[Ravenseal]

I was made a very good job offer that I'll likely end up accepting, and would have me commuting close to 80/mi per day at least for the rest of the year. It's not necessarily a bad commute, all highway miles, but I'm worried about the beating my car is about to take in the florida heat.

It's just shy of 40,000 miles, and I've done all major engine maintenance; due for rotors and pads soon. Stg2 tune will likely come off.

Would anyone that has had or currently has a similar commute with their N54s share their experiences?

[fmoua916]

You should be fine or just buy a cheaper honda or toyota for like 5k and commute

[F30lolz]

These cars are meant to be driven. Heck in NY I had a E39 M5 and used that for doing pizza delivery when I was unemployed for years and the car held up well. Just stay on top of maintenance and you'll be fine.

[jt335i]

Hey there neighbor. I am Tampa local too! The heat and humidity is a minor thing which you do not need to worry about around here. I'm sure the engineers who designed these cars had made sure they're built to withstand extreme hi and low temperatures and hostile climates. As long as you maintain your car as you have been, and wash/wax it, it'll be fine.

I've been living in Tampa for nearly 30 years and I've been through some very hot summers and it hasn't been an issue with any of my cars I currently own or previously owned. I bought my 2010 335i new and it's been 6 years and 5 months since the first day I drove it home and I haven't had any major problems or issues with it as a result of the heat.

Just enjoy the driving pleasure.

[Pierce330]

BMWs are meant to be driven. I did that commute with my E46 330 for four years! My car ran like a top! I racked up the kms but that's ok. Cars are meant to be driven! You should be fine. If it bothers you, purchase a DD and save the BMW. Just my 2 cents

[John 070]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

These cars are meant to be driven. Heck in NY I had a E39 M5 and used that for doing pizza delivery when I was unemployed for years and the car held up well. Just stay on top of maintenance and you'll be fine.

hahahahahahaha long story, but when I was in college, I was known as the pizza boy with the Porsche....(back then there was a 30 min. guarantee and I felt that I needed a fast car to get my pies delivered on time)

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

I was made a very good job offer that I'll likely end up accepting, and would have me commuting close to 80/mi per day at least for the rest of the year. It's not necessarily a bad commute, all highway miles, but I'm worried about the beating my car is about to take in the florida heat.

It's just shy of 40,000 miles, and I've done all major engine maintenance; due for rotors and pads soon. Stg2 tune will likely come off.

Would anyone that has had or currently has a similar commute with their N54s share their experiences?

I am 82 miles away from work and been commuting since 2009. I alter my 330i and my other car. My 330i seem to feel better when driven on a regular basis compared to being idle for days I noticed.

[wren57]

Highway miles are easy on cars. It's the stop and go stress of city driving that wears down components. Just make sure you're getting up towards redline every so often so your car remember how to and doesn't think it's just a highway grandma cruiser...

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

... I'm worried about the beating my car is about to take in the florida heat.

FL isn't really very hot, compared to the desert SW and CA central valley/Bay Area. Lots of long commutes there with no problems. You won't have a problem.

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by fmoua916

You should be fine or just buy a cheaper honda or toyota for like 5k and commute

This is what I would do.
Opens up alot of doors for you in keeping your car nicer/cleaner and DIY is much less stressful.

[katatonia]

I think the car would hold up fine but it would destroy the resell value of the car, highway miles or not. Personally I would just pick up a cheap already miled out car and use that for commuting instead

[patents]

The commute is not going to give your car a beating in the heat. Heat is mostly a problem for cars that are parked outside in the blazing sun for years. The paint fades and interior surfaces will fade and crack. Commuting 80 miles in the heat won't really wear out your car any faster than in the cold.

The only real downside is that you will be putting more miles on the car, which lowers the resale value and generally shortens the life of the car and its components. The more you drive a car, the faster it will wear out (generally).

Yes, you can get a cheap commuter car, but it's really difficult to come out ahead financially. You have to pay taxes and insurance on that car, in addition to maintenance, repairs, and depreciation on it.

[max_330i]

As others have said, I think the best course of action would be commuting with another car. I absolutely agree that cars (BMWs) are meant to be driven, but you say that your car has <40K miles, which is very low. On top of that, your situation requires you to drive 80 miles a day... 80 x 365 = 29,200, meaning your car would be at 70K miles after one year. (I'm sure you don't work 365 days a year but you get the point... the number is 24,000 for 80 mi x 300 days, which is more realistic)

Your daily driver could either be Honda/Toyota or a slightly more reliable BMW. I commute with my N52 330i and it works like a charm. N54 might complain if you put a lot of miles on it.

Let us know what you decide on and good luck

Max

[John 070]

If your 335is is under recall, why not get a loaner and put the miles on it? Don't worry, the rest of us barely drive ours, it's perfectly fine for you to do 160 mi./day

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by John 070

If your 335is is under recall, why not get a loaner and put the miles on it? Don't worry, the rest of us barely drive ours, it's perfectly fine for you to do 160 mi./day

He's 80mi/day, so only a 40 mile one way trip...bout 30-40 min drive. It'll be just fine.

I drove my car 5+ hours 1 way across Texas during summer (very hot) and winter months for two years about every other week, plus doing some 10+ hour drives and it's going strong. You'll be fine minus the aforementioned loss in value due to racking up the miles.

[natedog7700]

Originally Posted by fmoua916

You should be fine or just buy a cheaper honda or toyota for like 5k and commute

+1

If your concerned just buy a cheap daily. It costs so much more per mile driving a BMW than a Camry or something likewise.

[Fatty Duckets]

You are good to go!

I am on my 2nd n54, and I had no issues with driving over 100 miles per day round trip. Now I am driving an IS and doing even more than 100 miles round trip a day. Whatever, I love driving, and this car is great. Don't worry about buying another side car! Drive what you got and when you are done, go buy another one!

[Needbmwpartzz]

Drive it.....BMWs are at home on highways!

[antonmn]

I drive to Chicago from Minneapolis at least twice a month. 800 miles round trip, unless I forget my wallet like I did last time and it turns out to be 1000 miles. My 335 is up to 157,000 miles and runs better than when I bought it. Never had to clean the intake, and probably never will.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by John 070

If your 335is is under recall, why not get a loaner and put the miles on it? Don't worry, the rest of us barely drive ours, it's perfectly fine for you to do 160 mi./day

Interesting point it is under recall. No airbags anywhere in sight, so it'll probably be a while!

[Ravenseal]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's definitely a struggle.

I love driving my car every chance I get, but the depreciation and the wear would keep me up at night. I plan on keeping my IS long term *knock on wood, thank god for extended warranties*, but the idea of putting 25,000mi on it gives me the shivers.

I've absolutely thought about picking up up a cheap daily driver and rotating the cars, but as of now the job comes with an offer for eventual relocation. It wouldn't necessarily make sense financially, but its not out of the question with how older Toyotas and Civics depreciate.

I'm gonna check out this loaner ordeal someone mentioned above if I do in fact take the offer. I wouldn't want to accept one without knowing the risks of returning a BMW loaner (or even a rental) with an extra 5 figures on the odo.

[335commuter]

Lol, I bought my 335 for my 180 mile round trip commute. Granted I only do it 3 days a week, but it's a BMW, not a Bentley. Drive it! By the time you sell, the resale difference will be far less than a beater. I don't know about you, but I don't want to drive a 10 year old Toyota.