Towing a 98 m3

[erkj79]

I am moving cross country in a few months and wondering the best way to tow my 1998 m3 automatic, flatbed or is dolly permissible??

[Alpine 318is]

Flatbed

[Hova]

I've done long distance towing with an E36 both ways.

It really comes down to what you're going to be towing it with. Understand that a flatbed trailer is HEAVY. It's common to have a flatbed car trailer that weighs 2000-2200lbs empty.

Really the flatbed is a better option if you can.

[blckstrm]

Obviously a flatbed will be less wear and tear. If you can afford it, that's the best way to go.

If everything is in good shape, fluids are topped up (diff and tranny, obviously), and your brakes and wheel bearings are in good shape, dollying it shouldn't cause any undue wear and tear that driving it on the same trip wouldn't cause.

In either case, do not load it up as an extra storage space. If anything, you could use it to carry a few things that are fragile and need their own space.

[ChuckDizzle]

I am moving cross country in a few months and wondering the best way to tow my 1998 m3 automatic, flatbed or is dolly permissible??

Flatbed is preferable.

[Hova]

Obviously a flatbed will be less wear and tear. If you can afford it, that's the best way to go.

If everything is in good shape, fluids are topped up (diff and tranny, obviously), and your brakes and wheel bearings are in good shape, dollying it shouldn't cause any undue wear and tear that driving it on the same trip wouldn't cause.

In either case, do not load it up as an extra storage space. If anything, you could use it to carry a few things that are fragile and need their own space.

The problem I had with a dolly was getting it on and off (I'm about 1" lower than stock). Also any big bumps while towing the car on the dolly might touch the rear bumper or exhaust.

[gdavid]

Flatbed for all of the reasons mentioned plus a dolly is miserable to maneuver in small spaces, you really can't back up a dolly with a car on it with any practical amount of control. Sure it can be done for short distances or in the middle of a field but negotiating crowded gas stations, rest stops, hotel and restaurant parking lots each day with the stress of not being able to effectively maneuver is just one more stress you don't need on your plate.

If you are limited by the capacity of your tow rig and need to go with a dolly, I would go ahead and pull the drive shaft out of the car for such a long trip. If you are driving the car and something in drive train is failing, you will hear and feel it but on the dolly you would have no idea that something is amiss until a lot of damage is done.

[blckstrm]

Flatbed for all of the reasons mentioned plus a dolly is miserable to maneuver in small spaces, you really can't back up a dolly with a car on it with any practical amount of control. Sure it can be done for short distances or in the middle of a field but negotiating crowded gas stations, rest stops, hotel and restaurant parking lots each day with the stress of not being able to effectively maneuver is just one more stress you don't need on your plate.

If you are limited by the capacity of your tow rig and need to go with a dolly, I would go ahead and pull the drive shaft out of the car for such a long trip. If you are driving the car and something in drive train is failing, you will hear and feel it but on the dolly you would have no idea that something is amiss until a lot of damage is done.

I was thinking something similar, but I was thinking it'd be easier to pull the axles, which would also cut the diff out of the equation.

[Moron95M3]

Flat bed is great....as long as you can drive up the ramps.

I have a featherlite trailer, but the ramps don't like my front lip...so to get it on I either need a couple 2x12's or I take the bumper off.
If you're renting one, expect similar (depending on your height/etc)

[gdavid]

I was thinking something similar, but I was thinking it'd be easier to pull the axles, which would also cut the diff out of the equation.

The level of effort to pull the axles vs driveshaft would depend on the car and whether either have been serviced recently. The first time I pulled my driveshaft, it was miserable to get the exhaust off due to the header to mid pipe studs but getting the axles pushed through the rear hubs were just as difficult. Either job would be a relative breeze now, I think the driveshaft would be a bit quicker. The wheel bearings bearing to spindle to hub is pressed so tightly together that you would probably be just fine without it but the axle does secure the hub in place and I wouldn't pull the car across country without an axle stub in place.

I can imagine a scenario where the tow vehicle breaks down and how frustrating it would be to have a perfectly operable car at hand minus a piece of the drivetrain.

[RRSperry]

I’d seriously consider just shipping car with a car hauler...

[blckstrm]

I’d seriously consider just shipping car with a car hauler...

