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

[hexagone]

I want to hop into my 318is with a friend and drive to the west coast soon. An impromptu, necessary 'mind clearing' trip that I desperately need after having had my 330i totaled and a bunch of other personal nonsense having gone down.

The story on the car: Impeccably maintained since day one with a 2" folder of around $17,000 in dealership maintenance receipts. I've put on 2100 miles since January 1st without a single hiccup or sign of hesitation. Did a 350 mile round trip without issue.

5000 miles in 2 weeks on the other hand, is a lot more. So I wanted any input from people that may have done this before, and the precautions they took or any extra gear they carried. My plan is to carry a spare alternator, water pump, starter, battery, belt, fluids, in addition to tools and swapping to a set of winter tires (mountain driving is foreseeable).

Other than that, I feel like I thoroughly trust the car... but anything can happen I guess. It's got 152k miles now. Advice?

[ejnight]

Sounds like a blast. To be young and free. Your list seem to cover you. I would get AAA and hit the road.

[mazdarati]

You fuckin got this! My only advice is..have fun!!!!!

[daniel]

Plan your route through towns with BMW shops, haha.

Chances are you will be fine, but you never know when something silly will happen and you end up needing a part you didn't know existed.

I've driven Tulsa to Portland (or vice versa) 6 times and the only issues I had had to do with the cooling system of my 325e, more specifically the hoses. I never had a problem with my S52 car making the trip, which included one 33 hour straight trip where the car was shut off only while pumping gas.

I never carried spare parts other than duct tape, and in retrospect maybe that was a little careless but it certainly added to the excitement.

[hexagone]

I never carried spare parts other than duct tape, and in retrospect maybe that was a little careless but it certainly added to the excitement.

Ahh duct tape. That could be a lifesaver.

... or necessary to shut my friend up after several days in the same car. Ha.

[dannyyisntt]

Sounds like you'll be fine man. 152k isn't high miles in my book. Have fun!

[Denker]

If you're a member of BMWCCA, there is a guidebook called: "Friends of BMW." You will find hundreds of BMW owners in the book who would be willing to help you if you had a breakdown during your journey. In fact, many would be willing to put you up for the night if you let them know you are passing through their area.

[KenC]

AAA Platinum... or whatever the one is called that gives you the free 200mi tow.

[hexagone]

AAA Platinum... or whatever the one is called that gives you the free 200mi tow.

Having owned over a dozen old german cars, this has been a no brainer :p

[HarryPotter]

MAke sure you have a nice bright flashlight, jug of coolant/water, oil, some sand (just incase) and umm a fleshlight. Oh and a toolkit in the trunk along with a baseball bat for when you travel through those rough areas.

[sleepingbeauty]

ive done this from the east coast to west coast and back. It was a fun drive… suggestions… dont bother with a starter, tow cable will do the same trick, your manual right? not a hard jump, Ive pushed my car by myself and jumped it, go second gear, first locks up to quick. you should be pimpen though, just try to keep it around 100 for some good time. maybe a water pump gasket, doubt your water pump will go.

alternator? sure. belts, why not. I would suggest some coolant pre mixed and engine oil, your good to go

[merrrr]

MAke sure you have a nice bright flashlight, jug of coolant/water, oil, some sand (just incase) and umm a fleshlight. Oh and a toolkit in the trunk along with a baseball bat for when you travel through those rough areas.

haha yea dont forget your fleshlight

[Lionel]

So I wanted any input from people that may have done this before, and the precautions they took or any extra gear they carried. My plan is to carry a spare alternator, water pump, starter, battery, belt, fluids, in addition to tools and swapping to a set of winter tires (mountain driving is foreseeable).

Other than that, I feel like I thoroughly trust the car... but anything can happen I guess. It's got 152k miles now. Advice?

Sounds like the car is in great shape and you'll probably be fine. Yet having made a 3,200 Mile/40+ hr trip from Monterrey Mexico up to Jersey in an e30 M3 I have the following suggestions.

as mentioned already,

spare Belts,
tools,
flashlight,
1 extra spare tire/donut
good jack
2 qts oil/1 gal coolant.
1 oil filter

I was very reckless when I made my trip and had none of the above.

GL.

Cheers,

L.

[Mlarsen]

I think you got it for stuff to bring. Before you go change the fluids, maybe a new air filter and plugs. Check the brakes, you know stuff like that.

[evandael]

advice..

headlamp. so much better than flashlights. get your buddy one too
full size spare (if possible)
fuses
duct/electrical tape
zipties
AAA

and have a blast. its a journey. stay off the freeways, man. and be careful through the mountains