Taking an E39 530 to italy

[crofty1984]

Right, I've just bought an E39 530i, I need to drive it to Milan. Does anyone have any advice? I'm going to keep some decent oil on me incase I need a top-up. What else should I do?

[Fox-]

Get in, turn the key, drive. Provided it's in good nick (Although given your budget if it's a Sport I suspect it may not be!) it'll make it there as easily as a Focus will get to Tesco.

Make sure you've got a litre of BMW LL01 approved oil though. Best off using Castrol Edge 0w30. It's £10.99 from Morrisons petrol station, or £14.99 from BMW with a free bag thing.

[StuB]

Tyres, brakes need at least a check, replace wipers, take lots of screenwash, also you need a reflective jacket & warning triangle (which should be in the BM's boot). Beam deflectors will also be necessary and GB plates, plus your documents will need to be with you.

[Fox-]

You dont need beam deflectors (And they dont work on projector headlights surely), just turn the little switch on top of each headlight.

[Egbert Nobacon]

Sounds daft but have you checked that the wheels are all balanced.

You don't want to drive all that way with a steering shake or rear end vibration - it will piss you off no end !

[dcb]

crofty1984 said:

Right, I've just bought an E39 530i, I need to drive it to Milan. Does anyone have any advice? I'm going to keep some decent oil on me incase I need a top-up. What else should I do?

Give it a couple hundred mile test run first.

Long weekend away / visit other end of UK.

If you are going to put a couple of thousand miles on
an untested E39, you could also visit your local BM
dealer.

I'm sure they would be happy to point out as much wrong
as possible.

I've taken my E39 to Italy a few times with no problems.

Oil and other consumables are available at almost every
petrol station from UK to Milan, so I wouldn't worry about
those.

Also, try putting in stronger petrol [ 100+ oktane]
than the 98 oktane it's supposed to run on. It loves it.

[Eggcup]

Having had the unpleasant experience of having a car stolen in Milan some 15 years ago, I'd say don't let it out of your sight.

[Killwilly]

Don't forget breakdown and recovery. I had the steering pump on my 2001 E46 pack up whilst on holiday in the south of France in May of this year. Whilst the repair was bad enough, £595. The recovery to the nearest dealership, 60 miles, would have cost a fortune, plus car hire for seven days and taxi fares. A years cover with IC was £69. There call centre were brilliant and arranged everything.