NorCal "Toys for Tots" Meet & Drive...oooh what an ending!! (pics)

[gniknave]

This is Z's (szhosain)summary of the event, I'll summarize it myself as we go along...Z, you need to read about the end bud!

Met up with Evan (Ev_eezy) and Caleb (sensibles13driver) at the meet. I did not have a camera, so Evan took the only pictures from our group. Hope he posts them when he gets back from the run (I did not go!) later this evening.

Lots of BMWs of various ages and sizes, including a 1994 Dinan 8 with 46K miles - a weekend toy as the owner said. A few M3s and an M5 various 3 Series and 5 series - some older ones too.

One BMW was heavily "audio and video intensified", with a trunk mounted DVD player, three power amps in the floor (one subwoofer amps, two stereo amps for front and back), had a 13" subwoofer attached to the back of the rear seat! A full 5.1 surround system basically.

Some 240s (including Calebs), an Altezza, a souped up (I think) Subaru Imprezza, and only (!) two Infiniti's: my 2003 M45 and Evan's 1990 Q45 IPQ - in great looking shape for a 15 year old car!).

Also saw two or three 350Zs and a 300Z (1990+ - did not get its actual age, owner was never near the car when I was!). A few Mustangs - one was a Mustang GT Bullitt edition.

None of the expected Ferraris and Lambos showed!

Only two guys were near my age! The owner of the Dinan 8 and one of the 350Z owners - I guess meets are a young person's thing!

Z

EDIT: Forgot to mention that it was hot out there today ... 104 F in Dublin at about 1:30pm and 107 F (!) in San Jose at about 3pm or so - according to the car outside thermometer. Unbelievable for this location!

Supercharged S2000

The Bimmer with the audio/video setup Z was talking about



I always wondered what the best way to steal one of these things was...



Huge tips on the 240's exhausts...I was tempted...

And more tempted...

Finally I had to put my entire camera inside and take a picture...



Z's M45!!! Sick aint it?

Z's 03 M45, My 90 Q45, Calebs 93 (?) 240sx

Caleb's 240 again, with him cheezin in the background...

My favorite pic



Continuing...


Modified by Ev_eezy at 9:33 PM 7/25/2005

[gniknave]

My Toys For Tots donation...I have no clue what it is...

More of Z's M45

More of Caleb's 240



Z was right on about the temperature. It was HOT!!! I didn't even get a pic when it said 112!

The DriveCheck out the line of cars (Volvo not included) I was only at the middle of the pack!

A Vineyard in Livermore

Mile after mile after mile of twists and turns, uphill, downhill...My Q and my driving skills were put to the test. I thought at one time I heard my fuel pump knocking around in the back from all the turns!

The first stop

Driving. I couldn't even take pics on a lot of the turns. I HAD to have both hands on the steering wheel!

The ending...The part you've been waiting for. This was my final stop, but not everybodys...explained at the bottom.

It all went wrong at the last pictured stop. I went to start my car and I heard nothing but the fuel pump engaging. "Uh oh" is what I said to myself. I knew it was the FPCU trying to own me in the middle of nowhere. But this happened to me once before and I knew all I had to do is let it sit for a sec. I did exactly that but I told the others to go on while I waited.

Most of us had 2-way radios to communicate with eachother and while I was sitting there I heard one BMW guy say "Fck! My car is overheating". A few seconds later, a 240 guy said "I think my clutch is going, I might have to turn back."

A few minutes later I got my car started and tried to drive fast - but safe enough to be able to catch up with the pack. But I was sure it wasn't happening. Just then I saw 2 240 guys go past me back in the other direction. I immediately turned around and followed them. The guy was having clutch trouble, so his friend which was also driving a 240 followed him back. I played tag along just-in-case and talked with them on the 2-way while we were headed back.



We were on our way to stop at Albertsons to get something to drink when 2 firetrucks and an ambulance sped past us. We all said "Uh oh, hope that's not for...". So then one of the guys phoned one of the Bimmer guys to make sure everything was good. Well, it wasn't. Z, you know that Dinan 8? It flipped. I understand 2 of the M3's also hit eachother. I was pretty damn shocked!

