Just did a 1500 mile run to visit the offspring at VT and UVA.
81 south on way down was a pain but on way back major back roads in VA all at as fast as I could. Got stuck in a Viper club outing on day, too bad, no one could pass me! Were they frustrated!
Car was flawless, no oil used and temp never over 80 deg despite sustained high speed.
Planning basic Renntech upgrade with airbox, chip and muffler this winter when off road.

__________________
John
92 500e, 85k, silver/gray,all stock.
96 Club Wagon,Hypertech chipped( College Hauler)
97 320 SL 50k
1980 BMW e21 323 Baur conv.
1990 300GE 99k

Hi John-

did you have a chance to do twisties or was the trip major straight roads? ...how fast did you get the 500e and how did it feeeeeeel?

I'm pondering on taking a road trip using the E500 from San Francisco to Ensenada,Mexico this December...

-fad

I have also just completed a 1,000 mile trip from Austin, TX to Scottsdale, AZ to buy/pick up Mark Herzig's 500E, a frequent contributor to this forum. Just as represented by Mark, the car was well taken care of and am thrilled to be the new owner!

Being an ex-400E owner, I was quickly re-acquainted with the same model year 500E, 1992. The power of the 500E at highway speeds is definitely intoxicating and easily creeps up on you. Although short bursts were taken at up to 125-130mph, traffic on the road came up rapidly that necessitated slowing down.

The newer Ka Band radar typically used by the Highway Patrol tagged me TWICE! The first, around Ozona, TX, the cruiser came up on the opposing traffic on Interstate 10 with the old Passport dead quiet! Radar showed 83 uphill on 70mph limit.
The second one, following morning around Wilcox, AZ, passing a string of 18 wheel trucks at 85 on 75mph limit, again the Passport dead quiet and also from opposing traffic.

I understand the new Escort Passport 8500 is a good one to invest in. Anybody have this and does it perform as advertised?

Mostly twisties FAD,we took Virginias scenic byways. I didnt put the hammer down much, but did see 3 figures a few times, mostly on 81 south to get away from idiots
The twisties were a breeze. I never had to brake or change course for bends .
I did a similar trip in my previous 400e a few years ago, there is no comparison.
My only complaint is that the seat base is a little tight and pinches a bit on long runs , but I could remedy that by losing a few pounds(Im 195)

__________________
John
92 500e, 85k, silver/gray,all stock.
96 Club Wagon,Hypertech chipped( College Hauler)
97 320 SL 50k
1980 BMW e21 323 Baur conv.
1990 300GE 99k

Thanks Willie and John for sharing --

yes- - I totally agree that 500e's excessive highway speeds are just plain difficult to prevent (I've honestly explained this to my wife to her disbelief)...and the absence of traffic on roadways are a rarity these days

Willie- congrats on acquiring Mark's 500e! ...suggest looking to the V1 for your radar detector. Do a search for Valentine 1 or V1 and a strong majority here think that V1 is worlds above anything else on the market.

...you guys now have me re-thinking my December vacation road trip plans with the e500, 'cause I definitely do not have the discipline to stay within the legal speed limits for a 10 hour jaunt from N Cal to Baja Mexico

have a great day
-fad

-fad, thanks for your recent and past input regarding my acquisition!

Those interested, please see: http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html

I have no knowledge of how legitimate the radartest website is, however. This is the reason I asked the forum if they have any experience with the newer Escort product. I've heard many positive comments about the V1 and was comparing.

Willie- thanks for passing the interesting info on...

I've been contemplating V1 for a while now, and I'm still definitely sure that the only way to truly avoid speeding related penalties is to abide by the public roadway laws (and speed on the track)

I already have one trip planned in the E500 11/25 to (S Cal) for the Euro Tuner GP at Willow Springs~1300 miles roundtrip and I'm thinking that....- if I get lucky and avoid radar/speed traps on that trip, I'll go ahead and do the Baja, Mexico vacation drive in December too (with or without radar detection support).

tks-fad

Doing the same run in november but have to take the Van, I am moving to southern VA. Its no slouch either, 4.7 v8 with a hypertech chip, it moves along. I will be near Virginia International Speedway, Mainsville etc.
Yall have a great day

__________________
John
92 500e, 85k, silver/gray,all stock.
96 Club Wagon,Hypertech chipped( College Hauler)
97 320 SL 50k
1980 BMW e21 323 Baur conv.
1990 300GE 99k

Hey John- never had a chance to speak to an M6 owner... and I've always admired them

What's your impressions on it's performance compared to your 500e?

tks-fad

-fad,
I havnt even driven it yet. It is a loaded RHD model my brother-in -law had. It is in Ireland, where I have another home, and where I am headed next week.
I will be driving it there and will post a note when I get back.
B-I-Law is the local BMW dealer so the car is well looked after.
I got tired of renting econoboxes so when he made me an offer I took it.
I will be burning some rubber there !

__________________
John
92 500e, 85k, silver/gray,all stock.
96 Club Wagon,Hypertech chipped( College Hauler)
97 320 SL 50k
1980 BMW e21 323 Baur conv.
1990 300GE 99k

Thanks John- looking forward to your impressions
-fad

The Valentine 1 is the only way to go for a radar detector... I have tested it in the same car with friends radar detectors... there is no comparison. I've gotten many miles warning with my V1. I don't leave home without it.

John