Monday, October 13, 2025
The New Toyota Corolla Makes a Surprise Appearance
Lexus Teases an LS Minivan With Six Wheels. Yes, Really
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Track Battle: F87 M2C vs. G87 M2 (Pre-LCI)
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The ultimate BMW M2 battle is here. The all-new BMW M2 G87 takes on its predecessor, the legendary BMW M2 Competition (F87), in a full track showdown to see just how far BMW’s smallest M car has come. From raw, turbocharged aggression to refined precision and technology, these two cars represent completely different eras of the M division — but which one delivers the true M2 experience? On paper, the G87 should destroy the F87… but on track, the results might surprise you. Featuring racing driver Sam behind the wheel to push both cars to their limits, we measure performance, handling, and lap times to reveal the truth behind BMW’s evolution. |
RG Sport’s BMW XM Road Trip: Los Angeles to Vancouver & Beyond
Sixteen days, two countries, and one unforgettable drive in the XM.
I’ve done this drive a few times before — roughly my sixth run from Los Angeles to Vancouver — but this was the first time doing it in the XM. That alone made it feel like a new experience.
I’d been planning this trip for months — a proper long-distance test for the XM, blending scenic highways, border crossings, and mountain roads. The idea was simple: leave Los Angeles early, make it all the way to Vancouver, explore British Columbia for a bit, then loop back home. Sixteen days, nearly three thousand miles, and countless memories.
Day 1 – Leaving Los Angeles
The alarm went off before sunrise. Bags packed, Thule box loaded, coffee in hand — time to roll. The XM sat waiting in the driveway, matte blue finish catching the first hint of morning light.
I hit the road just after 5 a.m., slipping through early traffic on the 5 north. The hybrid mode made the city departure nearly silent — eerie in a good way — until the freeway opened and the twin-turbo V8 joined the symphony.
Ten hours later, I reached Medford, Oregon. It was a long push, but the XM made it feel easy. The cabin stayed calm, the seats were flawless for endurance driving, and the highway miles just melted away.
Day 2 – Into the Pacific Northwest
I left Medford early the next morning. The landscape shifted from dry valleys to dense forest — the XM carving through curves with surprising grace for its size.
Crossing the Oregon-Washington border over the Columbia River felt like entering another world. Cooler air, greener trees, and that distinct Pacific Northwest mood.
A few more hours and I reached the Canadian border. The Peace Arch crossing was smooth; I rolled through in hybrid mode, almost whisper-quiet. By late afternoon, I was officially in Vancouver.
Spotted a G90 M5.
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Eligible to park in Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicle parking spot at the hotel.
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Days 3–8 – Life in Vancouver
Six nights in Vancouver gave me time to slow down. The city fit the XM’s personality — modern, bold, and stylish without shouting about it. I spent mornings walking around Coal Harbour and Stanley Park, evenings exploring Gastown and the waterfront.
The XM looked right at home in the city. Matte blue against the gray skyline, bronze accents catching the light between drizzle and sunbreaks. Everywhere I parked, someone asked, “What BMW is it?”
Days 9–11 – Whistler: Sea-to-Sky Perfection
The drive to Whistler alone made the whole trip worth it. The Sea-to-Sky Highway lives up to its name — ocean views on one side, steep cliffs on the other. The XM was in its element: planted, powerful, and quiet enough to hear the waves when I stopped.
I paused at Porteau Cove for photos — mist hanging over the water, mountains in the distance. Later, in Squamish, I stopped for coffee at a local café.
Whistler itself was peaceful. I spent a few days there enjoying mountain air and calm roads.
A must stop at Trolls, Horseshoe Bay, for their Fish & Chips and Clam Chowder.
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Porteau Cove viewpoint with turquoise water below.
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New Coffee spot. Outbound Station / O|S Cafe.
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Days 12–14 – Lynnwood, Washington
After Whistler, I headed south and spent three nights in Lynnwood. It was a comfortable base for exploring Everett and the Boeing factory — giant jets in various stages of assembly, and right there in the lot, the XM, another piece of high-tech machinery built for long journeys.
Boeing
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Day 15 – Lynnwood to Redding, California
Time to turn south. It was another marathon day behind the wheel — early start, long haul. The XM cruised smoothly through Oregon again, past endless trees and open skies.
I also discovered a small Thai restaurant in Portland, OR, Khao Moo Dang — crispy pork rice and tea after a long day of exploring. Simple comfort food hits differently when you’ve been living out of hotels and highways.
By nightfall, I was in Redding. One more sleep before the final leg.
Day 16 – The Final Stretch Home
The last morning of the trip started with coffee, a deep breath, and that bittersweet feeling of an adventure ending.
I set the navigation for Los Angeles and began the long descent back into familiar territory. Somewhere near the Central Valley, I pulled over to stretch and looked back at the XM — coated in road dust, bugs, and memories. It had done everything I asked, and then some.
By the time I reached LA, the trip meter read just shy of 3,000 miles. The XM was back where it started. Long drives have a way of grounding you — it’s just you, the road, and the rhythm of the miles.
PS: Apology for lack of pictures on the way home since nothing interesting but dry California.
Reflections
Sixteen days. One car. Two countries.
The XM handled everything — city streets, mountain passes, border lines, and endless stretches of highway — without missing a beat. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you want to keep driving just to see where the road goes next.
This trip reminded me why I love long drives: the quiet moments between destinations, the satisfaction of covering real distance, and the way a great machine turns travel into memory.
If you’ve done a long-haul trip in your BMW, you know the feeling — the connection between road, machine, and the miles in between. This was mine.
List of Mods:
– RaceChip GTS5 Black
– MSS Urban Adjustable Ride system lowering spring
– 23” Vossen EVO-3 in Brushed Gloss Dark Tint, wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 6
– Akrapovic Slip-On Titanium Axle Back Exhaust with Carbon Fiber tips
– Evolution Racewerks Secondary downpipe
– SST Exhaust Valve Controller
– Eventuri Carbon Fiber Turbo Inlet
– Eventuri Carbon Fiber Air Intake w/ Engine Cover
– CSF Chargecooler in Wrinkle Bengal Red
– SeaSucker Roof Bar system
– Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box
– XPEL Satin PPF on Marina Bay Blue and Gloss PPF on Shadowline trims
– AutoTecknic Carbon Fiber gear selector cover in Matte finish
– IND Color Match Painted front reflector
New Production Lap Record at Toronto Motorsports Park With M4 CS
Were out there, representing ///M.
Nankang CRS doing the work. Car is stock minus the wheels which are Apex VS-5RS 19×10 ET12 all around. Comfort seats are fitted instead of the buckets as well.
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