I didn't see a thread like this during a cursory search, so I thought I'd start one...
What's your favorite time (of day, year, whatever) and/or place
(specific location, general type of road, etc.) to drive your Z3?
For me, it's simple. I cannot fully explain it, but I love having the top down on my roadster late at night during any hot month.
I live in the US northeast, and there is something exhilarating and free--almost defiant--in my demeanor when this happens. Perhaps its the combination of an open car, nearly empty roads and doing something very few others are doing. Maybe even a little risk, as many view night driving with trepidation, especially if you are in unfamiliar areas without the protection of an enclosed car. Certainly, having the temps cool from the 90s down to the 70s and being able to enjoy a cooler breeze and clear sky is part of it.
As much as I look forward to Spring bringing greenery and the return of birds and other wildlife, I probably am most keen on getting out in an open car.
What's your thrill?
Brad
Even though I don't have a roadster, I also live in the Philly area and have had many awesome top down experiences in the summer back when my best friend had an MG and 560SL that we would always cruise in. My favorite times are late at night, because when I first bought mine I was working at starbucks and had to drive in to open at 5am most mornings when the roads were desolate but it was perfect for winding the car out.
Fall days and sundays are also great times. My GF and I often just go for a drive somewhere as something to do on Sundays if we dont have anything planned. I'm over in Wyndmoor/Chestnut Hill what about you?
Right now, top down through the mountains on a Spring morning. Actually, on my way shortly.
And I'm with you on the hot nights, top down. Any speed is good, even just cruising through town around 25-30.
Nathan in Denver
1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42
The Salt River Canyon or Wickenberg to Prescott.
Old Squaw Pass up to the top of Mt Evans is always a great ride/drive as is bouncing over Loveland or Guenella or Cottonwood or up on Grand Mesa and lets not forget the Colorado National Monument and the Puder Canyon and the Peak to Peak and not to be out done going over the top of Trail Ridge ........................... But if I had to pick one close road is Lookout Mt Road but I digress as Clear creek and Deer Creek with a stop at Red Rocks is always good to!!! And I haven't even got warmed up!!!!
There all good
I'm with you on summer nights.
My favorite very specific place is highway 276 near the NC/SC border. It's about a 1 hour drive from the factory and it feels like the car was made for this road.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0992....6248366,14.2z
Last edited by pine1000; 05-03-2019 at 02:05 PM. Reason: spelling
Summer nights in the city
Or spring, daytime, miles from anything on some curvy backroads
Going to the sun road anytime it’s open. I’m driving the talimena skyway the end of the month.
I thoroughly enjoy every moment in this car, rain or shine. The top down night drive is awesome as others say.
I even enjoy 5 mph in stop and go traffic listen to tunes with the top down. I love that moment traffic opens up and I take off leaving everyone in the dust.
I have a '99 hard top and it looks really cool but I love hearing the exhaust through the uninsulated soft top. Car is in it's element top down, no doubt.
I guess I am in the minority. I live in Maine, there is not a straight road to be found in my area, lots of fun. I am awake at 5:30 every morning and I like to take an early morning cruise with my Coupe before the other folks are out and on the road, especially during tourist season. The tourists take over the roads by 10 and that is my cue to be home.
Jim
'16 BMW X5 3.5i
'15 GMC 2500
'01 550 Maranello
'01 BMW Z3 Coupe 3.0 manual 5sp
'97 Land Rover Defender 90
Back in my college days I used to race myself (time) from my house in Golden to the top of Lookout Mountain. Freshman year was a 1989 325i. Sophomore year was a 1988 535i. Not enough power in either, but so much fun. I finally got the right car Senior year. My 535i was just totaled by hail. I was driving a 1991 Bronco in its place. I found a mint 1994 E34 M5 on Roadfly and sent the ad to my father and asked for a loan. He agreed and I booked a one way ticket to El Paso and drove the car home to Denver. That car had plenty of power for those mountain passes.
Kenosha Pass is another great drive. Or Independence Pass en route to Aspen. Too many good ones here.
Last edited by s8ilver; 05-06-2019 at 10:21 AM.
Nathan in Denver
1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42
Any time, any place, for any reason. However, the headlights are so poor, nighttime driving requires a lot of attention out where we have a lot of deer. I’ve been ruined by lots of cars with HID, and now my ‘18 Audi SQ5 with LED headlights.
‘98 Z3 2.8 roadster, Montrealblau/tan 5sp, M50 manifold, AFE intake, SuperSprint catback, Bilsteins, BAVAuto sport springs, Style 42 BBS
I really enjoy the night drive which is the reason I retrofitted bi-xenon, especially a night drive to a little place called Moonlight Beach in a town called Encinitas (preferably near full moon, of course)...
2000 Z3 M Titanium Silver / Imola Red+Black Nappa
2011 328i E92 Space Gray Metallic / Leder Dakota+Oyster
Since 1987 12 euros / 2 kdms / 2 jdms
- Zach
The North Carolina Spring (or fall).
An open country road south of Charlotte - that I have never been on before.
Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
I smile the whole time.
Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.
In the fall, top down, when the leaves start to turn. Nothing like a 360 degree view of the fall foliage.
It's not the years in your life that counts, it the life in your years...
2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
2016 428xi -Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 430iC- Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 330it - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige/Black
2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
2016 428xi -Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 430iC- Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 330it - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige/Black
Summer at night with the top down on the interstate. I am light sensitive and I'm not a fan of sweating.
Stubbornness is a virtue....
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