I have to make a business trip to Las Vegas in mid-July. I'm considering
the idea of taking my 18-year-old son with me, packing light (very light),
and driving the Z4, making a 3-day trip from Dallas through El Paso, Tucson,
Phoenix, & up to Las Vegas. We'd stay a week, then make another 3-day trip
back to Dallas through Albuquerque & Amarillo. Have I lost my mind? Is
this nuts? I'm concerned about a couple of things in particular...one is
the possibliity of getting a flat and trying to find a replacement for one
of those 18" run-flats out in the middle of nowhere. I'm also wondering if
the Z4 is up to the task of keeping itself cool, and keeping us from cooking
on a long-distance drive through that kind of heat. Any thoughts?

They did exactly this in June's copy of the Roundel! With a Z4 2.5.

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"mpotter" <removenospammikepotter (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote

No problems whatsoever - and the AC is much better on my Z4. Just bring
plenty of sunscreen.

According to the manual, the tires will handle 90 miles @ zero air pressure
and up to 500 miles @ 15 lbs. Of course, if you have a tire problem or any
other breakdown, you can always call BMW's 24 hr. roadside assistance.

In our younger days, my wife & I used to tour Texas, Arizona, Utah & Nevada
in July on a motorcycle. No AC, no run-flats, and less than 1/2 the luggage
space of a Z4!

Have a great trip.

Tom

I live in Phoenix and the AC in my Z4 can freeze one outta the car. Once
it's cooled down a low setting handles any highway driving needs very
well. Roadside assistance will cover any tire issues. Make sure your
tires are properly inflated and reset the tire monitor after airing your
tires. Improper inflation is the biggest cause of tire failure. The
tires on the Z are high heat, load and speed rated.

Fred

mpotter wrote:

On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 15:18:53 -0500, "mpotter"
<removenospammikepotter (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote:

The car should be very reliable. Don't pass up the opportunity to
spend time with your son. I went from New England to Las Vegas in a
1968 Buick LeSabre in the winter over the snow troute through
Colorado. That was 9 years ago. The car was far from new. I lost the
tranny and the waterpump on the way out. Not bad for such an old car
with 180K on the clock. You'll have a blast.

"mpotter" <removenospammikepotter (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote


The car itself should be fine, and the AC should be fine too. The real problem
is that if you do get a flat, or suffer some other mishap in the middle of
nowhere, being stuck can be miserable, or even life-threatening in that heat.
Some of those stretches of road are longer than a run-flat can go.* If you're
travelling on major roads it's unlikely you'll be left for dead (even for a few
minutes), but if not, it's a distinct possibility. Bring a couple gallons of
water, and a space blanket for shade, in case something happens. 115 deg heat
is nothing to be cavalier about. I assume you have a cell phone...

That said, I did many such trips in a 2002 w/ no air conditioning, and I
survived somehow. On one trip I even had to push start the car every time,
because the starter was dead. Hey, if you're gonna have an adventure, do it
right... :-)

*It is this reason, and the possibility of not being able to get a replacement
tire in Tucumcari on a Sunday, that I will not buy a car without a full-sized
spare.

Matt O.

When is the last time you had a flat in new, unabused tires? Its not like
you will be taking the car off road or anything like that. Just check your
tires before leaving, inflating them to the proper pressure, and have a good
time. Have you had a problem so far with your AC? If not, then it probably
will work without problems on your trip. My Z3 has kept me cool in the heat
of July throughout the southwest. Pack light and, if you need to, ship some
other things.

Kathy
98 2.8l Dakar Yellow exclusive edition
01 740i Jet Black/black