[philthy84]

Well I'm going to be taking my 2 week old 335is on a little road trip, leaving from Portland tomorrow and driving down the 5 towards the home town of SF. Going to catch the 49ers opener Sunday against the Seahawks, hope they win! Then drive back up to Portland early Monday morning before the Bay Area morning traffic. I hated getting stuck on the Bay bridge in bumper to bumper traffic when I lived there.

Anyways back to the car, I was just wondering if anyone had advice/suggestions for the car or trip. She has about 800 miles on her now should be around 2000 by the time I'm back in Portland.

What I've done so far today is went to dealership bought some wheel locks and they installed those for me for free, did a quick inspection and inflated my tires. After that I spent a good 6 hours detailing her in and out. I know she will just get dirty during the drive but I figure it will be easier to clean her off of bugs/insect and other road debris if she just had a fresh couple coats of some Zaino sealant. Got my quick detailer and a pack of micro fiber towels in the trunk. Can't really think of much else, just worried about rocks flying from those 18 wheelers. I do have a clear bra so I hope that helps with the rocks and the bugs. I just can't wait to hit to mountain curves on the 5 around the Mt. Shasta/lake area.

[gary88]

Bring some spare HPFPs.

[atown88]

I stopped reading when you said you hoped the 9ers would win. hahaha jk. Radar detector??

Thats the route that I plan to do next summer. Let me know how it is!

[lbernielu]

Do you already have an air pump in the trunk cubby for slow leak emergencies? Do you have time to take a more senic route for part of the trip, such as a detour down 89 and through Lassen?

[BMCoupe_782]

Radar detector a must.

[Bighorns]

Make sure you do Shasta in the daylight. We just came through there 2 weeks ago, making the drive from Mt. Vernon, WA down to SoCal. It was dark when we hit Shasta, and it put a damper on my spirited driving through there, as I felt I couldn't see far enough ahead to judge the turns at high speeds. We kept the speeds below 80 and had no issues attracting attention from law enforcement. Smooth acceleration and smooth lane changes, so you don't stand out.
The detail job was a good idea. Stop for gas every 3 hours, whether you need it or not, just to get out and stretch and refresh.

[Bighorns]

P.S.--The trip up to Mt. Vernon and back is over 2500 miles round trip, plus side trips to Whidby Island, and Seattle twice. I've done this trip 3 times, and never had any mechanical issues, so enjoy!
Also, you'll be the quickest car through Shasta without trying hard. I let the wife take over through Grants Pass, and she was nervous about carrying a lot of speed through the turns, and she still passed everybody! (Her 1st time driving the car in the mountains!)

[shadowcoder]

Take with you some coolant or water and a quart of oil. 99.999% you won't need them
but they won't hurt you and they don't take up space. Drive safely, have fun, don't
eat a lot, have plenty of fluids and when in doubt about keeping your eyes open, pull
over and have a nap (I've done the distance of San Jose, CA to Chicago IL and back
twice with my 330 - each one way trip was 2300 miles).

Do I sound like your parents already? :-)

[philthy84]

Thanks for the words of wisdom and well wishes everyone! Don't have the extra $ for radar detector or a good battery jumper/air pump machine but these 2 items are definitely on my to buy list next payday! I do already have the BMW spare oil kit in the trunk but I'll grab me some distilled water just incase. Don't think I'll be able to get some OEM coolant in time.

I do plan to drive during the day. My current schedule I'm aiming for is leaving Portland around 10am. Which should let me get to SF by around 8-9pm depending on traffic and how many pit stops I make. So I should be around the Shasta area in daylight hours still to enjoy the drive.

[philthy84]

Originally Posted by lbernielu

Do you already have an air pump in the trunk cubby for slow leak emergencies? Do you have time to take a more senic route for part of the trip, such as a detour down 89 and through Lassen?

I'll keep your scenic route in mind for the future. I don't really have the time for it this time. But I've always wanted to travel down to SF using the Pacific Coast Highway ever since I moved up here. I think I'm gonna have to make arrangements for that trip next summer!

