[vj123]

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A group of friends have been thinking about a fun road trip to Tail of the Dragon for a while and it finally happened a few weeks ago. This was one heck of a trip and will be right at the top as one of my best road trips. We drove along roads around Smoky mountains for two days. Since all of us drove anywhere between 9-12 hours for this meet, we factored one day before and after to reach our destination.

This meet had performance vehicles, amazing roads and great weather. It was fun as everyone had bought their vehicles within the last year and were trying to explore the capabilities of their vehicles. We had right amount of driving on both days with planned breaks. Except very few occasions, most roads had minimal or zero traffic which was a big plus. We stayed as a group for the most part and it was fun communicating with walkie talkie. Switching cars gave us a taste of each other's vehicles as well.

I was glad that my 1200 mile break-in service was completed before this trip, this way I could push the vehicle without second thoughts. It munched highway miles and also twisty mountain roads like a champ. I had zero traction issues while pushing the vehicle in wet conditions even though I have the RWD version.

This trip was mapped around Tail of the Dragon and I was glad to drive the M3 through Tail of the Dragon 7 times and also under different conditions (sprint, eco run, sunny, cloudy, wet and night). I have driven vehicles in the track for work and also few other times with my GTI. Driving the M3 in those twisty mountain roads was a totally different experience and travelling as a group just made everything even better.

On a lighter note, I am glad that my M3 did not have the biggest front grille during this meet (thank you Genesis). Here are some pictures from the drive.

Each vehicle from the group were one of a kind



















More of the M3







Highlights from Tail of the dragon

[ChargerHellcat]

Wow what a fantastic journey. Were all these your friends? Or car clubs? All the car guys around us are into showing off their lambos and keeping their mileage down. Would love to do this trip once in my life. Thanks for sharing.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by ChargerHellcat

Wow what a fantastic journey. Were all these your friends? Or car clubs? All the car guys around us are into showing off their lambos and keeping their mileage down. Would love to do this trip once in my life. Thanks for sharing.

We are a group of friends and it was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Everything was almost perfect (especially with weather and traffic) and not sure if we will be able to recreate it again. I wish we had similar roads in the MidWest.

[Vinnrox250]

What a trip!!! The Tail of the Dragon is a good time!! Have been there once while staying in Fontana. When I went it was Honda S2K invasions. Super fun road to really test the limits on your car. That is awesome you and your friends were able to do the trip. Sounds like a good group of people! Hope you and your group get to do this more often. I love these kinds of write-ups. Hope to be able to do the same someday when mine gets in!! And beautiful car!

[vj123]

Originally Posted by Vinnrox250

What a trip!!! The Tail of the Dragon is a good time!! Have been there once while staying in Fontana. When I went it was Honda S2K invasions. Super fun road to really test the limits on your car. That is awesome you and your friends were able to do the trip. Sounds like a good group of people! Hope you and your group get to do this more often. I love these kinds of write-ups. Hope to be able to do the same someday when mine gets in!! And beautiful car!

Thank you. You would have had a blast with the Honda group and good luck with your order.

Since i was with family during my previous NC trips, i wasnt able to explore these things. Also having the right vehicle matters. This whole trip was around driving and it ended up being memorable. All of us met through another forum several years ago and they are a great bunch of guys. Our past meets have been in the MidWest and we are hoping to explore new roads in the future.

[GaoKS]

Having lived in NC - some of the most beautiful roads in the country. Very jealous, great story and beautiful ride!!

[Nick71692]

That's awesome! 2nd to last pic I snagged for my desktop background, well done!

[Vinnrox250]

Originally Posted by vj123

Thank you. You would have had a blast with the Honda group and good luck with your order.

Since i was with family during my previous NC trips, i wasnt able to explore these things. Also having the right vehicle matters. This whole trip was around driving and it ended up being memorable. All of us met through another forum several years ago and they are a great bunch of guys. Our past meets have been in the MidWest and we are hoping to explore new roads in the future.

You're welcome! And was a good time!!! Thank you, finally have my allocation, and production is scheduled. Genius said week 31 so will see how this goes..

Ya, if you go to NC and cannot experience the Dragon, you have to go back! Most don't, glad you and your friends and your new car got the chance!! Killer memory for sure. That is really cool how you guys all met, bunch of like minded, car loving people always equals a good time. As you guys explore, share here. There are some awesome write-ups about trips on these forums. My F150 forums are boringgggg.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by GaoKS

Having lived in NC - some of the most beautiful roads in the country. Very jealous, great story and beautiful ride!!

