Mercedes Benz World - Brooklands

[PovertySpec]

I've been booked in for free here for a Friday night and it's next door to Mercedes World

I know a few of you have been and the museum bit changes from time to time but what, in your experience, is the best bang for buck driving thing to have a go on/in?

Not too fussed about the 4X4 experience.

Anything else I should see/do while I'm in the area?

I have a free option for the Saturday night so could use it as a base

 

[Wighty]

Last year I did an hour in an SL63 AMG . It was one brutal engine . It had some sort of programmable race start that you just floor the accelerator from stationary . Can't speak for any smaller engines but why would you .
1 hour was easily enough .

 

[LostKiwi]

Malcolm did a passenger ride in a CLS63 which hugely impressed him.

 

[Aletank]

I went a couple of years back, stayed in the Brooklands Hotel also. I did the AMG hour in a E63, I think the 1st hour and last hour of the day is a bit cheaper.
https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/whats-on is good, just around the corner !

 

[PovertySpec]

Yeah the Brooklands Museum is on the cards, hadn't spotted the 1 hour option.

Wife's paying for the AMG thing so might as well!

 

[Hi RX7]

As mentioned the SL driving experience is fun and good value for money considering fuel and tyres used in that hour.
Brooklands Museum is always worth a visit too. If you stay Saturday night Sunday morning there is a gathering of AMG owners in the overflow car park at 10 am.

 

[A.J.]

I've been booked in for free here for a Friday night and it's next door to Mercedes World

I know a few of you have been and the museum bit changes from time to time but what, in your experience, is the best bang for buck driving thing to have a go on/in?

Not too fussed about the 4X4 experience.

Anything else I should see/do while I'm in the area?

I have a free option for the Saturday night so could use it as a base

Oh, the things we have to endure !!! That looks to be a great day, enjoy

 

[Srdl]

I did the one hour AMG Experience in an E63 a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I won it in a competition but it think the price then was £195.

Brooklands Museum is always worth a visit too.

^Ditto re Brooklands.

 

[nicholas15]

Last year did the 1/2 hour MB experience in an SL - covered ABS wet and dry stopping, skid pan and circuits for £85. Not the brute power of AMG but a good introductory overview. Instructor was flexible about what we covered so I went for the braod range. Next time I personally would focus on circuits but skid pan was certainly entertaining.

 

[weds]

AMG passenger ride, 15mins for £30 is good fun, certainly shows the handling and power of the AMG saloon/Estate cars

 

[PovertySpec]

AMG passenger ride, 15mins for £30 is good fun

That's what I'm considering, a 15 minute hoon then some more interesting/useful stuff like the skid pan.

Holding a skid with opposite lock in an auto with TC? Never done that, might come in handy now I've abandoned manual boxes for good

 

[Wighty]

That's what I'm considering, a 15 minute hoon then some more interesting/useful stuff like the skid pan.

Holding a skid with opposite lock in an auto with TC? Never done that, might come in handy now I've abandoned manual boxes for good

It won't come in handy , because on the road you will have hit the kerb/crash barrier/lampost before you have said the words "off gas , steer "

 

[Srdl]

That's what I'm considering, a 15 minute hoon then some more interesting/useful stuff like the skid pan.

Holding a skid with opposite lock in an auto with TC? Never done that, might come in handy now I've abandoned manual boxes for good

On the one hour drive you get to hold a skid with opposite lock without the TC - now that was interesting in an E63! I spent so much time spinning in circles that I felt quite motion sick by the end - and I never feel car sick why I'm driving.

 

[LostKiwi]

You can't hold a slide with TC on... thats the point of TC.
(At least on road cars).

 

[Alex M Grieve]

You can't hold a slide with TC on... thats the point of TC.
(At least on road cars).

Indeed Alastair and, in spite of what Clarkson, Nedell and others get up to going sideways, with TC is quicker than without.

Alex

 

[LostKiwi]

Indeed Alastair and, in spite of what Clarkson, Nedell and others get up to going sideways, with TC is quicker than without.

Alex

Except on gravel or snow.....

 

[Frosty149]

My traction control did zip on an oily roundabout- lots of sideways

 

[Hi RX7]

I did the 4 hour hour session in the SL63 (although it is no longer offered) It couldn't have been better for me as it was absolutely pouring with rain, I wanted to learn the handling characteristics of the car and my ability to handle the car in extreme conditions and speeds.
Spent most of the time on the two tracks trying various TC control settings. I did the skid pan but preferred and requested to spend more time on the track. All in all I learnt a great deal on the course, the instructor was top notch and I drove the car at speeds you wouldn't dare on the roads but it did give me a good insight into the SL63's abilities and my own abilities too. If I had driven my SL63 in a similar manner I'm sure I'd have used enough fuel and worn the tyres sufficiently to more than pay for the course so the excellent instruction was free so to speak. I'd recommend any of the AMG driving courses held at Brooklands.

 

[LostKiwi]

My traction control did zip on an oily roundabout- lots of sideways

My Smart did that - but the TC/ESP gathered it up very very quickly!

 

[PovertySpec]

You can't hold a slide with TC on... thats the point of TC.
(At least on road cars).

I meant to type TC off... obv. And ESP/TC isn't infallible, I've had it banging and slipping a few times in the wet