[bhootnath]

Finally pulled the trigger, it is a late 2019 model year X7 40i with exact options I was looking for, the car has low miles.

Carbon black / white-night blue interior, premium, executive, luxury seating, M-sport package, driver assistance pro, parking assist, 22 inch wheels, captains chair, display keys etc.

Plan to keep the car for many years, and will do some cosmetic updates probably.

The car is in Kansas City MO, and I am in LA-metro area, and didn't want to miss out the opportunity to drive 1,600+ miles on this long weekend, out of whim bought a one way air ticket for tomorrow (2/13), will be driving solo, and plan to cover in 3-days/2-nights.

This leads to my question ... I can take Colorado - Utah - Nevada - California or take the southern route (I-40) via NM - AZ-CA. This is February, and there are some weather situations.

Which route do you recommend I take? If anyone has done this route before, any suggestion is greatly appreciated. I know this is not a road trip forums, but thought might as well ask.

I have been a passive member of this wonderful forum for some time (have had many BMWs in the past, parted with my last BMW in 2017, looking forward to returning to the family).

[CruiseControl]

Congratulations. You'll love it. I have the same external color.

[jonatious]

Congrats, depends only on what kind of a person you are. I would absolutely take the winter route and love the snow mountains, but you have to be prepared to get stuck just in case. Just throw in a set of chains or socks just in case. You can buy and return unused chains at Les Schwab

[Wild Blue]

Congrats, man!

I've done both of those routes multiple times. You need to check weather forecasts for the exact roads you're driving on the exact days. There's a storm moving across the USA, causing lots of accidents. I think it's moved east of where you'll be.

The northern route, I-70 through Colorado, will be the more scenic route, but also be the colder one, going over the top of the Rocky Mountains. Check for snow. If you have 22" rims, I'm guessing you'll have Z-rated summer tires on there. Read discussions here in the forum about winter tires vs. summer.

My upcoming road trip will be staying south, including that I-40 drive.

[Brukes]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Congrats, man!

I've done both of those routes multiple times. You need to check weather forecasts for the exact roads you're driving on the exact days. There's a storm moving across the USA, causing lots of accidents. I think it's moved east of where you'll be.

The northern route, I-70 through Colorado, will be the more scenic route, but also be the colder one, going over the top of the Rocky Mountains. Check for snow. If you have 22" rims, I'm guessing you'll have Z-rated summer tires on there. Read discussions here in the forum about winter tires vs. summer.

My upcoming road trip will be staying south, including that I-40 drive.

Agree with others take the southern route.

We drove NYC to CA and back in the fall and the trip back through UT and Colorado on 70 was absolutely gorgeous but tough. The elevation changes dramatically and frequently as you go over the mountains and through the ravines. In the span of 10-20 miles it went from sunny to a white out (as you go up) and we had to pull over cause we couldn't see in front of us. Luckily it didn't stick cause the ground wasn't cold enough, but I imagine it could be tough this time of year.

[MystroX5]

Awesome score.

[Cocogrey1985]

I was very surprised at how well the X7 handles the snow AND ice. I'm in Portland OR where we just got hit with some snow, but mostly a shit ton of sleet. With heavy rain being our primary weather system, we are not prepared for winter weather at all and anytime we get even the slightest bit of snow, the entire metro area essentially shuts down. My X7 didn't slip or slide once on a 45 min drive both times. My RR with snow tires struggled far more than my X7 with basic A/S tires.

[icemanjs4]

Unrelated comment, but it seems there are a lot of Pacific Northwesterners here!

[Wanderer73]

Nice! Congrats. I picked up my X7 M50i on the east coast and drove it 1,600+ back to CO (it was an absolute blast). I'm biased, but I would do the route via CO if you can swing it. Just watch the forecast; even in the dead of winter, 70 west of Denver through the rest of the state can be relatively benign; however, it can turn on you, so be ready to hang back and relax. It's quite scenic, though. If you have some extra time, divert north and do a pit stop in Steamboat for a day. My only concern is the 22" wheels. What kind of tires? If they're summer performance, don't go through CO/Utah; too risky.

