cross country NY to CA and back in an M4?

[bluerainsky]

living in NY, going to San Jose, CA for 3 months, considering some of the car options and want to get second opinions and any experiences

have a 2015 M4, currently 4k miles.

options:
- ship round trip, ~4k round trip
- ship one way, and drive one way, $2k one way
- fly round trip, rent car in CA

anyone with cross country experiences?

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

living in NY, going to San Jose, CA for 3 months, considering some of the car options and want to get second opinions and any experiences

have a 2015 M4, currently 4k miles.

options:
- ship round trip, ~4k round trip
- ship one way, and drive one way, $2k one way
- fly round trip, rent car in CA

anyone with cross country experiences?

Paging Lups.....

(not that I am necessarily suggesting OP repeat ALL of Lups' experiences on her cross-country journey....)

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

living in NY, going to San Jose, CA for 3 months, considering some of the car options and want to get second opinions and any experiences

have a 2015 M4, currently 4k miles.

options:
- ship round trip, ~4k round trip
- ship one way, and drive one way, $2k one way
- fly round trip, rent car in CA

anyone with cross country experiences?

Oh hell yes, take the drive!

I bought mine from NJ, drove it via Chicago, Atlanta, and a lot of other cities back home to Seattle.

In my experience pack light, all you need to handle the cops are a few skirts, and you can pretty much floor it all the way through yo the other coast. Enjoy!

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon

Paging Sal@autocouture.....

I'm currently shipping my car back to NY from LA for $945.00, 2k seems a bit off.

If you've never driven cross country and have a serious urge to do so I would. My max amount of hours driven is about 30 in the E90 M3 and I will never be doing such hours again.

oh really? for only $945? is it open or enclosed, which company are you using?

~$2k is for the enclosed, after reading others comments, it seems like most people recommend enclosed.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon

Paging Sal@autocouture.....

I'm currently shipping my car back to NY from LA for $945.00, 2k seems a bit off.

If you've never driven cross country and have a serious urge to do so I would. My max amount of hours driven is about 30 in the E90 M3 and I will never be doing such hours again.

i have never done a cross country road trip before, or drove that far really. the most i did over a long weekend (4 days) was 1000 miles. new york to shennandoah and back.

i am having trouble picking a good route if driving. the good route with nice stops will require lots of detours increasing the normally 45 hours to like 60 hours or so. then the straight route is pretty much 45 hours of boredom from what i know.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by myzmak

Paging Lups.....

(not that I am necessarily suggesting OP repeat ALL of Lups' experiences on her cross-country journey....)

is her trip posted on the forum? can't seem to find the post

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon

Paging Sal@autocouture.....

I'm currently shipping my car back to NY from LA for $945.00, 2k seems a bit off.

If you've never driven cross country and have a serious urge to do so I would. My max amount of hours driven is about 30 in the E90 M3 and I will never be doing such hours again.

Pussy.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

is her trip posted on the forum? can't seem to find the post

M4trip.blogspot.com

It's not even English and mainly written very tired or while fixing my dehydration.

If I can help you in any way, or if you want to know details, just ask and I'll get you the info.

I'm leaving in a week and I'm actually coming to NJ for a day or two again. This time around, I'm gonna go via Canada.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Lups

M4trip.blogspot.com

It's not even English and mainly written very tired or while fixing my dehydration.

If I can help you in any way, or if you want to know details, just ask and I'll get you the info.

I'm leaving in a week and I'm actually coming to NJ for a day or two again. This time around, I'm gonna go via Canada.

hi, thanks!!!

i plan to be in CA for three months, so thinking if i do drive round trip, then probably going west from the north in september and then back to NY through the south in december.

actually do want to get a few tips
- what's your planned route for the upcoming trip to NJ via Canada?
- your thought on coating for the car? is clear bra or similar needed for the road trip?
- how many days is "reasonable" to plan for NY to CA? driving alone, so straight long hours of driving probably isn't a good idea

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

hi, thanks!!!

i plan to be in CA for three months, so thinking if i do drive round trip, then probably going west from the north in september and then back to NY through the south in december.

actually do want to get a few tips
- what's your planned route for the upcoming trip to NJ via Canada?
- your thought on coating for the car? is clear bra or similar needed for the road trip?
- how many days is "reasonable" to plan for NY to CA? driving alone, so straight long hours of driving probably isn't a good idea

Haha,

My plan is as it always ends up being with these to back out from the garage, leave and figure out what needs to be done on the way. I have a tent and a sleeping bag in my car always since it enables total lack of planning. I'm weird.

Coating the car does help, but more can be achieved by driving style changes. I never, ever tailgate, so after 20k I have only two or three rock chips. If i go by a truck, I do it fast. Evaluate your style, and save a couple thousand.

