[elliswyatt]

By going on a 600 mile donut run. St. Louis is a pretty strong donut town but my favorite donuts come from across the state at St. George’s Donuts in Springfield. Combine that thought with a brand new M240i that needs some break-in miles and you have the makings of a perfect, two-day road trip.

For this trip, I drove due south beyond Poplar Bluff and made a right turn onto beautiful highway 160 across the bottom part of the state. After two Audis, this was a great way to get acquainted with the M240i and now I know what you probably already know. This car is competent, comfortable and fast. Any ideas for my next road trip?

[dradernh]

Congratulations on your new car – as a former resident of NW Arkansas, your trip sounds like a wonderful introduction to what it has to offer!

Below is a trip I've been planning that would give you a chance to stretch the M240i's legs even further; and, perhaps, see some new sights. If I was doing this from St. Louis, I'd leave at o'dark thirty to get as much of I-70 done before first light. After that, you're seeing the country all the way to the memorials. I've included KS-18 as Chris Wright makes it sound like a terrific road to drive in the current issue of BMW CCA's Roundel magazine.

Day Two, see the sights, and then head back via a different route. This could be anywhere from three days if rushed or five to seven days if you see the sights on the way.

For some time I've wanted to get back to Mt. Rushmore, see how much work has been done on Crazy Horse since I last saw it in 1998, visit Devil's Tower again, and then continue up to Whitefish, MT and Glacier National Park. I've run out of time to do it this year; it's first on my list for next year.

[harma24]

Those look like good $50 donuts! Looks like it was highway all the way for you; I hope you varied your speed along the way.

Personally, one of my first road-trips was south to RI to buy Everclear so I could make Apple Pie Moonshine (can't buy anything close to 190 proof in MA). Knowing me, I probably also made a donut run during the break-in period, but I have a great place about 2 miles from home (shout-out to Donna's Donuts).

Damnit, now I'll have to go get donuts in the morning. Thanks a lot...

As for your next roadtrip, I don't know you're area well enough, but I'd suggest you find something mountainous (or at least hilly). Looking at a map, how would something like the Mark Twain National Forest be? Rt 32 looks like it could be fun (if you have no one in front of you).

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Congratulations on your new car – as a former resident of NW Arkansas, your trip sounds like a wonderful introduction to what it has to offer!

Below is a trip I've been planning that would give you a chance to stretch the M240i's legs even further; and, perhaps, see some new sights. If I was doing this from St. Louis, I'd leave at o'dark thirty to get as much of I-70 done before first light. After that, you're seeing the country all the way to the memorials. I've included KS-18 as Chris Wright makes it sound like a terrific road to drive in the current issue of BMW CCA's Roundel magazine.

Day Two, see the sights, and then head back via a different route. This could be anywhere from three days if rushed or five to seven days if you see the sights on the way.

For some time I've wanted to get back to Mt. Rushmore, see how much work has been done on Crazy Horse since I last saw it in 1998, visit Devil's Tower again, and then continue up to Whitefish, MT and Glacier National Park. I've run out of time to do it this year; it's first on my list for next year.

NW AR is beautiful. We generally get down to the Buffalo River at least once a year. The trip you outline looks intriguing, in fact we just spent a week in the Black Hills this past July. KS-18 would be easy enough to work into that trip. Thanks for the suggestion!

Originally Posted by harma24

Those look like good $50 donuts! Looks like it was highway all the way for you; I hope you varied your speed along the way.

Personally, one of my first road-trips was south to RI to buy Everclear so I could make Apple Pie Moonshine (can't buy anything close to 190 proof in MA). Knowing me, I probably also made a donut run during the break-in period, but I have a great place about 2 miles from home (shout-out to Donna's Donuts).

Damnit, now I'll have to go get donuts in the morning. Thanks a lot...

As for your next roadtrip, I don't know you're area well enough, but I'd suggest you find something mountainous (or at least hilly). Looking at a map, how would something like the Mark Twain National Forest be? Rt 32 looks like it could be fun (if you have no one in front of you).

Well, I did buy some extras to put in the freezer. (I had to, just to make the trip more cost effective ).

Definitely not highway all the way. Much of my trip was through the Mark Twain NF and all of 160 is twisty and hilly. I took a different set of back-roads on the way home, quite a bit of it on 32 and the rest on 19. There is a section of 19 that is amazing, if you look carefully at the attached photo (from a prior trip in my S4), you can see that it's a ribbon of undulations and it goes on this way for miles. It is a roller coaster that will bounce your breakfast up and down.

[K8_M235i]

I have a brand new engine that I need to do 1,000 miles on. Too bad my favorite donut place is 5 miles from home (should I be happy or sad about that in this scenario?)

