[dardeca]

My M5 should arrive to my dealer in the Midwest sometime in March...at which time I'll need to get it shipped to me in Texas. I'd started to do a little research on transport carriers and also reached out to my dealer. In talking to my CA, they have a few carriers they utilize frequently, but they are all open transport trailers. I was planning on shipping the car enclosed, but my CA seems to think that open with their preferred carriers is fine.

I had heard a few horror stories about cars picking up damage on the front end from road debris while in transport on open trailers. But I also know BMW ships their cars on open trailers...so maybe it's okay.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is road debris unlikely while shipping on an open transport? The price difference between open and enclosed is about $600...so price isn't an issue.

[drexplode]

Originally Posted by dardeca

My M5 should arrive to my dealer in the Midwest sometime in March...at which time I'll need to get it shipped to me in Texas. I'd started to do a little research on transport carriers and also reached out to my dealer. In talking to my CA, they have a few carriers they utilize frequently, but they are all open transport trailers. I was planning on shipping the car enclosed, but my CA seems to think that open with their preferred carriers is fine.

I had heard a few horror stories about cars picking up damage on the front end from road debris while in transport on open trailers. But I also know BMW ships their cars on open trailers...so maybe it's okay.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is road debris unlikely while shipping on an open transport? The price difference between open and enclosed is about $600...so price isn't an issue.

Enclosed and I've had great luck with montway. Customer service is great too.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by drexplode

Enclosed and I've had great luck with montway. Customer service is great too.

Is Montway a broker/agent...or are they shipping using their own trucks/drivers?

[Pimpsy]

Closed trailer only!

[drexplode]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Is Montway a broker/agent...or are they shipping using their own trucks/drivers?

Broker.

[desertfox73]

I've always had mine shipped open, with no issues. On the contrary, when I was shopping for a new X5M, one of the ones I found (heavily discounted) was one that had been damaged during transit to the dealer in a closed trailer.

[Quickburn7]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Is Montway a broker/agent...or are they shipping using their own trucks/drivers?

I always use enclosed door to door with NO sorting stops where they switch trucks. I use Passport, Reliant ( I use them the most) and JP logistics.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by Quickburn7

I always use enclosed door to door with NO sorting stops where they switch trucks. I use Passport, Reliant ( I use them the most) and JP logistics.

Never heard of Reliant, but just googled them and they are headquartered in the DFW area about 15 miles from my home. I'll have to reach out to them and get a quote...thanks for the heads up! Any special requests I should make beyond enclosed trailer with no sorting stops?

[Quickburn7]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Never heard of Reliant, but just googled them and they are headquartered in the DFW area about 15 miles from my home. I'll have to reach out to them and get a quote...thanks for the heads up! Any special requests I should make beyond enclosed trailer with no sorting stops?

When shipping a car I like to make sure the truck is half or almost full so that the truck isn't going all around picking up other cars and then have to drive around dropping them off.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by Quickburn7

When shipping a car I like to make sure the truck is half or almost full so that the truck isn't going all around picking up other cars and then have to drive around dropping them off.

So I just ask them about the truck assigned to pick up my car and how full it is already?

[Quickburn7]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Never heard of Reliant, but just googled them and they are headquartered in the DFW area about 15 miles from my home. I'll have to reach out to them and get a quote...thanks for the heads up! Any special requests I should make beyond enclosed trailer with no sorting stops?

So sorry meant Reliable auto transport! Long day and words are just bumble at this point.
Yes, you can ask them if they have trucks ready full in area or if it will be empty. They just shipped 2 cars for me last week and were great.

[themnmd]

Closed if the price difference is nominal for you

[SAFSF90]

I've used Reliable and closed trailer. Very happy with their service.

[Vic55]

Enclosed, look at the shit weather out there... cars kicking up rocks and crap.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by Quickburn7

I always use enclosed door to door with NO sorting stops where they switch trucks. I use Passport, Reliant ( I use them the most) and JP logistics.

Just checked with Reliable and they don't service the route I need (Nebraska to Dallas, Texas). I'll check with Passport, but seems JP Logistics is only on the West Coast.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Enclosed, look at the shit weather out there... cars kicking up rocks and crap.

That was my thought as well. Since BMW uses open trailers to get the cars to dealerships, I wonder how many arrive with damage from transport from the VPC.

[ActionDH]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Just checked with Reliable and they don't service the route I need (Nebraska to Dallas, Texas). I'll check with Passport, but seems JP Logistics is only on the West Coast.

Which dealer in Nebraska did you buy from?

[BB TX]

Originally Posted by dardeca

My M5 should arrive to my dealer in the Midwest sometime in March...at which time I'll need to get it shipped to me in Texas.
Anyone have any thoughts?

Why not fly up Friday evening or early Saturday, pick it up Saturday, and DRIVE it home.
That's what I did from my dealer in Illinois back to Austin. It was a blast, and I got my 1200 mile break in done immediately.
Cheers,
B B

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by BB TX

Why not fly up Friday evening or early Saturday, pick it up Saturday, and DRIVE it home.
That's what I did from my dealer in Illinois back to Austin. It was a blast, and I got my 1200 mile break in done immediately.
Cheers,
B B

I plan to wrap the car with PPF and don't want to damage the paint on a long drive home. Plus I'd rather spend my time on other things. A drive across the Midwest doesn't sound all that appealing (no offense to Kansas and Oklahoma residents)!!

[Ragazzi-07]

Always enclosed trailer....

[LSM]

Originally Posted by dardeca

My M5 should arrive to my dealer in the Midwest sometime in March...at which time I'll need to get it shipped to me in Texas. I'd started to do a little research on transport carriers and also reached out to my dealer. In talking to my CA, they have a few carriers they utilize frequently, but they are all open transport trailers. I was planning on shipping the car enclosed, but my CA seems to think that open with their preferred carriers is fine.

I had heard a few horror stories about cars picking up damage on the front end from road debris while in transport on open trailers. But I also know BMW ships their cars on open trailers...so maybe it's okay.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is road debris unlikely while shipping on an open transport? The price difference between open and enclosed is about $600...so price isn't an issue.

They should have arranged a courtesy delivery with a dealer by where you live

BMW would have dropped the car off to a local dealer even if purchased from an out of state dealer

I do it all the time - get courtesy delivery where I live on ordered cars from out of state dealer

Edit: If it's not on a boat yet they can have the car shipped from BMW to your local dealer still. You may have to pay for the PDI but lots cheaper and less pita then shipping from midwest

[POBA]

Originally Posted by LSM

They should have arranged a courtesy delivery with a dealer by where you live

BMW would have dropped the car off to a local dealer even if purchased from an out of state dealer

I do it all the time - get courtesy delivery where I live on ordered cars from out of state dealer

Edit: If it's not on a boat yet they can have the car shipped from BMW to your local dealer still. You may have to pay for the PDI but lots cheaper and less pita then shipping from midwest

Could you please elaborate on how you can get BMW to ship the car to local dealer as opposed to the dealer who ordered / sold the car? Thank you!