Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='1044315' date='Oct 31 2009, 05:49 PM

The Z4 did well on the TOD, even in the wet. Off topic but I don't think I posted one of my runs yet.....
Z4 at the Tail of the Dragon
The password is dragon.
EDIT: FYI, I chased an M6 vert and an E92 M3 on this run.

I haven't edited and posted a run where I was leading and caught several sport bikes. They all pulled over one by one and let us pass!

Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='1044331' date='Oct 31 2009, 06:40 PM

Wow! What great video and a fantastic piece of driving on your part.

It was not surprising to see that on the twistiest portions, you were right on the M6 vert because you clearly know how to drive faster on the really twisty stuff. Of course, when the road straightened out a bit, I was not surprised to see the M6 and M3 pull away from your Z4.

I have to get the hell down to the TOD. It looks incredible.

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='1044364' date='Oct 31 2009, 07:46 PM

The guy in the M6 is a TOD veteran but claims he's not yet comfortable pushing the car to the edge. We were all cautious in the wet. I think it was the third visit for the M3 driver. We all did 6-10 runs this time. I think I've run it 46 times!!!! We visit twice a year. I'll keep you in mind next April.

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='1044201' date='Oct 31 2009, 12:46 PM

The Goodyear F1s are nearing the end of their surprisingly short life. This wasn't helped by them being under-inflated for awhile. All outside edges are more worn than insides. I had the Conti's over-inflated and over compensated.

Here are my decision points.
1. I've got 1 year left on the lease and don't want to need to replace the tires next year just to return the lease. Therefore 25k+ miles wear is a plus.
2. I traded the X3. Even though Charlotte is not a winter climate, they are forecasting more snow this year than usual. I do HAVE to get to work or get docked pay (its a hospital with those rules). If I get winter tires for 4 months, I'll extend the life of summer tires BUT waste the cost of tires and rims for one season.
3. I do travel to WV Thanksgiving and Christmas, making winter or all season tires a plus.

That leaves me with thinking All Season tires may be better, giving I want bad weather capability, a longer tread life, and have the Z4 for fun drives.

I'm leaning toward Michelin Pilot A/S Plus. They're only a slight compromise for summer performance yet satisfy all of the above. I'll save some money over extreme performance summer tires too.

Any thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='1044368' date='Oct 31 2009, 07:51 PM

Thanks so much. Yes there were occassions where the M6 driver was on the brakes for too long in the twisties. You are excellent -- going into the turn slow and then stomping on the gas in the middle and coming out fast.

I wish that the TOD was closer to NYC. It is quite a long drive from here. So I content myself with Pa State Route 125 and Snow Hill Road in the Poconos and County Rt 16 -, Orange County NY.

I have got to try Gold Mine Road which is near Pa SR 125.

Originally Posted by highyo' post='1044502' date='Nov 1 2009, 12:01 AM

hey i grew up in orange county, where is route 16? would love to visit the parents and completley blow them off for a trip down a great road

Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='1044592' date='Nov 1 2009, 09:04 AM

Typo. My bad. I mean County Route 106 -- the portion from the Junction of Rt. 17 and 17A up into Harriman which ends abruptly due to a closed bridge. This is what the end point looks like:

Attachment 93305

Originally Posted by highyo' post='1044602' date='Nov 1 2009, 08:58 AM

I'll check it out. you should also try startin in the middle of washingtonville (home to F&J, the best "slice" pizza in the world, and this is coming from a guy who lives in manhttan) and traveling along 208 out to 416 through montgomery and on country road 29 into walden.. great driving .,,

Originally Posted by arsenalfc' post='1044629' date='Nov 1 2009, 11:04 AM

I have these tires on my 545i with sport suspension and 19" wheels. These tires are excellent. Very quiet and have good tread wear so far. You made a good choice.