I'd go for a fast day, slow day, fast day, slow day route in that trip. I usually do the first days hitting the pavement hard, and then spend the night in a city where there are stuff to see. Look at the map, and book a few extra days for the trip, enjoy the miles and avoid traffic hours. Those kill the drivers spirit easily. I prefer driving at night, it is a great feeling to see a sunset every time.

Don't book hotels or anything beforehand. Keep the planning at minimum, so you can enjoy it more. Kick off your shoes and let the scenery fly.

Oh, radar detector. I recommend one highly.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Lups

Haha,

My plan is as it always ends up being with these to back out from the garage, leave and figure out what needs to be done on the way. I have a tent and a sleeping bag in my car always since it enables total lack of planning. I'm weird.

Coating the car does help, but more can be achieved by driving style changes. I never, ever tailgate, so after 20k I have only two or three rock chips. If i go by a truck, I do it fast. Evaluate your style, and save a couple thousand.

I'd go for a fast day, slow day, fast day, slow day route in that trip. I usually do the first days hitting the pavement hard, and then spend the night in a city where there are stuff to see. Look at the map, and book a few extra days for the trip, enjoy the miles and avoid traffic hours. Those kill the drivers spirit easily. I prefer driving at night, it is a great feeling to see a sunset every time.

Don't book hotels or anything beforehand. Keep the planning at minimum, so you can enjoy it more. Kick off your shoes and let the scenery fly.

Oh, radar detector. I recommend one highly.

thanks thanks...

the tips are helpful. thinking similar to what you recommend. driving hard on the first two days to get across most of the driving, and when it hits the more exciting areas with lots to see slow down and have some fun

have been using waze up til now, but haven't done such long trip yet. any tips for worthy investments?

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

thanks thanks...

the tips are helpful. thinking similar to what you recommend. driving hard on the first two days to get across most of the driving, and when it hits the more exciting areas with lots to see slow down and have some fun

have been using waze up til now, but haven't done such long trip yet. any tips for worthy investments?

Waze works to perfection in busy areas, not in the country miles, you could drop the hammer better. I have a v1, don't get that. It drives sane people into madness.

This country truly is worth experiencing and if you do it by driving, it gives you the freedom for adventures. Talk to people and enjoy the differences between states, and never, ever cross WA state line.

[Lups]

Oh, a gallon of water to the trunk at all times. If shit happens, on the road the distances can be great and preparing for the worst at all times is necessary. I also have a knife in mine in case someone or me drives over wild life that needs to be put down.

On my last big run (seattle-la and back in three days) a woman hit a deer in front of me. I stopped, killed the animal (she was totally fucked up anyway) fixed her car and told her she killed bambis mom. She was panicking and asked me what we are going to do, so I asked her if she has salt and garlic.

Oh, cable ties. They are not only for fifty shades fans, but also really useful in fucked up situations. I fixed the panicking woman's bumper back up with them so she could get on with her trip.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Lups

Oh, a gallon of water to the trunk at all times. If shit happens, on the road the distances can be great and preparing for the worst at all times is necessary. I also have a knife in mine in case someone or me drives over wild life that needs to be put down.

On my last big run (seattle-la and back in three days) a woman hit a deer in front of me. I stopped, killed the animal (she was totally fucked up anyway) fixed her car and told her she killed bambis mom. She was panicking and asked me what we are going to do, so I asked her if she has salt and garlic.

Oh, cable ties. They are not only for fifty shades fans, but also really useful in fucked up situations. I fixed the panicking woman's bumper back up with them so she could get on with her trip.

wow.... LOL... not sure i am laughing because it sounds crazy or because it sounds scary.

any radar detector you would recommend?

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

wow.... LOL... not sure i am laughing because it sounds crazy or because it sounds scary.

any radar detector you would recommend?

Haha, no need to be scared, just be prepared. One of my better life lessons, which I've learned naturally the hard way.

I'd go for the hooker. Can't remember the rd's name, but it was escort, passport, something you can rent out on wild night out (Friday, my head is in the gutter).

I highly recommend you taking the drive. Most of us never have to face loneliness and our own thoughts the way road gets them cleared. I've had most of my better ideas on the road, sadly also few of the bad ones too.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Lups

Haha, no need to be scared, just be prepared. One of my better life lessons, which I've learned naturally the hard way.

I'd go for the hooker. Can't remember the rd's name, but it was escort, passport, something you can rent out on wild night out (Friday, my head is in the gutter).

I highly recommend you taking the drive. Most of us never have to face loneliness and our own thoughts the way road gets them cleared. I've had most of my better ideas on the road, sadly also few of the bad ones too.

agreed, i believe this will be an awesome experience.

will look into escort passport and probably will reach out again once i make more arrangement for the trip.

Thanks!

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

agreed, i believe this will be an awesome experience.

will look into escort passport and probably will reach out again once i make more arrangement for the trip.

Thanks!

No problem! It's always good to learn from other peoples mistakes and I have a long list of those behind me.

