Mercedes Benz Experience

[Supacool1]

I'm thinking about the doing the below as a treat to myself on my 30th Birthday. Has anyone done it? Would you recommend it? Last year I did the VXR trackday at Thruxton where I got to drive all the Hot VXR cars to the limit and was awesome.
Anyone care to put their two cents worth in?

Mercedes-Benz UK - Driving Experiences - Mercedes-Benz Experience

Supa

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've attended several VXR days and AMG days, and both are great fun.

I think the think you'll notice most is the duration - which is obvious - 30 minutes versus half-day, that said there is some waiting around on the VXR day between the Paul Swift sessions. For that reason alone, the VXR day is much better value.

There's some variety on the AMG experience at Brooklands as you have a small tight track and some other stuff like slalom, simulated ice, wet circle, etc so you could say some of what you pick up might be more useful in every day driving situations.

You should also get consistency - one instructor - on the AMG experience, which could be good or bad depending upon which instructor you get.

If it was a choice between the two, then I'd opt VXR.

If I could do both, then I would.

If I could do a longer AMG experience, then I would. Not sure if that's available these days though unless you've bought an AMG with the appropriate 'extras' for tuition.

 

[smillion]

There are a couple of threads on the forum outlining people's experiences including my own. I did the half day £-3.5 hours) which was fantastic and exhausting. As has been said, a variety of tracks and conditions, with one instructor. There is a 15 minute brief etc which I imagine eats into the 1 hour sessions and so go for as long as you can afford. I had the choice of cars, as well as the ML off road experience for an hour which I declined. I went for the AMG saloons and had great fun. I had the last hour recorded on an SD card and was able to take my wife and 2 teenagers in the back of an E63 on all the tracks. Oh how they screamed in the back seat....

Marc

 

[Supacool1]

I've attended several VXR days and AMG days, and both are great fun.

I think the think you'll notice most is the duration - which is obvious - 30 minutes versus half-day, that said there is some waiting around on the VXR day between the Paul Swift sessions. For that reason alone, the VXR day is much better value.

There's some variety on the AMG experience at Brooklands as you have a small tight track and some other stuff like slalom, simulated ice, wet circle, etc so you could say some of what you pick up might be more useful in every day driving situations.

You should also get consistency - one instructor - on the AMG experience, which could be good or bad depending upon which instructor you get.

If it was a choice between the two, then I'd opt VXR.

If I could do both, then I would.

If I could do a longer AMG experience, then I would. Not sure if that's available these days though unless you've bought an AMG with the appropriate 'extras' for tuition.

I wanted to do Thruxton again this year but the tickets were all sold out-even if they were not I would be in my Paternity leave when our first child is born!

I'd love to do the VXR one again as it was epic fun, but I might save up and do the Benz half a day one instead!

Supa

 

[jeremytaylor]

The problem with the AMG experience is that the track is small with only one straight (I just cracked 120mph in an SL63). The rest is bends, bends, benz. Enjoyable but different from a 'proper' track.

How about the Porsche Experience at Silverstone - not tried it myself but I think the track might be bigger?

 

[thebook]

I hosted a conference/product launch at MBW last week for 65 clients/potential clients.

After a 2 hour presentation in the auditorium, we unleashed them all on either the AMG driving experience or off-roading (whichever they wanted to do).

We then all moved across to the Brooklands Hotel opposite.

The general consensus was it was a great day and even hardened drivers thought the AMG experience was excellent (I was concerned they were expecting a full size race track).

I cannot recommend it enough - awesome.

 

[Supacool1]

Porsche experience...? Do tell! I would only want to drive Silverstone if it was the full track! GP-Yo!

 

[s500colin]

My best mate has done a couple of sessions at MB world at Brooklands and each time he loves it.
To be honest I get fed up with him telling me how good it is

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I received an invitation to visit Porsche at Silverstone, but couldn't make it. IIRC it's a small track just for Porsche in the style of MBWorld. Not sure if you can buy a seat there or not. I thought it was potential buyers, hospitality and owners. I could easily be wrong though.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Not been to Porker World at S'stone so don't know, but I thought you could buy drives there, like MB World?

 

[C240Sport97]

definitely can buy drives in Porsches at Silverstone:

The Ultimate Learning Curve. Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone.

 

[Supacool1]

Cool. Will study this at home as work pc does not like Marcomedia!

 

[burakuysal]

AMG Extras

There are a couple of threads on the forum outlining people's experiences including my own. I did the half day £-3.5 hours) which was fantastic and exhausting. As has been said, a variety of tracks and conditions, with one instructor. There is a 15 minute brief etc which I imagine eats into the 1 hour sessions and so go for as long as you can afford. I had the choice of cars, as well as the ML off road experience for an hour which I declined. I went for the AMG saloons and had great fun. I had the last hour recorded on an SD card and was able to take my wife and 2 teenagers in the back of an E63 on all the tracks. Oh how they screamed in the back seat....

Marc

I booked my 1 hour experience on the bank holiday. Did you pay for extras like £15 insurance and £29 onboard camera?

Thanks

Burak