New ZHP Owner- Shipping Company recommendations?

[abranovi]

Hey guys,

I just purchased this ZHP: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16498-2005-330i-ZHP-Titanium-Silver-Black-Leather-6pd-75k-miles-(Lincoln-NE)-16-9k
21255

I've driven a friend's, fell in love with it, and am extremely excited to get behind the wheel of my own!

I live in Rhode Island, and need to have the car shipped from Lincoln NE to myself in RI.

Anyone have experience with any shipping companies?

I know that there are sources such as uship, but i am weary to work with that type of business, as I don't feel that a quality shipment can be guaranteed.

I've received a few quotes direct from vendors, all in the 1500-2000 range. Those were all for enclosed trailers. I'm thinking it would be fine to ship the car on an open trailer, but I just haven't yet found a good source.

Advice appreciated!

Look forward to talking more with everyone here once I actually have possession of my car!

[Vas]

I have used das (dependable auto shippers ) in the past.

[abranovi]

I have used das (dependable auto shippers ) in the past.

I saw some bad experiences with them on Bimmerforums. People said that if they damaged your car during shipping, you ended up being required to pay a deductible to receive the coverage.

[Vas]

I saw some bad experiences with them on Bimmerforums. People said that if they damaged your car during shipping, you ended up being required to pay a deductible to receive the coverage.
It's been a couple years since I had them ship a car. It went from CA to PA and I had no issues. But things might have changed since then.

There are other members here that can chime in about other companies they used recently

[slater]

honestly, i would fly out and drive it back. make the time if you can, it would be a memorable experience.

peter

[Karl Lazlo]

ROAD TRIP!

Nothing beats a good shake down cruise halfway across the US.

[abranovi]

honestly, i would fly out and drive it back. make the time if you can, it would be a memorable experience.

peter

I would- but I'm just at the beginning of a new job- so I can't really take the time to do it.

Also, I just drove around the whole country over the beginning of this summer with my good friend in an 89' 300sel that we bought for a song.

Check out our trip on Instagram: 4cornersusa
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/b0e73f0ac0044fafebdf06ca6bba2466.jpg

[BADCLOWN]

I got my old be harlequin golf shipped from Arizona to northern ky on an open trailer (lucked out to get a spot directly behind the cab of the truck) for $900, but that was years ago. I imagine you can find it a bit cheaper. Just depends on what you want out of your shipper.

[Campster23]

I will tell you who not to use, I just used Kars Transport Corp, CA to FL, came to me covered in what I can only think was grease, with cigarette ashes in it and three new dents and scratches and was told because I didn't see everything when I signed for it they weren't fixing shit. Not good times! Love the car tho! Where in RI? I grew up in Cranston, living in Florida now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RITmusic2k]

I had a great experience a few years back with www.uship.com (http://www.uship.com). It behaves sort of like "reverse ebay". You post a shipment (such as a car going from location X to location Y), and people in the shipping industry bid on your contract. After the bids come in, you choose the one that best suits you. Often times a guy with a not-quite-full truck will have a route that is compatible with your shipment and he'll be looking for side jobs to grab a little extra cash. I shipped a car from Huntsville, AL to SoCal for $500, and the car was in a fully enclosed trailer and delivered right to my driveway.

Depending on your luck (or how far out you're willing to accommodate the driver's schedule... I waited a month for my shipment, for example), you may find a really great deal. Definitely worth a shot!

[KevinC]

I had my ZHP trucked out from Miami to Phoenix when I bought it 3 years ago. HORRENDOUS experience getting it all set up - once I requested a quote from ONE carrier, I started getting bombarded with quotes and contact from a dozen more. It's like they're all one big incestuous network. The guys I chose were difficult to communicate with, had a hard time getting me scheduled (apparently the timeframe I needed an east/west move was when most trucks are going the other direction, or so I was told), and once scheduled, my buddy in Miami who was holding the car from me had all kinds of issues with communication and meeting up with them. Thankfully, the car made it here intact, but I will NEVER go through that nightmare again.

Just in the last month, I bought an E39 M5 from EAG and elected to fly back to Cincy and drive it home myself (1800+ miles). To me, either that, or one of the high-end, enclosed carriers is the only way to go. The latter gets quite expensive, so I went with Plan A. Your distance isn't quite as bad. I agree with the others - road trip! Come up with some "emergency" excuse for your new boss, you'll only need 1 day off as you can tackle the job over a weekend + a Monday or Friday.

Good luck however you decide to go.

[KevinC]

Your car looks "tits" btw.. nice score!

