Long overdue introduction, and 6000km (3700miles) road trip

abc.xyz · 08-11-2015, 10:47 AM

So I've been lurking on here for a while now, bout time to post something

. As a fresh University of Toronto grad and securing myself a job at "Alphabet Inc." in the bay area

I recently (in April) got myself a used 08 E92 M3. It's pretty bareboned, no I-drive or screen even. Got it for 39k CAD after everything with 42,000km (26k miles) on the clock. It's in pretty fantastic shape aside from the front chair leather being a bit worn and a few scratches in the paint. Considering I was holding US equity at the time, I figured it'd be a waste to not convert it back to CAD and use it... and so i did!

Since I have quite a bit of "irregularly shaped" items (i.e. mountain bike, snowboard, quadcopter...) I want to bring with me over to the bay area, I figured I should do a cross country road trip. 7 days, 6000km, can't be happier with this car as a long distance cruiser. Maybe it's the tight hydraulic steering, maybe it's the cold AC, maybe it's the fantastic speakers, or the exhaust, or the acceleration, but not once did I feel sleepy on the drive. I can't imagine how mundane of a drive it would've been in my accord

Visited the Badlands, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Devils Tower, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone to name a few places. Noob mistake and had to make a 2hr detour to get engine oil (glad I checked before crossing the middle...)

Anyways, you can find some of the pictures I took along the way here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133365...57656667223439

and here's the timelapse video:

Cheers!

Helmsman · 08-11-2015, 11:45 AM

Hi Aleck, that looks like a fantastic road trip. Congrats to what seems to be a both good job and car, and welcome aboard!

Cheers

JDM_CL9 · 08-11-2015, 12:28 PM

Congrats on completing your studies, purchasing the M, and bravo to you for going TO to Cali! (I love California btw)

Just picked up my M recently too but haven't had a chance to put together an intro thread.

Oh, and cool vid too!

njdrive · 08-11-2015, 12:43 PM

Thanks for sharing. The pictures look amazing!!

abc.xyz · 08-11-2015, 02:22 PM

Hehe thanks! I'll no doubt be needing advices from this forum, both local and otherwise, as the car IS out of warrantee.

Just wondering how many got the "Alphabet Inc." in quotes

.

Cali is amazing; I've been there a couple times for visits/interviews/etc. Though I'd hesitate to venture into SF roads with a 6MT heh...

Alohaaaaa · 08-11-2015, 02:52 PM

I wish I had passed through Cali on my road trip a few weeks ago... Took the weird route from Alberta to Arizona through all the boring states.

Trip looks awesome man! These are some of the best cars I've ever traveled in. They just love highway speeds.

JDM_CL9 · 08-12-2015, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleck

Hehe thanks! I'll no doubt be needing advices from this forum, both local and otherwise, as the car IS out of warrantee.

Just wondering how many got the "Alphabet Inc." in quotes

.

Cali is amazing; I've been there a couple times for visits/interviews/etc. Though I'd hesitate to venture into SF roads with a 6MT heh...

LOL oops, read it too fast!

+ Congrats on working at the new parent company of Gooooooooooooogle!

Flying Ace · 08-12-2015, 08:46 PM

Congrats on getting in at Google. Say goodbye to your social life.

abc.xyz · 08-13-2015, 08:48 PM

3SPKY5U, you should've taken Hwy1 if it's at all possible. It's heaven (even when I did it in a rental car haha).

Flying Ace, don't think it'll be that bad, but heard that due to it having everything there they tend to keep you in the office even without you noticing it

Anyways, the video might not have been working before due to song copyright issues, should be fixed now, enjoy!

