Feet Up Rev 2

[pkinneb]

On 5/18/2026 at 10:30 AM, fcschoenthal said:

I got a 2019 428i with the hardtop convertible with the M package as a retirement gift to myself a couple of years ago. Luckily, in Texas we get 8-9 months that I can put the top down (one Xmas I took the grandkids out to look at lights with it down, turning on the heater and seats). Wouldn't trade it since it's the last hardtop they made. 

That is a nice car!

At one time we owned three Miata's (down to one now) and are still actively involved in the MN Miata club but decided a couple years ago that we wanted a larger conv to travel in. I started looking at Mustang GT's but the cost was really getting up there so I started looking around and found the 430i at about the same price point. Well until I realized the performance wasn't there...then we decided to get the M440i. We ordered it in late 2023 and took delivery in 2024 but really didn't get a chance to drive it, only about 6K miles in two years. We put 6500 miles on it on this trip LOL. I can tell you after spending 3+ weeks in it and driving those miles it is an ideal conv to travel in, we just love it. Oh and we avg 32mpg running 75-80 

Final note: not saying I did but I may have confirmed the 137 mph top speed on a stretch in UT maybe 

On 5/18/2026 at 11:08 AM, Chet said:

That looks like it was a great trip Paul.  Did you come away with a favorite stretch of Route 66?  Living in California we have spent a lot of time visiting the Redwood and Sequoias around the state.

Chet AZ has the longest stretch of original road at about 100 miles and would be my favorite part of the ride.  With Oatman and its wild donkeys, Kingman, the Petrified Forest / Painted Desert etc its was a really fun state to go through. My Favorite city was Sante Fe and favorite stretch of road was CA 1 in California    

[fcschoenthal]

On 5/18/2026 at 2:01 PM, pkinneb said:

Well until I realized the performance wasn't there...then we decided to get the M440i. Oh and we avg 32mpg running 75-80 

I get enough performance out of my 4 cyl, but not enough to get me into more trouble. I've had people ask why I go so fast between stop lights. I just reply "I have more fun that way".

6500 miles is a lot. My wife won't ride with me, saying that it's too low and rides rough. I keep trying to tell her that the low profile tires and sports steering are better on the highway, but she won't believe me.

[legenddc]

Road trip looks amazing. Really makes me want to do the same. Might have to settle for a shorter road trip later this year.