I found a few guys that might have pics of everything so I'll be sure to post them as soon as I get them. All drivers were ok!

EDIT: As promised Dinan 8 down the mountainside

Modified by Ev_eezy at 8:34 PM 7/23/2005
Modified by Ev_eezy at 1:10 AM 7/24/2005

[w1ngzer0]

:o. Its offical. I am def. moving to nor cal now. fark AZ

[M3Racer]

It's rare when you see a good 8-series, but even more rare when you see a dinan 8. Good story, nice pics, sad ending.

[elwesso]

what a shame... a dinan 8 with 46k miles.....

Rest In Peace...

[szh]

This is Z's (szhosain)summary of the event, I'll summarize it myself as we go along...Z, you need to read about the end bud!

Oh, man! That is really sad about the Dinan 8! It was in absolutely great condition. Two-door coupe - with a timeless design. One of the best that BMW has ever done, imho. Paint was clean - a deep, deep blue, with only the teensiest of wear and tear! FSTB and stiffer sway bars, exhaust, etc. I think he had his teenage son along ... hope they are both okay!

I also forgot about a bunch of the cars that were there - the Porsche Carrera, S2000 (I didn't notice it was supercharged!), couple of RX-7's (one second-gen and one third-gen), a Miata, and more. The pictures bring it all back. Thanks, Evan!

My front license is not on the car, because someone backed into me (earlier ... not at the meet)! It did not damage the bumper too much (just a small circlular indentation pushed in by the license plate holder screws), and I finally have the replacement screw and screw holders, so I will put that in soon!

Good to meet up with you guys, Evan and Caleb! Be safe.

Z

[dal2kvvisp]

GODAMMIT, i missed this meet, godamn u America's Tire! u had to have me work on a saterday and not give me the day off!!!! damn, im definately coming for the next one, work or no work... nice pics evan, sad about the 8 series:( and m3's

[Dattebayo]

What the hell we you all doing in a line of cars that would make a car flip over and two cars to run into each other?

Were you guys racing in a line or something? Cause if so, that doesnt sound very smart.

[szh]

What the hell we you all doing in a line of cars that would make a car flip over and two cars to run into each other?

Were you guys racing in a line or something? Cause if so, that doesnt sound very smart.

I wasn't there, but I doubt they were racing ... the meet organizer was pretty clear that he did not want people to do anything silly. This is a narrow, twisty mountain road and you can't really race on it.

My guess is that the owner of the Dinan 8 misjudged one of the turns. This is a twisty mountain road, and you have to stay alert and not take your eyes off the road!

I guess we will find out more later ... sad!

Z

[D1SR240]

Wow poor BMWs, I want to know how it happened. Keep us updated.

[gniknave]

It was 2 M3's and I think it was an 8 series can't be 100% sure. I was driving the white RX7 on the ride.

My friend in the Nissan saw the whole thing, He told me he hit the dirt on the inside of the turn and it made his car loose control and into the ditch. The driver and Passenger are ok.

The 2 M3's were damaged because this happened on a blind turn so they couldn't stop fast enough. pictures soon

Apperantly they're all ok. All drivers are ok, walked away from it. I feel so bad for the guy with the Dinan 8. He wasn't the usual "I own bmw you are inferior to me" kinda guy. He commented on both my 240 and my friends 240, told us he likes our cars , they're clean, bla bla. He even liked the "jdm style" licence plate. He was overall a great guy. He even apoligized for holding up the meet. O_O!!

[szh]

I feel so bad for the guy with the Dinan 8. He wasn't the usual "I own bmw you are inferior to me" kinda guy. He commented on both my 240 and my friends 240, told us he likes our cars , they're clean, bla bla. He even liked the "jdm style" licence plate. He was overall a great guy. He even apoligized for holding up the meet. O_O!!

Yes, he was definitely a heck of a nice guy. We had a long chat over my M45 as well - he was asking about the strut bar and the engine power, etc.

