Roadtrip to Toronto from Calgary

smartbing · 08-18-2010, 01:51 PM

Hey guys:
I'm planning to drive to Toronto on my 335xi, since I've never done that long distance driving before, can anyone who has experience give me some advice?

Anything that I should do before I go? General check up? Will the car last for over 3000km in 4 days? Tires?

Or maybe this will cause a lot of damage to the car that I should just ship it?

Thanks.

ctgazer · 08-18-2010, 02:04 PM

lol..no problems. just maybe change your oil when you get back if you havent done so in a while. make sure your fluids are topped up, and bring a spare tire!

happy driving! take some pics!

pyceasyas123 · 08-18-2010, 02:16 PM

This drive won't damage your car at all. You'll put some wear on your tires but thats going to happen sooner or later anyways. I've done the drive from Toronto to Oregon and back in a Penske truck and corolla and that was fine. Roads are nice and smooth. I would just check your tire pressure and coolant before going.

One suggestion I have is to go through the US unless your really set on driving across Canada. There isn't a whole lot to see in between Calgary and Toronto. All the nice scenery in Canada is basically from Calgary west toward BC.

BavFan_08 · 08-18-2010, 03:17 PM

If you want to see more of Canada and spend more time on the road, drive through Canada. If you want to save 6-8 hours, cross the border.

However, if you're moving ish, becareful. Unless you can prove to CDN customs that all your ish was bought in Canada they might charge you duties.

DimSum · 08-18-2010, 03:56 PM

Just hope your fuel pump doesn't blow when your half way into your trip in the states. I wouldn't take a 335xi across the country knowing the fuel pump could crap out any minute. But other than that, make sure you change your oil and bring an extra tire.

BavFan_08 · 08-18-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DimSum

Just hope your fuel pump doesn't blow when your half way into your trip in the states. I wouldn't take a 335xi across the country knowing the fuel pump could crap out any minute. But other than that, make sure you change your oil and bring an extra tire.

Not every 335i driver has or necessarily gets the fuel pump issue.....

Belarus · 08-18-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BavFan_08

Not every 335i driver has or necessarily gets the fuel pump issue.....

+1. Also if it does happen, you're covered also at US dealership.

BTW if you're driving on RFTs and/or have BMW roadside assistance don't waste trunk space on spare tire.

smartbing · 08-18-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BavFan_08

Not every 335i driver has or necessarily gets the fuel pump issue.....

Well, that's why I'm concerning. My HPFP was broken at around 5k mileage, and I even had an engine failure once when I was trying to see how fast it's going to 100.

Belarus · 08-18-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartbing

Well, that's why I'm concerning. My HPFP was broken at around 5k mileage, and I even had an engine failure once when I was trying to see how fast it's going to 100.

Better for it to brake under warranty vs after warranty

MechUT · 08-18-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belarus

+1. Also if it does happen, you're covered also at US dealership.

BTW if you're driving on RFTs and/or have BMW roadside assistance don't waste trunk space on spare tire.

I think there are entire states in the USA (especially south of Alberta) that have ZERO BMW dealerships...

Pickup truck ftw, I guess

dibbz · 08-19-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyceasyas123

One suggestion I have is to go through the US unless your really set on driving across Canada. There isn't a whole lot to see in between Calgary and Toronto. All the nice scenery in Canada is basically from Calgary west toward BC.

+1 If you aren't set on driving only in canada try going through the US. I think it can take you through Chicago which is an awesome city.

hubble bubble · 08-21-2010, 10:11 PM

I've done that drive before, on both sides of the border. West of the great lakes, the only differences are that there is a grain elevator every hour or so to break up the boredom on the Cdn side. And gas is cheaper in the US. Biggest city you'll see in the US west of Chicago is Fargo.

More US dealers in the first half, none past the great lakes. No dealers between Toronto and Winterpeg, but there are dealers in Winterpeg, Regina and Calgary.

Buy a good radar detector and turn it on ASAP when you leave Ontario. Legal in Man, SK and AB or all US states from Michigan west.

If you do drive through Canada and stop in Winnipeg overnight, only stay at a hotel with secure, underground parking. Winnipeg is the car theft capital on Canada.

Rossland · 08-22-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartbing

Hey guys:
I'm planning to drive to Toronto on my 335xi, since I've never done that long distance driving before, can anyone who has experience give me some advice?

Anything that I should do before I go? General check up? Will the car last for over 3000km in 4 days? Tires?

Or maybe this will cause a lot of damage to the car that I should just ship it?

Thanks.

I can't believe you would need to ask that question. You have the best driving car in the world. A trip like that is what Bimmers were designed for

08-18-2010, 01:51 PM	#1
smartbing New Member 3 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2009 335XI Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary <-> Toronto iTrader: (0)	Roadtrip to Toronto from Calgary Hey guys: I'm planning to drive to Toronto on my 335xi, since I've never done that long distance driving before, can anyone who has experience give me some advice? Anything that I should do before I go? General check up? Will the car last for over 3000km in 4 days? Tires? Or maybe this will cause a lot of damage to the car that I should just ship it? Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-18-2010, 02:04 PM	#2
ctgazer Major General 397 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	lol..no problems. just maybe change your oil when you get back if you havent done so in a while. make sure your fluids are topped up, and bring a spare tire! happy driving! take some pics! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
pyceasyas123 Major 399 Rep 1,242 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (13)	This drive won't damage your car at all. You'll put some wear on your tires but thats going to happen sooner or later anyways. I've done the drive from Toronto to Oregon and back in a Penske truck and corolla and that was fine. Roads are nice and smooth. I would just check your tire pressure and coolant before going. One suggestion I have is to go through the US unless your really set on driving across Canada. There isn't a whole lot to see in between Calgary and Toronto. All the nice scenery in Canada is basically from Calgary west toward BC.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2010, 03:17 PM	#4
BavFan_08 Dreamer 35 Rep 837 Posts Drives: '12 E88 6MT \| Ret '08 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: T.O. Canada iTrader: (2)	If you want to see more of Canada and spend more time on the road, drive through Canada. If you want to save 6-8 hours, cross the border. However, if you're moving ish, becareful. Unless you can prove to CDN customs that all your ish was bought in Canada they might charge you duties.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2010, 03:56 PM	#5
DimSum Banned 230 Rep 2,740 Posts Drives: SLOW Join Date: May 2008 Location: LITTLEBIMMER.COM iTrader: (10)	Just hope your fuel pump doesn't blow when your half way into your trip in the states. I wouldn't take a 335xi across the country knowing the fuel pump could crap out any minute. But other than that, make sure you change your oil and bring an extra tire.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-21-2010, 10:11 PM	#12
hubble bubble Captain 18 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0)	I've done that drive before, on both sides of the border. West of the great lakes, the only differences are that there is a grain elevator every hour or so to break up the boredom on the Cdn side. And gas is cheaper in the US. Biggest city you'll see in the US west of Chicago is Fargo. More US dealers in the first half, none past the great lakes. No dealers between Toronto and Winterpeg, but there are dealers in Winterpeg, Regina and Calgary. Buy a good radar detector and turn it on ASAP when you leave Ontario. Legal in Man, SK and AB or all US states from Michigan west. If you do drive through Canada and stop in Winnipeg overnight, only stay at a hotel with secure, underground parking. Winnipeg is the car theft capital on Canada.
	Appreciate 0 Quote