[e92ben]

Originally Posted by MonkUSMC

Rough estimates show, it'll take about 3 days of driving, $400 in gas (assume you get 27mpg), 2 hotel stays @ $100 ea. Not counting food.

Either way really costs about the same. A plane ticket now for August is $200, plus the 400-600 to ship the car.

Your car will make the drive a hundred times, don't bother asking that question "will my car make it?" lol.

3 days!?!? Lololol man. Day and a half. Just hit it! One stop to sleep a little and finish!

[thesliu]

if you've got some time, try to convince your rents to let you drive. i did a drive from DC to SF. it was one of the best experiences of my life and i didn't even get to do it in my 335i.

[thesliu]

oh and honestly, i'd be a little bit wary of being seen in and parking a bmw by hopkins. i have several friends who went there. one got his car broken into and another was mugged while getting out of his car. they didn't even drive nice cars (one drives an accord and another a jetta). i'm not saying this just to scare you- be safe there, baltimore's no joke.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by thesliu

oh and honestly, i'd be a little bit wary of being seen in and parking a bmw by hopkins. i have several friends who went there. one got his car broken into and another was mugged while getting out of his car. they didn't even drive nice cars (one drives an accord and another a jetta). i'm not saying this just to scare you- be safe there, baltimore's no joke.

Definitely. I know that it can get pretty sketchy if you aren't paying attention (and even if you are). I will be parking in an underground garage lot which is part of the apartment I will be leasing - cameras + locked garage. Plus, the apartment complex is on the 'better' side of the school if you can say that.

[gds52]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Thanks for all of the tips guys!

And as for driving it, I will probably drive it back after winter break, but my parents (and yes, this is going to sound extremely stupid) still think of me as their 'little baby' even though I am now 20 and are petrified of me driving coast to coast (even though my dad did it when he was close to my age).

Parents are parents. I've been through same situation. But anyway, its good for you in long term.
Be careful that you do not transport your car on train. Read this thread on "Rail Dust" causing rust on paint.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822039

However, you may try to convince your dad to ride with you.
Or else, find a good transport company even if costs more money.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by gds52

Parents are parents. I've been through same situation. But anyway, its good for you in long term.
Be careful that you do not transport your car on train. Read this thread on "Rail Dust" causing rust on paint.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822039

However, you may try to convince your dad to ride with you.
Or else, find a good transport company even if costs more money.

Yup, I did read that about rail dust. I will try to have it shipped by truck.

Thanks!

[Colo M/Sport]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Yup, I go to Johns Hopkins.

Used to know this old doc that went to Johns Hopkins in the early 1930's. He drove back and forth to school from Montana on a motorcycle. And this is when the roads were nothing like todays. He claimed the motorcycle was perfect because with enough speed the wheels acted as gyro's and kept the bike upright when hitting the ruts in the road. Imagine being on a bike for 1500 miles, probably half of it on dirt roads. No wonder he was tough enough to survive a Japanese prison camp during WWII. (Still think'n of ya Doc.)

Was this off topic? I'm on this post because I'm looking for a way to ship a car from VA. Shipping is cheap if miles on your car are worth anything.

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Originally Posted by Colo M3

Used to know this old doc that went to Johns Hopkins in the early 1930's. He drove back and forth to school from Montana on a motorcycle. And this is when the roads were nothing like todays. He claimed the motorcycle was perfect because with enough speed the wheels acted as gyro's and kept the bike upright when hitting the ruts in the road. Imagine being on a bike for 1500 miles, probably half of it on dirt roads. No wonder he was tough enough to survive a Japanese prison camp during WWII. (Still think'n of ya Doc.)

Was this off topic? I'm on this post because I'm looking for a way to ship a car from VA. Shipping is cheap if miles on your car are worth anything.

not really off topics but a great first post ! welcome to the forum now lets see ur car

[Colo M/Sport]

"not really off topics but a great first post ! welcome to the forum now lets see ur car"

You'll see it when I see it. Picking it up next week.

I signed up with one of those guys that is supposed to give you 10 shipping quotesd (Autotransport411). In other words he handed out my email and phone number to a bunch of truckers. I've gotten at least 25 emails and 5-8 calls a day since. A major mistake on my part. We should keep this thread going until we get 5 or 6 legitimate movers. The name I got from a Lexus dealer was FSC. If I use them I'll post my experience.

