3000 mile one-way trip, suggestions?

[Erick]

As many of you are aware, I am going to shoot for Seattle, from Miami, in June.

Now, I have crossed all of Florida once or twice. Drove to Atlanta on a brand new rental. My road trip experience ends pretty much there.

I am just looking for some suggestions on things to do, and inspect before I head out on the trip, as well as what to bring. I'm running an M20 with less than 100 miles on a timing belt, water pump, gaskets, etc... so I'm pretty comfortable with the motor itself.

I'll be bringing some fluids (oil/water) and some tools, but I'm hoping to hear a few suggestions of things I possibly missed.

Let me know. I'd actually like to make it to WA, and not get stuck somewhere in Missouri. :p

- Erick

[Danny]

Dont leave your spare behind.

[Dominic49]

porn, lots of porn

[ian e30 318is]

porn, lots of porn

haha. Good call on the fluids though. id say oil, spare, and MAPS. Unless you have a gps system. and some radar/laser detectors if you plan on goin over 100.

[mrsleeve]

I just did MI to MT 2k miles, in my e30 in 36 hours with a break down in SD for a couple of hours

stuff to have with
maps (even if you have GPS have a good paper atlas of the country)
Belt, have a spare alt/fan belt with you at the least
tools
zip ties
some mechanics utility wire (or a couple of coat hangers)
duct tape
spare and tools to change (Ie jack)
fluids
cell phone and car charger
credit card
fuzz buster
red bull, snacks, water, more red bull and snacks, Cds, a blanket, warmer clothes (it can get cold some places you will be going through at night even in june), camera, oh an some cash


Shit to check
tires (air pressure and wear)
nut an bolt every thing that might be lose (IE Lug Bolts, or anything you have messed with recently or might be shaking lose form your drifto stuff axle bolts, u-joints, guibo, breaks)
Acc belts, replace if look bad,
rad hoses (I assume they are good)

[Funkmasta]

Erick,

Tools - 8-19mm 3/8 sockets; 8, 10, 13mm 1/4 sockets; open and box end wrench 8-19; assortment of phillips and flatheads, needle nose pliers, vice grips, hex 6mm-10mm, torx t10-t40; prybar, ratchets and extensions, flashlight, jack (if just using the factory jack, for SURE bring jackstands), knife, multimeter

Parts - 8, 12, 16 gauge wire and butt connectors; WATER, hose clamps, zipties, handful of metric hardware, fuses, DME, relays, Spare tire, fuel pump

Get phone numbers of a R3v member every 6 or so hours on your trip if possible.

Check before you leave: Cooling system, guibo, CSB, TIRES, windshield wipers, all lights, diff and trans oil.
--------------------------------------

I know this list may sound excessive, but let me tell you what...: On the way to Bimmerfest, The driver of the E46 would have been high and dry, if it werent for us and our tools. Whoda thunk that the stock E46 would have been the one to break amongst the two frankenstein E30s.

--- We changed the failed waterpump in the IHOP parking lot, by the way. (Little better than the $650 that the dealer quoted him...)

[m3austin]

V1 Radar Detector;)

[dvmotorsports]

trust me on this as i have traversed this great nation many a time. bring a cushion for your right elbow. i drove straight through from FL to CA, then back to FL, up to Maine and back down to FL. By the time I got to Commifornia I had a terrible sore on my elbow from the arm rest. It hurt like an SOB for a couple weeks after.

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
you mean left elbow???? I know My e30 dose not have an arm rest for my right side. But yeah I know what you mean.

[BBY1104]

Music, I hate the silence. Caffine drinks if your driving long days

[KenC]

You're bringing the turbo car, right?

[george graves]

Is the alignment on the car ok?

3000 miles can fubar a set of front tires if you guess on the tow-in and don't get an alignment cause you are too busy before you leave. (don't ask)

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

get the BMWCCA phone directory

[Mtriple]

Post up your route and lets see who is close in case you need help.

Jesus, thats going to be a haul. I've done the MN to Miami more times than I can remember and I thought that was far....

[Larry e30]

A friend