Shipping M3 from TX to CA...closed or unenclosed + detail upon arrival?

thegad · 07-17-2012, 06:06 PM

Just picked up an E92 M3, and I need to ship it from TX to California. It's about $600 more to ship it in an enclosed trailer rather than open-air. If I ship it open air I figure I can just get a really nice detail when it arrives, but my only concern is if a bird craps on it at the beginning of the trip and that sits and burns its way into the paint for nearly an entire week.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Unfortunately it's apparently against federal law to ship a car on an open trailer with a car cover or I'd just opt for that.

GlossW · 07-17-2012, 06:07 PM

Enclosed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be more than $600 to fix the problem, if problem occur...

rjd598 · 07-17-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlossWork

Enclosed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be more than $600 to fix the problem, if problem occur...

very true enclosed is what you should do

Endless619 · 07-17-2012, 08:12 PM

You can go either. Doesn't really matter as this car is just an M3. It's fully insured either way. I honestly don't care because if the car gets damaged or totaled in anyway that opens the door for a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo. Fact.

If its any consolation I have seen ZO6s and a 05 Gallardo on an open trailer.

Good luck with your choice.

Erie Von Otto · 07-17-2012, 08:29 PM

Not even a question. Closed closed closed... Totally worth the extra bucks.

JerryK73 · 07-17-2012, 10:30 PM

I would recommend going closed. Don't forget that not only do you want protection from the elements but vandalism and other physical damages as well (such as kicked up rocks).

SAINT VAN ROCK · 07-17-2012, 11:03 PM

Enclosed....I just took delivery of one of my rides that was transported from Houston to Colorado. Entire front end peppered with rock chips. Sure, insurance is covering the damage after I pay the $500 deductible....I would rather have come out of pocket $600 for an enclosed shipment and spared myself the grief!

thegad · 07-17-2012, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Enclosed it is!

Envious Eric · 07-18-2012, 12:34 AM

JP logistics!!!!

THE TECH · 07-18-2012, 08:03 AM

I will be doing closed if we move this year. I have 4 cars and can't drive them all so two will have to be shipped (not that I would want to drive them anyway).

THE TECH · 07-18-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

JP logistics!!!!

Thanks for the recommendation. You know them personally?

Raz335 · 07-18-2012, 10:07 AM

Definitely closed. It's not worth the possible aggravation of having the car repaired if something happens.

Envious Eric · 07-18-2012, 03:15 PM

what the heck, you moving?????

I dont, but hear lots of great things about them! If you use them, tell them Eric with Envious Detailing sent you...from L4P

THE TECH · 07-18-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

what the heck, you moving?????

I dont, but hear lots of great things about them! If you use them, tell them Eric with Envious Detailing sent you...from L4P

Yeah might be. My wife may be getting a huge promotion which would lead us out of state.

Endless619 · 07-18-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAINT VAN ROCK

Enclosed....I just took delivery of one of my rides that was transported from Houston to Colorado. Entire front end peppered with rock chips. Sure, insurance is covering the damage after I pay the $500 deductible....I would rather have come out of pocket $600 for an enclosed shipment and spared myself the grief!

Doesn't sound correct at all.

Did they drag your car or something? The positioning of the car really doesn't allow for your car to get peppered with rocks especially if higher up on the truck. I just saw 4 cars all that have been on a trailer for over 2000 miles and not one had any issues. What did you pay? Insurance with the company? Just doesn't sound right at all.

I had my show S2000 shipped uncovered for 3000 miles and only issue was a stolen oilcap. Bought a new one and a week later won first place at a car show.

And FYI the cost difference is only a few hundred dollars, if that. I just don't value the M3 like some of you guys. Just a temporary car really or a stepping stone to something better.

I wouldn't have even covered my $90000+ NSX back in the day. Just me though.

Templar · 07-18-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heckler&Koch

Doesn't sound correct at all.

Did they drag your car or something? The positioning of the car really doesn't allow for your car to get peppered with rocks especially if higher up on the truck. I just saw 4 cars all that have been on a trailer for over 2000 miles and not one had any issues. What did you pay? Insurance with the company? Just doesn't sound right at all.

I had my show S2000 shipped uncovered for 3000 miles and only issue was a stolen oilcap. Bought a new one and a week later won first place at a car show.

And FYI the cost difference is only a few hundred dollars, if that. I just don't value the M3 like some of you guys. Just a temporary car really or a stepping stone to something better.

I wouldn't have even covered my $90000+ NSX back in the day. Just me though.

Definitely just you...

SAINT VAN ROCK · 07-18-2012, 07:00 PM

Unless someone took it for a joyride through the desert along the way! I paid $2500 for shipment originating in Germany to Houston with inland delivery to Colorado Springs. Looks like it was the bottom row, last car...was off the truck when I arrived and the rest of the truck was still loaded. Assessment for repairs came in at a total of $4400

Insurance was made through USAA....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heckler&Koch

Doesn't sound correct at all.

Did they drag your car or something? The positioning of the car really doesn't allow for your car to get peppered with rocks especially if higher up on the truck. I just saw 4 cars all that have been on a trailer for over 2000 miles and not one had any issues. What did you pay? Insurance with the company? Just doesn't sound right at all.

I had my show S2000 shipped uncovered for 3000 miles and only issue was a stolen oilcap. Bought a new one and a week later won first place at a car show.