Update: Talked with FSC today and they seem legit. Can't go with them because of the price - $950 from VA to Denver. I'll probably drive it back. Tina with FSC said that half of the guys on the phony broker deal have filed that they are signed up to haul my car. I haven't signed with anyone. By doing this they hope to block anyone else from picking up the contract or at least influence the price of any quote I get in the future. A lot of cr@p going on in the transport business.

[alpinewhite335]

Did i see you Mount Vernon area yesterday ? i Was in AW e92.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by Colo M3

Used to know this old doc that went to Johns Hopkins in the early 1930's. He drove back and forth to school from Montana on a motorcycle. And this is when the roads were nothing like todays. He claimed the motorcycle was perfect because with enough speed the wheels acted as gyro's and kept the bike upright when hitting the ruts in the road. Imagine being on a bike for 1500 miles, probably half of it on dirt roads. No wonder he was tough enough to survive a Japanese prison camp during WWII. (Still think'n of ya Doc.)

Was this off topic? I'm on this post because I'm looking for a way to ship a car from VA. Shipping is cheap if miles on your car are worth anything.

Not really off topic haha. Cool story btw and can't wait to see ur car! Definitely a good idea to keep the thread going.

Originally Posted by alpinewhite335

Did i see you Mount Vernon area yesterday ? i Was in AW e92.

I wasn't there yesterday, no, but about two weekends ago I was at stag of Siam with a bunch of friends around lunch time and saw a clean e92 328i across the street. I think it was LCI, but I don't remember for sure.

[weaponrx]

I used intercity lines when I bought my car and had it shipped across the country. Most professional company I found and they took care of my beast. The seat was wrapped and the car was covered while inside of the truck (I used enclosed). I loved my car too much to have it out in the open. You get what you pay for and I didnt want any regrets. They werent the cheapest but def not the most expensive. They were fast, easy to use and communicate with and I would use them again. Let them know you are from a bimmer forum and you get another discount.

[Colo M/Sport]

Originally Posted by weaponrx

I used intercity lines ....They werent the cheapest but def not the most expensive. They were fast, easy to use and communicate with and I would use them again. Let them know you are from a bimmer forum and you get another discount.

Just got a quote from intercity at $1800 which is line with your comment "They weren't the cheapest". Yeah, like DOUBLE. But that's probably with the discount.

[Envuks]

I shipped my car from MN to MA when I bought it. I used a guy named Gilbert at philamtransport. He is a bit quirky, but his customer service was amazing (and I have high expectations)... Google him, his reviews are all stellar (5 of 5 stars).

I wouldn't recommend using any other broker. Gilbert is the man. I recommend him all the time.

[fazman]

Use some strong tape to tape down the wipers and cover the wind shield wiper nozzles too. Painters tape is ur friend. Also tape up bumpers (front/back) cuz u never know which direction ur car will be facing on the trailer???

Consider getting a great coat of wax on the paint before the shipping. Max out your auto insurance for the week of transport (full coverage with $100 deductible). Test out ur BMW assist a week before the transport to make sure the remote door unlock works.

Vinyl wrap can be ur friend if u r up to doing the entire car yourself?

Get it in writing that the car will always be locked unless being operated to move off/on trailer. Get shipping companies insurance policy number and double check the coverage limits. Also ask ur insurance if they cover u in case $hit happens. Keep about 1/8th tank of gas so if someone steals it... They gotta pump it up to get anywhere. If u have a battery tender... Charge up the car to max before hand.

I shipped two vehicles from SoCal to NJ for $900 total

[Envuks]

Originally Posted by ken1137

You may want to consider an enclosed trailer for obvious reasons. I believe the cost would run you near $1000.

I'll second this. I shipped my car enclosed and it cost $1000.... The reason, rock chips, damage from junk on the road, hail, etc. are not covered by the shipper's insurance. With a nice car you want to ship enclosed.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by fazman

Use some strong tape to tape down the wipers and cover the wind shield wiper nozzles too. Painters tape is ur friend. Also tape up bumpers (front/back) cuz u never know which direction ur car will be facing on the trailer???

Consider getting a great coat of wax on the paint before the shipping. Max out your auto insurance for the week of transport (full coverage with $100 deductible). Test out ur BMW assist a week before the transport to make sure the remote door unlock works.

Vinyl wrap can be ur friend if u r up to doing the entire car yourself?

Get it in writing that the car will always be locked unless being operated to move off/on trailer. Get shipping companies insurance policy number and double check the coverage limits. Also ask ur insurance if they cover u in case $hit happens. Keep about 1/8th tank of gas so if someone steals it... They gotta pump it up to get anywhere. If u have a battery tender... Charge up the car to max before hand.

