New Job: moving from NYC to LA

[Talk2meg00se]

I'm moving in a short number of weeks from NYC to LA for a new job. I must admit, I'm pretty exicted about it. NYC has been good to me, but it's not a great place for auto ownership (and that's not to suggest that I'm moving for that reason; a great career opportunity has popped up - it just happens to be in L.A.)

I previously lived in San Diego for 7 years (loved it) but L.A. will still be relatively new to me.

How is M3 ownership in LA? I'm sure that they're everywhere. With huge freeways and bankrupt state / local govs., seems like a great place to have high performance auto - the pop density to CHP ratio now has to be off the charts.

What about the change from 93 octane to 91 - should I expect a noticeable decrease in engine performance?

Can anyone recommend a BMW performance shop in the LA area? There must be a decent number.

Is there a particular track that is more accessible than others? Looking for something that is relatively close to the city (if at all possible).

Any other thoughts will be appreciated!

Will be trading tolls, snow, salt, potholes, and treacherous valets for the ... worst ... traffic ... in ... the ... nation. (haha).

Shipping the car via closed container soon.

[THE TECH]

Congrats! I couldn't see living anywhere else but here. Freeways may suck but the weather definitely makes up for it. Streets and freeways are great for cars.

Shops...bah...I do all my own work. Save the money for more mods!

Track for what? Drag or road racing? Fontana and Irwindale for drag. Buttonwillow or Willow Springs for road courses.

[MDyDinanM]

lol

NYC traffic is bad, and so is LAs..


I'm sure there is more breathing room to drive in LA though, and some good scenic roads in the area, etc.

Plus you have ///MFest to look forward to every year.

I wouldn't worry about gas, other than it is more expensive in California. 93 to 91 octane isn't going to hurt you.

[FVM3]

Ltbmw, Rennspec...loads Of Shops For Your M3.

[aus]

OP, where in LA are you going to be? LA is HUGE.

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Congrats! I couldn't see living anywhere else but here. Freeways may suck but the weather definitely makes up for it. Streets and freeways are great for cars.

Freeways (or Expressways as they're called back East) absolutely SUCK in NY compared to SoCal. And the traffic back East also SUCKS BALLS. It's different because you could be stuck in traffic at 10PM at night because of closures all the time. The weekends also blow because EVERYONE is trying to get out of town. I couldn't wait to get out after 4 years there.

.

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Congrats! I couldn't see living anywhere else but here. Freeways may suck but the weather definitely makes up for it. Streets and freeways are great for cars.

Shops...bah...I do all my own work. Save the money for more mods!

Track for what? Drag or road racing? Fontana and Irwindale for drag. Buttonwillow or Willow Springs for road courses.

Road courses - def no need to be embarrassed in a drag.

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by aus

OP, where in LA are you going to be? LA is HUGE.





Freeways (or Expressways as they're called back East) absolutely SUCK in NY compared to SoCal. And the traffic back East also SUCKS BALLS. It's different because you could be stuck in traffic at 10PM at night because of closures all the time. The weekends also blow because EVERYONE is trying to get out of town. I couldn't wait to get out after 4 years there.

.

Haha good question.

My job is downtown; trying to figure out a neighborhood that allows for a 20-25 min commute (pasadena?)

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Congratulations of the new Job

I only visit LA and the coastal highway here and then, therefore I'm of no help at all except to say I do love it there

[odiesback]

.[/quote]

a neighborhood that allows for a 20-25 min commute (pasadena?)[/quote]

Haha... That time will get you through three blocks in rush hour...
Welcome to L.A.

[SROC5]

Life's about to get a whole lot better driving your M3 in LA. One tip, get a killer radar/blinder system. The cops their I think are worse than in NJ/NY area. They are out to get you.

[Mahzari]

In LA you'll need DCT or a daily driver but there are also amazing driving roads just outside of the city, like the Malibu Canyons and Highway 101.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by SROC5

Life's about to get a whole lot better driving your M3 in LA. One tip, get a killer radar/blinder system. The cops their I think are worse than in NJ/NY area. They are out to get you.