And FYI the cost difference is only a few hundred dollars, if that. I just don't value the M3 like some of you guys. Just a temporary car really or a stepping stone to something better.

I wouldn't have even covered my $90000+ NSX back in the day. Just me though.

Dolittle · 07-19-2012, 04:06 AM

Request to have your car on the bottom level. Bottom has a significantly lesser chance of damage compared to top. Car shipper told me this when I shipped mine. FYI-mine had no damage. It was just dirty.

dme330i · 07-20-2012, 08:35 PM

Uncovered. Had a 1966 GTO shipped from Washington state to Atlanta with no issues. Had an e93 shipped from NY to Atlanta with no issues.

eclipsisNA · 07-22-2012, 03:04 AM

Go for enclosed. There are so many variables that can affect a car on an open transport, I wouldn't take the chance, no matter how remote that chance might be.

But then again, depends on how anal you are about your car's condition.

07-17-2012, 06:06 PM	#1
thegad Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E92 M3 (sold) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (1)	Shipping M3 from TX to CA...closed or unenclosed + detail upon arrival? Just picked up an E92 M3, and I need to ship it from TX to California. It's about $600 more to ship it in an enclosed trailer rather than open-air. If I ship it open air I figure I can just get a really nice detail when it arrives, but my only concern is if a bird craps on it at the beginning of the trip and that sits and burns its way into the paint for nearly an entire week. Any thoughts or suggestions? Unfortunately it's apparently against federal law to ship a car on an open trailer with a car cover or I'd just opt for that.
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07-17-2012, 06:07 PM	#2
GlossW Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: chevy silverado Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal-LA-OC iTrader: (0)	Enclosed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It would be more than $600 to fix the problem, if problem occur...
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07-17-2012, 08:12 PM	#4
Endless619 DHS 200 Rep 4,005 Posts Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Disneyland iTrader: (14) Garage List 2014 Range Rover Ev ... [0.00] 2006 Acura TL [0.00]	You can go either. Doesn't really matter as this car is just an M3. It's fully insured either way. I honestly don't care because if the car gets damaged or totaled in anyway that opens the door for a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo. Fact. If its any consolation I have seen ZO6s and a 05 Gallardo on an open trailer. Good luck with your choice. __________________ 2020 Land Rover Velar Autobiography 2023 BMW M4 2016 X3 Last edited by Endless619; 07-17-2012 at 08:58 PM..
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07-17-2012, 08:29 PM	#5
Erie Von Otto DT///M 149 Rep 1,370 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 Touring Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rocket City, AL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW Touring [0.00]	Not even a question. Closed closed closed... Totally worth the extra bucks. __________________ "With great power comes great responsibility." -El-Superbeasto
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07-17-2012, 10:30 PM	#6
JerryK73 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2009 LeMans Blue Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey/New Orleans/Houston iTrader: (3)	I would recommend going closed. Don't forget that not only do you want protection from the elements but vandalism and other physical damages as well (such as kicked up rocks).
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07-17-2012, 11:03 PM	#7
SAINT VAN ROCK ///M Enthusiast 28 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 2012, E92 DCT M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado Springs/Black Forest, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2004 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2004 BMW 325i [0.00]	Enclosed....I just took delivery of one of my rides that was transported from Houston to Colorado. Entire front end peppered with rock chips. Sure, insurance is covering the damage after I pay the $500 deductible....I would rather have come out of pocket $600 for an enclosed shipment and spared myself the grief!
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07-17-2012, 11:43 PM	#8
thegad Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E92 M3 (sold) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the feedback. Enclosed it is!
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07-18-2012, 12:34 AM	#9
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	JP logistics!!!!
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07-18-2012, 08:03 AM	#10
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	I will be doing closed if we move this year. I have 4 cars and can't drive them all so two will have to be shipped (not that I would want to drive them anyway).
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07-18-2012, 10:07 AM	#12
Raz335 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: LI,NY iTrader: (2)	Definitely closed. It's not worth the possible aggravation of having the car repaired if something happens. __________________ Jerez Black/Fox E93 M3 - Prem 2/Cold/Conv/DCT/EDC/19's/Ext Lthr/Crbn Trim/Enhanced Sound/Sat Mods- 20" BBS LM's DBK/Challenge Catback/Eibachs/Trim wrapped black/Lux Angel eyes/35% Tint
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07-18-2012, 03:15 PM	#13
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	what the heck, you moving????? I dont, but hear lots of great things about them! If you use them, tell them Eric with Envious Detailing sent you...from L4P
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07-19-2012, 04:06 AM	#18
Dolittle Private 16 Rep 52 Posts Drives: e92 AW M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Request to have your car on the bottom level. Bottom has a significantly lesser chance of damage compared to top. Car shipper told me this when I shipped mine. FYI-mine had no damage. It was just dirty.
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07-20-2012, 08:35 PM	#19
dme330i Captain 117 Rep 643 Posts Drives: Huracan, GT3, 66 GTO Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Charlotte Area iTrader: (1)	Uncovered. Had a 1966 GTO shipped from Washington state to Atlanta with no issues. Had an e93 shipped from NY to Atlanta with no issues.
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07-22-2012, 03:04 AM	#20
eclipsisNA Colonel 350 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i [7.76]	Go for enclosed. There are so many variables that can affect a car on an open transport, I wouldn't take the chance, no matter how remote that chance might be. But then again, depends on how anal you are about your car's condition.
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