Should I attend ADVANCED M SCHOOL or get NEW WHEELS & TIRES?

[jmg]

I still have a voucher for $1500 that I need to use at BMW Performance Center. I've already done the 1 Day and 2 Day M School, which actually introduced me to this hobby in the first place. Since then I've been attending track days and autocrossess for the last 2 years. Now I am in intermediate to advanced run groups, although my times aren't the fastest.

Advanced M School is $4600. My voucher is worth $1500. Initially I wanted to pony up the $3100 to attend Advanced M school since I've already completed the 1 and 3 Day Schools. However, now I thinking that $3100 could go towards a set of track wheels and tires and a few track days. Which one will benefit me more?

Here's my track experience to help gauge this decision:

Instruction:
BMW Performance Center West - 1 Day M School
BMW Performance Center West - 2 Day M School

Track Experience:
Big Willow: 3 days
Streets Of Willow: 3 days
Auto Club Speedway Infield: 1 day
Thermal Club South Palm Circuit: 2 days
Buttonwillow Raceway: 1 Day

Autocross Experience:
Porsche Owners Club Autocross - San Pedro Docks: 1 event
Puretrack - Angel Stadium: 4 events
Speed Ventures - Auto Club Speedway - 1 event


Any input appreciated, especially if you have attended Advanced M School!

Keep in mind, I will still probably get track wheels and tires regardless, but they will probably have to wait for my wallet to cool down if I attend the school.

[jfritz27]

A 3rd option may be to buy your track wheels/tires, then find a local pro/coach to hire to come with you during one of your local track days. That should be cheaper than the M School, and you'll have the benefits of a good tire/wheel setup AND be at one of your home tracks.

[kpaso]

IMO the agenda for that 1 day program does not look worth it for the price, especially if you've done the other two days.

That's a lot of money that could instead go towards:
1. more seat time with a coach in the passenger seat
2. skid pad/car control days
3. professional coaches reviewing your videos (~100 bucks each)
4. data loggers/tools to help you get faster and understand where you need to improve
5. (paid) track walk through videos (Ross Bentley+Peter Krause)
6. more seat time without a coach
7. a SIM setup
etc.

[fanatic1]

Still have my voucher and saw they reopened thermal.

Will schedule a day out there with one of my employees to try and get him hooked, isn’t Thermal a gateway drug?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by fanatic1

Still have my voucher and saw they reopened thermal.

Will schedule a day out there with one of my employees to try and get him hooked, isn’t Thermal a gateway drug?

Yeah, like I said, it got me hooked. Have you done a school or track day there yet?

[arashir]

anything less than the 2-Day advanced M school is not worth it.

The thermal track is not my favorite.
But the autox track at thermal is fantastic, and so were the skid pad and short oval 1-on-1 competition events

[jmg]

Originally Posted by arashir

anything less than the 2-Day advanced M school is not worth it.

The thermal track is not my favorite.
But the autox track at thermal is fantastic, and so were the skid pad and short oval 1-on-1 competition events

If I don't get the Advanced M School I'll probably do the 2 Day again. There is no reason to do the 1 Day since I've done the 2 Day.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by kpaso

IMO the agenda for that 1 day program does not look worth it for the price, especially if you've done the other two days.

That's a lot of money that could instead go towards:
1. more seat time with a coach in the passenger seat
2. skid pad/car control days
3. professional coaches reviewing your videos (~100 bucks each)
4. data loggers/tools to help you get faster and understand where you need to improve
5. (paid) track walk through videos (Ross Bentley+Peter Krause)
6. more seat time without a coach
7. a SIM setup
etc.

It's hard to get an in car instruction with the covid restrictions right now, but I'll look into the pricing on that!

One of the advantages of M School is that I don't have to worry about consumables or insurance. One
of the downsides is no DSC off as far as I know. Combine that with the instruction plus the food and it's actually not that terrible. Plus you get a hat, jacket, and some friendly competition!

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by jmg

Yeah, like I said, it got me hooked. Have you done a school or track day there yet?

It's the last track for me in SoCal, I think I've done everything else

[M4gtr]

Not worth it. Spend that money on track days or more autocross. Nothing makes up for seat time after a certain point and you are at that point.

[Darth One]

If you feel like you’re starting to outdrive your car’s capabilities, get the wheels/tires

If you aren’t outdriving your car, and want to, go to school. But should you go to M-school? On the plus side, someone else takes care of everything. On the big plus side, i find the quality of instructors excellent there. On the minus side, it’s expensive and the agenda is really weak on details of what you’re actually doing and what cars you’re doing it in

[MyFragileHalogen]

If you are not too tall, that's kind of money that could get you a Miata and nice black flags every track day. Best money I spent on a car.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by MyFragileHalogen

If you are not too tall, that's kind of money that could get you a Miata and nice black flags every track day. Best money I spent on a car.

Damn when you put it THAT way...

[nicknaz]

what’s your video and data situation like in the car? That’s another place you could spend your $

Wheels and tires look great and you KNOW that upgrade works. Beating on someone else’s car is a lot of fun too.

No matter what you choose, it’s great. Nice “ issue” to have

Edit: I love miata too but I think you should get one that is already a spec Miata with full safety gear. Most people can’t pass broomstick test in a Miata, and if not, a full cage is needed, just imho.

[F80Speed77]

Another + for a data system if you don't have it.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

what’s your video and data situation like in the car? That’s another place you could spend your $

Wheels and tires look great and you KNOW that upgrade works. Beating on someone else’s car is a lot of fun too.

No matter what you choose, it’s great. Nice “ issue” to have

Edit: I love miata too but I think you should get one that is already a spec Miata with full safety gear. Most people can’t pass broomstick test in a Miata, and if not, a full cage is needed, just imho.

GopRo Hero8 with RaceChrono, Veepeak OBD2, Dual Electronics XGPS. It's no AimSolo but it's good enough. I wish I had brake pressure data though.

[MyFragileHalogen]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Edit: I love miata too but I think you should get one that is already a spec Miata with full safety gear. Most people can’t pass broomstick test in a Miata, and if not, a full cage is needed, just imho.

Your opinion is totally valid, when you are aiming to go fast in it and even do racing like you do.

My approach/suggestion to use a Miata as a stepping stone of improving smoothness and car control, without having to go too fast.

Perhaps $3000-5000 for a completely unmodified '94 and above NA or NB, $600 roll bar, $200 front and rear pads and basic alignment. That's it. The all season tires that came with purchase will be worn quick after sliding all ends of the car. Then Dunlop Z star spec II (<$500) will last forever (and <$500 for 4 wheels). You can really push the car every corners without walls and any dangers while just avoid getting stuck in the mud and closing down the track (but it's still ok for just a few times lol). On that photo above you can see the amount of body roll on stock suspension and the dunlop tires. People love seeing it too so you can make more track friends. My guess is properly setup spec-Miata will be much more stable and less over-steer biased, and my preference is this almost stock tail happy version to learn car control with minimal cost.

But if you wanna go fast and tires gets stickier (RE-71R and above), then you need coilovers, front ball joint, and sway bars...then it gets more dangerous, so getting seats and harness and all the safety equipment makes it not cheap anymore. But don't you have a F8x if you wanna go fast.

I just highly recommend driving Miata to anyone- regardless of skill levels- who loves cars and most importantly not too tall lol. I am sure some of you have seen this article: "There's A Little Mazda Miata In Every Koenigsegg Made"
https://carbuzz.com/news/theres-a-li...oenigsegg-made