Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

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75r6q3
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Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by 75r6q3 »

If it happens it will be my first time doing a road trip in my E24. I just don’t know how reliable they are for road trips. Plus the AC has been sketchy so I’ll probably have to find some other way to stay cool in the car.
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hornhospital
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by hornhospital »

Welcome to Bigcoupe!

An E24 is as reliable as you make it. If all maintenance has been done, all the failure points taken care of (and there aren't many), it will take you anywhere.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
75r6q3
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by 75r6q3 »

hornhospital wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 3:22 am Welcome to Bigcoupe!

An E24 is as reliable as you make it. If all maintenance has been done, all the failure points taken care of (and there aren't many), it will take you anywhere.
Thanks, the car had some work done to it. The old alternator died and took the battery with it so those were replaced. Other than that it is in great condition!
Tommys 89 635
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by Tommys 89 635 »

You can always have your E24 looked over before your trip. A few of us (Bobbo) in the Bay Area drove to Las Vegas back in the day. Long drive but it was a good time.
Tommy
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Super Coop
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by Super Coop »

It looks like from about 300 to 450 miles depending on the route, start, and end point. Wow that would would be a great drive. If your coupe is maintained "have it checked over if you haven't yet" it should do fine. I wouldn't worry about taking my 89 on a run like that, the only thing to keep in mind is, the comfort seats, aren't lol.. hope you have a great time.
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Ostatecznym maszyny jazdy BMW
madridcab
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by madridcab »

Drove one of my csi’s from Spain to Norway and back, last year sold my other csi to a friend from Sweden, and he drove it up from Spain on a European road trip holiday. If maintained they are reliable cars, every year do a couple of e24 meetings, with 3-500 mile drives, enjoying every mile..
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clipper47
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idebout

Post by clipper47 »

I wouldn't hesitate to take my 1985 635CSi @ 180000 miles on the odometer on a short run like that. Make sure your belts and hoses are in God shape and if possible bring a spare main and fuel pump relay. I took mine on a 2000 miles round trip with no issues and several trips of between 500 and 1000 miles without any issues. On a local trip last year the clutch main cylinder went bad but I drove it home by double clutching. It has been a reliable car. You should have no worries.
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hornhospital
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by hornhospital »

If you know your car, know it's true condition, and are comfortable with it, go for it. It's not an E24, but I just got back from a 1020 mile round trip to Tampa, FL in my 1985 325e, and much of that trip was double digits above the speed limit (anyone who travels I-75 know what I mean!). I was completely comfortable because I knew the car is well sorted. I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country any time. Your E24 should be in similar condition if you've kept it up.
Ken Kanne
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nick88highline
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by nick88highline »

I have taken my E24 on several long road trips including two 4100 mile journeys (England to Africa, England to the Artic Circle) and never had any issues. I have travelled through 20 countries over 2 continents. In two cases I drove back from Northern Spain (Bilbao) to my home here in England in one day, a distance of just over 880 miles.
I maintain the car to a very high standard, in fact way beyond the normal BMW service schedule which helps to keep me out of trouble. 8-[
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kylefav390
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by kylefav390 »

It is only a 600 mile round trip, which isn't even a quarter of one oil change interval. The way I look at it is if you think your car would have an issue getting to it's next oil change then a road trip would obviously be a questionable choice. But If you have confidence in it getting to that next interval without a breakdown i'd say go for it. I've done the Boston-Montreal drive once (not in my e24) and its great. Easy to do in a day and a great destination. Good to see another local here too!
75r6q3
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Re: Thinking of Boston to Montreal round trip this summer in my 89, good idea?

Post by 75r6q3 »

Oh well, there went my planned road trip with COVID :(
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