Planning a long trip...

[mrsleeve]

no matter what question you ask theres always one person to say get a new car...

Just messing with you man, If you are up on you maintenance you will be fine, just dont leave home with out this list. This is whats in the 2 bags in my trunk on any trip further than to town for a burger. at least in the E30 the truck is a bit different and only have one bag under the back seat.

a decent tools set with a long pry bar, and a few spares like a quart of oil, a bit of coolant, a set of belts a good spare tire, a little bit of wire, some mechanics wire (aka coat hanger or 2) zip ties, good jumper cables, a good flash light with extra batteries, duct tape, electrical tape, a few wire nuts, a old but still good cap and rotor, spark plugs, a length of universal rad hose, a tire plug kit, a spare set of lug bolts/nuts, a few various hose clamps and some other miscellaneous crap. I know that sounds like a bunch of stuff but it all fits into 2 medium sized tool bags and sit well in trunk an dont slide around much. I drive a lot of miles through some areas that have nothing for as far as 100miles. So I have learned carry all the stuff I can to limp my way to somewhere that I can get or do a proper fix

edit: t-belt, if you are ok with tools and have a bentley and have all the parts 4 hours in the garage you will have it done, tip take the hood off but mark the hood brackets to the hood before you take it off

[Collin]

how much downtime are we talking to get this done, this is my daily driver...

You could have it done at a shop and wait 2 days or so, or do it yourself and get it done in roughly the same time.

It shouldn't be terribly hard, but it's not pleasant either.

[brantleyr]

i do all my work myself that i can, i njoy working on it i was just wondering so i can schedule time off work/school n what not

[Rennsport]

wow you guys are pussies, i used to do 700mi round trips weekly.

[TexasTerp]

When I lived in New Orleans I would do 780mi round trips to Houston monthly, no issues with timing belt, water pump etc, just an oil change. Hell I did 650mi straight without any maintenance before hand (not recommended but that what I get for being in nowhere western NY for 3 months). Keep a couple parts and a small tool kit on you and you'll be fine. Just keep a check on your fluids.

and btw, my e30 is pushing 275-300k with only the 2nd ever tranny and minimal maintenance. If my beater can do it, your's shouldn't have any problems.

[apexede30]

I'd do a 5 lug swap first :P.

[Aptyp]

i do all my work myself that i can, i njoy working on it i was just wondering so i can schedule time off work/school n what not

It's true he does do all the work myself. LOL

It's 2-3 hour job swapping your t-belt and water pump. Nothing serious. But you'll owe me.

[Keanan]

700 mile trip? In an E30? I hope you make it back in one piece.

A 700 mile trip isn't really that far, it is only two maybe three tanks of gas.
If I were to go on a 700 mile trip in my E30 The only thing I would do is fill up the fuel tank because it is almost on empty. I wouldn't hesitate to drive my 325es across the country. I trust it.

The only way to find out if your car can safely take you on a long trip is to take it on a long trip.

[Desaevious]

Why make a trip from NC? A large number of us from even New England are driving TO NC. for the Tail of the Dragon meet!