ttribe's German-Kimchi-Then-German-Then-Blow-Up-Engine-Then-Fix-It Journey Thread
07-09-2013, 09:30 PM
#1442
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07-09-2013, 09:31 PM
#1443
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Because ill-timed page break.
Weekend before last was the BMWCCA Roadrunner Chapter's annual "Devil's Highway Run" in Northern AZ. Just a few pics below.
The route itself runs from Alpine, AZ into New Mexico and then South, followed by a Western turn back into Arizona. The drive then proceeds through the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci before a twisty climb back into the mountains ending back where it all began in Alpine. The total loop is about 210 miles. The ~100 miles from Morenci to Alpine includes more than 500 turns on narrow two-lane roads in very mountainous terrain. A whole lot of fun, but a little harrowing when you come around a corner and find 6 roaming cows on the side of the road (as I did at one point).
Prior to the actual run, we took a "leisurely" 20-mile drive to have breakfast at Hannagan Meadow Lodge -
The view across from the lodge...yep, that's actually a picture of pine forest in Arizona:
The lineup of participants (including an interloper from Stuttgart):
This E90 M3 had the full set of Dinan performance modifications, including the stroker motor! Very fast!
The Cayman S. Word has it, in the right hands, it ran away from all the BMWs in the twisties...pretty impressive car:
Turns out we didn't pay much attention to signs like the one to the right:
Just before we started our ascent through the mountains (where my hands could NOT leave the wheel to take any pictures) we stopped to take in the sight of the world's largest open-pit copper mine in Morenci:
Summary - lots of fun. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of ignoring posted speed limits. A little rain in the mountains, just to make things even more interesting (as if a sheer rock face on one side, and sheer drop on the other didn't make things interesting enough). Oh, and can't forget the cows....
The route itself runs from Alpine, AZ into New Mexico and then South, followed by a Western turn back into Arizona. The drive then proceeds through the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci before a twisty climb back into the mountains ending back where it all began in Alpine. The total loop is about 210 miles. The ~100 miles from Morenci to Alpine includes more than 500 turns on narrow two-lane roads in very mountainous terrain. A whole lot of fun, but a little harrowing when you come around a corner and find 6 roaming cows on the side of the road (as I did at one point).
Prior to the actual run, we took a "leisurely" 20-mile drive to have breakfast at Hannagan Meadow Lodge -
The view across from the lodge...yep, that's actually a picture of pine forest in Arizona:
The lineup of participants (including an interloper from Stuttgart):
This E90 M3 had the full set of Dinan performance modifications, including the stroker motor! Very fast!
The Cayman S. Word has it, in the right hands, it ran away from all the BMWs in the twisties...pretty impressive car:
Turns out we didn't pay much attention to signs like the one to the right:
Just before we started our ascent through the mountains (where my hands could NOT leave the wheel to take any pictures) we stopped to take in the sight of the world's largest open-pit copper mine in Morenci:
Summary - lots of fun. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of ignoring posted speed limits. A little rain in the mountains, just to make things even more interesting (as if a sheer rock face on one side, and sheer drop on the other didn't make things interesting enough). Oh, and can't forget the cows....
As an aside, I did this same run two years ago in the M5 and, I must admit, it was much more fun in the 335. The tight turns and narrow roads were just much more manageable in a smaller car and the (enhanced) torque from the turbo chargers made blasting out of the turns just that much more enjoyable.
07-09-2013, 09:41 PM
#1444
In the Mid-South meow
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Dude, first off I don't know how I missed your post about your job. Holly sh*t man, I'm sorry that happened. If you need any graphic design help with marketing or anything you know where to reach me. Secondly, that looks like an awesome route through AZ and NM! We took a few drives to Alpine. Beautiful country up there. I'm sure it was an absolute blast!!
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ttribe (07-09-2013)
07-09-2013, 09:57 PM
#1445
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
As an aside, I did this same run two years ago in the M5 and, I must admit, it was much more fun in the 335. The tight turns and narrow roads were just much more manageable in a smaller car and the (enhanced) torque from the turbo chargers made blasting out of the turns just that much more enjoyable.
Didn't you post photos last time too? I thought I remembered that. What elevation did you reach and where were you in relation to the fires? Not surprised that the 335 was more fun in the twisties, glad you enjoyed it.
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ttribe (07-09-2013)
07-09-2013, 10:04 PM
#1446
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Dude, first off I don't know how I missed your post about your job. Holly sh*t man, I'm sorry that happened. If you need any graphic design help with marketing or anything you know where to reach me. Secondly, that looks like an awesome route through AZ and NM! We took a few drives to Alpine. Beautiful country up there. I'm sure it was an absolute blast!!
Alpine sits a little above 8,000 feet, so around there in terms of elevation reached. We were on the other side of the state from the majority of the significant fires; especially the Yarnell one which was just South of Prescott and hundreds of miles away.
07-09-2013, 10:14 PM
#1447
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Damn Tim! It looks like you had a blast! That mine is fuggin massive 
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ttribe (07-09-2013)
You're a smart guy so I'm sure you'll find something quickly!
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ttribe (07-10-2013)
07-10-2013, 11:00 AM
#1450
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Anyone drive their M3 off a cliff? 
07-10-2013, 11:27 AM
#1451
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07-10-2013, 12:43 PM
#1452
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07-11-2013, 06:54 PM
#1453
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BTW, forgot to mention - a total of nine BMWs were on the trip, all driven very hard, and not one breakdown. I guess none of our cars are "typical" (ahem) BMWs.
