[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Yeah, I get it. Despite all of our current aids, it's still doesn't seem possible to adjust for all of the obstacles we're headed for during our travels.

I've certainly stiffened-up my suspension...bigly...and while I'm more than generally willing to accept the trade-offs...ahhhh...ummm...there are limits, ya know!

Thinking about it now, especially in retrospect, I'm grateful for the lack of obstacles I encountered while running back and forth across the West from 1969-1997. Driving-wise, I suppose I think of them as my "good old days." That said, times are very different now, and I believe most old guys like myself sharing with younger drivers how cool it was to be running hard and wide-open back-in-the-day isn't necessarily very productive. It was what it was, and, as always, now it is what it is.

I presently live in a fairly congested part of the country. Here, back roads are where enthusiasts tend to find enjoyable driving experiences. This includes less traffic and the opportunity to exercise our cars.

Unlike the West, however, sight lines in the Midwest tend not to be nearly so open. Wise drivers allow for surprises so that when they roll hot into a corner only to discover water, sand, or pebbles strewn across their path, they're able to manage the challenges presented to them.

Given a choice, I feel that rural and isolated Western roads, including many interstate sections, are much more conducive to rockin'-n-rollin' hard in cars like our 2 Series.

That is separate from the issue of retaining your D/L, an issue I've had the opportunity to engage with on more than one occasion, going all the way back to the 1960s.

I've driven that part of the country several times. Of the rememberable roads I drove, one was Route 12 out of Lolo, Montana to Kooskia, Idaho. Some 4,000 foot drop over 130 miles or so sidelining a river. I'd have recommended it, but the OP was going the wrong direction and was time limited.