Should i or shouldn't i...

[rares]

Hey guys.

Just wanted to ask for a little wisdom from those of you that know e30s a little more than i do.

Ok so here it goes: 89 325is, 5 speed. 204k originals on the clock. Timing and cooling all recent. Tires are meh. New clutch. New tranny seals. That is all i have done to it recently, i dont know what the PO has done or how the engine was treated before me. I have had the car for a few months. Never gave me an issue.

Thinking of taking a road trip from phoenix to san diego for labor day. The car has never been outside of phoenix while in my posession.

Should i do it? Anything i should check first or is it kind of go and see what happens?

Some wisdom needed here. My wife would be going with me. Last thing i need is to get stranded in the middle of the desert.

Thanks

[Keith M]

AAA membership.
It should be fine. You've already been driving around in the 1000 degree heat you have down there. Is you ac working?

[SedanSandwich]

Adjust/make sure you valves are properly adjusted before you go on an extended road trip. check all your fluid and I would carry extra coolant and maybe a quart of oil just in case.

[rares]

AAA membership.
It should be fine. You've already been driving around in the 1000 degree heat you have down there. Is you ac working?

Yes the ac is working thank goodness. I should maybe get some AAA

Adjust/make sure you valves are properly adjusted before you go on an extended road trip. check all your fluid and I would carry extra coolant and maybe a quart of oil just in case.

What a great idea thanks. I will get some and throw it in the trunk. Thank
You

[Teaguer]

I say air up the tires and go!

[e30vert]

If you sign up for AAA make sure to do it at least 48 hours ahead of time.
They now make you wait that long for your membership to take effect. Too many people called them after locking their keys in the car and just signing up to get a AAA driver to respond immediately. AAA is less than a mobile locksmiths 1 time visit and you get the benefit of having the membership for a year. Lots of benefits as well. You can get a set of hardnened plastic emergency keys that come in credit card form for you wallet. etc....

[rares]

sweeet thanks. that helps.. i am ordering in the morning.. that should give me enough time...

[Holland]

If you keep up on the maintenance, and you don't normally run into any issues driving then I don't really see why not. AAA is a great idea if things do go wrong though.

[Vince30]

Bring coolant and go for it!

[rares]

If you keep up on the maintenance, and you don't normally run into any issues driving then I don't really see why not. AAA is a great idea if things do go wrong though.

I know, that totally makes sense, and i would probably go without thinking but since i haven't taken the car out of town before... wife is along for the ride... i just wanted to be safe... engine maintenance consisted in valves, timing, cooling and hoses.... but at 204k... not sure what the PO did... safety is all i am thinking,...

you make a good point though... i guess i could just cop out and rent a car... but i realllly want to drive my e30... i love this car so much... as i am sure u understand...

[Holland]

Honestly, you would be surprised at how far even the most worn down and unreliable car will go. I did a 3 hour drive with the M10 to Parker with cooling issues and no AC without a single hiccup.

[Eecen]

Might be an idea to bring a voltage regulator along for your alternator. They're small.
Well, that or check yours before heading out....that'd be the wise thing to do.



The only time an E30 has let me down was when those carbon brushes wore themselves out.

[Joe G]

should!







p.s. i didnt read a thing you wrote.

[brutus87]

Coolant, battery charger, oil, and AAA.

[TurboJake]

Fun fact. The most enjoyable road trips are the ones that have the most amount of unplanned things happening in them.