500 mile drive after purchase

AJL_M3 · 06-17-2022, 04:09 PM

Hi all car is due stateside in a couple of weeks and need to start thinking of what I am going to do after I purchase it. Only dealer I could get the car at msrp at is 500 miles from home and I am petrified of driving it home and having tons of rock chips on that first wash.

Should I just have them leave the while material that comes on the cars from the factory? Do I just do blue painters tape? What have you guys done or recommend. Another option is shipping It but it’s 1500 dollars 😭

macbecca5 · 06-17-2022, 04:12 PM

Same situation here. Leaning towards the blue painters tape

Forzanerazzurri · 06-17-2022, 04:15 PM

Youre almost guaranteed to have a couple rock chips on that drive. Either you live with it, ship it or you get someone in the area to ppf the car for you before you pick it up. Leaving the white shipping film wont stop rock chips from a highway drive.

Delmoney335 · 06-17-2022, 04:17 PM

I drove from PCD To South FL , I didn't encounter many issues or rock chips. I have a few now but its been a year. Drive it down and have fun with it.

AJL_M3 · 06-17-2022, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delmoney335

I drove from PCD To South FL , I didn't encounter many issues or rock chips. I have a few now but its been a year. Drive it down and have fun with it.

I’m hoping I will have the same luck if i drive it down. I’m debating whether I should drive down in the middle of the night to have fewer cars on the roads but then you risk not seeing something in the road etc idk what to do 😩😩

wtwo3 · 06-17-2022, 04:32 PM

Why don't you ask the dealer if they have any nearby shops they work with that specialize in ppf and ceramic coating? Then just have them do it prior to taking delivery of your car. I had my dealer take it to a nearby tint shop and get both my cars tinting prior to me picking them up so I didn't have to worry about getting it done after the fact. Super convenient and they didn't charge extra (on top of what the shop charged).

TheDailyDriven · 06-17-2022, 04:35 PM

You could purchase some temporary paint protection film that's used a lot on the track.

https://amzn.to/3OoJVAs

I'm currently waiting for quotes on transporting mine after I take delivery from PDC.

Gfit · 06-17-2022, 04:38 PM

I wouldn't worry about and certainly don't let that distract from your ride. Enjoy every minute.

vj123 · 06-17-2022, 05:02 PM

Xpel track armor might help you in avoiding paint chips during your drive back home. That was my second option had i had not ppf ed the vehicle after my PCD.

Delmoney335 · 06-17-2022, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJL_M3

I’m hoping I will have the same luck if i drive it down. I’m debating whether I should drive down in the middle of the night to have fewer cars on the roads but then you risk not seeing something in the road etc idk what to do 😩😩

You’re overthinking it. You could hit something when you’re home weeks , months later or have something ding you in a parking lot. Especially if you live in Miami. Drive it down carefully the best you can.

G82Anxious · 06-17-2022, 05:57 PM

Just drive as you normally would have. Let's be honest anything new and we tend to baby it for a month and by then it's nothing special anymore.

Forzanerazzurri · 06-17-2022, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G82Anxious

Just drive as you normally would have. Let's be honest anything new and we tend to baby it for a month and by then it's nothing special anymore.

I still baby my e46 m3.

AJL_M3 · 06-17-2022, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the advice guys I guess I’ll drive it and just maybe do some painters tape

Fins1972 · 06-17-2022, 08:10 PM

I had the same dilemma because I picked my car up at the Performance Center and drove it home. I brought Xpel Tracwrap with me and covered the front end, front quarter panels, a pillars, mirrors and roof leading edge. It took about 40 minutes to complete the application. Did it look good? No. Was it functional, yes. Extremely easy to remove as well. Incidentally, although I practiced ridiculously safe driving, a piece of tire was kicked up and hit my front bumper. The black mark was completely removed when I removed the Tracwrap. Could that tire damage have been buffed out, probably -- but I was still glad to have the Tracwrap on! I immediately had a professional Xpel ppf applied and remain happy with the results. Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Capt Canuck · 06-17-2022, 08:17 PM

I drove Monterey CA to Vancouver BC and had my 1200mile service before getting my F87 PPFd and ceramiced and there was only 1 tiny chip to sort and that included all manner of road conditions as you'd imagine.

Find a route that varies the revs (ie. not just interstate miles) and enjoy!!!

02M3ForMe · 06-18-2022, 12:02 AM

You should be fine to drive as long as you’re diligent about maintaining sufficient distance between yourself and cars in front of you and keeping speeds way down when you can’t.

snareman · 06-18-2022, 12:50 PM

Are you planning on PPF or something similar and want a pristine car to apply that? If not how is a 5h drive different than the next 5h you are going to drive the car after you get it home?

