[Golfn]

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It was a weekend to remember as we finally got to do the Tail of the Dragon in the 2023 50th Jahre Anniversary xDrive M3. Just passed the break in period before the trip and the M3 Comp xDrive handled absolutely perfect!

The Annual BMW Mvading meet up was going on all weekend, but we only did Saturday afternoon on the dragon. Saw lots of other awesome BMWs, Porsches, and motorcycles. Photography credit Killboy Photography and picked up a few signs/maps at Tail of the Dragon Shop

[Golfn]

More Photos

[Golfn]

Last few photos

[Aalfred]

Looks great and the car looks stunning. The event was sold out when I looked. Is it possible to just the drive without the event and still be able to enjoy this. I also dont want to drive for 2 days as Id be driving 14 hrs to get to the Tail of the Dragon.

[Golfn]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Looks great and the car looks stunning. The event was sold out when I looked. Is it possible to just the drive without the event and still be able to enjoy this. I also dont want to drive for 2 days as Id be driving 14 hrs to get to the Tail of the Dragon.

Yeah I agree and why I chose to do just Saturday on the Dragon and we passed plenty of other BMWs throughout the day. I am within NC so not too far away so I can swing by during the afternoon.

However if you wanted to do the entire weekend the BMW Mvading meet/tour sounds like a blast, and they send out itinerary via email to registered participants/take you on other roads that might not be well known to others. I've heard they take you on some very fun roads that some people say is better than the Dragon itself! Either way it was a blast on your own or with the group

You can certainly drive as much or as little as you'd like!

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by OutGolfn

Yeah I agree and why I chose to do just Saturday on the Dragon and we passed plenty of other BMWs throughout the day. I am within NC so not too far away so I can swing by during the afternoon.

However if you wanted to do the entire weekend the BMW Mvading meet/tour sounds like a blast, and they send out itinerary via email to registered participants/take you on other roads that might not be well known to others. I've heard they take you on some very fun roads that some people say is better than the Dragon itself! Either way it was a blast on your own or with the group

You can certainly drive as much or as little as you'd like!

Thanks. So did you just picked a day and drove it on your own schedule or did you sign up for the Mvading event?

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Thanks. So did you just picked a day and drove it on your own schedule or did you sign up for the Mvading event?

Just use the map above and set your own route. Avoiding the Dragon unless super early will be good to avoid traffic.

So many good roads in the area! Take a trip in the fall. STUNNING.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Just use the map above and set your own route. Avoiding the Dragon unless super early will be good to avoid traffic.

So many good roads in the area! Take a trip in the fall. STUNNING.

Thanks. Thats what I was planning to do. Visit the smokies in the fall. Rent a cabin near Gatlinburg and drop off the wife and kids and take my M for a ride for half a day or so. That way I can keep both my family and my M happy...lol: dance:

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by OutGolfn

It was a weekend to remember as we finally got to do the Tail of the Dragon in the 2023 50th Jahre Anniversary xDrive M3. Just passed the break in period before the trip and the M3 Comp xDrive handled absolutely perfect!

The Annual BMW Mvading meet up was going on all weekend, but we only did Saturday afternoon on the dragon. Saw lots of other awesome BMWs, Porsches, and motorcycles. Photography credit Killboy Photography and picked up a few signs/maps at Tail of the Dragon Shop

Car looks beautiful and at home there.

[Golfn]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Thanks. So did you just picked a day and drove it on your own schedule or did you sign up for the Mvading event?

Just drove up on my own schedule for Saturday afternoon. The weather was great in the afternoon so lots of drivers were out. The dragon and nearby roads have all kinds of vehicles from classics, to modern and lots of motorcycles.

You certainly do not need to do/join the BMW Mvading meet/tour, unless you wanted to do all three days of driving and wanted a group to hang out with during the drives. It's probably worth it if you are coming from far away for the coordination and meet ups.

