled envoironment you can really have fun have a great day! Hope it stays dry
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08-24-2010, 04:56 AM	#6
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1823 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Brands is just up the road from me, I fancy a slice of this
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08-24-2010, 05:33 AM	#7
discostu Private 14 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 330i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 330i M Sport [0.00]	It is the MSV track day http://www.msvdrivinggifts.com/m3-master.aspx and it looks like they do have the DCT box Humour me... EDC???
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08-24-2010, 08:41 AM	#11
misterS3 Lieutenant Colonel 73 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: X70 on the way Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	You'll have to be far more aggressive with the car than you have ever done before. (i'm assuming you're not Carl!) When the guy says brake...stamp on them really hard. Do everything aggressively/positively. Not like you would on the road. Slow in / Constant throttle/speed through the corner / fast out. Listen to the guy - do what he says. And you'll be driving faster than you can imagine with far less drama than you'd imagine. Most of all. Enjoy
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