[ELCID86]

There's a thread here somewhere I think. Montway comes to mind.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[bandwagn]

honestly, i would fly out and drive it back. make the time if you can, it would be a memorable experience.

peter

All the shippers are a PITA - they're all brokers and will take your money up front - it will get there, but on their schedule and terms - mine took 4 weeks to get from CT to Omaha, Nebraska (yes, close to lincoln)

[BCS_ZHP]

My buddy is a Marine and has directly contracted with "Horseless Carriage" twice over the last 6 years, Twenty-nine Palms, CA to DC area for $1500 each way inside an enclosed trailer. He was transporting a fully restored '69 Camaro RS/S convertible each time, I took delivery and the car was flawless each time.

Also, JP (Hermes) has experience with the cost of an open coast to coast transport, I think it was in the same ballpark price-wise.

[tkundhi]

I've shipped cars from the east coast to Lincoln. Figure at least $1000. You can fly out on Fri and easily be home by Sun night. It is a 20 hour drive, maybe a bit longer to RI. One way flights are about $300-350. Delta or United are your only options. Other airlines will get you to Omaha but then you'll spend extra money getting to Lincoln.

[Bello-Bmw]

Good experience with Montway. My zhp was at my front door in less than a week ( from AZ to FL) The only think I regret it is not paying extra for enclosed trailer (my fault )

[WOLFN8TR]

There's a thread here somewhere I think. Montway comes to mind.


Good experience with Montway. My zhp was at my front door in less than a week ( from AZ to FL) The only think I regret it is not paying extra for enclosed trailer (my fault )

I also went with MontWay. Overall it was a fairly easy transaction, I would recommend them. I shipped my M3 from Kansas to Las Vegas for $1300 enclosed. It would of been $900 for open but it was winter time and I didn't want to deal with possible weather damage, theft or vandalism.

"Car shipping thread"

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13119

[abranovi]

Well... I decided to go pick the car up! Flying out to Lincoln on Friday evening. Should be a fun ride back. Planning to stay Saturday night in Cleveland at a family member's house. I'll wake up early on Sunday & stop by Niagra Falls on my way, taking 90 all the way east.

Should be a great way for my ZHP and I to get acquainted! [emoji41]

[ecrabb]

Good call! Cheaper, faster, and should be a blast. Take a camera, stop a few times and take some pictures and do a travelog of bringing your car home. In hindsight, I wish I'd done the same. My car would have a thousand more miles on it, but my bank account would have more money in it, and I'd have a hell of a special memory.

You'll start through my old stompin' grounds... I-80 eastbound though Omaha, Des Moines, Iowa City, Chicago, and on east. If I were still in Des Moines, I'd meet you for lunch.

Have a great trip! Take lots of photos!

SC

[ELCID86]

Good call!


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[danewilson77]

Love the plan abranovi

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[abranovi]

Thanks everyone- on the plane. Connection in Minneapolis and then to Lincoln.

[danewilson77]

Thanks everyone- on the plane. Connection in Minneapolis and then to Lincoln.
:happyspidey

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Simmsled]

Badass!

Such great bonding time!
Congrats OP. Pics soon!

[abranovi]

Picked up my ZHP... Wow- it's so clean! http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/28/5e9eb924eba6cce7ea6b99f192fed6c2.jpg

Cory at European Auto Tech here in Lincoln was great to work with, and it seems that he represented the car accurately.

I've only driven a few miles, but I'm grinning already.... The ease of heel toe downshifts in is shocking- doing so required so much effort in my 2013 Jetta.

I'm staying with some friends in town here, they're the family that runs Speedway Motors, a massive aftermarket parts company for mostly American cars. They have a museum that is honestly amazing. Full of offy engines, f1 engines, tons of prototypes, and a whole floor dedicated to the model T. As a car guy, this place is DEFINITELY worth a stop if you're ever in the area. I got an education just strolling through.

More feedback once I'm on the road tomorrow.

[BMWCurves]

Congrats! :thumbsup looks very clean! How long is the drive back?

[slater]

congrats, car looks great! TiAg is timeless!

peter

[abranovi]

Congrats! :thumbsup looks very clean! How long is the drive back?

Thanks! It's about 1500 miles--- going to be adding on to this tiny amount that it has:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/28/e8ca935ee4e278af9a26ef8d9546b613.jpg

[abranovi]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/29/c1a34b1955f6d7d240e9f4f54e2989e9.jpg

A quick stop at the museum of American Speed and we're off!

[BMWCurves]

Good luck, safe travels!

