[mach45]

I recently purchased a GLA 45 and am loving it. Has anyone attended the AMG Driving Academy and is it worth the $$?

 

[nightscar]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[fatalus]

Very nice in White!! Enjoy

 

[UKGLA AMG]

Looks great in white enjoy your ride, take the first 1000 miles easy then let rip !!!

 

[Tiger]

Congrats! Loving the rear spoiler and black rims! Definitely has a more performance look to it.

 

[4-matic]

The Driving Academy will be worth it, although I haven't been, as with any learning experience, chances are you'll know your vehicle that much better and really discover how far it can be pushed.

 

[mach45]

Thanks for the comments and advice. So glad to see an active forum already. Have owned Audis and Porsches. The GLA seems to attract enthusiasts too which is great. I plan on doing the Laguna Seca academy this year. Cheers!

 

[dtc100]

The Academy is more than worth it. Also join the AMG Private Lounge, so much AMG info there.

 

[4-matic]

The Academy is more than worth it. Also join the AMG Private Lounge, so much AMG info there.

Thanks for that, i'll have to check it out as well.

 

[nightscar]

Looking further into this, seems like purchasing an AMG gets you a free/complimentary day for the Basic Training or credit to the Advance or Pro Training.

There is a 12 month time frame but it cost $1800 and it will be free for me so I might just do the 5 hour drive to do this thing!

If you purchased a new Mercedes-AMG model in the last twelve (12) months, a complimentary seat at any of the Basic Training programs has been reserved for you.

The complimentary program applies to the Basic Training or a credit of $1,795 can be put towards Advanced or Pro training, if prerequisites are met. The complimentary program is non-transferable, and is valid for one year after the purchaser takes ownership of a new AMG vehicle. All AMG vehicles used throughout the program are provided by AMG Driving Academy.

If there is a track near you, I don't know why you would even pass up the opportunity to toss around a bunch of AMG cars at the track at no cost.

Not to mention reading these from the FAQ > :

What cars will I be able to drive at AMG Driving Academy?
Regardless of the program level, you’ll have the opportunity to drive several cars in the current Mercedes- AMG line-up including:

AMG GT S
AMG SL63
AMG CLS63 S-MODEL 4MATIC
AMG E63
C63 AMG EDITION 507
AMG CLA45

Am I liable for vehicle damage that may occur during the event?

No.

 

[EZJeff]

Wow I did not know about this AMG Academy. I'm picking up my GLA 45 AMG in Europe in less than a month and I live at a driving distance from Laguna Seca so I will definitely register at least for the free basic program. I see the dates are in October and November.

 

[Doc Steel]

I am going out to Laguna Seca in October. You have to do it within 1 year of purchase date. I will report back on how it went.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[nightscar]

Wow I did not know about this AMG Academy. I'm picking up my GLA 45 AMG in Europe in less than a month and I live at a driving distance from Laguna Seca so I will definitely register at least for the free basic program. I see the dates are in October and November.

Please post your experience with the European delivery, it's one thing I really need to do sometime in my lifetime. I just never ever order my vehicles and usually go by what's on the lot (luckily I find one I like w/ what I need on the lots) plus I am pretty inpatient but one of these days I got to try and deal with the wait and do it.

 

[notgiven1]

I did the free day at Laguna Seca. Lots of different AMG cars including SLS. Lots of track time. Also had skid pad, drag race, slalom, and autocross contest. Was a great perk and well worth the drive out.

 

[AMGz]

Slalom test are the best, especially for a vehicle like this as it helps to define a natural weak point, body roll, and to see how bad or good it does in that area.

It's something I think more people should try out with the GLA.

 

[nightscar]

Sadly I don't think the GLA45 is part of the car line-up they have so I won't be able to test the limit of my car in October (when I plan to sign-up) but the CLA45 should be available for the slalom course if I read the other reports.


There is one tomorrow iirc, I remember checking when this thread first popped up and there was an opening for the end of this month but I didn't know we get a free one yet so I didn't sign up.

 

[notgiven1]

When I was at Laguna Seca recently, CLA45 was used specifically for auto-cross.

Slalom and drag race were run together with the same cars. I think first car used was C63, second was definitely an E. I was not crazy about the E-series, but perhaps it was just the back-to-back.

It was wet when I was there and, as the only AWD, the CLA45 was an interesting comparison. Less horsepower but significantly better grip. SLS was for track only and you had to be very careful accelerating out of the turns.

 

[Cleve Hardman]

December in Austin

I've signed up for the one-day basic academy at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin for December 12th. Hope to see other GLA 45 AMG owners in the group even though it appears the GLA will not be in the vehicle lineup.

 

[AMGz]

By the way, about the academy, I think techs are allowed to go through it or something similar.
So if you guys want someones opinion of it, asking a tech might be worth the effort.

 

[forshack]

I just recently attended the Academy in Melbourne Australia, courtesy of the dealership. I found it quite rewarding. Most important thing is that you are taken through all the safety features the vehicle has how they function in emergency situations. It was not about speed but more about learning how to respond to an emergency situation. I was able to exercise high speed emergency stops from 100ks, emergency stops and avoidance and skid control. Its the sort of opportunity that allows you to push a vehicle quite hard without it being your own. Best part is that my GLA has exactly the same safety goodies the cars I drove had. I as able to push those cars to the edge and understand how an MB vehicle will behave without "thrashing" my own to the limit.
I would recommend it. Most drivers don't do track days let alone can afford the time and cost. We tend to drive around in traffic and don't get to really know what our cars are cable of doing until we thrown into an emergency situation. At least I know what is supposed to happen if i plant my foot into the brake. Awesome survival tech.