[BellasBmw]

So now that i pretty much know where Ill be going to school. I have a decision to make. Do i bring my baby with me? (drive xcountry, or ship her), OR do i leave her at home and buy a $3-4K car out there? If i bring her, then i have to consider leaving her on the east coast for a month (winter break). And then ship her back to san diego for the summer. If i buy a used car, i may run into problems and end up spending more than shipping my bmw. ugh..

I thought about driving her xcountry 1 time (the way there). But my parents are nervous about that idea- so my other option is shipping. I'm not really sure where to start looking, i want it to be a very legit and organized company. Not someone who will throw my car on a rack and hope for the best. Has anyone used an auto shipping service before? I got some instant quotes and it was about $1K. However, some said 21 days for delivery, others said a week. Im not really sure?.. Advice..

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

So now that i pretty much know where Ill be going to school. I have a decision to make. Do i bring my baby with me? (drive xcountry, or ship her), OR do i leave her at home and buy a $3-4K car out there? If i bring her, then i have to consider leaving her on the east coast for a month (winter break). And then ship her back to san diego for the summer. If i buy a used car, i may run into problems and end up spending more than shipping my bmw. ugh..

I thought about driving her xcountry 1 time (the way there). But my parents are nervous about that idea- so my other option is shipping. I'm not really sure where to start looking, i want it to be a very legit and organized company. Not someone who will throw my car on a rack and hope for the best. Has anyone used an auto shipping service before? I got some instant quotes and it was about $1K. However, some said 21 days for delivery, others said a week. Im not really sure?.. Advice..

What school are you going to attend? Is it car-friendly? Many campuses are not.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by JSpira

What school are you going to attend? Is it car-friendly? Many campuses are not.

Looks like ill be going to Monmouth in West Long Branch, NJ. It is car friendly.

[YYimports]

You've gotta bring it somehow or else what will you show up to the NY/NJ meets in?

Intercity is one of the premiere car shippers, but not sure about their price - http://www.intercitylines.com/

[rtchamberlin]

I know of www.autotrans.fedex.com Not sure of pricing . They do have a quote tool on their website.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by lost8found

You've gotta bring it somehow or else what will you show up to the NY/NJ meets in?

Hahaha no lie, i thought about that too

[CnoteMD]

While I was in school, there were plenty of people who drove cross country. It usually worked out to be cheaper for them to bring a friend and pay for that friend's one-way plane ticket back home.

Otherwise, you could check out some of the shipping companies on Ebay. Check out one of those auctions for the many 6-figure cars for ideas.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by rtchamberlin

I know of www.autotrans.fedex.com Not sure of pricing . They do have a quote tool on their website.

I was quoted at
Enclosed: $1949
Open: $1050

[Oz]

It would be fun driving across the country Bella and I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you drive proper. I think taking breaks and taking your time would help.

I shipped my old car from Buffalo, NY to Wayne, NJ last spring and it cost me around 300 dollars. Delivery took less then a day. I also had a friend that shipped his car from CA to Buffalo, NY for 800 dollars..

Good luck with your decision and school next semester..I don't know where your school is but I'm sure I'll see you at a future meet..

[Oz]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

I was quoted at
Enclosed: $1949
Open: $1050

Fedex is always the most expensive option out there.

I'd say drive

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by Oz

It would be fun driving across the country Bella and I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you drive proper. I think taking breaks and taking your time would help.

I shipped my old car from Buffalo, NY to Wayne, NJ last spring and it cost me around 300 dollars. Delivery took less then a day. I also had a friend that shipped his car from CA to Buffalo, NY for 800 dollars..

Good luck with your decision and school next semester..I don't know where your school is but I'm sure I'll see you at a future meet..

If i did drive X country, i would do it once just to say i did it, and see the entire US. So that is still an open for me.. But i still want to be informed of shipping companies incase i decide to that also. $800 is cheap from CA to NY.. would you mind finding out who he went through? And if it was a good experience? Thank you

[Oz]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

If i did drive X country, i would do it once just to say i did it, and see the entire US. So that is still an open for me.. But i still want to be informed of shipping companies incase i decide to that also. $800 is cheap from CA to NY.. would you mind finding out who he went through? And if it was a good experience? Thank you

If I had the opportunity, I would love to do something like that myself and say I did it

I haven't spoken to that person for a while but I will e-mail him about it for you. I know he had a 94 honda and I think it was an open trailer which took almost a month... I didn't think he had any damages but I would do it enclosed if I were you since it's a long drive and its a new car...

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by Oz

If I had the opportunity, I would love to do something like that myself and say I did it

I haven't spoken to that person for a while but I will e-mail him about it for you. I know he had a 94 honda and I think it was an open trailer which took almost a month... I didn't think he had any damages but I would do it enclosed if I were you since it's a long drive and its a new car...

Thanks oz! I was thinking enclosed too cause im not sure how well they take care of outside. But a month??! Good lord thats a long time. Im not agaisnt driving it. I can do the drive in july, but im thinking about when i return back home for summer. And for xmas break, i wouldnt want to bring her home for a month and go back. So ill prob leave the car in jersey. She should be fine for a month right?
Also no one suggested just buying a car out there, interesting cause thats what most ppl have been telling me to do.

