Z4 at the Dragon

richard in NC · 10-10-2009, 10:06 PM

I'm doing a week long vacation with the Z4. We (18 folks), mostly from all around the south east US are staying in Gatlinburg for 5 days. We drive the Tail of the Dragon in the mornings and do other scenic drives as well. The weather isn't great to start but it's supposed to get better. Here are a few shots of the Z4 on the way in....

erichui · 10-10-2009, 10:33 PM

nice ride

I like 1st shot the most

adamcb · 10-11-2009, 11:02 AM

Super-nice pics! Glad to see the leaves changing up there. They're barely starting to change here in Atlanta - too much rain, I guess.

I've gotta get up there in my new 3.5!

Adam

Vintage · 10-11-2009, 12:18 PM

beautiful car - amazing scenary

jannisa · 10-11-2009, 04:42 PM

I love your 1st picture the most. I haven't seen anywhere our car via that angle. Just amazing. Sooooo sexy.

GuyOh · 10-11-2009, 04:50 PM

i love the angle of the 1st pic, car looks sooo nice!

yabbanoname · 10-12-2009, 01:34 PM

Look out for killboy.com

Jason · 10-13-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erichui

nice ride

I like 1st shot the most

Me too! That's one of my favorite angles on the E89 Z4

richard in NC · 10-14-2009, 10:55 AM

We finally had a dry day on the Tail of the Dragon. I can now say I like the way the Z4 handles. I tried Sport and Sport+. I actually preferred Sport. I could still punch it and rotate the car a bit on corner exits. Although I rarely needed DSC to come on and correct anything.

Here are a few more pics of the car and area. We had 18 people in 12 BMWs from 335i's to M3s to M6 'verts.

clwwong · 10-14-2009, 11:16 AM

nice pics!

richard in NC · 10-23-2009, 07:03 PM

I hadn't posted the final report card of my trip: It was 9 days of vacation (7 in the rain), 1600 miles, and 23 mpg (much of it hard driving, only 1/2 was interstate cruising).

The good: I've become "one" with the car and really like its balance and feel. 3180 curves (10 runs on the Tail of the Dragon) gives plenty of practice! Sport mode seemed perfect for any smooth twisty road. It even allows just enough power oversteer to balance the car on corner exit. Sport+ seems to take you to a "twitchy" level where one must really be careful. I used Sport mode in the wet and had no issues what so ever. I did notice some understeer and roll-over of the left front tire but had too low of tire pressure for what I was doing to the car and later corrected that. I had plenty of comfort for a 250 mile or longer trip. It wasn't tiring at all, even in the rain most of the way. It was cold enough I made use of the heated seats and wheel several mornings.

The bad: The weather allowed only 2-3 drives with the top down. I really wanted to enjoy wide open mountain scenery but couldn't. The minimal storage was a problem. Just for myself, I packed the car to the gills with a large suitcase, a backpack, lots of camera and video gear, lots of food, beverages (beer, wine, & bottled water) and more. i had some stuff on the front floor and front seat.

Almost Ugly: I picked up Mocha Latta's to go for friends and fortunately thought to put the carrier on the passenger floor. I had to hit the brakes hard and 3 flipped over and spilled onto the black floor mat. Fortunately the tops stayed on but it took a 1/2 roll of paper towels to soak most of the spill up. I then used a kitchen sink to rinse the mat and scrubbed it out until it no longer flowed brown. Propped up over a furnance vent over night then dried it out. Thank goodness it didn't spill on the ivory white seats, etc.

Here are some pics of the car on the 'Dragon"http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...4&po=4&pc=1968 and here http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...&po=20&pc=2506

EDIT: Here is the best one! http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...po=104&pc=2506

Vintage · 10-23-2009, 09:03 PM

thanks for the report and what a great picture - you must have really been pushing the Z4

teagueAMX · 10-23-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard in NC

Here are some pics of the car on the 'Dragon"http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...4&po=4&pc=1968

Hey richard, were you pushing the Z hard in this photo? I'm curious if I'm seeing the understeer you mention with the rear tire lagged a bit in the turn.

Are you a professional photographer and are you selling your photos? The photos of your Z all seem to have a watermark "Proof".

BTW, you photos are great. Love to see you post some more. The colors of the country side and the buildings are a beautiful backdrop for your Z! Very nice framing as well.

richard in NC · 10-24-2009, 08:55 AM

The proof photos in the links above are from pros that take pics along side the road at the Tail of the Dragon. It's a haven for motorcycles and sports car clubs, especially on weekends. See http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ for some of the craziness.