Either way, you'll have a great experience. The X7 is so lovely on long road trips. BTW - I've got Carbon Black as well. Awesome color. Bitch to keep clean, but it's worth it. Ceramic helps with the washing.

Good luck and safe drive!

[bhootnath]

Thank you so very much.
Heading to the airport, decided to take the southern route this time, the car has summer tires.
So looking forward to...

[Wanderer73]

Originally Posted by bhootnath

Thank you so very much.
Heading to the airport, decided to take the southern route this time, the car has summer tires.
So looking forward to...

Good call. Enjoy!

[x7bmw23]

That's awesome. Glad u got what u we're looking 4. Welcome 2 da family.

[SSM5]

You chose a bad week to drive home, I would just ship the X7 back. I live in LA and have lived in Snow & Ice and those 22's with Summer Tires are going to slide all over the place on icy roads in that 10 degree weather you are starting in. Summer tires in 10 degree weather are tough. Just making it down to Wichita will be a mess. Then you have to deal with snow tomorrow in Flagstaff at 7000 feet. At a minimum drive down to I-10 in New Mexico and avoid the passes near Flagstaff.

[keg97]

Any updates on the delivery and how the trip is going?

[wesleyan92]

Originally Posted by keg97

Any updates on the delivery and how the trip is going?

OP safe travels; hope you take it easy. Weather the next few days will suck even on the southern route.

[Wild Blue]

bhootnath I really hope you're being safe and careful, if you're currently doing this drive. So many weather storms and dangerous roads this weekend. Hope you're okay!

[bhootnath]

Sorry for the delay, appreciate your concern.
I am back in California on Monday as originally planned, then got busy at work. The drive was beautiful yet scary. Haven't driven in snow for many years (used to live in northeast). Picked up the car on Saturday afternoon, drove around 400 miles to Liberal KS that night, it started snowing that evening. Next day started early, by that time roads were pretty bad and even the highways weren't cleaning. I am really impressed with the handling of the AWD with 22 inch non-winter tires. There were a few nervous moments but we survived. Made it to Winslow AZ almost 700 miles. Next day, Monday was the last 550 or so miles, that's through AZ and sunny CA, easiest and most enjoyable drive of all 😀 I wanted to do this solo drive for a long time, I am glad I did it, through it was scary at times.

I will post some pictures soon. The car needs some paint correction (probably been through many automatic car washes ), and will do ceramic coating (any recommendation in SoCal?).

Thanks again guys!

[djbonsu]

Nice! Glad you made it through that weather ok! I did a similar thing but flew to Atlanta and drove back to a Chicago. Congrats and Enjoy!

[Wild Blue]

Looks like you took the southern route. I'll be doing that in 2-3 weeks myself. Glad you're safe!

[nynd]

Congrats and good to see you made it safely.

[bhootnath]

@Wanderer73 Your car looks absolutely stunning. How do you keep it this well? Any specific ceramic coating? I am getting the quote from my local detailer, haven't done ceramic before, was wax/detail kind of guy 😀

[Wanderer73]

Originally Posted by bhootnath

@Wanderer73 Your car looks absolutely stunning. How do you keep it this well? Any specific ceramic coating? I am getting the quote from my local detailer, haven't done ceramic before, was wax/detail kind of guy 😀

Thanks! I did Gyeon Quartz level 2 ceramic with full front Xpel PPF (road debris here in CO are brutal). Search for ceramic coating threads in the X7 board. There's at least one thread with people recommending good shops in your general area.

I've got severe OCD when it comes to cars, so I hand wash. It's an all-day endeavor but worth it. The X7 is a big ass car, so it takes a while to clean it correctly. Ceramic and a master blaster air dryer make it much easier to clean. Don't put your car through a car wash if you have it ceramic coated.

Carbon Black is such a chameleon-color; purple hues in bright light, darker blue in overcast, and black under other types of light. This is a pic from when it was finished being ceramic coated.

This is pretty much how I wash my car. I use many of the same products. Glad you made it home safe! Cheers.