First Hard Drive! - Appalachian Gap

vte90 · 08-13-2007, 08:15 AM

Hey guys,

I finally clocked 1200 miles on my 335xi sedan and was able to open it up this weekend. I went out for a long drive through Vermont on some of my favorite roads. Felt amazing! So nice to actually rev it to the red line.

So I took it through the Appalachian Gap. I definitely recommend this drive if you every get to VT! Its about 40 hair pin turns up and over a 4,000 foot mountain. If you don't know about this road look it up - there used to be an amazing car race there. The map below doesn't do this road justice. Fun fun fun! :rocks:

I was very impressed going up the mountain. My car felt very firm and there was no body roll around even the sharped corners.

Coming down the hill things felt a little different. I was going faster and the car really felt soft. Coming around the corners it almost felt like the car was on ice. I actually thought there was something wrong with the car. The steering felt much looser and body roll was noticeable.

This was the first time I pushed the car through tight corners. Is it possible that the steering and suspension actually got softer? It was about 85 degrees out so I am sure the tires warmed up on the way up the mountain.

I drove my e46 M3 through this gap dozens of times and it always felt locked to the ground up and down the mountain.

Looks like I will have to go back up the gap tonight and see if the same thing happens. . .

On a side note, I added the perf leather M shifter before the drive and I love it!!

HyperM3 · 08-13-2007, 08:29 AM

Welcome to the world of "Your 335 isnt an M". Its not going to feel the same at all. My 10yr old e36 M3 feels more connected to the road than my 335. Id much rather take a long trip in my 335 though. Fair tradeoff.

vte90 · 08-13-2007, 08:37 AM

I hear you. Definitely more comfortable for the long road trip! I have to say the 33xi is much tighter than my Audi S4. It feels so much more connected to the road. The Audi had no feedback at all. It was a nice comfortable car with a very thirsty V8. I definitely prefer the 335xi.

I need the all wheel drive for the winter so no more M3 for me (until I can have 2 cars in the garage!!)

BMW__Power · 08-13-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vte90

I hear you. Definitely more comfortable for the long road trip! I have to say the 33xi is much tighter than my Audi S4. It feels so much more connected to the road. The Audi had no feedback at all. It was a nice comfortable car with a very thirsty V8. I definitely prefer the 335xi.

I need the all wheel drive for the winter so no more M3 for me (until I can have 2 cars in the garage!!)

And don't forget the xi doesn't have the sport suspension. Thanks for the road tip, I will have to try that on my next trip up that way. What town is that road in?

vte90 · 08-13-2007, 08:51 AM

It's in Waitsfeild, VT. The road starts at Mad River Glen Ski resort and heads straight up the mountain. Fun times for sure.

08-13-2007, 08:15 AM	#1
vte90 rebmeM weN 10 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335xi [1.00]	First Hard Drive! - Appalachian Gap - Car Softened Up? Hey guys, I finally clocked 1200 miles on my 335xi sedan and was able to open it up this weekend. I went out for a long drive through Vermont on some of my favorite roads. Felt amazing! So nice to actually rev it to the red line. So I took it through the Appalachian Gap. I definitely recommend this drive if you every get to VT! Its about 40 hair pin turns up and over a 4,000 foot mountain. If you don't know about this road look it up - there used to be an amazing car race there. The map below doesn't do this road justice. Fun fun fun! :rocks: I was very impressed going up the mountain. My car felt very firm and there was no body roll around even the sharped corners. Coming down the hill things felt a little different. I was going faster and the car really felt soft. Coming around the corners it almost felt like the car was on ice. I actually thought there was something wrong with the car. The steering felt much looser and body roll was noticeable. This was the first time I pushed the car through tight corners. Is it possible that the steering and suspension actually got softer? It was about 85 degrees out so I am sure the tires warmed up on the way up the mountain. I drove my e46 M3 through this gap dozens of times and it always felt locked to the ground up and down the mountain. Looks like I will have to go back up the gap tonight and see if the same thing happens. . . On a side note, I added the perf leather M shifter before the drive and I love it!! Attached Images __________________ 2012 X5 3d Jet Black \| Alum Trim \| Premium \| Sport Activity \| Cold Weather \| AV Seats \| Nappa Dash \| Premium Sound \| Apps \| \|214s \| Tint Previous: 2007 335xi \| 2006 Audi S4 Avant \| 2003 M3 Coupe\| 2001 330Ci \| 1999 GTI VR6
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08-13-2007, 08:29 AM	#2
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Welcome to the world of "Your 335 isnt an M". Its not going to feel the same at all. My 10yr old e36 M3 feels more connected to the road than my 335. Id much rather take a long trip in my 335 though. Fair tradeoff. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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08-13-2007, 08:37 AM	#3
vte90 rebmeM weN 10 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335xi [1.00]	I hear you. Definitely more comfortable for the long road trip! I have to say the 33xi is much tighter than my Audi S4. It feels so much more connected to the road. The Audi had no feedback at all. It was a nice comfortable car with a very thirsty V8. I definitely prefer the 335xi. I need the all wheel drive for the winter so no more M3 for me (until I can have 2 cars in the garage!!) __________________ 2012 X5 3d Jet Black \| Alum Trim \| Premium \| Sport Activity \| Cold Weather \| AV Seats \| Nappa Dash \| Premium Sound \| Apps \| \|214s \| Tint Previous: 2007 335xi \| 2006 Audi S4 Avant \| 2003 M3 Coupe\| 2001 330Ci \| 1999 GTI VR6
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08-13-2007, 08:51 AM	#5
vte90 rebmeM weN 10 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335xi [1.00]	It's in Waitsfeild, VT. The road starts at Mad River Glen Ski resort and heads straight up the mountain. Fun times for sure. __________________ 2012 X5 3d Jet Black \| Alum Trim \| Premium \| Sport Activity \| Cold Weather \| AV Seats \| Nappa Dash \| Premium Sound \| Apps \| \|214s \| Tint Previous: 2007 335xi \| 2006 Audi S4 Avant \| 2003 M3 Coupe\| 2001 330Ci \| 1999 GTI VR6
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