This past week was my 7th trip there in 4 years. I meet up with folks from all over the eastern US. We had folks from Chicago, Mississippi, Florida, and lots from Georgia, and NC. I have now done 46 runs on it and know the road pretty well. I believe I was on the edge in the last pic. I don't recall if I had understeer at turn in but for one of the photogs I punched it on turn exit hard enough for the DSC light to flash. I don't see that in any pics online.

The second part of the trip was to Fayette, WV, at the New River Gorge Bridge, a 3300ft bridge 876 ft over the New River. Bridge Day allows base jumping and rappelling off the bridge. See http://www.876ft.com/ I just took pics, no jumps.

Despite the weather, I did get some decent pics. Here are a few more.

Vintage · 10-24-2009, 09:20 AM

the pictures are inspiring - thanks for sharing

bavarian19 · 10-24-2009, 10:35 AM

teagueAMX · 10-24-2009, 10:36 AM

Hey richard in NC, the pic is your Z, right? I absolutely love this image.

It's so poetic to see the Z going down the road in that countryside setting - right where I want to be!

.

teagueAMX · 10-24-2009, 10:42 AM

Talk about a blatant disregard for the LAW!

.

jannisa · 10-24-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Hey richard in NC, the pic is your Z, right? I absolutely love this image.

It's so poetic to see the Z going down the road in that countryside setting - right where I want to be!

.

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1256398447

Hmmmm, sorry for the not-so-poetic comment but this photo reminds me of photos I take after a nice piss-pit-stop up on the mountains. Inspiring... Again congrats on the great photography.

BarbeRouge · 10-24-2009, 12:10 PM

Great pics. I love the east coast in the fall...nice cars too

richard in NC · 10-24-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Talk about a blatant disregard for the LAW!

.

Bridgeday is the one time of the year its legal. Its one of the few times and places that base jumping is is legal as well. Over 300 folks made 800 jumps.

teagueAMX · 10-24-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard in NC

Bridgeday is the one time of the year its legal. Its one of the few times and places that base jumping is is legal as well. Over 300 folks made 800 jumps.

I'm sure you're aware that I was kidding of course, but I'm glad you mentioned it. That's sounds like a nice law, bc that looks like a great bridge to jump from (if you have the guts for it - not me bc I'm chicken!).

