Drive a M4 CS from LA to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe now?

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by deemack79

Couldn't be a better car to take. Just came back from a 2100 mile trip from LI to WV to Tennessee with the family. Since there isn't a spare I would suggest bringing a tire plug kit, and some various tools.

Hah fantastic pic!

[zamboni]

Take PCH HWY1 up to Tahoe enjoy the scenic route.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

I've done NorCal to SoCal several times and it's not a big deal unless you run into a random issue - depends on how much you value having a blast on the interstate versus the risks of an unforeseen issue to get something serviced. I wouldn't stress on it for something like LA to Sequoia, Yosemite and Tahoe. You've got dealers in all the major metros like Bakersfield/Fresno/Sacramento so it's at worst a tow and slight delay.

[deemack79]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Am I the only one that hates the F80 on long road trips? My lower back starts to hurt in a few hours.

I did a 13 hour trip straight back only stopping for gas twice and to eat once. Not one issue....bump that lumbar up...

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by deemack79

Couldn't be a better car to take. Just came back from a 2100 mile trip from LI to WV to Tennessee with the family. Since there isn't a spare I would suggest bringing a tire plug kit, and some various tools.

Outstanding!

What X3M?!

[CanAutM3]

When we took delivery of our first M4 in 2014, we did a European Delivery, a 4-week 2500 mile road trip through Europe with my wife, 3.5 year old daughter and 6 month old son. It was one of our best vacations ever. The four of us fit comfortably with the all the luggage, stroller and highchair. The M4 is perfectly fine for an extended road trip. The M4cs sacrifices very little in terms of comfort and practicality. I’d say the main downside is a slightly boomier cabin from the reduced sound deadening.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by deemack79

I did a 13 hour trip straight back only stopping for gas twice and to eat once. Not one issue....bump that lumbar up...

There’s no adjustable lumbar support in the CP/CS seats...

[deemack79]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

There's no adjustable lumbar support in the CP/CS seats...

Time to head to the local Homegoods and find a throw pillow to wedge back there.

[BzsBimmer]

I live out in this area and I can tell you that the roads are clear right now as the weather is warm.

Has been a couple of isolated thunderstorms past week or two but if so, I’d pull over or drive very carefully if on summer slicks. Factory tires will be fine if you don’t drive like a hooligan.

The roads up in Yosemite are pretty decent and smooth. Maybe you’ll scoop up the occasional pine cone or chipmunk but par for the course.

Roads in Tahoe are pretty clear as well. No major fires to worry about atm *knock on wood. Some of the backroads in Tahoe could be questionable with your lip but those are pretty isolated.

I’d mainly watch for 5-0. There can be quite a few in Tahoe/Truckee area. Yosemite is mainly going to be pissed off bicyclist and pedestrians if you rip through the area.

I’d also check up to date park information because #Covid

[BzsBimmer]

Also I’d add that I would head North, hit Yosemite and then on the way down hit Tahoe and then head across the Bay Area to PCH on the way home, or the opposite route.

Many open hotels along the way for major chains. Smaller town hotels could be opening up but summer rentals could cause vacancy shortages. School is coming back into session next week for a lot of districts up here so that could factor in one way or another.

[S.Carter]

The GF and I took a long road trip from SF down to so cal LA area, out to AZ up to the Grand Canyon, back up to Vegas, to Tahoe and then back over to SF. It was an awesome trip and having the places to stop broke up the long drives. My car is stock ride height so I didnt have any issues with clearance. I also had to take the poor thing literally off road to find a camping spot just outside of the Grand Canyon.
It was about 5ish hours a day of driving along with stopping for food, camping site seeing. I honestly would 100% recommend that loop, plenty of open roads and sight seeing. If you get up to Tahoe and want to head back down to so cal take the 395 south vs the 99/5 much better drive although there are lots of small towns with heaps of cops, just be careful. The car isnt a CS so seats were comfy, its a great road trip car in my opinion.

[redblaze]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Also I’d add that I would head North, hit Yosemite and then on the way down hit Tahoe and then head across the Bay Area to PCH on the way home, or the opposite route.

Many open hotels along the way for major chains. Smaller town hotels could be opening up but summer rentals could cause vacancy shortages. School is coming back into session next week for a lot of districts up here so that could factor in one way or another.

Thanks a lot for these tips. Road conditions were what concerned me the most but it seems good now after seeing your comments. I do appreciate it!