I'll be taking off next week for my summer trip. I'll update my advices when I find new ways to make my life more interesting.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by Lups

No problem! It's always good to learn from other peoples mistakes and I have a long list of those behind me.

I'll be taking off next week for my summer trip. I'll update my advices when I find new ways to make my life more interesting.

nice, can't wait to hear about the trip.

let me know if you post pics or blogs somewhere

[Lups]

Originally Posted by bluerainsky

nice, can't wait to hear about the trip.

let me know if you post pics or blogs somewhere

This summer's blog is in the sig. It will actually involve cars from tomorrow on since I get to leave again.

[MrSteak]

Late to the show, but need to chime in...

I've driven across the US twice (also Germany & France when I did Euro Delivery). I would love to take my car across country, but unless I was permanently relocating or had money to burn, I wouldn't want to put it through that abuse...


1. The big one is Insurance. Most insurance companies cover you even in a rental car... but if you rent the car with American Express you're really covered. (Story time: We rented a brand new Camry. Made it to Wyoming, then hit a small coyote... which went through the grill and took out the radiator. The car was shot. If it was my BMW, I'd be stuck in Wyoming, at the mercy of the local repair shops for a radiator, a bumper, AND labor. Instead we called American Express and the rental company.... had a brand new car within 3 hours.)

2. Miles. Again, if I had money to burn, it wouldn't matter. But you'll be putting a lot of miles on your M4 (not to mention the wear & tear). Then if you're making stops, there are plenty of places & roads that won't be kind to your beautiful car (it's tires, suspension, undercarriage, etc).

3. Last time I rented a car, it was about $1,000 for the month through Costco/Budget (unlimited miles like most companies). So, it could be pricy for multiple months, especially if you're not splitting it. But it's like a hotel room. You can use & abuse it, and always get a new one if anything happens... all without risking your M4.

[bluerainsky]

Originally Posted by MrSteak

Late to the show, but need to chime in...

I've driven across the US twice (also Germany & France when I did Euro Delivery). I would love to take my car across country, but unless I was permanently relocating or had money to burn, I wouldn't want to put it through that abuse...


1. The big one is Insurance. Most insurance companies cover you even in a rental car... but if you rent the car with American Express you're really covered. (Story time: We rented a brand new Camry. Made it to Wyoming, then hit a small coyote... which went through the grill and took out the radiator. The car was shot. If it was my BMW, I'd be stuck in Wyoming, at the mercy of the local repair shops for a radiator, a bumper, AND labor. Instead we called American Express and the rental company.... had a brand new car within 3 hours.)

2. Miles. Again, if I had money to burn, it wouldn't matter. But you'll be putting a lot of miles on your M4 (not to mention the wear & tear). Then if you're making stops, there are plenty of places & roads that won't be kind to your beautiful car (it's tires, suspension, undercarriage, etc).

3. Last time I rented a car, it was about $1,000 for the month through Costco/Budget (unlimited miles like most companies). So, it could be pricy for multiple months, especially if you're not splitting it. But it's like a hotel room. You can use & abuse it, and always get a new one if anything happens... all without risking your M4.

although very excited about the idea of driving my m4 cross country, cost is definitely a consideration. thanks for these good points.

i am tallying both costs of renting and theoretical costs of driving m4. but so far on the surface, it seems that the experience value of driving m4 seems to outweigh the others

[Lups]

Originally Posted by MrSteak

Late to the show, but need to chime in...

I've driven across the US twice (also Germany & France when I did Euro Delivery). I would love to take my car across country, but unless I was permanently relocating or had money to burn, I wouldn't want to put it through that abuse...


1. The big one is Insurance. Most insurance companies cover you even in a rental car... but if you rent the car with American Express you're really covered. (Story time: We rented a brand new Camry. Made it to Wyoming, then hit a small coyote... which went through the grill and took out the radiator. The car was shot. If it was my BMW, I'd be stuck in Wyoming, at the mercy of the local repair shops for a radiator, a bumper, AND labor. Instead we called American Express and the rental company.... had a brand new car within 3 hours.)

2. Miles. Again, if I had money to burn, it wouldn't matter. But you'll be putting a lot of miles on your M4 (not to mention the wear & tear). Then if you're making stops, there are plenty of places & roads that won't be kind to your beautiful car (it's tires, suspension, undercarriage, etc).

3. Last time I rented a car, it was about $1,000 for the month through Costco/Budget (unlimited miles like most companies). So, it could be pricy for multiple months, especially if you're not splitting it. But it's like a hotel room. You can use & abuse it, and always get a new one if anything happens... all without risking your M4.

Dude, why the fuck would you buy an M4 and then drive a rental? I'm almost done with my this years road trip, and if I had the money to burn, I would seriously burn it rather than take any other car for a journey like this.

Flying is the cheap option if you want to go across. I want to have the fun, and the miles in the clock is the cost I will take any day over being stuck in any rental with a bad gear box, boring suspension and a steering that is a joke.