08-11-2015, 10:47 AM	#1
abc.xyz New Member 15 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 6MT, BMW G82 M4 6MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: California Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Long overdue introduction, and 6000km (3700miles) road trip So I've been lurking on here for a while now, bout time to post something . As a fresh University of Toronto grad and securing myself a job at "Alphabet Inc." in the bay area I recently (in April) got myself a used 08 E92 M3. It's pretty bareboned, no I-drive or screen even. Got it for 39k CAD after everything with 42,000km (26k miles) on the clock. It's in pretty fantastic shape aside from the front chair leather being a bit worn and a few scratches in the paint. Considering I was holding US equity at the time, I figured it'd be a waste to not convert it back to CAD and use it... and so i did! Since I have quite a bit of "irregularly shaped" items (i.e. mountain bike, snowboard, quadcopter...) I want to bring with me over to the bay area, I figured I should do a cross country road trip. 7 days, 6000km, can't be happier with this car as a long distance cruiser. Maybe it's the tight hydraulic steering, maybe it's the cold AC, maybe it's the fantastic speakers, or the exhaust, or the acceleration, but not once did I feel sleepy on the drive. I can't imagine how mundane of a drive it would've been in my accord Visited the Badlands, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Devils Tower, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone to name a few places. Noob mistake and had to make a 2hr detour to get engine oil (glad I checked before crossing the middle...) Anyways, you can find some of the pictures I took along the way here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/133365...57656667223439 and here's the timelapse video: Cheers! Last edited by abc.xyz; 08-13-2015 at 08:43 PM.. Reason: new youtube video due to audio copyright
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08-11-2015, 11:45 AM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4467 Rep 7,110 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Hi Aleck, that looks like a fantastic road trip. Congrats to what seems to be a both good job and car, and welcome aboard! Cheers
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08-11-2015, 12:28 PM	#3
JDM_CL9 First Lieutenant 92 Rep 393 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Toronto, #TheNorth iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 M3 [0.00]	Congrats on completing your studies, purchasing the M, and bravo to you for going TO to Cali! (I love California btw) Just picked up my M recently too but haven't had a chance to put together an intro thread. Oh, and cool vid too! __________________ 2009 BMW E93 6MT///M3 - SG/FR 2011 BMW E90 DCT///M3 - JB/FR (Sold)
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08-11-2015, 12:43 PM	#4
njdrive First Lieutenant 98 Rep 301 Posts Drives: e92 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing. The pictures look amazing!! __________________ "…And the longer you deny yourself that M satisfaction the more unhappy your soul will be…. Get busy living or get busy dying and stop sweating the small stuff!" i001947
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08-11-2015, 02:22 PM	#5
abc.xyz New Member 15 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 6MT, BMW G82 M4 6MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: California Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Hehe thanks! I'll no doubt be needing advices from this forum, both local and otherwise, as the car IS out of warrantee. Just wondering how many got the "Alphabet Inc." in quotes . Cali is amazing; I've been there a couple times for visits/interviews/etc. Though I'd hesitate to venture into SF roads with a 6MT heh...
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08-11-2015, 02:52 PM	#6
Alohaaaaa Captain 58 Rep 791 Posts Drives: 2011 550xi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [0.00] 2012 BMW E92 M3 ZCP [10.00]	I wish I had passed through Cali on my road trip a few weeks ago... Took the weird route from Alberta to Arizona through all the boring states. Trip looks awesome man! These are some of the best cars I've ever traveled in. They just love highway speeds. __________________ 2017 Nitro Blue Ford Focus RS 2008 Sparkling Grey Metallic 135i 6MT - JB4 G5 - MHD Race BEF - N54Tuning DP's - ER Chargepipe/w HKS SSQV - Coolingmist Progressive Meth - MMP Hot Side Inlets - AFE Exhaust - Seconday Cat Delete - AMS FMIC - BMS Catch Can - Rob Beck PCV - LUX 160 AE
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08-12-2015, 08:46 PM	#8
Flying Ace Lieutenant General 4985 Rep 11,891 Posts Drives: G05 45e, 997.1 & 991.1 GT3s Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (5)	Congrats on getting in at Google. Say goodbye to your social life.
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08-13-2015, 08:48 PM	#9
abc.xyz New Member 15 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 6MT, BMW G82 M4 6MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: California Bay Area iTrader: (0)	3SPKY5U, you should've taken Hwy1 if it's at all possible. It's heaven (even when I did it in a rental car haha). Flying Ace, don't think it'll be that bad, but heard that due to it having everything there they tend to keep you in the office even without you noticing it Anyways, the video might not have been working before due to song copyright issues, should be fixed now, enjoy!
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