So, what happens when 47 year old kid falls in love with X5 2600 miles away?

[Effduration]

Be careful about tools in carry-on. Check rules carefullly. TSA doesn’t want screwdrivers in hands of passengers. I have had tools confiscated. I would plan on checking any bags with tools.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Fuel pump failure is not really fill-up dependent. Drive all mine from completely full to almost empty every tank. Only had one fuel pump fail out of about 20 BMW's. And that was on a 20yo E30 w/ 120000 miles. So it's unlikely to fail you on your trip. A spare would be nice, but I would also take your tact and trust it to get you home.

I did this when I bought my 4.8is and drove it home to Texas from California. Bought a basic tool kit from O'Reilly's (I leave it in the truck to this day and have since used it to replace an expansion tank failure 500 miles from home), couple quarts of oil, gallon of unmixed coolant, gallon of water, and a few other provisions before setting off for home. One coil and one plug aren't a bad idea either though.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip. Fingers crossed for you for uneventful travel.

Yeah, at some point I have to draw a line.
I like your idea about the coil though.
Thank you for the well wishes. I'm hoping BMW Gods will smile upon me.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Effduration

Be careful about tools in carry-on. Check rules carefullly. TSA doesn’t want screwdrivers in hands of passengers. I have had tools confiscated. I would plan on checking any bags with tools.

Yeah, that is good word of caution.
24 hour Walmart should have everything I need (tools and food) when I stop for first time.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Henrym3

On a somewhat more lighthearted note, if I drove 2600 miles I’d be 2000miles out into the ocean.


Sent from my iPad using Xoutpost.com

LOL!
We are crazy yanks up here!

[andrewwynn]

Gorilla tape will hold a window should a regulator snap very very unlikely.

I have a tire patch kit uses no tool to install a temporary plug. (they last long enough you can get home with it). I plugged one of my tires and since it's run on flat and also close to end of life I decided not to patch it and it's been most of 2020 and several thousand miles. Holding strong.

I would bring a portable air pump. VIAIR is the one I use.



This is the Gizmo that will plug a screw/nail hole in seconds.

I left it in as a long term test to see if they last more than just 50 miles.

2500 miles later the tire holds air like all the rest. I can get it patched for free but that tire is EOL so I'm just running it until I'm not comfortable with the red neck wear bars (where the tire is smooth in spots all the way around vs across).

[andrewwynn]

Drive the car down to Al least the low fuel light better if down to single digits miles right at the start to test the siphon jet pump. If that had failed you will starve of fuel at 1/4 tank or so.

You can actually monitor your hidden obd gas levels to confirm the siphon is working with no risk of starving the engine of fuel. Once you know the siphon is working you can use the full tank right down to 0.0 distance to empty. 3.0 can get over 500 miles range on a tank so 5 fill ups on the whole trip but if you can only use 3/4 of a tank you need 2-3 additional stops for gas.

The only thing that really causes wear on the fuel pump is time. They last 5000-6000 hours on average. The fuel filter is good for half a million miles but the FPR has an o-ring that will likely fail about 150-180,000 miles and give you very hard starts and loss of performance.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Gorilla tape will hold a window should a regulator snap very very unlikely.

I have a tire patch kit uses no tool to install a temporary plug. (they last long enough you can get home with it). I plugged one of my tires and since it's run on flat and also close to end of life I decided not to patch it and it's been most of 2020 and several thousand miles. Holding strong.

I would bring a portable air pump. VIAIR is the one I use.



This is the Gizmo that will plug a screw/nail hole in seconds.

I left it in as a long term test to see if they last more than just 50 miles.

2500 miles later the tire holds air like all the rest. I can get it patched for free but that tire is EOL so I'm just running it until I'm not comfortable with the red neck wear bars (where the tire is smooth in spots all the way around vs across).

The inspection receipt from shop that did inspection shows proper a/c recharge (evacuationg vacuum, holding, recharche etc...) so as long as a/c works good, I'll avoid messing with windows.
Interesting, never seen that Gizmo tire patch before.
I have air pump in each car but I may order new compact one and take it with me.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Drive the car down to Al least the low fuel light better if down to single digits miles right at the start to test the siphon jet pump. If that had failed you will starve of fuel at 1/4 tank or so.

You can actually monitor your hidden obd gas levels to confirm the siphon is working with no risk of starving the engine of fuel. Once you know the siphon is working you can use the full tank right down to 0.0 distance to empty. 3.0 can get over 500 miles range on a tank so 5 fill ups on the whole trip but if you can only use 3/4 of a tank you need 2-3 additional stops for gas.

The only thing that really causes wear on the fuel pump is time. They last 5000-6000 hours on average. The fuel filter is good for half a million miles but the FPR has an o-ring that will likely fail about 150-180,000 miles and give you very hard starts and loss of performance.

Interesting info about gas levels.
I'm well aware of hidden menu and do remember about one of the submenus showing the fuel info but never got into it.
I'll definitely remember your tip.
Yes, I'm hoping that at 105k miles and 14 years of age, the old girl should bring me home before I dive into it and make her into queen she ought to be.

[upallnight]

Hopefully that 47 old kid is not living in mom and dad's basement. LOL

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Gorilla tape will hold a window should a regulator snap very very unlikely.

I have a tire patch kit uses no tool to install a temporary plug. (they last long enough you can get home with it). I plugged one of my tires and since it's run on flat and also close to end of life I decided not to patch it and it's been most of 2020 and several thousand miles. Holding strong.

I would bring a portable air pump. VIAIR is the one I use.



This is the Gizmo that will plug a screw/nail hole in seconds.

I left it in as a long term test to see if they last more than just 50 miles.

2500 miles later the tire holds air like all the rest. I can get it patched for free but that tire is EOL so I'm just running it until I'm not comfortable with the red neck wear bars (where the tire is smooth in spots all the way around vs across).

I carry one of these when I travel. Don't need to worry about a flat tire, running out of gas or getting a tow.