I always thought Radar detectors and Laser Jammers were illegal in CA. Guess I was wrong. :P

[Mahzari]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

I always thought Radar detectors and Laser Jammers were illegal in CA. Guess I was wrong. :P

Radar detectors are legal in CA but laser jammers are not

[AndyzDad]

Originally Posted by Mahzari

In LA you'll need DCT or a daily driver but there are also amazing driving roads just outside of the city, like the Malibu Canyons and Highway 101.

+1 and the Topanga Canyon pass/ PCH, miss driving through there now that I'm in Cold Cold Canada!

[taleof2bricks]

Originally Posted by Mahzari

In LA you'll need DCT or a daily driver but there are also amazing driving roads just outside of the city, like the Malibu Canyons and Highway 101.

Many choices for weekend getaways & canyon carving:

1)Hwy 18 up to Lake Arrowhead & a bit further, up to Big Bear
2)Hwy 101, as mentioned above, to Santa Barbara, Solvang, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Hearst Castle....
3)Hwy 15 south to Hwy 78 & 79 - past Pechanga Casino to Lake Henshaw, Santa Ysabela & Julian

...just to name a few.

Traffic out of downtown is a nightmare, though. The "closest", nice neighborhood might be (certain parts of )Pasadena, but bank on a 1 hour commute on most days.

[Purple88Gold]

Pasadena is not a bad choice.

The 110 at night from downtown to Pasadena could be fun I kid I kid

Also check out Bouquet Canyon up in Santa Clarita towards Lancaster..

taleof2bricks, where do you surf?

And while you're at it, take up surfing to complete the LA lifestyle lol

[piloto]

Most accessible track for track day fun is the Roval at California Speedway. Speedventures is a well run outfit and has quite a few days there this coming year. The track isn't the greatest, but it's much easier to get to than Willow Springs or Buttonwillow.

Also, Laguna Seca is only a 5 hour drive away. Well worth it to do it once a year. One trip and you'll be hooked to that track (Laguna Seca).

Welcome to LA. Also be sure to check our Cars and Coffee in Irvine every Saturday.

[AbuArije5]

Damn lucky this thread gets me excited like im moving there good-luck i know your going to love the weather even doe NYC weather have been good to us

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by taleof2bricks

Many choices for weekend getaways & canyon carving:

1)Hwy 18 up to Lake Arrowhead & a bit further, up to Big Bear
2)Hwy 101, as mentioned above, to Santa Barbara, Solvang, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Hearst Castle....
3)Hwy 15 south to Hwy 78 & 79 - past Pechanga Casino to Lake Henshaw, Santa Ysabela & Julian

...just to name a few.

Traffic out of downtown is a nightmare, though. The "closest", nice neighborhood might be (certain parts of )Pasadena, but bank on a 1 hour commute on most days.

What if I'm driving into downtown during semi-atypical hours? (i.e. into @ 930AM ish out of 8PMish?)

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by AbuArije5

Damn lucky this thread gets me excited like im moving there good-luck i know your going to love the weather even doe NYC weather have been good to us

Yeah, though I'm goign to miss some of those crazy back roads that I discovered in the Skyline Dr. / 7 Lakes area.

This thread, however, has given me hope for a whole new set of fun roads to discover!

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by Purple88Gold

Pasadena is not a bad choice.

And while you're at it, take up surfing to complete the LA lifestyle lol

got that one covered - more or less surfed year round during my 7 yrs in san diego.

def looking forward to getting some water time.

[qnsblvd]

Originally Posted by Talk2meg00se

What if I'm driving into downtown during semi-atypical hours? (i.e. into @ 930AM ish out of 8PMish?)

Traffic is still pretty atrocious even at 9:30 am. To beat the morning rush, I'd say you need to come in after 10. You should be ok leaving at 8 though. It'll depend on where you're going though.

I work downtown--for me it's just easier to live downtown and not have to deal with traffic. I like having that extra hour (or more) to sleep, relax or do whatever.

West Hollywood is also a good area that's about 30 mins from downtown, plus you can take surface streets and avoid the freeways.