I shipped two vehicles from SoCal to NJ for $900 total

Great tips! One thing I was wondering. I have a BMW car cover... could I possibly ship it with the car cover on while in transit? and then they can just take it off and throw it in the trunk when they are driving the car?

[fazman]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Great tips! One thing I was wondering. I have a BMW car cover... could I possibly ship it with the car cover on while in transit? and then they can just take it off and throw it in the trunk when they are driving the car?

Strongly advise against asking them to have the truck driver do anything. They do more damage then good. Do u know how many degrees it takes to be a truck driver???

Also, take great pics of the car from all over just after the wash (but before the waxing), with time date stamp on pic. Also take pics at drop off of the car, for ur baseline of the car. Make sure u drop it off in the day time and take pics of the car at delivery in ur destination. MAKE sure they only deliver the car at day time so u can inspect and report issues on the truck drivers paper work. If u do it at night or under fluorescent light... Its hard to inspect. My truck driver told me he would be running late the day of and he can drop off at my place only at night. I told him i won't be available cuz i'm busy at work and to schedule for the next day in the day time. Take pics at delivery as well.

Get in writing all the details for the claims process in case something happens in transport. U don't want to be rejected on ur claim cuz u didn't follow a step with the transporter. Also u need to remember, shipping brokers r easy to get a hold of until u make payment.... After they get ur money, its like who r u? Get all ur ducks in a row before paying and once u do pay... Make sure u get all the details. Don't be afraid to tell them u don't like the way something is worded in a contract... Have them change stuff to ur benefit within reason.

Kinda like the used car sales man that tells me his fees r fixed cuz they r printed already on the forms... Well my big black magic marker can fix that form is my answer

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by fazman

Strongly advise against asking them to have the truck driver do anything. They do more damage then good. Do u know how many degrees it takes to be a truck driver???

Also, take great pics of the car from all over just after the wash (but before the waxing), with time date stamp on pic. Also take pics at drop off of the car, for ur baseline of the car. Make sure u drop it off in the day time and take pics of the car at delivery in ur destination. MAKE sure they only deliver the car at day time so u can inspect and report issues on the truck drivers paper work. If u do it at night or under fluorescent light... Its hard to inspect. My truck driver told me he would be running late the day of and he can drop off at my place only at night. I told him i won't be available cuz i'm busy at work and to schedule for the next day in the day time. Take pics at delivery as well.

Get in writing all the details for the claims process in case something happens in transport. U don't want to be rejected on ur claim cuz u didn't follow a step with the transporter. Also u need to remember, shipping brokers r easy to get a hold of until u make payment.... After they get ur money, its like who r u? Get all ur ducks in a row before paying and once u do pay... Make sure u get all the details. Don't be afraid to tell them u don't like the way something is worded in a contract... Have them change stuff to ur benefit within reason.

Kinda like the used car sales man that tells me his fees r fixed cuz they r printed already on the forms... Well my big black magic marker can fix that form is my answer

Thanks. I will definitely take this all into consideration when it comes closer to the time of shipping.

Everyone has been a great help here!

[fazman]

Originally Posted by Envuks

I'll second this. I shipped my car enclosed and it cost $1000.... The reason, rock chips, damage from junk on the road, hail, etc. are not covered by the shipper's insurance. With a nice car you want to ship enclosed.

Full car vinyl wrap and extra auto insurance might be a better deal then $1k in enclosed container. Hail damage can be fixed with PDR, vinyl is pretty durable.

But just making a show by asking questions and showing that u care can make all the difference in the world. If they take u to be a super ninja freak about detail... It will make the difference to put ur car in a better spot over everyone else who didn't care. Oh and tape up the shark fin too... All around.

[fazman]

One last tip, when u get to the east coast... The roads r shit! Drive slow, lots of craters (not pot holes) that will bubble ur tires and bend ur rims. Change out ur license plate screws ever april after the winter cuz they rust (M5 x 0.8 length screws are like .60 cents for a bag of 5 from lowes). Once they rust its going to be a bitch to fix. So make sure u remove the entire license plate bracket (front and rear) to inspect every Nov and Apr. Also get a tire pressure guage which is accurate. Every 10*F change is a 1psi change in tire pressure. Always keep them topped up in the winter cuz of potholes. These were all things i never cared about in SoCal and learned the hard way in NJ. Also, once u get to the east coast... Tisher BMW (getbmwparts.com) should be your new best friend. Drain all the wiper fluid from your cali car and go to any bmw dealership to have them top it off with wiper fluid which shouldn't freeze up in the winter.