road trip - rent or take the X5?
 

We are planning a long distance road trip over the holidays to visit my parents in Portland OR and driving from the SF Bay Area. It's about 750 miles one way. I was planning to drive the X5 up in case we ran into any snow.

But just for grins I checking into rentals and I could rent a full sized car from Enterprise - Altima, Impala or Charger - for $200 for the week. Which would save me at least half of that in gas costs alone. So for $100 to save the wear and tear on the X5 may be worth it. X5 is racking up more miles this year anyway with my wife driving it for school car pool runs - I expect to do about 16K on it vs. 11K last year. On the other hand, what's another 1500 miles, right? I am slightly worried that I haven't swapped out the cooling system yet - I have all the parts to do the job but don't want to do that right before a long road trip. Been checking and all looks good. Expansion tank and upper rad hose were replaced 25K miles ago, but the radiator and water pump are originals. Tho I guess cooling system wouldn't be too taxed this time of year.

I just swapped on the winter tires and new brakes front and rear and planning an oil change this weekend. All service is up to date, even fresh fuel filter. So she's perfectly road worthy.

Of course I will be kicking myself if we take a rental and then end up hitting snow..... And the X5 would be a way nicer long distance road trip car. But damn the rental is so cheap it makes me think about giving the BMW a rest for the holidays!!

Thoughts?

BMWs don't need rest. Strong like Ox. :)

I'd say as long as your coolant level is healthy and you're running on a fresh oil and filter change, you're good to go.

With those potential options, I would take my/your X without thinking twice...
AWD, built like a tank, you know the car, the gas diff is unsubstantial, it will
run in snow/rain, etc. Those cars you listed aren't dawgs, but which one do
you want to be 'in' if some idiot comes your way?
My 50Cts.
GL, mD

ya - no doubt I would far rather be in the X5, plus it is about the safest vehicle possible for such a trip with potential for rain / snow - especially with the pirelli scorpion ice and snows on it...... I'll probably just go ahead and take it.

Yes, yes I think you will grasshopper.

Funny you say that actually. I dissuaded my mom from taking her 4.6is on a road trip to ohio. about the same mileage as you say... I didnt want her to put the wear and tear on it..

but then again, these cars are meant to be driven, and you obviously take care of the car! whereas, i cant really be sure what my mom and dad do to it! (my dad used the rough edge of a kitchen sponge to try and get tar off the rear hatch..OUCH. took me 2 hours and a random orbital to fix that one.)

yes - I take care of all my cars rather religiously... :dunno:

me too. I think i may be that "kid who keeps his car really clean" at school.

hey. not a bad title to have

Go out and enjoy the car for the drive, when you accelerate on the highway, you'll remember why you chose it.

If you're considering renting, you should sell the x5 b/c this kind of trip is why you buy the SAV in the 1st place

:iagree: 100000000%

I am actually looking forwad to have time so that I can do a long road trip with my 35i. Its like marrying a super model but afraid to f--- her. ;pimpdahoe;