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      05-02-2017, 09:34 PM   #1
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M School: Spartanburg vs. Thermal

Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
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      05-02-2017, 10:38 PM   #2
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As of right now, only 2 day M schools at Thermal (Performance Center West) will give you the opportunity to drive on the main circuit. (Call to double check)
Their other track is smaller, much like an autocross size.

Performance Center East has a larger track; ability to achieve much higher speeds at the last part of the class.

I'd vote for South Carolina, plus you can tour their museum
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      05-02-2017, 10:59 PM   #3
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I've been to Thermal three times, two for club-related "Experience" events, and once for M Track Days. It can be freaking hot at Thermal (100+), I would only go from October to April, unless hot as literal hell is your thing. The first time we went was in September and the temps were around 108*. The last time I was at Thermal was October 2016 and it rained on the drive there and back, but it didn't rain during the M Track Day, although the track was wet in the morning. Their new, permanent, B&M building has been completed since then, which is a huge improvement over the semi-rigid, "temporary" air-conditioned tents they were using. When we've gone we stay at a Marriott the night before and drive home after, but the lodging wasn't part of the events.

Partly because of our experience at Thermal, and the fact that the new building wasn't yet finished yet, my wife and I chose to go to Greenville/Spartanburg for the 2 Day M School in October 2015. We made it the centerpoint of a 2-week trip and allowed us to visit friends in Atlanta, Greenville, and Asheville, NC, plus visit a couple of hotels that my wife's company owns, making it a business trip for her. The facilities at Performance Center East are well-established. You can also tour the Zentrum and get a factory tour.

The Greenville Marriott is a standard Marriott, the staff is very accommodating, and downtown Greenville is a really pretty town, complete with a river running through it, a spectacular foot bridge, and waterfalls. We happened to arrive the day that the Fall into Greenville weekend festival started, with food, beer, wine, and live bands, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

I'd recommend Performance Center East, unless you want to check out SoCal and/or Palm Springs before or after the school.
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      05-03-2017, 11:16 AM   #4
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Summer in SC is brutal. Hot and humid. You maybe fine with the humid hot weather there as you are from NJ, but certainly not for me. I prefer the dry heat

Thermal gets my vote if you have to pick a location during summer months. Otherwise, SC hands down with its BBQ joints in the area

Depending on your schedule, you can visit different socal cities to make it a complete getaway.
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      05-03-2017, 11:22 AM   #5
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Ive been to both, I personally like the SC set up over Thermal. Both rock though really can't lose either way.
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      05-03-2017, 11:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joeyb26 View Post
Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
BMW offered me the credit for the Car Control School which I was able to apply to the 1-Day M School, includes hotel as well. How did you manage to get the entire M School covered? I'm taking the class next month
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      05-03-2017, 01:53 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kief View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeyb26 View Post
Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
BMW offered me the credit for the Car Control School which I was able to apply to the 1-Day M School, includes hotel as well. How did you manage to get the entire M School covered? I'm taking the class next month
Same question! Haha.
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      05-03-2017, 02:02 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biorin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kief View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeyb26 View Post
Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
BMW offered me the credit for the Car Control School which I was able to apply to the 1-Day M School, includes hotel as well. How did you manage to get the entire M School covered? I'm taking the class next month
Same question! Haha.
I'm only taking the one day class as well. Wish I could get them to cover the two day class lol. Seems the consensus here is both places are pretty similar and I'll have fun at either one so I think I'm gunna go with Spartanburg just because the flight is cheaper, mines July 23rd
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      05-03-2017, 02:10 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SD ///M4 View Post
You can also tour the Zentrum and get a factory tour.
No factory tours right now, unless you are picking up a car as part of PCD--and that was just recently changed. No timetable for the regular factory tours.

However, if you're a CCA member, the CCA Foundation Museum is next door-ish to the performance center and they have some amazing stuff there. And later this month they'll have a motorsport exhibit running through the summer.
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      05-03-2017, 03:00 PM   #10
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SC is close to some of the best roads for an M car in the US and they do not have earth quakes.
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      05-03-2017, 03:06 PM   #11
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However, if you're a CCA member, the CCA Foundation Museum is next door-ish to the performance center and they have some amazing stuff there. And later this month they'll have a motorsport exhibit running through the summer.
Thanks for mentioning that, I had forgot about the BMW CCA Foundation Museum! My wife and I stopped by in October 2015 and they were a long way from being ready for public visits.
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      05-03-2017, 03:11 PM   #12
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SC is close to some of the best roads for an M car in the US and they do not have earth quakes.
Have you ever driven Palms to Pines Highway into Palm Desert, or any of the other excellent East County San Diego roads? Our local BMW CCA chapter does back country drives about four times a year and more than a hundred members come out for those.

But it's not like anyone flying into either location is going to have an M car to experience these roads.
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      05-03-2017, 04:06 PM   #13
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I think the OP has overstated; I believe this is the email he received; it states:
"Because you are such a loyal BMW customer, we invite you to enjoy our One-Day Driver's School free of charge."

They will allow you to upgrade to any course you want, subtracting the $849 value.

I've upgraded to the one day M school and am going to Thermal. Been to Greenville twice now, and while great, unless you are driving there, I think there is more to do close by to Thermal than Greenville.....just my opinion.

I've been to the 2.5 hour driving time triangle that Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, LA and San Diego comprise and you can easily make a week of it there.

Regardless of what direction you go, the skills, instruction, and cars will be the same.

Greenville books up faster than Thermal and if you are willing to brave the 105 to 115 degree temperatures, you may have a smaller class which could translate into more track time, so I hope all of you go to Greenville.
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      05-03-2017, 04:53 PM   #14
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If the performance center east track is the one they do hot laps in during PCD, then I would go Thermal. I didn't find that track impressive at all
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      05-03-2017, 05:28 PM   #15
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Spartanburg all the way!
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      05-03-2017, 09:41 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joeyb26 View Post
Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeyb26 View Post
Anyone been to both? BMW is offering me a free M performance driving school at either location and I was wondering if one location was better than the other. Those that have been to either one, how are the restaurants/bars in spartanburg/thermal? BMW is paying for the class and the hotel, I have to pay for my own flight. Flights to SC right now are about $250~ cheaper than flights to CA, so i was wondering if it was worth the extra $250 to go to Thermal or if ill get the same experience at both locations
I've been to both. Pm me
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      05-03-2017, 11:07 PM   #17
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I went to Spartanburg last year for a 1-day M school and loved it. I had never been to SC before, so enjoyed the experience (both the school and the other activities).

I also received the email for the free class and plan on upgrading to the M class. But this time I will be going to Thermal, mainly because it is within driving distance for me. The only thing I'm bummed about is that we didn't get a chance to do a factory tour when we were in SC (booked solid) and now it appears that it is no longer an option to do that anyway.
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      05-03-2017, 11:43 PM   #18
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I've been to both. Pm me
Why not just share your insights here? Isn't that the whole point of forums?
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      05-04-2017, 09:19 AM   #19
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Why not just share your insights here? Isn't that the whole point of forums?
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      05-04-2017, 09:36 AM   #20
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I've been to both and definitely vote Spartanburg. The facility is massive and seems a bit more organized and professional. It's also not 110 degrees in the summertime..
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      05-04-2017, 09:50 AM   #21
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I've been to both and definitely vote Spartanburg. The facility is massive and seems a bit more organized and professional. It's also not 110 degrees in the summertime..
Yes, only 95 with humidity
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      05-04-2017, 10:14 AM   #22
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Yes, only 95 with humidity
LOL at least it's not the blazing California desert sun..
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