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charliemike (07-11-2013)
07-11-2013, 08:55 PM
#1454
David_Dude
Nice pics and that looks like a blast. BTW sorry about your job (idk how I keep missin this awesome thread), but it looks like you know how to bounce back on your feet. Keep up the great work.
The M5 is such a gorgeous car.
And to boot none of the BMWs broke down in the mountains. Awesome!
The M5 is such a gorgeous car.
And to boot none of the BMWs broke down in the mountains. Awesome!
Last edited by Acura_Dude; 07-11-2013 at 09:00 PM.
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ttribe (07-11-2013)
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ttribe (07-11-2013)
07-11-2013, 10:11 PM
#1456
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07-12-2013, 09:20 AM
#1457
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ttribe (07-12-2013)
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ttribe (07-13-2013)
11-27-2013, 06:54 PM
#1459
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Update -
1 - Had several offers to join my little solo practice in with larger firms. Finally accepted one and, beginning 12/2, I'll be getting a steady paycheck again. Very relieved. This nightmare's gone on way too long.
2 - My eBay front Aero lip has been an unmitigated disaster and one of my lower mesh grilles was broken by a rock a number of months ago. Funds kept me from remedying these situations. My wife offered to let me take care of this for my B-Day/Christmas gift. Ordered an OEM M Aero lip from a BMW dealer, painted by their shop in Space Gray, along with a complete set of the three mesh grilles in black, also OEM. $600, shipped, for the lot. Not bad.
1 - Had several offers to join my little solo practice in with larger firms. Finally accepted one and, beginning 12/2, I'll be getting a steady paycheck again. Very relieved. This nightmare's gone on way too long.
2 - My eBay front Aero lip has been an unmitigated disaster and one of my lower mesh grilles was broken by a rock a number of months ago. Funds kept me from remedying these situations. My wife offered to let me take care of this for my B-Day/Christmas gift. Ordered an OEM M Aero lip from a BMW dealer, painted by their shop in Space Gray, along with a complete set of the three mesh grilles in black, also OEM. $600, shipped, for the lot. Not bad.
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mrmako (11-29-2013)
11-27-2013, 07:06 PM
#1460
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Way to go T! 
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ttribe (11-27-2013)
11-27-2013, 07:16 PM
#1461
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I want you to know that every time this thread gets refreshed in my "Subscribed Threads", I wait to hear that you traded in your 3'er for a Kia Optima or something... 
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ttribe (11-27-2013)
11-27-2013, 07:49 PM
#1462
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Shoofin (11-27-2013)
11-27-2013, 09:50 PM
#1463
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Congrats Tim!!!!!!! Well deserved
I'm looking forward to seeing the new lip installed
I'm looking forward to seeing the new lip installed
11-27-2013, 10:51 PM
#1466
The Third Ball
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I see a switch back to M...congrats
11-27-2013, 10:56 PM
#1467
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Update -
1 - Had several offers to join my little solo practice in with larger firms. Finally accepted one and, beginning 12/2, I'll be getting a steady paycheck again. Very relieved. This nightmare's gone on way too long.
2 - My eBay front Aero lip has been an unmitigated disaster and one of my lower mesh grilles was broken by a rock a number of months ago. Funds kept me from remedying these situations. My wife offered to let me take care of this for my B-Day/Christmas gift. Ordered an OEM M Aero lip from a BMW dealer, painted by their shop in Space Gray, along with a complete set of the three mesh grilles in black, also OEM. $600, shipped, for the lot. Not bad.
1 - Had several offers to join my little solo practice in with larger firms. Finally accepted one and, beginning 12/2, I'll be getting a steady paycheck again. Very relieved. This nightmare's gone on way too long.
2 - My eBay front Aero lip has been an unmitigated disaster and one of my lower mesh grilles was broken by a rock a number of months ago. Funds kept me from remedying these situations. My wife offered to let me take care of this for my B-Day/Christmas gift. Ordered an OEM M Aero lip from a BMW dealer, painted by their shop in Space Gray, along with a complete set of the three mesh grilles in black, also OEM. $600, shipped, for the lot. Not bad.
11-28-2013, 01:14 PM
#1469
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No car changes coming up...a lot of debt to pay off after the way this thing went down.
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ttribe (11-28-2013)
11-28-2013, 07:50 PM
#1471
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Sweet! Congratulations, T.
It's a small thing, but I'm happy you were at least able to keep the BMW throughout this.
It's a small thing, but I'm happy you were at least able to keep the BMW throughout this.
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ttribe (11-28-2013)
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ttribe (11-28-2013)
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ttribe (11-28-2013)
11-28-2013, 09:00 PM
#1474
In the Mid-South meow
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Congrats T, glad to hear things are looking up for ya!
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ttribe (11-28-2013)
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ttribe (11-29-2013)
11-29-2013, 09:50 AM
#1476
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So, back to M5 soon...? 
11-29-2013, 10:35 AM
#1477
Engineer
Congrats and good luck!
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ttribe (11-29-2013)
11-29-2013, 10:47 AM
#1478
Senior Moderator
Red M5. For teh cougars. 
11-29-2013, 10:47 AM
#1479
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We just don't tell Mrs. ttribe. About red cars and their discovered effect on cougars.
11-29-2013, 12:20 PM
#1480
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