[abranovi]

So I had my first strange occurrence with the car.... I stop for fuel filled up, turned the car back on and exited the gas station. As I was leaving at a very slow speed the car cut out for a second and a couple lights flashed on the dashboard then it went back to normal as if nothing had happened. I pulled over turned it off turned back on and it seems to be fine. I did a quick search online and it looks like this could be related to the fuel pump? Anyone have any experience with a similar issue?

[Oli77]

I wish you a good trip and hope that pump does not let go. Your mileage is a bit low for the pump to start acting up though.

[abranovi]

I wish you a good trip and hope that pump does not let go. Your mileage is a bit low for the pump to start acting up though.

So it sounds llike the pump to you?

[WOLFN8TR]

Nice clean ZHP.

Sounds like fuel pump or maybe alternator/battery issue. Stop into a Autozone and have the check your battery and alternator and see whats up, it's free.

[abranovi]

Nice clean ZHP.

Sounds like fuel pump or maybe alternator/battery issue. Stop into a Autozone and have the check your battery and alternator and see whats up, it's free.

HHow do they check your alternator?

[abranovi]

Well it just did it a bit more dramatically and died on me on the highway. Hmm... Pulled off, checked the vitals and all seems okay--- not sure what to do about this. Probably try to find an auto zone nearby to check my battery and alternator

[fredo]

Yeah. Maybe they can find codes stored. Good luck.

[abranovi]

So we tested the battery at AutoZone and apparently it was bad so I threw in a new one and the car seems good so far, knock on wood! Hopefully that was the source of the cutting out problems.

[WOLFN8TR]

Cool. I had a feeling that's what it was. Which battery did they sell ya?

One of these hopefully.

21338

21339

[abranovi]

So I'm still having the issue. Nothing's open tomorrow, so I'm going to try and limp home. Hopefully I can make it and resolve the issue there. I'm thinking fuel pump, fuel filter, alternator, cam position sensor, throttle position sensor, or an O2 sensor short. Going to test the fuel pressure as soon as I can.

[BMWCurves]

Let us know how it goes, shame it's giving you trouble.

[abranovi]

So the stalling got worse, and I'm stuck in Cleveland for the night. I'm going to head to the stealer first thing tomorrow and get them to look it over. I don't really have any other options out here without my tools and now missing a day of work. The good news is, other than the trouble, I love the car...

[ELCID86]

Sorry for your new car issues. Any chance it was bad gas?


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[abranovi]

Sorry for your new car issues. Any chance it was bad gas?


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

I can't believe that's the case as I've gone through well over a tank by now. I most recently put in Sunoco 93 octane..

Besides that, it got worse just as I pulled into Cleveland, which tells me that it's most likely something failing

[abranovi]

I'm thinking that the oil level sensor is also bad, as the yellow light is staying on for 30 seconds or so after I start the car. I've stopped and checked the oil a bunch of times out of precaution, but the level was always perfect.

[Vas]

Good luck.

[abranovi]

Thanks everyone [emoji106]🏼

[bandwagn]

Sorry to hear you're having issues - I was rooting for an awesome road trip. I believe there are a few members in Ohio, if someone's around to help out?

(Check the member's only section)

[abranovi]

So the word from the dealer is that the DME is bad. Oh no...

[fredo]

Sorry, man. I was hoping for an inexpensive fix.

[NoVAphotog]

Hmm

Had you had a PPI done on the car, just read through the thread and didn't see result discussion?

[WOLFN8TR]

DME is bad, man that's something you don't see go bad very often.

How much does the dealer want for a new one if I dare ask? [emoji15]

$1400 on ECS

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Electrical/ES2500545/

eBay less than $500

http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=BMW+E46+330i+DME&_pgn=1

[Vas]

Cause of the dme going bad ?
Meaning why are they stating it is bad ? It is pretty rare for something like that to just go bad.

[fredo]

Another mafia member, Justinco, replaced the DME shortly after buying his car. Start on post #11.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10773-New-member-from-Colorado

Edit : skip to post #37 for DME details.

[WOLFN8TR]

Ok this is the second one I've heard of. Man this sucks to hear!


Sure:

Had the car at BMW for 2 weeks and they finally (after opening PUMA case with BMW Germany) came to the conclusion that the DME was failing. It started coughing up codes 28B2, 2796, and 27A1. Per the below SIB 124906, these indicated a faulty DME.

After replacing the DME last week I have not had one problem and the car is running perfect.



