Nurburgring with your own ED car?

[Space gray]

Originally Posted by starbai

So I got the following from BMW today...

Who reads german? lol - if anyone wants me to e-mail a PDF to you let me know. I didn't know how to post non PIC attachments

It was me who posted the insurance certificate over at the 'fest. I did run the referenced document through google translate, but much of it comes out garbled and formatted in a funky way to make reading it difficult.
The upshot, there's seems to be no exclusion for Nurburgring (and maybe other tracks).
From my recollection, there was no coverage for drunk driving, illegal activity, and, more relevant here, timed laps and/or competition. There was also something about testing or trials for max speed not being covered, but maybe the translator failed to come up with the right words.
So as long as you're not announcing that you're setting a new lap time for the Ring, you're OK.

[GregSM3]

Originally Posted by starbai

I'll do that. I'm simply trying to do so sooner rather than later. I dont want to wait till I get there for them to tell me 'no.' And then have to scramble for a backup plan.

Also I have zero intention to push it. I'll probably find a bus and follow it. I just want the experience of driving the track at least once. I may still find a taxi so that I can at least experience it "how it was meant to be experienced."

Starbai, I think I will be there a week or two before you. Planning on being at Ring on 9/18. Also, check schedules re ring as it seems to change, had to redo my itinerary to accommodate change. Lastly, I am going with a trained co-pilot who claims he has never had an incident with one of his customers. Hopefully I will not be the first :-) So we will see. But definitely recommend getting a co-pilot based on what I have read as well as my own experience on US tracks. Only way to go IMO.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Starbai, I think I will be there a week or two before you. Planning on being at Ring on 9/18. Also, check schedules re ring as it seems to change, had to redo my itinerary to accommodate change. Lastly, I am going with a trained co-pilot who claims he has never had an incident with one of his customers. Hopefully I will not be the first :-) So we will see. But definitely recommend getting a co-pilot based on what I have read as well as my own experience on US tracks. Only way to go IMO.

I'll be picking up my car on 9/19, but wont be at the Nurburgring till roughly 10/1. If you'd like you can PM it.... but can you share contact info for your co-pilot?

[starbai]

Originally Posted by starbai

So I got the following from BMW today...

Who reads german? lol - if anyone wants me to e-mail a PDF to you let me know. I didn't know how to post non PIC attachments

Well I responded to BMW when they sent me the insurance agreement asking if they had an english version. Partially knowing the answer but figuring it couldn't hurt. I explained what I was looking for and I got the following answer. This combined with what everyone has said here on the forums is finally 'enough' for me.

Hope it helps you guys out too...

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by starbai

Well I responded to BMW when they sent me the insurance agreement asking if they had an english version. Partially knowing the answer but figuring it couldn't hurt. I explained what I was looking for and I got the following answer. This combined with what everyone has said here on the forums is finally 'enough' for me.

Hope it helps you guys out too...

[starbai]

NEXT order of business...

Anyone know where to 'rent' a helmet over there? lol

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by starbai

NEXT order of business...

Anyone know where to 'rent' a helmet over there? lol

Is helmet required?
No, only for bikers.

Source: http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/fans-info/info/faq.html

See also: http://www.rsrnurburg.com/page/faqs-your-first-visit

Helmets are only required for official "Track Days" and not "Public Driving Sessions (Touristenfahrten)"

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Source: http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/fans-info/info/faq.html

See also: http://www.rsrnurburg.com/page/faqs-your-first-visit

Helmets are only required for official "Track Days" and not "Public Driving Sessions (Touristenfahrten)"

My wife the physician refuses to get in the car on the track without one.

I'll probably go without.

[GregSM3]

Originally Posted by starbai

I'll be picking up my car on 9/19, but wont be at the Nurburgring till roughly 10/1. If you'd like you can PM it.... but can you share contact info for your co-pilot?

Starbai - pm'd you with info! Should be fun!

[starbai]

Thanks bud.

I also just joined this group on FB... https://www.facebook.com/groups/578947178925087/

They've already been helpful. A few guys who I guess must be locals say they'd be willing to meet up and help out with a lead follow lap and some pointers.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by starbai

This combined with what everyone has said here on the forums is finally 'enough' for me.

Not to be a buzz-kill, but this doesn't say much legally speaking.

Not "voiding" the insurance isn't the same as "the insurance will cover any/all damages with standard deductible the same as any other public road". For example, the insurance may contain provisions that state if you travel on controlled access roads only $x in damages are covered - e.g., say a dirt road or something.

Just bringing this up because years ago I rented a car in Europe and bought the zero deductible full coverage, got in an extremely minor accident, and long story short, it ended up costing me $1500 which was 25% of the estimated damage, because of a clause on how and where the accident happened.

I have NO IDEA if this is the case with this ED policy, but it would be an example of not voiding the insurance but triggering a clause that specified you have to pay a deductible of 25% of estimated repairs. The insurance isn't void, but you're still out a big chunk of $$.

Just a what-if warning from related experience.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Not to be a buzz-kill, but this doesn't say much legally speaking.

Not "voiding" the insurance isn't the same as "the insurance will cover any/all damages with standard deductible the same as any other public road". For example, the insurance may contain provisions that state if you travel on controlled access roads only $x in damages are covered - e.g., say a dirt road or something.

Just bringing this up because years ago I rented a car in Europe and bought the zero deductible full coverage, got in an extremely minor accident, and long story short, it ended up costing me $1500 which was 25% of the estimated damage, because of a clause on how and where the accident happened.

