[JTWCT]

Has anyone tried driving up the Mt. Washington Auto Road in a lowered automatic BMW 3 series?

I've done it in SUV and think I should be fine but was just curious if anyone else had done it.

[JHB335]

Howdy,

I have made the trip comfortably many times in a 2008 328 XI (stock).

However, my one shot at it in a 2007 (I think) Z4 (stock) was fairly painful due to the current road conditions - very choppy, very broken pavement. In the Z4 I was dodging giant holes the entire way up and constantly getting my teeth knocked together.

My guess is you could do it, I don't have a ton of experience with lowered cars - I'm assuming you are as low or lower then the Z4.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by JHB335

Howdy,

I have made the trip comfortably many times in a 2008 328 XI (stock).

However, my one shot at it in a 2007 (I think) Z4 (stock) was fairly painful due to the current road conditions - very choppy, very broken pavement. In the Z4 I was dodging giant holes the entire way up and constantly getting my teeth knocked together.

My guess is you could do it, I don't have a ton of experience with lowered cars - I'm assuming you are as low or lower then the Z4.

Thanks, I may be fine. I also have a 328xi. But with 19" rims and go flat tires. It may not be bad. Thanks for your help!

[Arustik1]

Just hike up. You'll have the time of your life.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by Arustik1

Just hike up. You'll have the time of your life.

Thanks for the idea. But I'll be with two German girls and they're not experienced hikers.

[jmh]

Not a problem at all driving up.
We just did our annual Climb to the Clouds and had +30 BMWs up there

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmh-pic...7630031050121/

- Jan

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by jmh

Not a problem at all driving up.
We just did our annual Climb to the Clouds and had +30 BMWs up there

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmh-pic...7630031050121/

- Jan

Thanks! Those photos are amazing! How much did you use the hill descent control?

[JHB335]

Originally Posted by JTWCT

Thanks! Those photos are amazing! How much did you use the hill descent control?

Hill descent control was awesome on the way down! It's the only time I have ever been in a situation where it was even remotely feasible to use.

I actually found myself playing with it quite a bit, it's very strange, its like you set your speed with the gas pedal, and it uses the brakes when you exceed that speed - i.e. if you back off the gas, the brakes come into play immediately to bring your speed down.

I agree climbing it yourself is a fairly magical experience. I keep wanting to go back but the first time I fooled myself contantly into thinking "Maybe I'm getting close..." and I started doing that roughly 1/5th of the way up.

I'm a little worried at hitting it again, but this time knowing the full extent of what I'm up against right from the start.

[Thunder Dump]

Originally Posted by jmh

Not a problem at all driving up.
We just did our annual Climb to the Clouds and had +30 BMWs up there

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmh-pic...7630031050121/

- Jan

I was part of this group as well. My E93 has the Sport Suspension with 18s and I had no issues at all.