The Official "Help me get to California" Thread

[325ix]

I would suggest stopping in St. Louis, the arch is pretty neat. Also the grand canyon.

[BrooklynMW]

3 months and 6 days to go

[BrooklynMW]

Many thanks so far. It seems I need to put myself together a little emergency kit.

I am not a member of the BMWCCA, but was thinking of joining. this might be a good reason to do so.

[e34john]

I'm in San Diego. Spares and tools is a must as mentioned, even though I swear everything that ever broke on the car I fized with gorilla tape, wire clothes hangers, a steel pipe and a rubber hammer.

You in BMWCCA? They have that Friends of BMW thing, wouldn't hurt to get a few phone numbers from the areas your going to travel through.

[Adrian_Visser]

First pack a decent set of tools and some basic spares with you. You know fluids spare pieces of Rad hose, some hose clamps, maybe a spare alternator or voltage regulator for said alternator. A spare fuel pump, (or two if an early model) a main relay, and some other relays, a roll of duct tape, some stiff wire. Come on though it's an e30 what could possibly go wrong?

[BrooklynMW]

My girlfriend and I are moving from Brooklyn to L.A. in December. I plan on taking my beat up ol' Chewbacca with me. She will be our mode of transportation to get out there. I am doing my best to fix 'er up and get her running strong before the trip (thanks, Levent!).

And I am holding off (for now) on MOST of the bodywork and upgrades, because I suspect that once I get out to the Land of Rust Free, Salt Free, Pothole Free Paradise, that I will be tempted by one of the clean classics that have never seen the North East, and I'll give up on restoring my rust bucket. We'll see, though. I do have an attachment, and want to see it through.....

Anyway, we are making a road trip out of the move that will last about 5-6 days. Haven't finalized our route yet, but have a rough plan.

What I need help with is finding contacts and trusty service places along the route incase we run into a problem. Preferably guys who are active on this forum and in the community (not looking for your local BMW dealership, here).

Then, I'd love some suggestions of trusted places I can go to for regular service once I am out in L.A. Can also be San Diego, as we will be spending much time there as well. BASICALLY, I AM LOOKING FOR THE GUTEN PARTS OF THE WEST COAST.

So far, here is our planned road trip with stops:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112120297650988100111.00048f84d968e7528ecf1&ll=41.310824,-86.396484&spn=46.92108,93.251953&z=4

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Nashville, TN
3. Memphis, TN
4. Ausitn, TX
5. Albequerque, NM
6. Cabazon, CA
7. San Diego, CA..our home base while searching for apartments in L.A.

Also looking for suggestions on stops, interesting places to see, great places to eat, and great highways to cruise upon.

Thanks everybody, let the threading begin!