X5 vs. Tail of the Dragon (pics/video from this weekend)

[J.Belknap]

haha, Chris that's awesome! Small world indeed. The brakes are still available, btw.

Building a LS/T56/Ford9" pro-touring style chassis for the silver car, so I'll likely see you around here more than 3Si.

- J

[pezho405]

Wow i love your car.

[FSETH]

J, your X looks amazing in some of those shots. The wider front wheels make a big difference.

I had my e46 M3 up there over Memorial Day weekend and ended up with great weather and decent traffic. I have been up there in our 02 4.4 sport, but this was the first time in my new (to me) e46. Here is one shot.

[E55AMG2]

J are you running rears all around?

[J.Belknap]

pezho405, thanks man!

E55AMG2, Yes sir.

FSETH, congrats again on the M purchase, and it looks like you had a blast! Everything went well? No brake fluid boiling, off-road excursions, or otherwise? Did you happen to stay at the Fontana Village Resort? There's absolutely no cell phone reception up there and I LOVE it, haha.

Oh... almost forgot... Here's some websites for the local photographers:

killboy.com photos - The Original Photographer from US129 Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap
129 Slayer The Dragon Photo Specialist on US 129
MoonShinePhoto.Com -Photos on the dragon, Deal's Gap The Dragon, Dragons tail,tail of the dragon,pictures of the dragon, 318 curves at Deal's Gap Tennessee
PhotoReflect - Xtreme Sports Photography

would love to see more pictures if you come across some.

[E55AMG2]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

E55AMG2, Yes sir.

Ive thought about this for mine...but the thought of spending even MORE on tires makes me cringe. Did it kill your fuel economy any? Tramlining?

[J.Belknap]

Roadway Wholesale Tire in Pompano Beach, FL sells Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport (non-rft, 315/35/20, part# 095-124) at $262.33 each. + Shipping (you can pick up your order locally, too.) This was the best pricing I found for what I think is a great bang for the buck tire.

Didn't notice much fuel economy change, it wasn't really great to begin with, haha.

Tramlining, yes, but 95% of the time it's on roads with bad ruts.

[E55AMG2]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

Roadway Wholesale Tire sells Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport (non-rft, 315/35/20, part# 095-124) at $262.33 each. + Shipping (you can pick up your order locally, too.) This was the best pricing I found for what I think is a great bang for the buck tire.

Didn't notice much fuel economy change, it wasn't really great to begin with, haha.

Tramlining, yes, on roads with bad ruts.

I run the Extreme Contact 3 DWS. So far, they're great; perhaps a bit lazy on turn in but otherwise equal in ultimate grip to the Diamaris and Yoko Advan S/T. Im making 14.5 driving like grandma (50/50 city/highway)....if it's 1mpg difference, I can live with that. I figure with 315's up front, and the Dinan camber plates that my 4.6 will handle pretty awesome for a 2.5 ton SUV. Your vid is pretty good proof of that.

[J.Belknap]

Cool deal man, hope to hear your impressions when you pull the trigger! Forgot to say, steering is going to be a touch heavier. After a few weeks, that resistance becomes to feel normal.

[E55AMG2]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

Cool deal man, hope to hear your impressions when you pull the trigger! Forgot to say, steering is going to be a touch heavier. After a few weeks, that resistance becomes to feel normal.

I figured that much. It also got a touch heavier when I put in a ZHP wheel (since its a bit smaller in diameter). Either way, the 4.6is has servotronic to compensate for the heavier steering at parking lot speeds.