Psychos1s · 06-20-2022, 06:31 PM

I think you should drive it and make it a fun trip. You'll also be that much closer to the break in period too.

I only put about 1000 miles a year on my car so will have to figure something out to get to the break in period sooner when I get mine in Sept.

ChiTownM · 06-21-2022, 08:47 AM

Drive. As many others, I picked it up in SC and drove my M2CS to Chicago. Lots of construction around Asheville was a bit concerning but I kept my distance and just made sure to do what I can control with trucks and cars around me. I had a blast driving and it made the experience so much more fun. I did PPF afterwards but am not sure if that is something I will do again on the G80. I have it on the X5 since it is our roadtrip machine (M50i is amazing!!!) but not sure it is worth it to me personally. I have an amazing detailer and that did persuade me to do it…..including the carbon roof.

What color did you get, that may also influence your decision.

BigPaultheOctopus · 06-22-2022, 01:28 PM

A front-end bra? get a universal fit on Amazon for under $100

xspeedy · 06-23-2022, 06:44 PM

Gaffers tape is much better for temporary protection

YamaLink · 06-23-2022, 06:52 PM

I drove mine 500 miles home. Great city and visited friends. I have one tiny chip lower lip. I'm a total OCD hand wash type, and it kinda bothers me, but it's a car. Not a piece of art I'm hoping will increase in value for retirement. But I get it. Try not to worry about it.
Yesterday work errands had me on freshly rock chipped road for 1/4 mile. Idiots speeding other direction are reason past cars got windshield chips. To paraphrase, "when it's your time, it's your time." Just drive.

