Finishing up my ED - Monte Carlo Blue M3

[bigjae1976]

My trip has come to an end. My car is in the hands of EH Harms...I'm a little depressed.

So it started here...
Working with Steve Thomas BMW and Welt Delivery

And then this was my itinerary...

Day 1: Fly to Munich/Pickup BMW/Welt and Museum
Day 2: Drive to Grossglockner and stop right before Stelvio Pass
Day 3: Drive from Stelvio to Davos to Fluela Pass and head north to Darschied (20kms from the Ring)
Day 4: 1200 mile service/Ring
Day 5: Ring
Day 6: Drive to Frankfurt/Drop off car

1200 mile service. There is a BMW dealer 20kms from the Ring, Kainz Autohaus. I used Google Chrome to translate and worked my way to an email address. Sent an email and got an appointment made. Pretty friendly, the service advisor (Mike) gave me some great, tips for the ring. Service and wash took about 2 hours and $507.

The trip went great besides a very expensive speeding ticket and not being able to do Fluela pass. The ring is every bit as exciting, intimidating, scary, and challenging as everyone says...in my case it seemed much more intimidating that what I've seen in any video.

Here is some more detail on how it went. Not the best time to go...exchange rate is awful. Full tank of Shell 100 is about $130.

ED Trip Report

Here are my pics from the 'Ring...'Ring Pics

Some pics...mostly from Stelvio

Top of the pass at Bormio



Others...











Grossglockner







...hopefully I can figure out how to post one of my 'Ring laps. It won't be anything record breaking or even good...but I want to share!

[GOLFFRR]

stunning MCB ftw. Thanks again for the business we all at steve thomas really appreciate it!

[e92m3allday]

Are your stock 18" rims gun metal or are they the new lighter color? I can't really tell in the pictures if they are the lighter ones with brake pad residue or gun metal.

I'm anxious because my car comes in either this week or next week and I'm hoping they came gun metal!

NVM just saw your other post. Damn! I think they're going to be the new color.

[virjose]

congrats! I will be there in three weeks. Just noticed that your avatar shows an e92 hehehehe

[Best-rider-77]

Is that you @ 1:03 ?

[Navin323i]

Congrats Jae! Very happy for you, bro.

Originally Posted by e92m3allday

Are your stock 18" rims gun metal or are they the new lighter color? I can't really tell in the pictures if they are the lighter ones with brake pad residue or gun metal.

I'm anxious because my car comes in either this week or next week and I'm hoping they came gun metal!

NVM just saw your other post. Damn! I think they're going to be the new color.

Gun metal color has been discontinued unfortunately. You'll definitely be getting the new lighter color.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Best-rider-77

Is that you @ 1:03 ?

Yes! I was the highway plug. Sorry about you car.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Navin323i

Congrats Jae! Very happy for you, bro.

Gun metal color has been discontinued unfortunately. You'll definitely be getting the new lighter color.

Thanks! just drive a couple of miles and your wheels will be gunmetal.

[bigjae1976]

Some pics from the Ring...which I've purchased.

[E90///M3`]

nice shots from the ring!! and congrats

[GOLFFRR]

like Jason posted above, sick shots!

[bigjae1976]

Thanks!

[boothguy]

Really enjoyed seeing the shots from the Stelvio, since my Le Mans Blue was just there like three weeks ago; including the highway maintenance shed on the Bormio side with the waterfall above it - I've got that same shot!

Absolutely loved the Nordschliefe footage, since it shows:
a) what a track-prepared car will do, compared to the rest of the crowd;
b) how fast the Ring Taxi disappeared from view
c) what awaits if you make even a small mistake (like trying to go around a slower car on the outside when carrying too much speed.

Just as a note, the damage to the trackside barrier also gets charged to the driver who bent it. Still, it's an absolute must for any real enthusiast to do at least once.

[bigjae1976]

Thanks.

Not an expert but I thought the Ring was most difficult when it started drying out. Because you can't tell where the track is wet and dry. You start picking up some speed, crest a hill and its wet.

That's on top of the blind turns, elevation changes, traffic, and trying to remember where you are.

DSC saved me a couple of times.

[bigjae1976]

Here's a video...not that exciting though. Probably one of the slowest laps you'll ever see.