Driving my e30 5000 miles in 2 weeks... advice and suggestions

[FredK]

I think you have a good list.

Good luck dude, the trip sounds really fun.

[Dozyproductions]

I must of been an idiot but I just driving to the picnic from SD to Washington all I brought was two other idiots and my car (with more miles than yours) made it fine. I think you're very well prepared and hopefully your mind gets cleared ;D

[hexagone]

The bad thing is that hex will end up driving/owning a different car by the time he comes home.

:pimp:

[02for2]

I am making the exact same trip next week, except one-way. Flying into SFO with a buddy to pick up his 'new' E28 535is - http://s838.photobucket.com/albums/zz310/race2win/ . I have done this trip several times in the past and also, due to biz, am very familiar with the Bay Area.

My buddy has never been west of the Mississippi before so we're going to pick the car up in the Bay Area (San Ramon) and then head to Santa Cruz for the night.

Next day, we're heading south on PCH1 through the Monterey Penninsula (Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel by the Sea), and finally down to Big Sur and Morro Bay.

Then we'll head east and work our way through Yosemite to Hwy. 365, up through Carson City to Reno and then I-80 back to MSP.

You s/b OK with a well sorted car, but be sure to have a AAA card in case. If going through Reno and up through Donner Pass, be aware of weather. If conditions warrant, there'll be a chain restriction in place. Buy chains in Reno ($) and not on the mountain ($$$).

Plan stops in Salt Lake to see the Morman Tabernacle, and also the Bonneville Salt Flats. Get a steak in Cheyenne or Laramie - Grass Fed - best beef on the planet.

Bay area is spendy, plan on $$ and also add $ for parking. SF is best left for a fly-in as you can do better w/o a car.

If going south on PCH, now is the time to see whales - Monterey - suggest http://www.rocky-point.com/ restaurant for whale-watching and food.

Hit Hearst Castle in San Simeon and see Elephant Seals in Morro Bay.

As far as the car, don't worry. Anything can happen in any car and if yours is well sorted, the odds aren't any higher.

Have FUN!

Cheers!

[Vtec?lol]

can't go anywhere in an M42 without JB weld, duct tape, and RTV. 8mm-14m sockets and extensions and same as box wrenches.

[kansas-ix]

I did 12K in 3.5wks in a 91 e30 ix, I just brought extra belts and oil, coolant just in case.

[scabzzzz]

Soudns like you got it covered OP.

If you dont take those items that you listed after talking about it, you will for sure need one or two of them. Spare parts are gone. All that shit you can change in a reasonable amount of time.
Make sure you bring a spare coolant pipe and o ring for the M42 as well. Duct tape might be a life saver too. Also, bring a multimeter and Bentley. Small and invaluable when it comes to troubleshooting without having to turn a single wrench.

[Emre]

I must of been an idiot but I just driving to the picnic from SD to Washington all I brought was two other idiots and my car (with more miles than yours) made it fine.

Agreed. I drive my E30 to track events all over the east coast and eastern Canada without a second thought. Of course, the car is very well maintained.

Just make sure the coolant hoses are good, the rad has no leaks, your oil/filter and coolant are fresh, and your tires and brakes are in good shape. Beyond that, an empty credit card and a AAA Platinum membership are all you need.

[txtorquemade]

Im driving from Dallas to Taos NM next month. I plan on the following:

2 gal of coolant. BMW flavor
Tool box with basic tools. Maybe my floor jack and stands. I dunno
Sleeping bag and blankets
5L of oil and filter
4 qts of Redline ATF yeah, its a autotragic
Full set of hoses, although, I just replaced them all
Spark plugs
Distributor cap and rotor, only because I installed POS Vatozone parts when I replaced recently

I plan on driving straight through about 11 - 13 hours.

[hexagone]

I'll know if this trip happens next weekend, but the preliminary list of locations to stop at includes:

Phoenix
Vegas
LA/socal
San Fran
Seattle
Snowboarding at Tahoe
SLC
Snowboarding at Vail
Denver
and back

[ck_taft325is]

When you're in Seattle/Tacoma region, let me know! Seriously, we'll do something fun with the local chapter ;)

[hexagone]

When you're in Seattle/Tacoma region, let me know! Seriously, we'll do something fun with the local chapter ;)

I hope I can make it up that far, but I'll definitely make a separate 'hexagone is visiting your city, let's hang out thread' if it comes down.

I'll have a final answer from my buddy by Saturday if it's down. Then tune up on the e30... tires and, well.... hope for the best.

[BrooklynMW]

I just made the trip about 2 months ago, from Brooklyn, NY to San Diego, CA. Overall, I put 3,167 miles during the trip and a few thousand more driving back and forth from SD to LA. Did it in an '87 4 door 325i, automaticm w/ 170k on the clock. Flawless. Trunk was packed to the gills, had my girlfriend next to me, and 2 cats in the back seat.

My car made it without a hitch. There were plently of people along the way who were willing to help if I had a problem. It's a nice little community around here. I recommend going through Tennesee. Has 3 of the best cities inthe country, Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis.

I made sure everything was in top shape before leaving. I also had a checkup in Austin, TX when I was at my halfway point.

Check out:
bimrs.org for a list of trusted BMW service places around the country.

I didn't bother bringing belts or hoses, cause I wouldn't know how to change them myself anyway. But make sure you have
-Duct tape
-Coolant
-2 quarts of oil (you WILL need it)
-Healthy jack and spare tire

And for yourself:
-WAter
-ipod
-Some healthy food to keep in the car. Fruits, nuts, protein bars, etc. After 2-3 days of road food, you'll thank me for this advice.


I also recommend visiting http://www.flavortownusa.com/ for great places to eat along the way.....instead of just Cracker Barrel and Waffle House.

Pick up a book on Scenic Highways and Biways. There are a lot of great roads in this country that are both fun to drive and have beautiful scenery. My girl and I were moving, so we stuck mostly to the interstates, but if you have no specific destination, I recommend taking the old state highways and backroads.

Don't get raped.



Also, here's my road trip thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=191713

Good luck. PM me if you have any questions.

[MR E30 325is]

I did a trip with a buddy once.

S52 car, packed full of his shit, after sitting for 7 months while he was deployed.

We were loving the thrill and merely brought 2 quarts of oil and a jug of distilled water.

Flawlless trip. Had a blast. Enjoy yourself.

[Gladeoffer]

I like to carry an extra fuel pump, even if it's a known working used one($15-$30). I've had three go out on me in three different cars with 150k+. Unless your fuel tank has been replaced or cleaned. Besides it's only a 10min. fix should it go out, with limited availability on the road, it's saved my bacon twice! Extra spark plug, some bulbs, fuses and relays are handy and don't take up very much room. Other than that change your fuel filter and enjoy