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My experience. (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E46) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Henry on May 07, 2000 at 23:52:23:

In Reply to: Need your opinions abt long hour drive (m) posted by Biblos on May 07, 2000 at 23:35:29:

: I live in the Bay Area and will be going to LA and Las Vegas this summer for vacation w/my parents. Do you guys think that it would be wiser for me to rent a car or drive my 328Ci? I really want to enjoy driving my own car but am a bit skeptical whether the trip will somewhat be detrimental to the car? It's going to take approx. 10-11 hours drive from here to Vegas, not to mention the hot weather (I mean EXTREMELY HOT) during June-July.

: Also, if I do decide to drive my own car, should I invest in a bra? If yes, which brand should I get...I heard that Colgan is good...?! I'm really worried with paint chips due to little rocks flying around. Will it cause any discoloration to the paint?

: Lastly, what about V1? hehe...I've been wanting to purchase this alarm since weeks ago but somehow just couldn't justify the high price ($399). What are your thoughts on this.

: Thank you all for your replies, I greatly appreciate it :-)

: '00 Topaz Blue 328Ci


I'm currently in Singapore on an assignment, but I used to make a weekly trip between LA and the Bay area, and drive from/to Berkeley/San Jose during the work week, before commuting back to LA for the weekends. All totally 1,300 miles per week.

My 323i indeed is a joy to drive and you should not worry about any mechanical reliability. My car had electronical problems (drive-by-wire throttle), but was since fixed.

A car is made to be driven and especially BMWs. My last 87 325i lasted me close to 1/2 milliion miles. So mechanically, BMWs are very well made. My philosophy has always been, finer machines and items in life is to serve me, not the other way around. If you worry too much about the wear and tear put on your car, then the enjoyment factor will definitely diminish.

On any long distance, freeway driving, you would encounter a lot of interstate big rigs and unfortunately, with a combination of high-speed and the wind factor, debris and small rocks tend to chip your car's paint. I just have the front hood area repainted when it started looking bad.

Also, a radar detector will not help in stretches of California/Nevada. CHP tend to use air-patrol covering the entire remote areas and quite often signal the ground-patrols ahead of you waiting to pull you over if they catch you speeding. My advice is to stay at 80 or under and you'll be safe.

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