Can My Car Handle A 385 Mile Trip? - BMW Forum

tyro2001 · 07-12-2005, 04:53 PM

Im planing on taking a trip to NY by the end of the month but im not sure if my car would make it there. i have a 89' 325i with 208,000. If i do decide to take my car what things should i cheak or do to make sure my car wont die on the way there or back.

thanks

Trob · 07-12-2005, 05:58 PM

Think about the question you just asked? How in gods name would any of us know? lol I mean every car is different. I have a friend who has an 89 325is and I would drive that thing from hear to california without a worry. Mine the same...but thiers one down the street that by the sound of it I would be worried about driving across town. :P I don't bust on posts normaly but seriously dude..but unless we saw and looked at your car how should we know?

tyro2001 · 07-12-2005, 06:10 PM

well the rest of the question asked what things should i check or do before doing a long trip.

Bmw1990 · 07-12-2005, 07:42 PM

Make sure all your fluids are good, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, trans. fluid..etc. I would probably change the oil before you go. Make sure the air filter is good. Also check for good tire pressure.

Thats all I can think of at the moment.

nukeduster · 07-14-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bmw1990@Jul 12 2005, 04:42 PM
Make sure all your fluids are good, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, trans. fluid..etc. I would probably change the oil before you go. Make sure the air filter is good. Also check for good tire pressure.

Thats all I can think of at the moment.

[snapback]361794[/snapback]

i drove my 85 eta with unk. true mileage from jersey to az and az to minnesota within the same week. it was only running on 4 cylinders the whole trip(2 of the spark wires were so corroded they no longer conducted electricity). they are pretty tough cars.

as he said, top off all fluids, and check your tires for good pressure.. just basic car maintence for any vehicle.

ldsbeaker · 07-15-2005, 12:57 PM

Change your windshield wipers. You can't drive if you can't see.

Scotty Dangles · 07-15-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tyro2001@Jul 12 2005, 04:53 PM
Im planing on taking a trip to NY by the end of the month but im not sure if my car would make it there. i have a 89' 325i with 208,000. If i do decide to take my car what things should i cheak or do to make sure my car wont die on the way there or back.

thanks

[snapback]361768[/snapback]

Well to say the least you're driving 385Miles...at most two tanks of gasoline...you should be fine...but the fact that your questioning this raises some doubt on your cars condition? If you keep your car in average shape this kind of trip should be childsplay for your car.

I do 1500mile roadies in my 94 5er about 4-5 times a year and it doesn't even phase the car...

Good Luck!
Scotty

RealBMW 02 · 07-15-2005, 05:15 PM

As long as you have not been experiencing major problems with your car any time in the recent past, then you should have no problem with the trip. I have taken my 71' 2002 on trips that long and as long as you don't push it too hard (I only have a four speed) they hold up just fine.

A few other things I would check before the trip though:

Brakes
Spark Plugs
Spare Tire

Good Luck

'89 635 csi · 07-15-2005, 05:18 PM

If your car has already made it 208k, then I'm sure it can make it another 385 miles.

Kowalski · 07-15-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by '89 635 csi@Jul 15 2005, 03:18 PM
If your car has already made it 208k, then I'm sure it can make it another 385 miles.

[snapback]362620[/snapback]

Bunny Capricorn · 08-12-2005, 11:43 AM

If your considering it............Then drive it.

I just got back from a 1200 mile round trip with my 92' 525i(238K)....
When I got back home it asked me when was is the next trip!

Check your fluids like BMW1990 sugested and move out!

offabroadway · 08-15-2005, 10:36 PM

As long as there are no major problems bothering the car that you know about, she should be fine. If you want to play it safe, get an oil change, get your drivebelts and timing belt checked, you brake pads checked, and get your valves adjusted. If your spare is worn, or you don't have one, get one. Even the best of tires can experience failure.

Other than that and what has already been flogged like the dead horse that it is (CHECK YOUR FLUIDS!!), I say go for it. She'll probably be happy to be out on the highway if she doesn't get it much. Pump some good gas in there (Chevron is excellent stuff) and run her at varying rpms, but crank her up for few times, really helps clear out your carbon deposits.

Above all, enjoy the ride man.