If i have to relocate, NC and TN would be my top picks for the roads, area and people!

Originally Posted by Nick71692

That's awesome! 2nd to last pic I snagged for my desktop background, well done!

It was really tough to zero in these pictures from 3 different photographers and multiple ToD runs. I am glad that how they came out.

Originally Posted by Vinnrox250

That is really cool how you guys all met, bunch of like minded, car loving people always equals a good time. As you guys explore, share here. There are some awesome write-ups about trips on these forums.

Hopefully my first G80 trip summary and many more to come.

[nearwater4me]

The Smokies is a lot of fun driving through! Glad you had a great time!
I lived in Knoxville for short period of time and the night drive through the mountains from Gatlinburg to Cherokee was always fun.

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by Vinnrox250

What a trip!!! The Tail of the Dragon is a good time!! Have been there once while staying in Fontana. When I went it was Honda S2K invasions. Super fun road to really test the limits on your car. That is awesome you and your friends were able to do the trip. Sounds like a good group of people! Hope you and your group get to do this more often. I love these kinds of write-ups. Hope to be able to do the same someday when mine gets in!! And beautiful car!

Funny!
Last time I was at the Tail of the Dragon was at an S2ki meet, back in '07 I think.

[W288SH]

Those Michigan plates look nice. Is that the new standard issue or option?

[Vinnrox250]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Funny!
Last time I was at the Tail of the Dragon was at an S2ki meet, back in '07 I think.

I think so, or 2015? I don't remember exactly. But it was a good time!!! Not to get off topic, but crazy how good those cars are still. Aged very well!

[s58]

Great write up and photos! Glad to hear you were out of break in. I did this same trip in May with my Bachelor party, right before selling my Cayman. Side note: I was going to sell the Cayman before the trip but the buyer wanted an oil analysis done, and I had done an oil change 200 miles prior. Blackstone wanted over 1000 miles so I offered to the seller to do this trip to get the miles, and he took me up on it. 1200 miles later and I was glad he did!

If anyone is considering doing this trip I also highly recommend it. AirBnb's in the area are cheap, especially if you're splitting with a few others.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

I lived in Knoxville for short period of time and the night drive through the mountains from Gatlinburg to Cherokee was always fun.

Its an amazing stretch! I enjoyed it better when I drove back home after my PCD last month.

That was the only stretch which dampened our driving spirits during this trip. It was bad this time with plenty of traffic even after the long weekend.

Originally Posted by W288SH

Those Michigan plates look nice. Is that the new standard issue or option?

Its a new standard plate and was added to the catalogue last fall / winter. I believe its the exact same plate from the 60s.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by s58_MT

Great write up and photos! Glad to hear you were out of break in. I did this same trip in May with my Bachelor party, right before selling my Cayman. Side note: I was going to sell the Cayman before the trip but the buyer wanted an oil analysis done, and I had done an oil change 200 miles prior. Blackstone wanted over 1000 miles so I offered to the seller to do this trip to get the miles, and he took me up on it. 1200 miles later and I was glad he did!

Lucky you! You would have had a blast for one last time.

Originally Posted by s58_MT

If anyone is considering doing this trip I also highly recommend it. AirBnb's in the area are cheap, especially if you're splitting with a few others.

True. Our cabin was only available during the days we planned and it was a great place. After we made the reservation, the owner communicated that their friends had booked it originally and cancelled it right before we made our reservation.

[NightWriter]

Epic trip!

[KevinGS]

These trips are what dreams are made of for car enthusiasts. Thanks for sharing.

[The Nerd]

Sounds awesome! Bucket list item!

[W288SH]

I'm genuinely interested in hearing how the X5 handled the tail of the dragon, if it's not too off topic.

[MarineRaider]

I'm sorry but all I was thinking was the guy who rented the 15 year old Mini on Turo finally got an extended test drive in a new M3!

[vj123]

Originally Posted by W288SH

I'm genuinely interested in hearing how the X5 handled the tail of the dragon, if it's not too off topic.

It couldnt catch up with the rest in those twisty roads but made up in the straights. Also the driver was the newest member in the gang.

Originally Posted by MarineRaider

I'm sorry but all I was thinking was the guy who rented the 15 year old Mini on Turo finally got an extended test drive in a new M3!

Hahaha, he did!