ttribe

I need to add these guys as well: http://www.evolvetuning.us/ and http://www.eurocharged.com/

charliemike

Sure. I think part was that there were definitely some serious customer service issues with whomever it is that sells Umnitza and quite likely some purists that simply loath the concept of xenons or angel eyes on a car that didn't come with them

ttribe

These turned out pretty nice: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...lite-leds.html

ttribe

Just a few pictures from the weekend before last; the Roadrunner Chapter of the BMWCCA held its annual summer drive through the "Devil's Highway" - start in Alpine, AZ (NE AZ), take the 180 East toward Luna, NM, take the 180 South until it intersects with the 78 West, stay on the 78 West back into Arizona until it intersects the 191 North, take the 191 North through the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci and then back up into the mountains and back at Alpine. It's about 150 miles and 1,400+ twists and turns, and HUGE changes in scenery. We had 9 cars, including one C6 Corvette. The M5 didn't do too bad with a rookie driver trying to keep up with more nimble 3 Series cars.

At the lodge in Alpine:






Assembling the group:




Totally tracked-out '87 3-Series:


The drive:






Stopping in Morenci for a pit-stop:






Heading past one of the world's largest copper mines:




Stopping to cool off the engines after a BUNCH of twists and turns and a significant upward climb in altitude:




The view from our rest stop:


Back into the mountain roads heading into Alpine again:

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

Great photos! Looks like an amazing time!!! I've never been to Alpine before or heard of Devil's Highway besides what used to be numbered Route 666, but I'm not sure if this is the same highway or not as what you drove? I'm going to show these photos to my wife because we're thinking about taking the baby on a road trip soon.

ttribe

I think the "real" Devil's Highway (Route 666) is down near the border with Mexico. This seems to have picked up its name from the terrain.

BTW, this is not a good experience if you, or your passenger, get motion sickness. One of our participants brought his 17-yr. old son who has such a problem; he was downing the Dramamine.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Damn what an awesome get together! That E30

ttribe

Indeed.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

Oh yeah, I think you're right, 666 was down that way, I think near Douglas or something. Don't know if you've ever made it down that way, toward Tombstone or Bisbee, but that's another great road trip. I'm sure you've been up to Jerome and through Oak Creek Canyon, right?

Nope, no worries about motion sickness, my wife and I both love rollercoasters and often take a drive to Canyon Lake which I like to drive semi-aggressively. Don't know about our son yet, but pretty much any kind of motion makes him spit up lol.

ttribe

I haven't...lived here almost my entire life, and I'm just now discovering a lot of this stuff. Lame, I know.

Speaking as the father of three - even non-motion will result in the baby spitting up.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

All you "natives" are the same lol. I work with two guys that have lived here all their lives and haven't seen half the things my wife and I have from taking day drives around the state. You should absolutely do those drives!

SlimTL

Nice outting. That's some beautiful scenerary you have there. I'm sure the M made it even more enjoyable.

And +1 for a 4 door sports car and being able to haul the family along

MR1

How was the driving experience and how did the car do?

ttribe

I know. I'm pathetic. I was born here in AZ and haven't done half the things I should have. We took the family to the Grand Canyon a couple of weeks ago...that's only the second time I've been there in my entire life.

Yep, lots of fun. I went alone this time, but it's still good to have a 4-door that can MOVE!

The driving experience was great. I was driving with a smile on my face through this whole thing. Words can't describe how impressive it is to send a 4,100 pound car into a tight mountain turn (with a 20MPH speed limit) at 50+ and have the thing just carve it up; not to mention accelerate like a stabbed rat when it comes out of the turn. Just a blast.

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

Wow awesome pics! Roads looks so nice over there!

I have to get far far away from the city to get to anything like that.

ttribe

Oh believe me, we were VERY far away from anything that resembled a city. That being said, even in Phoenix, the roads aren't subjected to the same kind of abuse from the weather that you get in Philly.

BTW, my wife grew up in Broomall. Her dad was a professor of engineering at Penn.

Crazy Bimmer

ttribe

The Z4 would have been a BLAST on this run.

Legend2TL

Nice pictures, scenery and cars both!

john_wrap

some gorgeous pics tribe...thx for posting

Paclark01

Looks like a great event, with a decent turnout.

Out of curiousity... Did you consider going with an 07 - 08 M5 6-Speed?

I snagged an 08 M5 6 Speed, over the SMG.

ttribe

Actually, I didn't consider the 6 speed but only because of my commute. I drive 30 miles each way for work, often in stop-and-go traffic on the freeway and my back just can't deal with the clutch pedal. SMG was really my only choice.

How do you like your M5?

Paclark01

LOVE IT!! I picked up last Tuesday in Maryland; drove to Boston last Friday, and now i'm in Rhode Island for a couple of days. I'm itching to get my ass back in the seat for the spectacular drive back to Maryland. I must admit, the V10 does better on fuel than I anticipated. I haven't messed with the MDM since i'm getting used to the car.

This car is not my daily driver, so I can understand the preference for the SMG.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

Tribe, you weren't at The Pavilions show this past Saturday were you? I saw a red M5 there, but it had M stripes on the front fender which I don't remember being on yours. Just thought I'd ask.

ttribe

Cool! I'm about 6 weeks into my ownership and still definitely in the "honeymoon phase" with this car. It's just too much fun.

Have you read the MASSIVE owner's manual yet? If not, you might not have discovered that there's a third, more powerful, engine mode - 500S - that's only accessible through programming the "M" button on the steering wheel. Also, there's another sixth transmission mode that's only available with DSC off. Have fun...there's A LOT you can do with that car. Make sure you join up over at M5Board.com as well.

Wasn't me; but interesting information, I haven't seen another red M5 around (lot's of black and silver). I definitely would not be putting "M" stripes on the fender. IMO, that would have been like putting a big "VTEC" sticker on my Acura; not happening.

Paclark01

I haven't completed the BMW Masters Guide Reading Program for this car. I am not a member on the M5Board, but I have read the 6-Speed does not have the same ability to fully disable the DSC. So my access on MDM will be limited as the SMG cars do not have the limitation.

ttribe

I can tell you I don't plan on completely shutting off the DSC very often...too much power in the engine to not have some of the electronic helps...if even at a minimum.

Do make sure you program your M button to get the maximum engine response. It makes the throttle MUCH quicker; you won't be sorry.

ttribe

Added a little "M" detail to the front brake calipers yesterday:

renedcruz

iTrader: (8)

Looks good. I love those little details.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Excellent

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

beautiful M5. I like the color, its not that shade of red that screams for attention.

ttribe

Purchased and re-installed the OEM lip spoiler (previous owner had it removed for some reason):

ttribe

Thanks for the compliment. It's funny, I get a TON of comments regarding the color from people who see the car. It's reasonably rare for an M5 to be this color as well, so it stands out a bit, but it's not a Guard's Red "Look at me!" type color.

Hapa DC5

Very nice and subtle!

ttribe

I've been busy today...my car started the day with chrome side grills and kidney grills:



And then, it looked like this:



And now this, with matte black side grills and kidney grills:







Gives the car just a little more aggressive look.

SlimTL

Looking good ttribe. It's all in the details.

Hapa DC5

ooo you have grass on your block too. Nice job on the side vents.

ttribe

Yeah, we're a little oasis in the desert. Not very popular with the environmentalist crowd.
Thanks. I should clarify, these grills (side and front) are an aftermarket part that came in this finish. I still have the chrome ones in my garage.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

...looks great! ...I really like the changes!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

The black pieces look great! You have excellent taste. Nothing is over done