E30 325i Euro Trip - Advise needed from Experts plz

[E30-Addict]

Hello Zoner

Hope the summer treating you All and yours E30s well

After 3 years of work and money pit, its safe to say the car is now complete.

I am planning trip from Manchester to France then depends on budget, hassle, breakdowns and time maybe carry on further South to Monaco.

Currently trying to make a list of things to prepare for this trip.

The question is what likely to fail on M20 running gear on long trip like this.

Usual service is all done (Filters, oils, fluids, timing belt, viscous, tires, new suspension)

So far I got
1- spare diff back plate
2- engine sump
3- spare fuses + relays + bulbs
4- spare fuel pump
5- RAC Euro cover (including tow back to UK)
6 ?


Would appreciate your input, no matter how random it can be

Thanks in advnace
Its the one in middle

[Rav335uk]

Do you have a High viz jacket, and warning triangle,, as these are required to be carried in France.

Also, where did the guy with the black e30 get those arches?

[E30-Addict]

Thanks Rav

He got body shop, think its some jap nissan kit he was saying

I googled UK to France checklist and this came up (http://about-france.com/driving-checklist.htm)

Driving licence - YES
Proof of vehicle ownership or hire - YES
Vehicle insurance - YES
Headlamp beam deflector (DO I NEED THESE FOR E30) ?
Spare set of bulbs - YES
Breathalyzer kit - Why ?
Hazard warning triangle - YES
Spare set of car keys - YES
High-visibility waistcoats - YES
Vehicle condition - Good condtion
Maps or Satnav - Yes

[daimlerman]

Headlights on E30 can be easily re-set for driving on the wrong side of the road,there's a guide in the wiki.

Breathalyzer,it's a French thing to try to limit drink/driving,some sites say one is needed,some say it's not enforcable!

Pack a fuel pump relay and make sure that you have a decent tool kit,plenty of French breakers yards...I managed to cobble up a top hose from a box of hoses in a breaker's on one trip!

Tyre pressure gauge and pump,you will be spending time at a higher motorway speed for longer periods than at home.

Expect that in 'holiday areas' the locals will speak English,but for trawling breakers yards a list of common parts in French is handy,it's hard work asking for a 10mm nut if you cannot speaka da lingo!

Enjoy your trip!

[aimlessrock]

first aid kit - just in case.

Also speak to your mobile phone operator about a possible bolt on in case you need to phone home etc as calls from some parts of europe can be expensive.

[satan16v]

I did 4k around Europe last year in mine, and the only things to fail was the fuel pump. but that happened in the UK and the clutch master cylinder, which I got replaced at the dealership in Klagenfurt. I put this down to the car not really being used for a few years before I got it and then basically going straight into a huge road trip

Docs are a must, just makes your life easier when they pull you

Headlight deflectors, never ever used them

I'm running very low and didn't damage the sump, but did have to do a bit of creative driving when we got lost in the Tuscan hills.

I took a trolley jack and a socket set, just enough to help me out.

I'm sure they have BMW dealers in France so don't go too wild taking parts with you.

I work in Europe and have my daily UK car with me, and all I have is a Halfords £20 euro kit and a hi-viz (has to be one per person) the breathalizer ive never had and spare bulbs/fuses are always in the glovey.

Make sure your spare is in good nick too

[Gert_8]

Haven't they also introduced the need to have a spare set of glasses if you wear them?

Spare diff????!

[Simon13]

if you raise the ride height sort suspension you won't need to take a sump and diff cover?!

I'd take small things like a few tools spare drive belts, some coolant sealing type tape, cable ties sh!t that can get you going. You wont be able to sort a major engine,box,diff failure at the side of the road imo.

[E30-Addict]

Thanks Guys

The current diff is 3.91 but recently been making usual whinning noise, got 3.63 spare diff so might take that.
also a bit of oil around gearbox so hopefully it doesnt fail

will also take a tyre air pump, trolley jack and basic tools

Do I need this RAC £241 cover ?

[bimanut]

I would fit that 3:64 before you go so you got some longer legs for long high speed runs.

[E30-Addict]

Just made a quick calclution

Travel
1- Ferry £135
2- Rac £241
3- Fuel £300

Hotel
£150

Thats 826 before spending money etc

I got about £1000

starting to get put off now... but I am going to attend a wedding in Folkestone on Friday anyway so thought I am only around the corner why not carry on to France

Damn it

[H-M3]

I am sure certain AA package cover Europe for 30 days free as standard??

[pacerpete]

Rentalcars.com

[jimbom30cab]

Yup, i'd rent a car

Fastest thing on 4 wheels also is a hire car

[ross_jsy]

Don't understand why you need a sump?

My car is lower and it doesn't have a mark on it. Driving technique has a lot to do with it. My friends car is about 10mm higher and has raised engine mounts and his sump and steering rack are majorly scuffed

[Gert_8]

Don't understand why you need a sump?

My car is lower and it doesn't have a mark on it.

What, even when you have your girl "Chubbie" riding with you?

[ross_jsy]

Don't understand why you need a sump?

My car is lower and it doesn't have a mark on it.

What, even when you have your girl "Chubbie" riding with you?

Chubster has had the boot Gertrude

[bmw9818]

planning on going to france, germany and netherlands, sort everything out before hand, got silicone pipes, full on service, checked pads etc, my fuel pumps brand new, im just taking relays and fuses with me,

batterys new, alternators new tbf, if youve spent 3 years on it, you should be fine, not worried about mine conking out at all, as long as youve got the essentials sorted you shoudnt have any issues.

[Gert_8]

Don't understand why you need a sump?

My car is lower and it doesn't have a mark on it.

What, even when you have your girl "Chubbie" riding with you?

Chubster has had the boot Gertrude

You fattist Bastard!

[Mitchen]

Just made a quick calclution

Travel
1- Ferry £135
2- Rac £241
3- Fuel £300

Hotel
£150

Thats 826 before spending money etc

I got about £1000

starting to get put off now... but I am going to attend a wedding in Folkestone on Friday anyway so thought I am only around the corner why not carry on to France

Damn it

I looked at doing this, and yeah it's far from cheap! You could get a decent holiday in another continent for the same money.

[appletree]

Take some jubilee clips too

[Brianmoooore]

Been on a dozen or so Western Europe road trips of varying length with the red touring in my sig.
The only failure I've ever had was a fuel pump, and since the thing also runs on LPG, this wasn't a massive problem.
Scrub the RAC costs and book the ferries a decent time in advance, and you will save over £300 off of your projected budget.
I've never needed one, but the most important spare part I would take is a crank position sensor. That's the only part that is likely to fail without much warning and immobilise your car.