Sad to have that happen to that beautiful car!

Z

[hannibal]

Wow, thats a huge turnout. Good pics, Evan.

Sorry to hear about the Dinan 8. Glad he was alright.

[Rex]

Great pics and turn out, glad to see some NICO representation in Cali.

Very sad to see that happen to a Dinan 8, even worse that it was an accident (loose dirt) when everyone was being safe and that his kid was with him. Glad to hear everyone is okay.

Evan, how's the Q, gonna replace the FPCU, or just sell me the car?

[sensibleS13driver]

that Dinan 8 sure was nice, so was the M45 . Thanks for letting me drive the Q, yea Rex I drove it, Its pretty different from my car, but fun. My car sure is whored out in this thread. I also liked the blown Bullit with 315/35/17 tires and 500 hp

It was fun but hot and I sure got to see some nice Bimmers RIP Dinan 8

[CybeRise]

omfg the dinan 8 is one of my favorite cars, that blows... Was the guy hurt at all? He obviously has good taste so hope he was ok

[szh]

Was the guy hurt at all? He obviously has good taste so hope he was ok

Apparently, he and his son were not hurt. Whew.

Z

[szh]

Not to rub salt in the wound, but here is what it looked like at the meet. Sad ...

Z

[elwesso]

Wow...... Those wheels are classic.. I can imagine if they were on a Q45 and actually fit right!!

Truely a disaster.. I wonder what club he was from?? We could send him NICO condolences!

[gniknave]

All this 8 Series talk has me wanting one badly. I can remember a while back when I wanted one. I tend to like cars that aren't something you see on the road everyday. The 8 series definitely fits the bill.

I never even saw the Dinan 8 out there. In fact, I never saw him until we were on the final stop that I made before my fpcu went on me. He was the VERY last car to stop, and that was 5 minutes after everybody else. That said, he must have been driving VERY carefully to be 5 minutes behind everybody else. I remember him cutting into the middle of the back when we were stopped because somebody wanted him to be in the crowd. Good thing it happened with the crowd and now when he was by himself, it could have been worse that way and nobody whould have known about it.

There was no cell phone service out there, but thank GOD we were all on 2-way radios. From what I've read from other forums, the 2-way radio is how they confirmed the guy and his son in the Dinan 8 were ok. I'm still trying to figure out how anybody was even able to call 911 to report the incident. There was hardly any cars up there besides us and like I said, no cell service. I'm wondering if somebody found a residence in the area or something.

From the point where we saw the firetruck and 2 ambulances it was at least another 30 minute drive for a vehicle of their size because of all the twists and turns. Some turns it was nearly impossible to even go as fast as 10mph around.

The drive is something I'd love to do again, just in a smaller car. Don't get me wrong, the Q45a & Q45t bars and Tokico suspension did it's damn thing, but I could hear the fuel pump swingin back there. For one minute I actually thought my fuel tank popped open and I radioed it on the 2-way. Fortunately when we stopped everything was in place.

Here's some more pics...

Notice how the roads appear to be one way...enough for one car...but they're not one way, they're TWO WAY!

[gniknave]

Yeah I can vouch for BLKM3. I was behind the Black Acura which was behind the red 300ZX which was behind the Dinan 8 which was behind the red MR2. By the way the red MR2 was pretty fast so I let him and the 300 ZX go ahead of me before the picture stop. So at the picture stop I was behind the 300 ZX. Then I let the Black Acura go ahead of me as well right before the incident. ( I think I was taking it pretty easy) So we are going all good and I was taking this right hand blind corner and it was totally blind like a hook and holy crap a red 300ZX stopped and I mean stopped as in parked. Well going around the turn you wouldnt think a car would be right there but it was on the left hand side even - I got lucky and the tires gripped and I barely got around the right of the car and stopped ahead on the right hand shoulder. First I thought ok the 300ZX overheated so I called on the radio that a car was down and for everyone to slow done. I got out of the car and looked and within just a few seconds maybe 5 seconds at most which seemed a long time I saw 1) the red 300ZX 2) an overturned car that had some smoke coming out of the engine and a dude down there and I yelled to him that the car was smoking 3) a couple cars stopping 4) a blue E46 barely stopping in time stopping sideways 5) followed by a black E46 that looked like it might not stop in time and possibly hit the blue and it did - but if he had just a few more feet it would have been ok or more shoulder but there was none cuz he would have went off the road like the Dinan 8.