[rtchamberlin]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

I was quoted at
Enclosed: $1949
Open: $1050

ouch.
I wonder if you could contact the BMW dealership to see if they recommend a courier. They hire out all the time to bring in dealer trades.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by rtchamberlin

ouch.
I wonder if you could contact the BMW dealership to see if they recommend a courier. They hire out all the time to bring in dealer trades.

Good idea, ill look into that.

Another quick question, could i leave my car at a bmw dealership when i come home for winter break? lol...maybe if i charm them?? haha

[rtchamberlin]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

Good idea, ill look into that.

Another quick question, could i leave my car at a bmw dealership when i come home for winter break? lol...maybe if i charm them?? haha

good luck

Ofcourse. Just have them showcase the car with your wonderful trophy. Im sure it would work.

[Arkansas3]

if you drive you could take i-40 through arkansas...

[magmd]

Couple of things to consider.......

1. how long do you anticipate to be at that school?? sorry...I missed that. If you are driving there...not sure about having to drive it right back in the summer. Is it just one year??

2. Driving x-c is great. I did it twice....LA to Wisconsin and LA to Boston. Fun experience...but definitely need to bring someone that you get along with....you will be entertaining each other for 3000 miles.

3. Are you completely set on keeping your current car?? what about selling it?? (you will take a hit of couple grand...but you are already taking a hit if you plan on shipping it at all) You can alway buy a new one in NJ with Xenons.

4. How much are your monthly payments...might be alot to keep paying while its in SD and you are in NJ with a used car.

5. Will your car be garaged in NJ...1 month outside in the winter...guess it would be alright.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by magmd

Couple of things to consider.......

1. how long do you anticipate to be at that school?? sorry...I missed that. If you are driving there...not sure about having to drive it right back in the summer. Is it just one year??

2. Driving x-c is great. I did it twice....LA to Wisconsin and LA to Boston. Fun experience...but definitely need to bring someone that you get along with....you will be entertaining each other for 3000 miles.

3. Are you completely set on keeping your current car?? what about selling it?? (you will take a hit of couple grand...but you are already taking a hit if you plan on shipping it at all) You can alway buy a new one in NJ with Xenons.

4. How much are your monthly payments...might be alot to keep paying while its in SD and you are in NJ with a used car.

5. Will your car be garaged in NJ...1 month outside in the winter...guess it would be alright.

1. Not positive on the length of stay, but im assuming atleast one year. And if i like it, then probably 3 years..

2. My best friend said she'd go with me..

3. I do want to sell it eventually, but i might as well wait and see what happens with Bmw (release 335, ..etc) If i do sell, i was thinking of buying in NJ, i think its cheaper than in cali. If i were to sell my car, i would get probably $33-34K. I bought it for $39K (w/taxes). If i were to buy a new one, i would lose $4K, right?

4. My monthly payments are $308 on a 5 yr plan.

5. I would like to garage it if i come home for xmas break. So that is tentative.

Ok any ideas?

[wyrm11]

I'd like some info on this as well. I have a friend who's planning to do the opposite move, from DC to SoCal and she was wondering how much it would cost to ship her car.

So if anyone else has more info on good companies and how much she should expect to pay, it would be doubly appreciated.

[magmd]

ok...after much consideration.


You should drive your car cross country. Enjoy the drive with your best friend. See the country. Have a great experience to talk about. Find a place to live that has garage available that is not too far/difficult to access. Enjoy your current car...its only $308 per year...less than buying a $4G used car (with potential problems) for 1 year's school tentative plan. Leave your car for xmas break...it will be ok. Go back, kick ass in school! When its time for you to come back for summer break..think about trading in your car for the new 335, etc...with Xenons! Based on whether you are returning to NJ the following Fall...you can determine whether to take care of things in NJ or SD. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

You can do it!

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by magmd

ok...after much consideration.


You should drive your car cross country. Enjoy the drive with your best friend. See the country. Have a great experience to talk about. Find a place to live that has garage available that is not too far/difficult to access. Enjoy your current car...its only $308 per year...less than buying a $4G used car (with potential problems) for 1 year's school tentative plan. Leave your car for xmas break...it will be ok. Go back, kick ass in school! When its time for you to come back for summer break..think about trading in your car for the new 335, etc...with Xenons! Based on whether you are returning to NJ the following Fall...you can determine whether to take care of things in NJ or SD. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

You can do it!

I got a quote for $895.

But anyway, Mag- sounds like your plan is what i had in mind. I was thinking of driving x country with her this summer (july), keep my car there for xmas break. I think ill be living in an apartment provided by the school, so no garage. But i can just have it stored or something. Then for summer, ill ship it home. And prob ship it back when i leave. So it should cost me $2K for that (or should i think of selling it at that point?). Hmm, as for selling my car, i would but i dont want to take a big hit. I would love to upgrade to a 330 haha.. but only if i got a banging deal on one.

I just checked the autotrader. A guy has a 325i with 18K miles and hes trying to sell for $36K. I bet i could get that much in a year or so..