Trip notes A6-4.2

[colin cohen <ccohen5@compuserve.com>]

I just completed a 2000 mile VA-MO return trip and thought I would 
share some observations:
1) This is an incredible high way car, quite the best I have 
driven including the BMW 540 (99 model) in that comparison. Very 
comfortable, fast, good ride.
2) I averaged 75 mph plus between refills per the on board 
computer, getting between 21 and 23 mpg depending on how long and 
how often i cruised at 100 mph plus. Before I get flames for this 
anti social behavior, acouple of provisos - I usually did it while 
trailing at a decent distance some idiot in a Shebbie or a Olds 
with get-home-itis; the road was virtually empty; and the K40 was 
quiet. You cant do this very often and I think the longest time I 
maintained 100 plus was about 10 minutes. Usually I was around 90 
in the fast stretches and 85 in the less trafficked higher speed 
runs. Otherwise, I tend to cruise at about 5 mph faster than the 
right lane and use cars in front in to shelter me from the 
radar/laser onslaught. No tickets and only one near miss which was 
a laser in IA and was saved by the K40.
3) I fitted Mich Pilot Alpins before I left and was quite happy 
with them. Not quite as stable at speed as the Dunlop 8000s, but 
quite adequate. I was heavily loaded in both directions and had 
the pressures at 40/42. The tires were not even warm at fuel stops 
despite the 80 plus speeds.
4) Oil consumption was nil and the engine felt looser at then ed 
of the trip. I did not really stretch it as 100 mph is only 3000 
rpm. At 2200 rpm I was doing about 75 and when ever I needed to 
accelerate it would auto change to 4th. Holding the Tiptronic in 
manual prevented that and allowed me to use the engine torque and 
lower fuel consumption. You can almost see the fuel level fall at 
100/3000.
5) A good part of the trip was at night. The lights as I have said 
before, are not as good as my 92/100 Euros (100/130) by far. 
Adjusting the right light upwards did help, but it needs spots. 
Using the quite respectable (unlike my 92/100) fogs also helped.
6) The front of the car got stone peppered. I failed to fit a 
Stonegard before the trip so I think I have no choice but to go 
for a detailing repspray.
7) Used I-64 there and back. Traffic was quite light and fuzz 
participation equally so. I saw almost no Audis except in the 
urban areas and certainly no lister decals. Actually it would seem 
that there are few car enthusiasts who actually drive their cars 
thse days. Either they spend the time building Griot garages for 
them, repairing and rebuilding, or just parading. Except in CA 
that is where I told you are defined by your car. Hmmm