06-17-2022, 04:09 PM	#1
AJL_M3 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 34 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	500 mile drive after purchase Hi all car is due stateside in a couple of weeks and need to start thinking of what I am going to do after I purchase it. Only dealer I could get the car at msrp at is 500 miles from home and I am petrified of driving it home and having tons of rock chips on that first wash. Should I just have them leave the while material that comes on the cars from the factory? Do I just do blue painters tape? What have you guys done or recommend. Another option is shipping It but it’s 1500 dollars 😭
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06-17-2022, 04:12 PM	#2
macbecca5 Enlisted Member 24 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X5 45e, 2022 M4CompXr Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: AVL iTrader: (0)	Same situation here. Leaning towards the blue painters tape
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06-17-2022, 04:15 PM	#3
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6923 Rep 3,276 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	Youre almost guaranteed to have a couple rock chips on that drive. Either you live with it, ship it or you get someone in the area to ppf the car for you before you pick it up. Leaving the white shipping film wont stop rock chips from a highway drive.
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06-17-2022, 04:17 PM	#4
Delmoney335 Captain 925 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 2021 BSM G80 comp Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00]	I drove from PCD To South FL , I didn't encounter many issues or rock chips. I have a few now but its been a year. Drive it down and have fun with it. __________________ 2021 G80 Comp
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06-17-2022, 04:32 PM	#6
wtwo3 Major General 18097 Rep 5,500 Posts Drives: 23 X7 40i; 23 M3; 24 cooper s Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Mini Cooper S ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M3 [9.40] 2023 BMW X7 40i [9.75]	Why don't you ask the dealer if they have any nearby shops they work with that specialize in ppf and ceramic coating? Then just have them do it prior to taking delivery of your car. I had my dealer take it to a nearby tint shop and get both my cars tinting prior to me picking them up so I didn't have to worry about getting it done after the fact. Super convenient and they didn't charge extra (on top of what the shop charged). __________________ 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i 2023 BMW M3 6MT 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible '20 BMW m340i... '20 BMW X5 40i... '16 Infiniti Q50 RS 400... '10 Lexus RX 350... '08 Lexus IS 350... '00 Nissan Maxima... '93 Nissan Maxima
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06-17-2022, 04:35 PM	#7
TheDailyDriven Co-Founder BMW INVASION 673 Rep 484 Posts Drives: 2022 Imola Red II G80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (1)	You could purchase some temporary paint protection film that's used a lot on the track. https://amzn.to/3OoJVAs I'm currently waiting for quotes on transporting mine after I take delivery from PDC.
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06-17-2022, 04:38 PM	#8
Gfit Lieutenant Colonel 2760 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: 2023 X3M, 2024 X5M. Sold 2022 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't worry about and certainly don't let that distract from your ride. Enjoy every minute.
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06-17-2022, 05:02 PM	#9
vj123 Brigadier General 3795 Rep 3,626 Posts Drives: 2022 M3c - sold Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: The Detroit iTrader: (0)	Xpel track armor might help you in avoiding paint chips during your drive back home. That was my second option had i had not ppf ed the vehicle after my PCD.
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06-17-2022, 05:57 PM	#11
G82Anxious At The Port 377 Rep 449 Posts Drives: 2020 C63S Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	Just drive as you normally would have. Let's be honest anything new and we tend to baby it for a month and by then it's nothing special anymore.
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06-17-2022, 08:00 PM	#13
AJL_M3 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 34 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the advice guys I guess I’ll drive it and just maybe do some painters tape
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06-17-2022, 08:10 PM	#14
Fins1972 Private 82 Rep 59 Posts Drives: BMW X5 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	I had the same dilemma because I picked my car up at the Performance Center and drove it home. I brought Xpel Tracwrap with me and covered the front end, front quarter panels, a pillars, mirrors and roof leading edge. It took about 40 minutes to complete the application. Did it look good? No. Was it functional, yes. Extremely easy to remove as well. Incidentally, although I practiced ridiculously safe driving, a piece of tire was kicked up and hit my front bumper. The black mark was completely removed when I removed the Tracwrap. Could that tire damage have been buffed out, probably -- but I was still glad to have the Tracwrap on! I immediately had a professional Xpel ppf applied and remain happy with the results. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
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06-17-2022, 08:17 PM	#15
Capt Canuck Lieutenant 704 Rep 415 Posts Drives: EX. '21 BMW M2C Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	I drove Monterey CA to Vancouver BC and had my 1200mile service before getting my F87 PPFd and ceramiced and there was only 1 tiny chip to sort and that included all manner of road conditions as you'd imagine. Find a route that varies the revs (ie. not just interstate miles) and enjoy!!! __________________ therealm3: "You could preventatively swap in a B58 from a Supra? Then it would at least have a Toyota badge on it and you would sleep easier."
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06-18-2022, 12:02 AM	#16
02M3ForMe Lieutenant Colonel 4278 Rep 1,630 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You should be fine to drive as long as you’re diligent about maintaining sufficient distance between yourself and cars in front of you and keeping speeds way down when you can’t.
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06-18-2022, 12:50 PM	#17
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 9265 Rep 7,831 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X3 ///M40 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Are you planning on PPF or something similar and want a pristine car to apply that? If not how is a 5h drive different than the next 5h you are going to drive the car after you get it home? __________________ Current: 2023 Santorini Blue ///M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 --> 2025 X5 M60 (ordered) Retired: 2021 Enzian Blue ///M4 \|\|\| 2018 ///M4 \|\|\| 2017 ///M4 \|\|\| 2014 435i \|\|\| 2009 335i Coupe \|\|\| 2007 335i Coupe
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06-20-2022, 06:31 PM	#18
Psychos1s Private First Class 524 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M3 50 Jahre Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NW iTrader: (0)	I think you should drive it and make it a fun trip. You'll also be that much closer to the break in period too. I only put about 1000 miles a year on my car so will have to figure something out to get to the break in period sooner when I get mine in Sept. __________________ 2023 G80 ///M3 Competition xDrive 50 Jahre Edition • Ordered 5/4/22 • Delivered 9/23/22 Previous • 2017 F80///M3 zCP • Instagram: MRated.M3 • 2023 ///M3 50 Jahre Edition \| The Journey to Ownership
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06-21-2022, 08:47 AM	#19
ChiTownM Lieutenant Colonel 1071 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: M and i BMWs Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Drive. As many others, I picked it up in SC and drove my M2CS to Chicago. Lots of construction around Asheville was a bit concerning but I kept my distance and just made sure to do what I can control with trucks and cars around me. I had a blast driving and it made the experience so much more fun. I did PPF afterwards but am not sure if that is something I will do again on the G80. I have it on the X5 since it is our roadtrip machine (M50i is amazing!!!) but not sure it is worth it to me personally. I have an amazing detailer and that did persuade me to do it…..including the carbon roof. What color did you get, that may also influence your decision.
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06-22-2022, 01:28 PM	#20
BigPaultheOctopus Private 56 Rep 74 Posts Drives: Corolla6MT/24M36MT/24iX50 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	A front-end bra? get a universal fit on Amazon for under $100
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06-23-2022, 06:44 PM	#21
xspeedy Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 266 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2005 iTrader: (0)	Gaffers tape is much better for temporary protection __________________
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06-23-2022, 06:52 PM	#22
YamaLink Lieutenant 425 Rep 435 Posts Drives: rust-free '93 Toyota 2wd Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0)	I drove mine 500 miles home. Great city and visited friends. I have one tiny chip lower lip. I'm a total OCD hand wash type, and it kinda bothers me, but it's a car. Not a piece of art I'm hoping will increase in value for retirement. But I get it. Try not to worry about it. Yesterday work errands had me on freshly rock chipped road for 1/4 mile. Idiots speeding other direction are reason past cars got windshield chips. To paraphrase, "when it's your time, it's your time." Just drive.
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