I have NO IDEA if this is the case with this ED policy, but it would be an example of not voiding the insurance but triggering a clause that specified you have to pay a deductible of 25% of estimated repairs. The insurance isn't void, but you're still out a big chunk of $$.

Just a what-if warning from related experience.

This has happened to me in Norway, however I believe the BMW insurance during ED is more robust. If not, you would see a lot of angry stories on the forums of BMW failing people on ED. But I could be wrong

[MFNATIK]

Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!

Have a great time on your ED and hit the Ring for a few laps. As long as you don't go nuts or a McLaren doesn't dump coolant or oil on the track the day you go, you'll be fine!

[starbai]

Man you guys are buzz kills! lol j/k

[Fugly M3]

I was freaked out a little too...so I spent 149 EUR to hire an instructor...all worked out great. I even let him lap my car...It was a blast!

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by starbai

Of course its a risk you take, but I figure I'll find a tour bus and follow it slowly lol. I just can't go there and not drive. I'm really struggling with this decision.

This isn't my first time on a track. I'm not a professional racer either. But I'm not trying to push it. I just want to do a lap or two for the experience.

If I've got coverage, it's making my choice a lot simpler.

Renting a race car actually seems like it has more risk. The insurance they typically come with has a max coverage limit, $10k or so (but depends on the car). Any damage beyond that, you're responsible for.

It seems though that for the Allianz coverage with ED, the car is covered 100% fully comprehensive with zero deductible.

So I guess I'd argue (if there is no exclusion for the Nurburgring) that you actually have better coverage with your own car than with the vehicles you rent.

Dude. I think your involved in at least 4 threads on this subject. Your very thorough.

Regarding renting a "race car". It looks kinda sketchy if you ask me. I saw people fuckin up those cars (over revs etc etc...) and getting banged up with hefty fees. I watched as people came back from their laps and the rental companies went over those cars with a fine tooth comb.

Hire an instructor and play some Xbox before you go

Have fun with whatever you decide.

[ssuene93]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

Dude. I think your involved in at least 4 threads on this subject. Your very thorough.

Regarding renting a "race car". It looks kinda sketchy if you ask me. I saw people fuckin up those cars (over revs etc etc...) and getting banged up with hefty fees. I watched as people came back from their laps and the rental companies went over those cars with a fine tooth comb.

Hire an instructor and play some Xbox before you go

Have fun with whatever you decide.

I did a couple of laps with my M3 on ED last year and had a lot of fun. It was a weekday so not much traffic on the day I went.

I am planning to go back this October and am planning to rent a track prep'd car from one of those ring rental companies. Hopefully, I won't be getting banged up with hefty fees from them.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

Dude. I think your involved in at least 4 threads on this subject. Your very thorough.

Regarding renting a "race car". It looks kinda sketchy if you ask me. I saw people fuckin up those cars (over revs etc etc...) and getting banged up with hefty fees. I watched as people came back from their laps and the rental companies went over those cars with a fine tooth comb.

Hire an instructor and play some Xbox before you go

Have fun with whatever you decide.

Yeap, I tried searching before starting my own threads... so in many cases I'm bumping old stuff lol


Pulling my Fanatec Porsche Steering Wheel Forza 3 and Xbox360 out tomorrow and setting it all back up. Haven't played it in like 6 years lol... need to learn the turns again! Been a longgg time.

Originally Posted by ssuene93

I did a couple of laps with my M3 on ED last year and had a lot of fun. It was a weekday so not much traffic on the day I went.

I am planning to go back this October and am planning to rent a track prep'd car from one of those ring rental companies. Hopefully, I won't be getting banged up with hefty fees from them.

Honestly I really looked at this option hard but the liability is quite frankly a lot higher than the protection of the BMW insurance through ED.

I'm more worried about other people than my own skills but hoping that taking it easy will make a difference

[MFNATIK]

Just stay to your right and the ring regulars will go around you. Don't worry about them most of those folks know what they're doing. Everyone that doesn't know what they're doing is staying to the right. If you're this worried about it then just take the ring taxi. I took my wife and kids on the ring and it was no big deal bc I stayed to the right and let everyone pass me. No shame. I wanted to bring my M3 home too hahah

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Just stay to your right and the ring regulars will go around you. Don't worry about them most of those folks know what they're doing. Everyone that doesn't know what they're doing in as staying to the right. If you're this worried about it then just take the ring taxi. I took my wife and kids on the ring and it was no big deal bc I stayed to the right and let everyone pass me. No shame. I wanted to bring my M3 home too hahah

This

[ssuene93]

Originally Posted by starbai

Honestly I really looked at this option hard but the liability is quite frankly a lot higher than the protection of the BMW insurance through ED.

I'm more worried about other people than my own skills but hoping that taking it easy will make a difference

I wish I can do ED again this year. Driving your own car on Nurburgring is an exceptional experience. Like other have said above, just staying on the right and letting other faster guys pass you on your left. Enjoy the ring with your M.

I may be renting a Renault this year for a couple laps this year. Their included insurance excess should be good enough, just if it is not totaled.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by ssuene93

I wish I can do ED again this year. Driving your own car on Nurburgring is an exceptional experience. Like other have said above, just staying on the right and letting other faster guys pass you on your left. Enjoy the ring with your M.

I may be renting a Renault this year for a couple laps this year. Their included insurance excess should be good enough, just if it is not totaled.

I wish I could ED every year hahaha. Best way to experience Europe and the Ring.