10-10-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
richard in NC Colonel 1232 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Z4 at the Dragon I'm doing a week long vacation with the Z4. We (18 folks), mostly from all around the south east US are staying in Gatlinburg for 5 days. We drive the Tail of the Dragon in the mornings and do other scenic drives as well. The weather isn't great to start but it's supposed to get better. Here are a few shots of the Z4 on the way in.... Attached Images __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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10-10-2009, 10:33 PM	#2
erichui Private 16 Rep 77 Posts Drives: E89 z4 sdrive30i AW/CR Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	nice ride I like 1st shot the most
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10-11-2009, 11:02 AM	#3
adamcb Enlisted Member 9 Rep 45 Posts Drives: '20 X5 M5.0, '12 335is Cabrio Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, TX USA iTrader: (0)	NICE! Super-nice pics! Glad to see the leaves changing up there. They're barely starting to change here in Atlanta - too much rain, I guess. I've gotta get up there in my new 3.5! Adam
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10-11-2009, 12:18 PM	#4
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	beautiful car - amazing scenary
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10-11-2009, 04:42 PM	#5
jannisa Lieutenant 55 Rep 546 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	I love your 1st picture the most. I haven't seen anywhere our car via that angle. Just amazing. Sooooo sexy.
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10-11-2009, 04:50 PM	#6
GuyOh Colonel 1067 Rep 2,313 Posts Drives: 2016 LB M2 / 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver B.C. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M2 [10.00] 2020 Bmw X5 40i [0.00]	i love the angle of the 1st pic, car looks sooo nice!
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10-12-2009, 01:34 PM	#7
yabbanoname Private First Class 3 Rep 115 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Antwerp iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Z4 sDrive35i [0.00]	Look out for killboy.com __________________ GrtZ Yo!
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10-14-2009, 10:55 AM	#9
richard in NC Colonel 1232 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	We finally had a dry day on the Tail of the Dragon. I can now say I like the way the Z4 handles. I tried Sport and Sport+. I actually preferred Sport. I could still punch it and rotate the car a bit on corner exits. Although I rarely needed DSC to come on and correct anything. Here are a few more pics of the car and area. We had 18 people in 12 BMWs from 335i's to M3s to M6 'verts. Attached Images __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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10-14-2009, 11:16 AM	#10
clwwong Private 4 Rep 80 Posts Drives: cayman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: hong kong iTrader: (0)	nice pics!
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10-23-2009, 07:03 PM	#11
richard in NC Colonel 1232 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I hadn't posted the final report card of my trip: It was 9 days of vacation (7 in the rain), 1600 miles, and 23 mpg (much of it hard driving, only 1/2 was interstate cruising). The good: I've become "one" with the car and really like its balance and feel. 3180 curves (10 runs on the Tail of the Dragon) gives plenty of practice! Sport mode seemed perfect for any smooth twisty road. It even allows just enough power oversteer to balance the car on corner exit. Sport+ seems to take you to a "twitchy" level where one must really be careful. I used Sport mode in the wet and had no issues what so ever. I did notice some understeer and roll-over of the left front tire but had too low of tire pressure for what I was doing to the car and later corrected that. I had plenty of comfort for a 250 mile or longer trip. It wasn't tiring at all, even in the rain most of the way. It was cold enough I made use of the heated seats and wheel several mornings. The bad: The weather allowed only 2-3 drives with the top down. I really wanted to enjoy wide open mountain scenery but couldn't. The minimal storage was a problem. Just for myself, I packed the car to the gills with a large suitcase, a backpack, lots of camera and video gear, lots of food, beverages (beer, wine, & bottled water) and more. i had some stuff on the front floor and front seat. Almost Ugly: I picked up Mocha Latta's to go for friends and fortunately thought to put the carrier on the passenger floor. I had to hit the brakes hard and 3 flipped over and spilled onto the black floor mat. Fortunately the tops stayed on but it took a 1/2 roll of paper towels to soak most of the spill up. I then used a kitchen sink to rinse the mat and scrubbed it out until it no longer flowed brown. Propped up over a furnance vent over night then dried it out. Thank goodness it didn't spill on the ivory white seats, etc. Here are some pics of the car on the 'Dragon"http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...4&po=4&pc=1968 and here http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...&po=20&pc=2506 EDIT: Here is the best one! http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/Orde...po=104&pc=2506 __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i Last edited by richard in NC; 10-23-2009 at 07:31 PM..
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10-23-2009, 09:03 PM	#12
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	thanks for the report and what a great picture - you must have really been pushing the Z4
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10-24-2009, 08:55 AM	#14
richard in NC Colonel 1232 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	The proof photos in the links above are from pros that take pics along side the road at the Tail of the Dragon. It's a haven for motorcycles and sports car clubs, especially on weekends. See http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ for some of the craziness. This past week was my 7th trip there in 4 years. I meet up with folks from all over the eastern US. We had folks from Chicago, Mississippi, Florida, and lots from Georgia, and NC. I have now done 46 runs on it and know the road pretty well. I believe I was on the edge in the last pic. I don't recall if I had understeer at turn in but for one of the photogs I punched it on turn exit hard enough for the DSC light to flash. I don't see that in any pics online. The second part of the trip was to Fayette, WV, at the New River Gorge Bridge, a 3300ft bridge 876 ft over the New River. Bridge Day allows base jumping and rappelling off the bridge. See http://www.876ft.com/ I just took pics, no jumps. Despite the weather, I did get some decent pics. Here are a few more. Attached Images __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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10-24-2009, 09:20 AM	#15
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	the pictures are inspiring - thanks for sharing
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10-24-2009, 10:35 AM	#16
bavarian19 General 524 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)
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10-24-2009, 10:36 AM	#17
teagueAMX Colonel 62 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Hey richard in NC, the pic is your Z, right? I absolutely love this image. It's so poetic to see the Z going down the road in that countryside setting - right where I want to be! . Attached Images
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10-24-2009, 10:42 AM	#18
teagueAMX Colonel 62 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Talk about a blatant disregard for the LAW! . Attached Images
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10-24-2009, 12:10 PM	#20
BarbeRouge Life is short 217 Rep 274 Posts Drives: Macan Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte iTrader: (0)	Great pics. I love the east coast in the fall...nice cars too
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