[shazzy04]

Originally Posted by philthy84

Thanks for the words of wisdom and well wishes everyone! Don't have the extra $ for radar detector or a good battery jumper/air pump machine but these 2 items are definitely on my to buy list next payday! I do already have the BMW spare oil kit in the trunk but I'll grab me some distilled water just incase. Don't think I'll be able to get some OEM coolant in time.

I do plan to drive during the day. My current schedule I'm aiming for is leaving Portland around 10am. Which should let me get to SF by around 8-9pm depending on traffic and how many pit stops I make. So I should be around the Shasta area in daylight hours still to enjoy the drive.

you goin alone?

[boogiee90]

better have good playlist of music. have a safe drive.

[philthy84]

Originally Posted by shazzy04

you goin alone?

Yup

[philthy84]

Originally Posted by boogiee90

better have good playlist of music. have a safe drive.

Ya not to shabby plus, I have the free year of Sirius as backup. I not even going to try searching through the local FM stations.

[tunachris]

The oil suggestion is a good one. I have had 2 E92's, and both needed a quart of oil added during the first 5000 miles. Neither one ever ran low again.

Nice to have a radar detector. Has saved my ass a couple of times during ectended road trips, in unfamiliar areas.

[Sara]

Cash
Phone charger for the car
Radar
iPod
Gum
Spectacles, testicles, wallet, and watch.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by gary88

Bring some spare HPFPs.

Yeah I would take a bootful

[SilverII]

bring a cell phone

[CJ421]

The clear bra will definitely help with rocks and such, it was smart of you to get that.

I would strongly suggest taking some tire repair items with you, a Slime kit or something you can use to patch small holes (plus a compressor). Your car has run-flat tires but I wouldn't rely on them.

Edit: Oh I'd also throw a 24 pk of water in the trunk, save you some money from buying it at gas stations and such.

Originally Posted by philthy84

Well I'm going to be taking my 2 week old 335is on a little road trip, leaving from Portland tomorrow and driving down the 5 towards the home town of SF. Going to catch the 49ers opener Sunday against the Seahawks, hope they win! Then drive back up to Portland early Monday morning before the Bay Area morning traffic. I hated getting stuck on the Bay bridge in bumper to bumper traffic when I lived there.

Anyways back to the car, I was just wondering if anyone had advice/suggestions for the car or trip. She has about 800 miles on her now should be around 2000 by the time I'm back in Portland.

What I've done so far today is went to dealership bought some wheel locks and they installed those for me for free, did a quick inspection and inflated my tires. After that I spent a good 6 hours detailing her in and out. I know she will just get dirty during the drive but I figure it will be easier to clean her off of bugs/insect and other road debris if she just had a fresh couple coats of some Zaino sealant. Got my quick detailer and a pack of micro fiber towels in the trunk. Can't really think of much else, just worried about rocks flying from those 18 wheelers. I do have a clear bra so I hope that helps with the rocks and the bugs. I just can't wait to hit to mountain curves on the 5 around the Mt. Shasta/lake area.

[etc335i]

I tried to convince my self to drive from Los Angeles to Spokane today but instead I'm flying as I type this.

[Edjay]

If you have room, find and bring a spare tire and tools to replace a flat if needed. worst case even if roadside will tow you, it will be on a weekend. If you need a new tire or tire repair. Your car will sit for the weekend.

[drewh130]

Originally Posted by philthy84

Thanks for the words of wisdom and well wishes everyone! Don't have the extra $ for radar detector or a good battery jumper/air pump machine but these 2 items are definitely on my to buy list next payday! I do already have the BMW spare oil kit in the trunk but I'll grab me some distilled water just incase. Don't think I'll be able to get some OEM coolant in time.

I do plan to drive during the day. My current schedule I'm aiming for is leaving Portland around 10am. Which should let me get to SF by around 8-9pm depending on traffic and how many pit stops I make. So I should be around the Shasta area in daylight hours still to enjoy the drive.

you can afford a new 335is but you need to wait util you get paid next for a radar detector? Yikes