[redblaze]

Originally Posted by S.Carter

The GF and I took a long road trip from SF down to so cal LA area, out to AZ up to the Grand Canyon, back up to Vegas, to Tahoe and then back over to SF. It was an awesome trip and having the places to stop broke up the long drives. My car is stock ride height so I didnt have any issues with clearance. I also had to take the poor thing literally off road to find a camping spot just outside of the Grand Canyon.
It was about 5ish hours a day of driving along with stopping for food, camping site seeing. I honestly would 100% recommend that loop, plenty of open roads and sight seeing. If you get up to Tahoe and want to head back down to so cal take the 395 south vs the 99/5 much better drive although there are lots of small towns with heaps of cops, just be careful. The car isnt a CS so seats were comfy, its a great road trip car in my opinion.

Yea, the thing I miss mostly is actually the armrest especially on door panel. Not having that really kills my left shoulder.

[THEROK]

I've put many miles on both a comp pack and a stock CS. The latter gives up very little in daily driving comfort and road trip accommodations.

Center armrest is a non-issue unless you lean while driving. The door panel arm shelf or lack thereof is the only gotcha, but any human of grade school level cognition will sort all of these 1st world challenges out (bring little pillows or something).

Enjoy the drive and share some pics! The CS is the gem of the lineup.

[redblaze]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I've put many miles on both a comp pack and a stock CS. The latter gives up very little in daily driving comfort and road trip accommodations.

Center armrest is a non-issue unless you lean while driving. The door panel arm shelf or lack thereof is the only gotcha, but any human of grade school level cognition will sort all of these 1st world challenges out (bring little pillows or something).

Enjoy the drive and share some pics! The CS is the gem of the lineup.

I actually don't get it, How to address the door panel without armrest issue?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by redblaze

I actually don't get it, How to address the door panel without armrest issue?

With a proper driving position, the door armrest is actually perfectly positioned. However, most people sit too far from the steering wheel...

[Walmart Parking Lot]

I’ve taken more than a handful of cross country road trips in my M4. I honestly think the seats are pretty comfortable for what they are. Reliability wise, these things are extremely reliable. Have fun!

[LAKERS333]

Make sure you take a radar detector, I use a Uniden R7 in my drive from LA to Mammoth and it's the best thing ever. They use KA radar all throughout and can't stress how great of a job it does for that drive. Tahoe is close to Mammoth so would be same route.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by redblaze

Thanks. I'm not worried about its reliability, I'm more concerned on the road and weather conditions along the way, not sure if the car and tires can handle them well.

This is the most reliable M car ever built. Just drive it!

I just got back from a week long road trip up the PCH/101 from LA to Oregon, however we took our SUV. It was a beautiful drive and there were more than a few times I wish we took the M3 CS instead. That being said, some of the best views were after a bit of offroading on some terrain that my M3 CS certainly wouldn't have made it through including some small river crossings. It all depends on what you want to do though, you could always just park the M4 and hike it.

As far as weather, it's summer, no problems there with the MPSS that the M4 CS comes with. You will probably even be okay with Cup2's considering how dry it is.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Am I the only one that hates the F80 on long road trips? My lower back starts to hurt in a few hours.

No you're not. I hate any year M3 on long road trips. It kills my lower back. The lower seat cushion is like sitting on a wood bench with light padding lol.

Now my previous AMG. w/ those E63 seats good god. It was heaven. Sporty but still super comfy and luxurious.

My M3 I can't go more than 2 hours tops

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by jmg

This is the most reliable M car ever built. Just drive it!

I just got back from a week long road trip up the PCH/101 from LA to Oregon, however we took our SUV. It was a beautiful drive and there were more than a few times I wish we took the M3 CS instead. That being said, some of the best views were after a bit of offroading on some terrain that my M3 CS certainly wouldn't have made it through including some small river crossings. It all depends on what you want to do though, you could always just park the M4 and hike it.

As far as weather, it's summer, no problems there with the MPSS that the M4 CS comes with. You will probably even be okay with Cup2's considering how dry it is.

I've don't that drive before. It's nice. The trees start to get so big you can feel you are in a totally different place!

in oregon the red shirts will yell at you if you touch the gas pump! So beware of that.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

I've don't that drive before. It's nice. The trees start to get so big you can feel you are in a totally different place!

in oregon the red shirts will yell at you if you touch the gas pump! So beware of that.

Avenue Of The Giants was incredible. Love that drive!