If the 300 ZX stopped further back I am sure I would have hit it so I was lucky. By the time the two E46 came around the distance to stop got smaller. So they did the best they could.

I took a look at my Michelin PS2s today and the fronts where pretty much sand paper rough and I really thought I was taking it easy.

Yeah lucky everyone was ok - but think about it. If any of us got seriously hurt or bleeding bad- we would die cuz its out in the middle of no where - helicopters probably can air lift you maybe - no cell phone coverage - it would take a while for help to arrive or for one of us to drive to help and in those critical situations all the minutes count.

This drive had alot of possible variable like deer crossing (saw one dead deer - mentioned it on the radio), loose gravel saw alot of that, maybe large rocks to avoid didnt see that, bike riders (saw those), on-coming traffic (saw those) - and now stopped car(s) (now can say "been there done that") on a blind turn with no place to go but into the bumper - no bikini girls though darn.

Also I drove back the way I came after the incident. Boy some of those cliffs were pretty darn hairy, steep, and deep and I mean really deep like in bye bye. I guess when you focus on the road going fast you dont think of it but cruising back and thinking of the Dinan you start to think of the what if it was on this turn or that turn and **** like that. The Dinan 8 lucked out and picked a shallow ditch - thank goodness.

I'll post some of the good pics later (none of the accident cuz I think I dont want to beat the bad stuff to much). The meet was cool, the cars where cool, people were very friendly, it was for a good cause, I enjoyed it and will do it again but will keep the risks in mind as always.

[CybeRise]

err double posted I guess...

[gniknave]

Before:

After:

[gniknave]

That M3 was directly behind me. I'm glad my FPCU went when it did. I could have been the one rear ended or down in the ditch!

[sensibleS13driver]

I know the guy who drives that black M3. His name is John and he lives in Lafayette. He is 18 and unfortunately an overconfident driver, he routinely takes his car to 170 mph on public highways to show people, his dad should've never bought him that car. Other than that hes a pretty nice guy, just too much car for a young person.

[gniknave]

See that's the type of parent to blame these new GTA San Andreas "Adult" ratings on! J/K

I forgot to mention that this was the first time I'd met Z (szohsain). He's an extremely friendly guy and very easy to talk to. I loved his response when I saw him pull up in his M45.

Me: "Hmm, what does this thing do"Z: "What does this do in terms of what?"

He seemed pretty insluted Thats when I introduced myself

I'd met Caleb a few times before this. The first time was when he sold me his Rota Gt-3's when I had just got my 240. This is the first time we had actually hung out though, every other time it was a transaction as if we were selling crack or something. It was always in Oakland though so we fit right in Caleb (sensibles13driver) is also a great guy. Best of luck to you at Santa Cruz man!

I unfortunately didn't get to talk that much to either of them because I was determined to be in picture whore mode by the end of the day. As you can see I succeeded at that

[szh]

I forgot to mention that this was the first time I'd met Z (szohsain). He's an extremely friendly guy and very easy to talk to. I loved his response when I saw him pull up in his M45.

Me: "Hmm, what does this thing do"Z: "What does this do in terms of what?"

He seemed pretty insluted Thats when I introduced myself

Nah, I wasn't insulted - just confused as to what you wanted to know! My usual state of mind sometimes.

Quote »I was determined to be in picture whore mode by the end of the day. As you can see I succeeded at that [/quote]Yes. I have seen some of the others that people took, and yours are way superior. Lots of interesting angles and close-ups! Where the others were just "snapping" pictures of cars, you were being very creative. Good job!!

Z