SI B12 49 06
Engine Electrical Systems April 2007
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B12 49 06 dated
November 2006.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
DME MS45 - FC28B2, 28AA, 28AC; Internal RAM Faults

MODEL
E46 M54 with MS45.1 from 9/00 to 7/06
E83 M54 with MS45.0/MS45.1 from 9/03 to 9/06
E85 M54 with MS45.0 from 10/04 to 1/06
E60 M54 with MS45.1 from 9/03 to 3/05

SITUATION
Customers may complain about a crank/no start or a rough start situation.
The "Service Engine Soon Light" or the DSC light is illuminated, and one
of the 3 scenarios may apply:

FC 28B2 "rpm limiting reset " is stored in the DME together with one, or
more of the following faults which are caused by the 28B2:
FC 28AC - "nominal torque",
FC 2796 - "throttle flap: adaptation wrong",
FC 27A1 - "throttle flap: start check",
FC 2869 - "DME self diagnostic: RAM check failed".
FC 28AA "idle speed regulator" is stored in the DME.
FC 28AC "nominal torque" is stored in the DME.

CAUSE
Fault codes 28B2, 28AA and 28AC indicate an internal DME RAM fault.

PROCEDURE
Perform the appropriate DIS/GT1 test modules for the 28B2, 28AA or 28AC.

Replace the DME if prompted by the DIS/GT1 test module results.

Important: Do not replace the throttle body for the throttle faults,
stored in conjunction with FC28B2, even when the test plan recommends to
do so.

[abranovi]

Mine came up with a very similar issue. The weird thing is that Euro Tech- the shop in Lincoln that sold me the car- just replaced the DME with a new one from BMW 3-4months ago. It seems strange for one to go bad so quickly like this...

Good news is that it will be under warranty- DMEs have 2 year warranty. I just wonder if something could potentially be causing them to fail..

[slater]

Mine came up with a very similar issue. The weird thing is that Euro Tech- the shop in Lincoln that sold me the car- just replaced the DME with a new one from BMW 3-4months ago. It seems strange for one to go bad so quickly like this...

Good news is that it will be under warranty- DMEs have 2 year warranty. I just wonder if something could potentially be causing them to fail..

well, that is SOME good news! let's hope the failing battery was to blame.

peter

[WOLFN8TR]

well, that is SOME good news! let's hope the failing battery was to blame.

peter

Problem #2 was the DME see post #50.

[slater]

Problem #2 was the DME see post #50.

i know, what i meant was, i hope the failing battery was the cause of BOTH fried DME's... so the new battery, and now new DME, will survive in harmony. :)

peter

[WOLFN8TR]

Gotcha. [emoji106]
I didn't know a failing battery can kill a DME. That sucks if true.

[slater]

Gotcha. [emoji106]
I didn't know a failing battery can kill a DME. That sucks if true.

you wouldn't expect the DME to be that fragile. but i think i remember hearing about this once before.

peter

[danewilson77]

So the word from the dealer is that the DME is bad. Oh no...
I think I have a spare DME at home.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Vas]

Made it home ?

[abranovi]

Made it home okay! Going to BMW on Tuesday to get it checked out

[Whammy]

Nice pickup. And glad to see you made the correct decision to road trip it! It's what I did from NJ to WI.

[abranovi]

So I got the car back finally!! Apparently it was the oil level sensor. I told the dealership that I couldn't believe that was what caused the problem- they agreed to refund me the labor charge if the problem comes back. So let's see!

[Oli77]

Really? Learn something everyday. An faulty oil level sensor would shut the car down? Hard to believe.

[az3579]

Really? Learn something everyday. An faulty oil level sensor would shut the car down? Hard to believe.

Mine is faulty but the car works just fine. :dunno

[abranovi]

Really? Learn something everyday. An faulty oil level sensor would shut the car down? Hard to believe.


Mine is faulty but the car works just fine. :dunno

I'm right there with you guys- that's why I was adamant with the dealership about the labor cost. So hopefully I don't have to bring it back, but I'm not holding my breath...

On another note- I really pushed the car hard through some corners for the first time today... Wow... With the systems disabled, the way you can use the power to steer the car around a corner is amazing!

[fredo]

So, no need to replace DME ?

[abranovi]

So, no need to replace DME ?

To be determined. We shall see if any problems return post oil level sensor replacement.

According to the dealer, the DME faults were not showing up, so I suppose they didn't return since I had the faults cleared in Cleveland.

Assuming I don't have any more stalling post replacement of this oil level sensor, the DME may not need replaced.

[BMWCurves]

Mine is faulty but the car works just fine. :dunno

As is mine, no other car issues. I plan to replace it next oil change.