Utah to New Jersey - Roadtrip Assistance

[cwatt]

Hey R3V,

I've just bought my first e30 in Utah -- sight unseen. I'm driving it to Jersey, leaving tomorrow morning. I don't know the car and it's got quite a few things wrong with it, so I'm just putting the word out there in the event I have a mechanical failure. As we know, parts for these cars aren't exactly easily come by.

I'm driving the I-70 across the country, then the I-76 for the last leg. It would be awesome to know if there were some people out there that might be able to help out if I have any issues.


Many thanks,
- Colin

[decay]

so uh, what's wrong with it?

[bmwguy325is]

Where in Utah did you buy the car?

[Balleristic31]

As we know, parts for these cars aren't exactly easily come by.

False




But good luck on your journey!

[mrsleeve]

UM have you seen the weather in the middle part country lately. While you will be well behind the current precip. Its going to be cold and there is more on the way a day or 2 behind it.

Good luck

[long tall eta]

i'm in south jersey so if u run into a problem closer to home i would b glad to help if i can. do you have a tool kit w/u?

[slammin.e28]

Next post will be "Help, timing belt broke in Kansas."

[decay]

Next post will be "Help, timing belt broke in Kansas."

i'll admit, a sarcastic "what could possibly go wrong?" was the first thing that ran through my head upon reading, but i was trying to be nice.

OP, this sounds ill-advised, but sometimes ill-advised ideas make for the best drinking stories.

hopefully you do have a backup plan to transport yourself home if the car shits itself somewhere in a flyover state?

[slammin.e28]

i'll admit, a sarcastic "what could possibly go wrong?" was the first thing that ran through my head upon reading, but i was trying to be nice.

OP, this sounds ill-advised, but sometimes ill-advised ideas make for the best drinking stories.

hopefully you do have a backup plan to transport yourself home if the car shits itself somewhere in a flyover state?

This. I'll do shit just to say I did it. I'd def change that timing belt in the parkinglot before leaving though, unless seller had documentation of it being done.

[WhyNot]

iimho you should do some work on it before you leave.
its alot easier to fix on your schedule plus some things, like the timing belt, just cant be replaced and move on.
i think 80% of failures are related to hoses and belts.
so do the timing belt, water pump, hoses and belts.
also change out all the fluids...trans, rear, and motor.
then check the wheel bearings, brakes and tires.

i bought my car in so cal with 60k miles on it and drove to las vegas...5 hours away in the summer and i was in a quasi panic mode just imagining things going wrong.... i wouldnt be able to do that trip without the repairs.

one other thing...if you add up just your gas, room and meal cost i bet it is more than flying back and shipping the car....or better yet just stay at home and ship it.

and what is so special about this e30 in utah that you cant find in your area? i think e30s that need a bunch of work arent rare

[slammin.e28]

Rust, probably.

This is one thing I hate about Northerners...taking rust free cars to New England to die.

[BROKINBIMMER]

Not to play devils advocate, but your idea of driving cross country in a car of uknown condition sounds like a very bad idea. I originally purchased my e30 2 years ago. The day after I bought it, I though, I should drive it to work just to be sure it runs ok. Well guess what, the timing belt snapped literally after 11 miles of ownership. It was running fine, no clues were given before the belt gave up. I was at a red light, and the engine just shut off. No noises, no stalling, nothing. I tried to crank it, and nothing. I thought for sure it was a fuel delivery problem until I had it towed to my garage and removed the valve cover.

Bottom line: I spent more on the repairs than I did on purchasing the car (I all the work myself). If you're planning on doing the maintenace work yourself, you should take the tools neccessary and the parts along with you. You should get a timing belt, water pump, all hoses, all belts, fuel filter, and fluids with you. That way, if you break down, you have the stuff needed for the repairs. Best of luck

[semaj4712]

This was yesterday...he left today...how much money are we putting down that he is on the side of the road in Colorado with a broken timing belt trying to figure out how to get his e30 through the pass on the i70 that is most likely closed

[decay]

hopefully we hear from him once he's on the ground in mormonland.

[rattfink81]

I agree awful idea but as stated without bad ideas we'd have some boring ass drinking stories. But yes timing belt cause that's a bad day when it breaks.