[mcsquared]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Well, it's been a couple of crazy days. Flight delays, road closures, lack of sleep, etc. After it all, I was finally able to pick up my car.

Thanks to Higgy_CSL and the folks at BMW of Chattanooga for stickin' around so that I could pick it up this past Friday as scheduled (even though my flight was late)! Professional and nice people all around. Inside joke between Chris (the finance manager) and I, but, I didn't manage to get a free hat!

I slept a short few hours after pickup, after arriving really late at night to a random airbnb (nice accommodations, btw) in the middle of nowhere. After I woke up, it was time to top up on gas (Shell was close), and head on to the Tail of the Dragon.

Drove the infamous Rt 129 to Robbinsville. From Robbinsville, took Rt 143 East towards Tellico Plains. As I approached Tellico Plains, Rt 165 was closed. Real Bummer! So, I had to back track all the way back to Robbinsville since there was no service, and I had no paper maps. I was, by this point, hungry, tired and way off schedule. Yet, I was excited and happy to do the reverse drive.

Finally, made it to Robbinsville the second time around. Ate some food, took a break, and finally made my way to I-26 South via Rt 74 East. I rather dislike I-26 due to all the construction but I was just happy to be 7-8 hours away from home and to have cell service again! The small things, you know!

All in all, aside from the folks at the dealership, a special thanks to the M engineers and factory workers that make these machines possible. I had a blast driving through the mountains, met some new people along the way (young and old), and put a bunch of break in miles on the car whilst learning it's capabilities/functions. Still have a long way to go for learning all the iD8 has to offer.

As a first time BMW owner, I'm glad I picked the M3 with a 6 m/t in SSG! I truly enjoyed my drive home...and finally made it back around 1 a.m. last night. I immediately passed out once my head hit the pillow.

Thanks for checkin' out my story. For those of you that live near the TOTD, I envy you!

Oh, and this thread would be worthless without pics. I have yet to name him, but, I'll figure it out soon enough.

[BzsBimmer]

TOTD is definitely on my bucket list. Congrats on being a BMW owner, and a M at that.

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

TOTD is definitely on my bucket list. Congrats on being a BMW owner, and a M at that.

Thank you, sir! Cheers!

[Needsdecaf]

Great adventure, hope you enjoyed despite the stress!

That area is amazing. I grew up in the Hudson River Valley north of NYC and the Blue Ridge Mountains are fantastic and remind me of where I grew up. I was lucky enough to drive it once, when I purchased a 991.1 Carrera S in North Carolina and drove back to Texas with my best friend from College. Was a fantastic adventure, and those roads are just sublime.



Enjoy the new ride!

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Great adventure, hope you enjoyed despite the stress!

That area is amazing. I grew up in the Hudson River Valley north of NYC and the Blue Ridge Mountains are fantastic and remind me of where I grew up. I was lucky enough to drive it once, when I purchased a 991.1 Carrera S in North Carolina and drove back to Texas with my best friend from College. Was a fantastic adventure, and those roads are just sublime.



Enjoy the new ride!

Thank you, Sir! Indeed, it was a blast! Looks like you had some fun, too! I’ll definitely go back, some day, and stay closer so that I can enjoy the drive for a couple of days.

For now, I’m just elated that I have a car with 3 pedals again!

[yaymitch]

TOTD is amazing. Drove my M2CS from Houston to Philly to pick up the new G80 and did TOTD on the way in the M2, so much fun and definitely worth the trip. Shipped the new one back but hope to make the trip again and drive some other roads in that area.

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

TOTD is amazing. Drove my M2CS from Houston to Philly to pick new G80 and did TOTD on the way in the M2, so much fun and definitely worth the trip. Shipped the new one back but hope to make the trip again and drive some other roads in that area.

Awesome! I’m sure the M2CS handled those curves really well! I was running with a guy in a Miata for quite a while, before I stopped to take some pics. Was fun, just gotta watch out for the bikers that take tight turns near the double yellow’s. Regardless, I would recommend it to anyone, as it’s a great driving experience.

[mcsquared]

Another pic. somewhere along the way.

[cfm56d7b]

Gorgeous build. Congratulations!

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Gorgeous build. Congratulations!

Thank you! Cheers!

[BackOnBlack]

I really enjoy the stories people post, like yours; rather than read a bunch of silly comparisons and arguments over trivial stuff. Thank you for this story, enjoy the car for a long time to come.

[Tobstertx3]

Great reading this, makes those of us who are still waiting that more impatient! Lol

[mcsquared]

Thank you gents! I left some more detailed thoughts in the build week thread about the overall experience. Somewhere around post 500+, in that thread - https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...023707&page=24

It truly was a memorable drive, one that I plan to do again sometime, and hopefully for years to come. The car truly is a great canyon carver, despite it’s weight, but the power totally makes up for it. Unless of course it was in the wrong gear for the task (user error/learning the car).

Appreciate your sentiments…and I hope your car(s) get here soon! I am sure, like most, you’ll love them. Even in stock form, as I do.

[mcsquared]

And another picture from the trip home. I do wish, sometimes, that I lived in/closer to the mountains. :/

[Orjan]

SSG and bi-color wheel looks amazing!

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Orjan

SSG and bi-color wheel looks amazing!

Thanks! I agree!