Time for a road trip... a LONG one

[chivas]

Thanks for the feedbacks! I wish I was going earlier but I have previous family engagement on the east coast during that time so I wish I can attend the road trip dkl..

Will definitely do a once over and do the cooling and oil change prior to the trip. still have to do the transfer case, diff and one more drain and fill for the trans.

I had the gf drive the X for the first time the other day and she's already told me she'll be in trouble; she was going 50 in a 35 without even realizing it. I told her be careful with the speed as the X is very tricky and without even thinking about it, you're WAY over the limit. Guess I'll have to put some money aside for bail. LOL

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by chivas

Thanks for the feedbacks! I wish I was going earlier but I have previous family engagement on the east coast during that time so I wish I can attend the road trip dkl..

Will definitely do a once over and do the cooling and oil change prior to the trip. still have to do the transfer case, diff and one more drain and fill for the trans.

I had the gf drive the X for the first time the other day and she's already told me she'll be in trouble; she was going 50 in a 35 without even realizing it. I told her be careful with the speed as the X is very tricky and without even thinking about it, you're WAY over the limit. Guess I'll have to put some money aside for bail. LOL

You know, you can set a warning for the speed limit such as 75mph or 80mph so that she will hear the beep when she goes above the limit that you set.

[Clockwork]

One nice thing to check out while visiting Vegas is to drive to the Red Rock Canyon just west of Vegas. at sunset its just gorgeous there. the red rocks are even redder and yet the sky is still a beautiful blue.
I ahve been to Vegas about 7 times in last 3 year (and am going to be back there again for July 4th weekend) and that is still one of my fav memories. beautiful road to drive too.

[StephenVA]

I ran my 4.8is up to New England last summer with out a hitch or a hiccup. Cruised along at 75-80 the whole way (hit 110-120 a few times). Comfortable and get torque for shooting those gaps in traffic. 2000 miles in 7 days. One leg was 600 miles in less than 10 hrs. Would have been less but you know how NYC traffic is on a Friday....

Do all the preventative maintenance, including fluids, check brakes, test charging system and starting systems out put and draw, and then off you go to a fine trip. There is an old stream train run into the Grand Canyon that you should not miss. Welcome to the Grand Canyon Railway | Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, Arizona "Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona, 65 miles south of the world-famous abyss. Coined the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”, Williams is located off Interstate 40, 32 miles west of Flagstaff."

Best experience into the Canyon for the whole family..... My wife still talks about it.

Enjoy!

[jdstrickland]

Originally Posted by chivas

I had the gf drive the X for the first time the other day and she's already told me she'll be in trouble; she was going 50 in a 35 without even realizing it. I told her be careful with the speed as the X is very tricky and without even thinking about it, you're WAY over the limit. Guess I'll have to put some money aside for bail. LOL

Ironically, you paid extra for that.

[chivas]

yep, doing the fluids this weekend. Need to figure out besides Redline D4, what else can I use to change the transfer case's fluid. Doing the diffs with Mobil 75-90..

sometime next week or the week after, I'm going to do a coolant flush only. All the hoses looks new.


While in Vegas, what is the best way to get the show tickets at a discount. the girl wants to go see the shows... mehh on my end.

I will go sight seeing and hearing some of the places yout's have recommended will be added to the map. Keep the info coming...

And if anyone in LA area wants to meet up, PM me!

[chivas]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

Ironically, you paid extra for that.

[admranger]

I've never bought discount tix except the ones offered for "locals" (usually during a slow period).

Some of the cirque du solei shows have had pretty significant discounts, so you might want to check their website and see if they are open to anyone or just locals. If you like Beatles music, "Love" is a great show. "O" is really cool with a lot of mechanical stage changes (I'd love to see the equipment backstage...).

Free/cheap entertainment can be found on Fremont street. The fire breathing praying mantis at the container park is pretty cool...lol

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by chivas

Thoughts? What's the longest you've taken your X5? How did she fair?

My last epic road trip was last Summer. Over 6,000 miles and 4 weeks in the 4.8is. The X5 did GREAT with ALL that I threw at it, including some off-road adventures. Here's a look at the Great Western Loop:



The family so enjoyed our trip last year that I have been ramping up for a similar trip this Summer. This one will take less time at about 21 days, but we'll cover about as many miles.



Just North of Las Vegas is a Park called the Valley of Fire. This was an INCREDIBLE experience for the wind-blown carvings into beautiful red rock. We have a company outing that plants us on the strip once a year. I am the champion of renting a car and setting out on this awesome day-long trip. If you are one to savor a natural experience over that of the bright lights and constant appeal to see a noodie show, the park offers an incredible respite.

If you are ANYWHERE close to Flagstaff, you must- and I mean you MUST- take a detour south to Sedona, AZ. Interstate 17 down if you must, but FIND AND TAKE Hwy 89A North from Sedona to Flagstaff and DO IT in a BMW. I did it with my E39 on the way to Bimmerfest in... well.. 2004, I guess. While the date may be far from memory, the experience is not. You HAVE TO. The loop off of I-40 and back to Flagstaff is maybe 2-3 hrs in traffic.

If you are spending time in ABQ, NM, find the Sandia Peak Tramway. Get tickets early. Many people don't know that ABQ has some of the best sunsets in the world. Watch one. Be viewed as deep and sensitive. Get deep and sensitive. ON the mountain.

I've prepped the X with transmission service so far. I will change the oil in July before the trip. I did the complete cooling system overhaul in Dec of 2013, so I am good until I go radical with an all aluminum unit. My fluids are also in pretty good shape.

I have to take it in for a look at the alternator as well. I noticed some fluctuation in the driving lights at idle.

And, here's an odd one: I have clear bra installed in the X, but some of those places in Montana and Wyoming were the most dense bug farms I have ever seen. I'v just reminded myself that I *may* (probably will) find and install an ugly OE front bra on the X5 this time through. If I can fit one of those bug deflectors, I may also install that.

About 1/2 way through the trip last year, I just had to remind myself that I'd chosen to drive this thing for 6,000 miles out west and I needed to OWN that it was going to come out with more wear as a result. It was a painful conversation, but I got there.

I'm going to go find that bra. And that bug deflector. Oh! And maybe a comfort windshield. My 11 yr old one is cracked. And a cargo box for my roof rails! And.. and...

[admranger]

Get a hitch mounted carrier like the Thule Terrapin instead of a roof mounted one. So much easier to load stuff into.