[beden1]

Thanks for the pictures. After flying to Maryland to pick up my M4 Competition Coupe (still hanging out at the port in Germany), I'm planning to hit some of these same roads while first going to visit my daughter in Alabama, and then over the Blue Ridge Mountains during my travels back to South Florida. I figure it will take about 3-4 days to cover the roads I'd like to travel, or at least that's what I'm allowing myself while planning the trip. I'm really looking forward to it!

[vj123]

Originally Posted by beden1

Thanks for the pictures. After flying to Maryland to pick up my M4 Competition Coupe (still hanging out at the port in Germany), I'm planning to hit some of these same roads while first going to visit my daughter in Alabama, and then over the Blue Ridge Mountains during my travels back to South Florida. I figure it will take about 3-4 days to cover the roads I'd like to travel, or at least that's what I'm allowing myself while planning the trip. I'm really looking forward to it!

It should be a great trip to get those break in miles. Also that time frame should give you plenty of time to cover these beautiful roads in a leisured pace.

[la02max]

Awesome trip, and so great that you were able to do it with friends! Back in 2016, I detoured to the Tail on my way home to Louisiana from Upstate NY in my F30 335 and had an absolute blast! I'll definitely do the same drive again in my G80!

[vj123]

Excerpts from people who drove the G80

BMW X3 M40i owner:
We stopped at the 129Hub cafe for quick lunch and the drive to that place was memorable for me especially, because I drove the M3 Competition and man I fell in love with this beast. Thanks to vj123 for letting me drive his car. May be he was trying to make me a prospect of this beauty.

Genesis G70 with the 3.3t owner: (Past ride was Mazda ND2 Miata)
Oh my! Words can’t explain how much power this beast has. This was the most powerful car I’ve ever driven and thanks to vj123 for letting me experience it. The power is so much that even a 10% throttle is enough to put you above speed limits on those roads. I was only feathering the throttle and even that is enough to carry so much speed into those corners. And the grip was excellent, it felt like I could’ve taken those corners at any speed I wanted. I double checked with vj123 to confirm that it’s RWD. It grips so well in those tight corners, it felt like an AWD. The exhaust note was intoxicating too. I know the front end design has got mixed opinions. But looking at it in person, it looks great and the DRLs give the car an angry look. The metallic gray color suits the car very well and make the aggressive design lines pop.

Mercedes GLC owner: (Past ride was BMW M340i)
Now I know what is the whole gaga about the M3. Worth every penny. My respect to the engineering behind this car just went up several notches. Salute. Deadly grip, never felt like an RWD.

Mini Cooper S owner: (Had an previous gen BMWs in the past)
I call it the James Bond car…so effortless in everything it does….acceleration, braking, grip…..I think I pushed it to probably 40% of its capability. A walk in the park for it. You have be on a proper F1 level track to reach the limits of this car

[emargul]

Wow what an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!

Is your M3 Brooklyn Grey or Skyscraper Grey?

[vj123]

Originally Posted by emargul

Is your M3 Brooklyn Grey or Skyscraper Grey?

Its a BG.

[Mani59]

Thanks for sharing your amazing trip!

[NB43Z]

Awesome write up & photos! Looks like an absolute blast. I also have a G80 M3 (6MT) in BG and would love to take it out to the Dragon soon.

[KevinGS]

In 2023, consider going back to the Tail for this annual 3-day event: https://www.mvadingthedragon.com/

Or attend one of his monthly, non-car-specific, one-day events:
https://www.smokymountaindrives.com/

[FrozenGT]

are you part of BMW CCA?

[vj123]

Originally Posted by NB43Z

I also have a G80 M3 (6MT) in BG and would love to take it out to the Dragon soon.

It would be a blast!

Originally Posted by KevinGS

In 2023, consider going back to the Tail for this annual 3-day event: https://www.mvadingthedragon.com/

Mvading is right at the top on my to do list.

