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

[14thbmw]

When you get it ask the dealer for a quart of oil; if they won’t throw that in buy one as you set out.
Take a couple of simple tools - screwdrivers and wrenches in case there is some fixable failure.
Cell phone and charger for the drive, probably obvious.
Since you drive, you probably know the routes. I prefer the northern route this time of year. Too bad the wife isn’t along or you could visit several nice places (Yellowstone comes to mind). But since you’re power driving, the northern route has some faster interstates.
Don’t run the gas too low, you want to keep good gas in it and not be sucking any condensation.
Do a visual and running inspection of the cooling system to be sure it is full and not leaking. No cracks in the reservoir, etc. If there is anything problematic, replace before starting out. Hopefully the PPI already gave you comfort here.
Make sure the washers work front and rear, the fluid is full, and all wiper blades are in very good condition.
Relax and have fun.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by 14thbmw

When you get it ask the dealer for a quart of oil; if they won’t throw that in buy one as you set out.
Take a couple of simple tools - screwdrivers and wrenches in case there is some fixable failure.
Cell phone and charger for the drive, probably obvious.
Since you drive, you probably know the routes. I prefer the northern route this time of year. Too bad the wife isn’t along or you could visit several nice places (Yellowstone comes to mind). But since you’re power driving, the northern route has some faster interstates.
Don’t run the gas too low, you want to keep good gas in it and not be sucking any condensation.
Do a visual and running inspection of the cooling system to be sure it is full and not leaking. No cracks in the reservoir, etc. If there is anything problematic, replace before starting out. Hopefully the PPI already gave you comfort here.
Make sure the washers work front and rear, the fluid is full, and all wiper blades are in very good condition.
Relax and have fun.

Thank you for the good tips.
It is power run and I really wanted the car so I made a quick move. it will be very exausting and risky and that is why I'm going alone.
I wasn't going to ask the dealer as I'm going to stop at first Walmart when I get tired and get a quart of good synthetic 5w30 oil along with some provisions.
The inspection and service dealer paid for included synthetic 5w30 oil change (although don't know which brand) so it's a small piece of mind.
But, I'll still inspect it very carefully.
I was debating to do actual PPI but when I asked for the car condition, they reffered me to the the shop that charged them $230 for inspection and service and I have receipt of it.
It's sort of calculated risk. The shop is highly reputable and is independent of the dealer. Their mechanic I talked to remembers the X5 well as he was impressed with its condition.

[Bottomfeeder]

I did a somewhat similar fly-and-drive trip (though only about half the distance) last December to purchase a 2002 X5 3.0. I brought a fairly robust tool kit, and figured between that and a credit card I could handle most anything less than a catastrophe or act of God. :-) I was 47 at the time, too. It was a fun trip and the X behaved wonderfully.

Have a great trip and enjoy every second of it. I think it's more important than ever to have the occasional adventure as we get older, and even more so in times like these when fun can be hard to find.

Best regards,

Chris

[Henrym3]

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


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[Fifty150hs]

If the fuel pump has never been changed I'd bring a spare. Pain in the ass to change on the road but it will save you money having to pay someone else to do it if it dies. Like mine did on my grandaughter on her drive from SF to Denver when it had about the same mileage as yours.

[ahlem]

Swing by the nearest Harbor Freight once you get there and get some basic tools. I'd also get a roll of self sealing silicone repair tape and a serpentine belt along with coolant and a couple quarts of oil and jumper cables from the local auto parts store.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Bottomfeeder

I did a somewhat similar fly-and-drive trip (though only about half the distance) last December to purchase a 2002 X5 3.0. I brought a fairly robust tool kit, and figured between that and a credit card I could handle most anything less than a catastrophe or act of God. :-) I was 47 at the time, too. It was a fun trip and the X behaved wonderfully.

Have a great trip and enjoy every second of it. I think it's more important than ever to have the occasional adventure as we get older, and even more so in times like these when fun can be hard to find.

Best regards,

Chris

Great to hear that you had similar story. I'll be hoping mine gets the happy ending as well.
This will be definitely an adventure, however it turns out.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by ahlem

Swing by the nearest Harbor Freight once you get there and get some basic tools. I'd also get a roll of self sealing silicone repair tape and a serpentine belt along with coolant and a couple quarts of oil and jumper cables from the local auto parts store.

I'm deciding how much room will be in carry on as far as weight and space limit and I may bring some tools with me.
Obviously, fluids and fire extingusher will be bought at first stop.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

If the fuel pump has never been changed I'd bring a spare. Pain in the ass to change on the road but it will save you money having to pay someone else to do it if it dies. Like mine did on my grandaughter on her drive from SF to Denver when it had about the same mileage as yours.

Not sure about that suggestion. Definitely a possibility but at that point I'd possibly rent u haul trailer (if relatively close to home).
I never had fuel pump die on me and I've had many BMW's. I guess part is just luck but part is how often car was driven low on fuel and how dirty fuel filter is.

[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.