Man, there's a reason I do all my own work. I don't valet my car. I would never ship it, but it might be a good solution if you trust other people with your car.

The level of effort to pull the axles vs driveshaft would depend on the car and whether either have been serviced recently. The first time I pulled my driveshaft, it was miserable to get the exhaust off due to the header to mid pipe studs but getting the axles pushed through the rear hubs were just as difficult. Either job would be a relative breeze now, I think the driveshaft would be a bit quicker. The wheel bearings bearing to spindle to hub is pressed so tightly together that you would probably be just fine without it but the axle does secure the hub in place and I wouldn't pull the car across country without an axle stub in place.

I can imagine a scenario where the tow vehicle breaks down and how frustrating it would be to have a perfectly operable car at hand minus a piece of the drivetrain.

These are all great points. And honestly, the backing issue is the real problem. It's wouldn't be THAT much wear to really justify disconnecting things unless you're really anal - at which point the flatbed long ago was the right choice.

...

Honestly, the flatbed is the right choice.

[RRSperry]

Yes, I understand working on your car. But... Unless you have a really good tow rig (say a full size truck with a big, tow rated engine, trailer brake controller), life will be miserable.

And there are a lot of enclosed car haulers that carry a LOT of really expensive cars... Yes, it cost money, but sometimes it's worth it... (Horseless Carriage, Reliable, InterCity..)

If you are moving for a job, it's deductible too.

[Hova]

I was thinking something similar, but I was thinking it'd be easier to pull the axles, which would also cut the diff out of the equation.

WHOA!! Do NOT do this.

The axle and nut is what keeps the rear hubs on the trailing arm. If you remove the axle, the tire WILL come off and the bearing WILL seperate on the highway.

[shogun]

My E32 owners manual says: cars with automatic transmission: select lever at N, max. towing speed 50 kmh/31 miles/h, max towing distance 50 km/31 miles. To tow the car for greater distances, add 1 liter of ATF to the trans or remove the propeller shaft

[BMWManiac]

If you are moving for a job, it's deductible too.

I would also ask the employer if they provide a relocation package as part of the negotiation....My employer has shipped 1 x car for me

[blckstrm]

WHOA!! Do NOT do this.

The axle and nut is what keeps the rear hubs on the trailing arm. If you remove the axle, the tire WILL come off and the bearing WILL seperate on the highway.

Wait, what?

Hehe, yeah, someone else also pointed this out. I obviously didn't really think that idea through as well as I should have. I don't even know how you'd get it up on a dolly without power. If you can afford a dolly that nice, you can afford a crappy flatbed.

Shogun's comment from the e32 manual makes me think that using a dolly is somewhat less than OK.

I've towed with a moving truck before, and while it's anything but fast, it works.

[shogun]

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[emoore924]

Not to offtrack but if you're having trouble hitting the nose when you're pulling onto the trailer, use the tongue jack to raise the front of the trailer (while connected to the tow vehicle of course) which lowers the rear of the trailer and therefore the ramps.

[Hova]

Not to offtrack but if you're having trouble hitting the nose when you're pulling onto the trailer, use the tongue jack to raise the front of the trailer (while connected to the tow vehicle of course) which lowers the rear of the trailer and therefore the ramps.

I had to really crank the tongue jack for this, and still had to use some wood on the ramps to help clear the front bumper. I'm not even that low, H&R sport spring ride height. This is using the U-Haul full car trailer. In case people in the future are using this trailer with these or any car; the wheel fender on the trailer hinges down. Do this BEFORE loading your car so you can get in and out of the car without forgetting and denting your drivers side door.

[emoore924]

Yeah. Those u-haul trailers have a pretty steep "angle of attack". Also, built like a tank and probably weigh about the same.

[blckstrm]

Yeah. Those u-haul trailers have a pretty steep "angle of attack". Also, built like a tank and probably weigh about the same.

Yeah, no joke. They seriously weigh as much as the whole car.

[fasteddie313]

I pulled an E30 automatic on a dolly a couple hundred miles, backwards..
Put the rear wheels on the dolly, lock the steering wheel straight, ratchet strap on the steering wheel to keep it straight, go..
Probably would have to take the front bumper off the E36 though..