rental vs my M

[Jimbo's M]

Looking for some advice... In two months, I'll be driving across country and am debating on whether to take my 21-year-old M, or do a rental. By the time I get back home, I'm looking at possibly 6000 miles. Of course, I'll have the M road ready, but am dubious about all the miles, potential damage, ect. The longest trip I've ever taken in the M is about 500 miles at once, but didn't have issues with my back or other discomfort. As far as the extra miles vs resale, I have zero intention of ever selling the car, so that's not a big concern. Just wondering what y'all thought...

Thanks.

[Icecream]

Not even a question. Take the M and create memories.

[Jimbo's M]

At first, I had no intentions of taking the M, but I'm going back east for my 45th high school reunion (yeah.... I'm old), and all my buddies want to see the car, as they're car dudes as well. It's also 95% Interstate driving, so there’s that. I'm now leaning towards the M, I love driving it. I guess that's why it's still my DD after all these years. Besides, I've been retired for 12 years and have put next to nothing on the car since. Thanks!

[jet_dogg]

No way I would, I'd rent an S class and travel in luxury.

Who cares if they want to see an e46 m3. My buddy in norcal wants to detail mine and I don't even want to go there.

[Jimbo's M]

Who cares if they want to see an e46 m3.

Wow, sure glad you chimed in to let me know what and what not I should care about. How I made it this far on my own, I'll never know. I'll check in with you later when I need further advice about those issues, k?

[eisen]

Not even a question. Take the M and create memories.

Agreed. Sounds like the makings of an awesome road trip to me. As long as the car is up to date on maintenance and you have roadside assistance just in case anything happens, I'd much rather take something I enjoyed driving than a standard rental car.

[Maxima SE]

Are you ready to spend a whole weekend detailing the car once you're done with the trip? One thing is for sure. You'll have millions of bugs plastered all over your front end and cooked in the baking sun. You are going to end up with a bunch of rock chips all over your bumper and hood, especially with all the trucks on the road. If you're ok with all of that and feel like your M3 is in top mechanical condition then go for it.

[Jimbo's M]

You are going to end up with a bunch of rock chips all over your bumper and hood, especially with all the trucks on the road.

Although certainly not always possible, I try to avoid sitting behind rock kickers like the plague. Where I live, cracked windshields and chips are merely part of life. Thanks.

[maw1124]

At first, I had no intentions of taking the M, but I'm going back east for my 45th high school reunion (yeah.... I'm old), and all my buddies want to see the car, as they're car dudes as well. It's also 95% Interstate driving, so there’s that. I'm now leaning towards the M, I love driving it. I guess that's why it's still my DD after all these years. Besides, I've been retired for 12 years and have put next to nothing on the car since. Thanks!

Take the M Jimbo, and plenty of pictures… please… detail the car when you get back with a smile.

maw

[Jimbo's M]

Take the M Jimbo, and plenty of pictures… please… detail the car when you get back with a smile.

maw

Thanks!

[Phoenix///M3]

Could be epic, could be disastrous but such is life. Weigh your personal risk / reward.

One thing for sure you'll draw a crowd at gas stations and receive plenty of thumbs up on the road. Outside major metros and Cali in general these cars are exceedingly rare. Hell I'm near a somewhat major metro and believe I've seen maybe 6 other than mine in five years including car meets.


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[maw1124]

One of the reasons I bought this car is it's not like some of the others where if it breaks down you're SOL finding someone who even knows what it is much less how to fix it. Almost anyone can work on these so if it breaks down, have it towed, and rent your SClass for the rest of the trip. It's just money but the car itself should be fixed in fairly straightforward manner. It's an E46... they made hundreds of thousands of them.

maw

[usdmej]

5k+ miles of interstate driving you're almost guaranteed to get some rock chips so unless you have a clear bra ask yourself if you're ok with that

[Obioban]

I'd take the M for sure. Have an experience vs boredom.

Even in a worst case break down scenario, it just forces and adventure. I was once driving a friend's M3 from CT to CA, by way of the Grand Canyon. Spun a rod bearing in the desert with no cell phone service (may or may not have been the result of a desert high speed run). Had to hitch hike, get a uhaul truck with trailer, tow it the rest of the way. THAT is the part of that trip we both remember and talk about.

... and it's not possible to get much "worse" than that.

[Andratch]

Since it hasn't been asked yet, is there a particular reason you're driving 6k miles vs flying?