For us we are not too far away, so we had flexibility and just planned out own route and day. Lots of Porsches and motorcycles among the BMWs

[GOLFFRR]

thats awesome! Nice posts

[mcsquared]

Nice!

Curious, but, would this be wise to do with a car that is new, and not broken in?

I ask because I’ll be picking up a car in TN and driving back to FL in the fall. I won’t be driving it like I stole it, but, moreso learning a new platform (for me) which is RWD. So, figured I’d ask.

[Golfn]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Nice!

Curious, but, would this be wise to do with a car that is new, and not broken in?

I ask because I’ll be picking up a car in TN and driving back to FL in the fall. I won’t be driving it like I stole it, but, moreso learning a new platform (for me) which is RWD. So, figured I’d ask.

Definitely it's a beautiful area of roads and people take the Dragon head on or casually. Totally up to you. Perfect way to rack up the miles towards your break in period without pushing it hard.

It would certainly be worth your time, even just cruising through and experiencing the handling of your new car. No need to push it hard, just enjoy the roads and the BMW handling. If you luck out with the weather the surrounding areas are very nice during spring, summer and Fall. Enjoy!

[mcsquared]

^^Great to know! Thanks for the insight!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Thanks. Thats what I was planning to do. Visit the smokies in the fall. Rent a cabin near Gatlinburg and drop off the wife and kids and take my M for a ride for half a day or so. That way I can keep both my family and my M happy...lol: dance:

I think it's too late to get Money2536 's Destination Obsessed Garage, but you're gonna want to check it out....

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/pages...bsessed-garage

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by OutGolfn

Definitely it's a beautiful area of roads and people take the Dragon head on or casually. Totally up to you. Perfect way to rack up the miles towards your break in period without pushing it hard.

It would certainly be worth your time, even just cruising through and experiencing the handling of your new car. No need to push it hard, just enjoy the roads and the BMW handling. If you luck out with the weather the surrounding areas are very nice during spring, summer and Fall. Enjoy!

Agree 100%. Just short shift and don't give it more than 70-80% throttle. Actually the constant on / off throttle and some moderately hard acceleration is way better than just straight cruising. The shift from accel to decel and the temperature swings will bed things better.

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Agree 100%. Just short shift and don't give it more than 70-80% throttle. Actually the constant on / off throttle and some moderately hard acceleration is way better than just straight cruising. The shift from accel to decel and the temperature swings will bed things better.

Sounds like a plan to me. I did that with my previous STi, even though it wasn’t in the mountains. I’m pretty sure it’ll be a fun ride home which I could do in a day, but will possibly span over two just for the sheer driving/learning experience. Some of which lots of people don’t do these days. Guess I’m gettin’ old!

[The_M6]

I was part of the ///MVading the Dragon group last weekend. These roads are made for BMWs! It would've been cool to see the Jahre in person.

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Thanks. Thats what I was planning to do. Visit the smokies in the fall. Rent a cabin near Gatlinburg and drop off the wife and kids and take my M for a ride for half a day or so. That way I can keep both my family and my M happy...lol: dance:

You gotta go! It’s way better to go on your own during the week early in the day. Too many “professional race drivers” on the weekends and at a lot of the events. I made the drive from Chicago and I would do it again anytime.

Sorry for the hijack. OP awesome pics and great color! The Dragon really just brings a smile to your face when driving it with a fun car.

[hufington]

Sounds like a great event. Kudos to the organizers and participants. I'm hoping to join a couple of similar events here in the Northeast if I can find any. OP, your car looks great.

[xeroneone]

Nice nice colour, no carbon at all?

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by IcewaterPete

You gotta go! It’s way better to go on your own during the week early in the day. Too many “professional race drivers” on the weekends and at a lot of the events. I made the drive from Chicago and I would do it again anytime.

Sorry for the hijack. OP awesome pics and great color! The Dragon really just brings a smile to your face when driving it with a fun car.

Thank you. I was hoping to drive down to on a wed and come back by Sunday. Need to get the logistics right with driving 11 hrs with 2 kids and turning around and coming back lol