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

are you part of BMW CCA?

Yes, I am a CCA member.

[OrlandoAUTOwerks]

Proper break-in !

[BenF87M2]

Me and a group of close buddies are doing this same trip and looks like we're staying at the same cabin the end of August lol. I'm also from Michigan and can attest that this definitely is an incredible time. We try to go every year. Covid definitely made things difficult for the past 2 years so glad to be going back! Love the G80 and thanks for sharing. Looking to explore the roads around the tail this time as rumor is they are more fun than the tail itself

[vj123]

Originally Posted by BenF87M2

Me and a group of close buddies are doing this same trip and looks like we're staying at the same cabin the end of August lol. I'm also from Michigan and can attest that this definitely is an incredible time. We try to go every year. Covid definitely made things difficult for the past 2 years so glad to be going back! Love the G80 and thanks for sharing. Looking to explore the roads around the tail this time as rumor is they are more fun than the tail itself

It was a great cabin and we enjoyed the stay. ToD was fun but we had even more fun along the other roads in the area and you will have a blast. Do share some pictures after your trip!

[hokejka]

I see only 2 performance vehicles heheh

Dragon was one of my favorite roads ive ever been on. Such tight turns is driving perfection

How hard were you able to push it?

Any comparisons to other cars youve owned. Im looking at g80 vs upcoming g87.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by hokejka

I see only 2 performance vehicles heheh

Dragon was one of my favorite roads ive ever been on. Such tight turns is driving perfection

How hard were you able to push it?

Any comparisons to other cars youve owned. Im looking at g80 vs upcoming g87.

Lol. Those two hatches excelled in twisty roads and were more fun and it was a little hard for the powerful vehicles to catch up. X3M40i and G70 caught up with the most part. I have done some track days in the past but driving in those roads as a convoy was more fun especially with known likeminded people.

With very little or no traffic in most of the roads, i was able to push hard the G80 for the most part. Some vehicles had smoking tires and brakes when we took breaks.

I have owned vehicles across brands - Audi, Dodge, Honda, VW in the past decade. Noteable vehicles for these roads might have been the B8.5 A4, MK7 and MK7.5 GTI. I had a F87 on order last year and ended up cancelling it as it was too small for my liking and needs.

A4 manual would have faired well. I would have enjoyed more in the twisties with MK7s but it would have been underpowered in long sweepers. F87 would have been perfect for these roads and I might have enjoyed more than the G80.

[cfm56d7b]

It's even difficult to find the right adjective to describe this journey. Would love to be in the position to join the "let's do again" trip.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

It's even difficult to find the right adjective to describe this journey. Would love to be in the position to join the "let's do again" trip.

Why don't we just plan a weekend for a G8X Meet & Drive at the Tail in 2023?

[DMD]

Here's another Michigander who loves those same roads.

A few friends and mine drive from different parts of the country to meet and drive those same roads for a few days every year.

Thanks for sharing your trip.

I'm behind on sharing mine from a couple of months ago.

I'm in Detroit metro and have only seen a couple G8X.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by DMD

Here's another Michigander who loves those same roads.

A few friends and mine drive from different parts of the country to meet and drive those same roads for a few days every year.

Thanks for sharing your trip.

I'm behind on sharing mine from a couple of months ago.

I'm in Detroit metro and have only seen a couple G8X.

Nice to see a fellow member from the area and which part of the city are you from. In the past two years, i have seen a handful in the area: G80 in Troy, IOMG G80 in Rochester and BG G82 in Macomb.

Looking forward to your trip update as well.

[DMD]

Originally Posted by vj123

Nice to see a fellow member from the area and which part of the city are you from. In the past two years, i have seen a handful in the area: G80 in Troy, IOMG G80 in Rochester and BG G82 in Macomb.

Looking forward to your trip update as well.

Plymouth here.

[xXMPowerXx]

Epic trip and epic thread!

Thanks for sharing good sir!!!