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

I have a brand new engine that I need to do 1,000 miles on. Too bad my favorite donut place is 5 miles from home (should I be happy or sad about that in this scenario?)

well just make 100 round trips...

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

well just make 100 round trips...

Could always do lots of donuts in the parking lot to rack up some miles

[K8_M235i]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

well just make 100 round trips...

That works for me.

Originally Posted by aerobod

Could always do lots of donuts in the parking lot to rack up some miles

What parking lot!? We're talking downtown Boston here lol, but seriously I don't think I've ever parked legally while grabbing donuts quickly.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

That works for me.



What parking lot!? We're talking downtown Boston here lol, but seriously I don't think I've ever parked legally while grabbing donuts quickly.

From my recollection of driving on Boston streets, nothing much happens legally!

[BEM-S4]

Blew through St. Louis en route from NYC to LA a few weeks ago. Looked nice from the highway! It's on my list of someplace to visit for a couple of days, haven't gotten to it yet.

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Blew through St. Louis en route from NYC to LA a few weeks ago. Looked nice from the highway! It's on my list of someplace to visit for a couple of days, haven't gotten to it yet.

Well, if you do make it, feel free to holler at me. Depending on what you like to do, I can offer suggestions for sights, restaurants, fun roads, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

Well, if you do make it, feel free to holler at me. Depending on what you like to do, I can offer suggestions for sights, restaurants, fun roads, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask.

Great, thanks. This is all I've seen of the city so far!

[K8_M235i]

Spent the weekend driving up to Portland Maine and then to mount Washington. The crowds at Mt W were absolutely brutal, but I did put about 500 miles on the car. Now I'm at 900, so almost done with break in

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

Spent the weekend driving up to Portland Maine and then to mount Washington. The crowds at Mt W were absolutely brutal, but I did put about 500 miles on the car. Now I'm at 900, so almost done with break in

Is this for a new engine in your M235i or a different car?

[harma24]

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

Spent the weekend driving up to Portland Maine and then to mount Washington. The crowds at Mt W were absolutely brutal, but I did put about 500 miles on the car. Now I'm at 900, so almost done with break in

Mt. Washington Auto Road can be fun if you can manage a gap between you and the car in front. (And it can be absolutely frustrating if you're stuck behind someone who has no business driving on the road; seriously, there are people in family sedans who take the road slower than the van drivers.)

I hope you found some other roads in the area too. The Kancamagus is nice of course (especially this time of year), but again, traffic can be brutal. Bear Notch Rd between the Kancamagus and Rt. 302 however sees very little traffic and can be a lot of fun! Just keep an eye out for the hooligans in the scenic overlook parking lots:

[K8_M235i]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

Is this for a new engine in your M235i or a different car?

For the m235, here's the story:

N55s have oil sump/ rod bearing issues + bonus Watkins Glen Footage https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1763724

Originally Posted by harma24

Mt. Washington Auto Road can be fun if you can manage a gap between you and the car in front. (And it can be absolutely frustrating if you're stuck behind someone who has no business driving on the road; seriously, there are people in family sedans who take the road slower than the van drivers.)

I hope you found some other roads in the area too. The Kancamagus is nice of course (especially this time of year), but again, traffic can be brutal. Bear Notch Rd between the Kancamagus and Rt. 302 however sees very little traffic and can be a lot of fun! Just keep an eye out for the hooligans in the scenic overlook parking lots:

There were no gaps to be had yesterday, we waited about an hour and a half just to get to the gate. The traffic was backed on the highway for about a mile and then it was another 45 mins once we got into the parking lot.

The way down was actually way more fun because we went down after it was closed so there were no cars coming in the opposite direction. I got stuck behind a couple people, but it wasn't for long since no one understood what keep it in a low gear meant, so they would pull off. I was behind a new Acura MDX that rode their brakes the whole time. It smelled like the paddock after getting in from a session at Watkins Glen. I tapped my brakes less than 10 times the whole way down.

I've driven the Kanc and Bears Notch a handful of times. I knew of a few people that were there and said it was packed with people looking at leaves.

The best drive of the day was from Portland to North Conway. Mostly empty 55mph curvy highways!

[USA-RET]

Say no more.............

[leftoverture]

The best donuts ever come from Moon Donuts in Buffalo, MN. Would be a nice road trip for you. And you could drop a few off for me at work just down the road in Delano, MN.

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

The best donuts ever come from Moon Donuts in Buffalo, MN. Would be a nice road trip for you. And you could drop a few off for me at work just down the road in Delano, MN.

It seems unlikely that I'll get there anytime soon....BUT, if I do, I'll take your donut order and drop them off.