After staying the night in McCloud, California, Production Editor Caroline Pardilla and I motored down the main drag in the town of Mt. Shasta and took a right on Lake St. -- this road takes you straight to Siskyou County Rd. A10, a wonderful two-lane road that winds its way up the mountain itself. As quiet and smooth a cruiser as our BMW 330i is on the highway, it was clear that the car is happier running hard on a mountain road. The 255-hp 3.0-liter inline six was only minimally affected by the increasing altitude, and what minor fatigue it did show was easily remedied by a heel-and-toe downshift or two.
Unfortunately, the A10 was closed at the Bunny Flat trailhead, just before a fun uphill, sweeping turn. Stability through the turns we did experience was excellent, and I felt so locked into the steering that inhibitions fell away and I couldn't do anything but enjoy the drive.
By the way, our 330i definitely stood out among the crusty Outbacks and 4Runner in McCloud and Mt. Shasta. It looked fresh and upscale, but with a moderate dose of snobbiness.
Our fuel economy climbed to over 28 mpg as we left Shasta and crossed into Oregon despite plenty of steep highway ascents. It must have been all the coasting behind brake-dependent minivans on the steep descents that followed.
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