Originally Posted by LowOrbit' post='299031' date='Jun 17 2006, 02:25 PM

Znod,

Here in Tucson, AZ we have Mount Lemmon. Basically 30+ miles of perfectly paved, twisty mountain roads that are lightly patrolled by the cops. Corners range from hairpins to many fast sweepers with good forward visibility. Maybe try it if you are ever in the area. I push my car to 90% some early weekday mornings (no campers, sightseers etc.), just short of where the electronic guardians kick in. Very entertaining seeing the enormous capabilities of this luxury sedan.

Maybe do a web search (arizona canyon roads etc. as keywords), I would be surprised if PHX did not have some nice areas.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Znod' post='299035' date='Jun 17 2006, 01:50 PM

Thanks LO:

We lived in Tucson for 10 years, and have been in Phoenix since 1990, so I know Mt. Lemmon and some other nearby AZ canyons very well. Watch out for the unexpected falling rocks and trees in the road. They fall even early in the mornings. But, really, you must be a much better driver than I am to risk your car and life on a twisty mountain road. Have fun, and be safe. Incidentally, I don't have the confidence you do in the forward visibility on Mt. Lemmon.

Originally Posted by rollee' post='299093' date='Jun 17 2006, 04:41 PM

i know 'people' who take their car to the edge every day.
no matter if you are in or out of the city, the car's capabilities are always used to the fullest.

the following video is an example of what 'people' i know do daily.
i admit i was a tad concerned when they took a 90degree bend back sliding into a narrow street at 115kph. smoking tires, the neighbourhood was woken up, that was not nice.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XonHlrtC-...ch=bmw%20drift

Originally Posted by rollee' post='299093' date='Jun 17 2006, 05:41 PM

i know 'people' who take their car to the edge every day.
no matter if you are in or out of the city, the car's capabilities are always used to the fullest.

the following video is an example of what 'people' i know do daily.
i admit i was a tad concerned when they took a 90degree bend back sliding into a narrow street at 115kph. smoking tires, the neighbourhood was woken up, that was not nice.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XonHlrtC-...ch=bmw%20drift

Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='299011' date='Jun 17 2006, 01:51 PM

Ahhhhh enlightnment! Now i know why I dont go crazy in corners or twisties... I rather power out of things.... Ok ok I think I knew that already but not sure if i ever put it out in those words for myself...

But I still LIKE to have the handling capability... just in case I ever do accidently take it more than i usually would... I like to have some reserve... So I think thats why I like BMW. they usually build enough reserve in their cars for drivers like me.

Originally Posted by 525dse' post='299410' date='Jun 18 2006, 05:03 PM

Why don't you take a M5 for a test drive? If you still don't like it, then fair enough, but sometimes its worth doing. Or why don't you mod your 545? Add one of them supercharger kits and a sports exhaust? Trade your 545 for a 335i, or 535i and mod it? Would yield great results when tuned being turbo'ed and all. Or trade your corvette for a TVR, they have scary straightline speed, nothing much could keep up, and are pretty rare too. have fun deciding! whatever you choose, you can't go wrong, as you have made the right choice for you.