750Li for track day?

I'm seriously considering doing my first driver's education track day with the BMWCCA at Watkins Glen this summer using my '06 BMW 750Li, if I can get insurance to cover it should I ball it up. Am I totally insane to take my luxobarge on track?? Discuss.

If nothing else, the long wheelbase should make it easy to control any slides if it should happen.

I'd do it.

But i'm not too sane.

Seems like an odd choice if it's a tight course, but I'm sure it's competent. You just might be regularly reminded of the mass of the thing (as will your tires and brakes).

I'm pretty sure BMW engineered it enough to handle plenty of track days, though. I did one at Lime Rock where there was a pair of E500 Benzes that did just fine, FWIW.

No comment on the car but I imagine it would do fine if you drive within its limits.

Check out Lockton Affinity for insurance. The gentleman I met with them has an E30 race car. Besides they are endorsed by BMWCCA.

http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/

Tell them we sent you.

Just take it easy at the Glen if it's your DD...there is an awful lot of armco to hit if it all goes wrong.

Get the insurance, if its anything like my 5 series it will do just fine for about 6-10 laps then the brakes will give out.

HPDE = High Performance Driving Education

If you understand that and attend with the intent of 'Education', the 750 will be fine.

Greg Voth wrote: No comment on the car but I imagine it would do fine if you drive within its limits. Check out Lockton Affinity for insurance. The gentleman I met with them has an E30 race car. Besides they are endorsed by BMWCCA. http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/ Tell them we sent you.

Yeah, I've already looked into them, seems darned simple to get stated value coverage. I'll have to talk to the chapter driving school guys/gals about making sure the event gets registered with lockton affinity to be able to get the coverage. Then it's just a matter of signing up and buying a helmet.

Rustfinger wrote: Just take it easy at the Glen if it's your DD...there is an awful lot of armco to hit if it all goes wrong.

Hence the insurance ~ $275 will buy peace of mind.

gamby wrote: Seems like an odd choice if it's a tight course, but I'm sure it's competent. You just might be regularly reminded of the mass of the thing (as will your tires and brakes). I'm pretty sure BMW engineered it enough to handle plenty of track days, though. I did one at Lime Rock where there was a pair of E500 Benzes that did just fine, FWIW.

It's my daily driver, the other family car by then will be a Volvo XC90. I really wanted to do a school when I had my former 328i but the stars didn't align properly. I'm having a hard time justifying to the Wife the need for a dedicated track car when I've never done an HPDE and I don't autocross enough to make it worth it, but I suppose if the bug bites me hard I would go that route. Heck, there's something like 20 HPDEs at the Glen this summer, that could sure justify the need for a track car!

Ideally I'd be able to rent a track day car for the event but if I do it in the 7 at least I'll be doing it in style!

Is the insurance quoted for the year or per event? I couldn't figure it out.

For $2000 240SX it was only $22. If that's only for a single event, that's really darn cheap and very much worth the cost.

Per event as far as I can tell. I guess the stated value on my 7 is a bit more than $2k...

It is per event as far as I know.

It was a different insurer (same concept), but HDPE coverage for a track weekend at Thunderbolt was about $85 for my '03 325i.

People do HPDEs in police package crown vics all the time. I can't imagine a 7 would have any problem.

I'd bring an extra set of brake pads just in case.

I've been to HPDEs with Caprices, Audi A8s.... A 750 would be fine. Plan on burning your brake pads up.

+1, do it. I have seen Audi A8's, VW Phaetons, etc on track more than once. Drive within your limits and you should be fine. Only thing I would worry about is brakes... it's a heavy car after all.

ps- not to put an idea in your head, but Hertz rents Corvettes :-)

Jon

Take the big 7. If nothing else it will make for great stories to tell here later.

While I'm sure that a 740iL would be fine (although you'll probably toast the brakes), you could also look into renting something like a Spec Miata for the weekend.

you need a tow hitch. trailer and kart.

http://www.nykarting.com/

There are 4 road course kart tracks within 2 hours of ROC.

Hell Avon and Batavia have road courses...

I haven't personally seen an E66 on the track, but I have had two students with E38s, one 740i sport and one 740iL. They did just fine. The shorty sporty driver was actually pretty good and hustled that thing around what should have really been some faster machinery.

If you are out to have fun, and drive to learn instead of to show off, and all of your wear items are up to spec, it'll do great and it should be a whole lot of fun.

For such a heavy car, though, I'd definitely recommend a full brake fluid flush and new pads. You might be surprised how much pad you'll scrub down in one day at the Glen.

Take it out. Have some fun. If this is your daily driver, there is a definite payoff in your driving level and comfort from learning high performance driving in the car you are most likely to encounter problem situations in.

ignorant wrote: you need a tow hitch. trailer and kart. http://www.nykarting.com/ There are 4 road course kart tracks within 2 hours of ROC. Hell Avon and Batavia have road courses...

Thanks for the link. Definitely something to look into more also. I've run Batavia as an autocross a few times, great fun, and intend to run their open kart rental practice sessions over the summer this year if it doesn't conflict with the kids' soccer practice again But I've had the itch to run HPDE for at least 10 years, it's something I just need to do.

DO IT! Tastes great. Less filling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqDYcCDOTg thats all i got to say further

It's up to you, but I always look at my track car as a disposable item, like gas and brake pads. Your only sin may be being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I saw a Toyota climb the dirt banking protecting the infield at Lime Rock, after spinning off of the downhill, reacting to someone else's mistake. The driver was fine, but he kept repeating over and over "I still owe money on this car, how am I getting to work tomorrow?" Since you couldn't get all 4 wheels to touch the ground at the same time, it was a pretty good question.